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Themes in Greek Mythology

The document discusses major themes in Greek mythology including the nature of gods and goddesses, reward and retribution, the hero's quest, fate, beauty, love, and war. The gods and goddesses embody human traits and flaws and often manipulate mortals for their own purposes. Myths also illustrate that moral actions are judged and pride, arrogance, or disobedience are punished. Heroes undertake impossible tasks, help gods, and reclaim their place in life. Fate cannot be changed and oracles predict the future. Beauty often leads to suffering while love is usually unrequited and leads to tragedy. War is inevitable and gods take sides in mortal conflicts.

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Sher Elliott
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869 views9 pages

Themes in Greek Mythology

The document discusses major themes in Greek mythology including the nature of gods and goddesses, reward and retribution, the hero's quest, fate, beauty, love, and war. The gods and goddesses embody human traits and flaws and often manipulate mortals for their own purposes. Myths also illustrate that moral actions are judged and pride, arrogance, or disobedience are punished. Heroes undertake impossible tasks, help gods, and reclaim their place in life. Fate cannot be changed and oracles predict the future. Beauty often leads to suffering while love is usually unrequited and leads to tragedy. War is inevitable and gods take sides in mortal conflicts.

Uploaded by

Sher Elliott
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Themes in Greek

Mythology
MEN AND GODS
What is a theme?

u Theme: a universal idea explored in a


literary work; a statement about life
u Motif: a recurring structure, object, or
literary device in literature
Gods and Goddesses

u The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology embody human emotions.


u The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology manifest human flaws and failings.
u o Feasting/Drinking
o Philandering/Adultery
o Obsessive Jealousy, Stubbornness, Pride, Anger
u The gods/goddesses manipulate and use mortals for their own purposes.
u The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology often deceived and/or abducted
u mortals.
u The schemes and plots of the gods and goddesses often entangled mortals.
u The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology had frequent affairs (with each other
as well as with mortals).
Reward for Goodness & Retribution
for Evil
u The gods/goddesses judge our moral actions and dispense justice
u accordingly.
u The gods punish pride, arrogance, and/or disobedience in mortals.
u Those who defy or challenge the gods are made to suffer.
u o Horrible and/or eternal punishments o Transformed into monsters
o Transformed into natural phenomena
u The morality of Greek mythology is not the same as Judeo-Christian
morality. (Some things they considered honorable, we consider
terrible.)
u Many myths are “morality tales” that illustrate the value system of
the culture.
The Hero’s Quest

u Heroes are often “more than human.”


u Offspring of a god and a human
u Superhuman strength or ability; crafty and intelligent
Heroes rise from lowly beginnings or unhappy circumstances.
u Foster parents or single mother/Abandoned by father
u Poverty
u Heroes complete seemingly impossible tasks.
u Kill monsters
Outsmart enemies
Overcome “impossible obstacles” against all odds
u Heroes reclaim their rightful place in life.
o Find/Overthrow father or evil ruler
o Take back rightful throne
o Defeat enemies who sought to destroy them
u Heroes get help from gods/goddesses
Fate

u No human or god can escape fate.


u Oracles, seers, prophecies
u Trying to change fate only guarantees a prophecy comes to pass.
Beauty

u Beautiful is better.
u Judgment of Paris, Aphrodite, Helen of Troy
u The quest for beauty is the cause of much suffering.
Love

u Love is often unrequited.


u Love often leads to tragedy.
u Lovers are often abandoned by those they love.
u Love between gods and mortals seldom works out.
u Selfish love ends in suffering.
War

u War is an inescapable part of existence.


u The greatest warriors are proud and/or arrogant.
u It is an honor to die in battle.
u Gods/Goddesses involve themselves (and choose sides) in mortal
conflicts.
u Bloodshed begets bloodshed.
u The gods avenge those who do not give proper burial rites to those
who died in battle.

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