Week 2 Essay: Tragedy In Ancient Mythology

In this week's reading there was a trend of many tragic endings.  Some stories in particular include: Daedalus and Icarus, The Death of Hercules, Orpheus and Eurydice, and The Death of Adonis.  Each ending consists of an unforeseen death, or death has already been integrated in the plot.  Out of all of these stories Orpheus and Eurydice was the one I found the most disheartening.  Specific elements of the story are matrimony, loss, and re-loss. Orpheus loses his wife on his wedding day when a serpent fatally bites Eurydice’s ankle.  He was a famous Greek musician, and he travels to the underworld to retrieve her.  While there he performs a song so touching, it persuaded Pluto and Persephone.  He was granted his wife, but was instructed not to look back at her until they have returned to the mortal world. On their journey back, Orpheus begins to wonder if his wife is still beside him and tries to sneak a look at her.  In the instant he turns his head, she disappears in thin air, and he is forbidden to cross the river of Styx again. This last scene received the saddest emotional response from me. One could sense that the young man was in love with his wife, so much that due to human error he lost her a second time.  

 

(Modification of Orphée ramenant Eurydice des enfers 1816
 by Jean-Baptiste-Caille Corot (1796-1875: Wiki Commons)

In each of the other readings each person's death is secondary to ignorance, or an incurable mistake in Hercules’ case. Orpheus and Eurydice were on the verge of their happily ever after, when a single snake happened to be in the right place at the right time.  I view this as misfortune, and there wasn’t anything the newlyweds could do to prevent the bite. In the other stories I feel that death was used as a lesson learned, or a transformation to a bigger plot.  Icarus and Adonis were both warned by loved ones to take care in choosing their actions, and instead of taking precaution they evidentially ended themselves with ignorant tragedy.  In the case of Hercules his death was just another epic feat of his, and in the end he was able to enter Mount Olympus and become a god.  In his story his death could initially viewed as a tragedy, but then emotions could change since he is obtaining a higher status such as immortality.

Week 2 Storyelling: The Birth of Hercules

Diary of Alcemna.

Entry 1:
Oh diary, I am very upset at this time, and I must confide in you the keeper of my secrets. I been tricked! I thought my poor, but wonderful, husband had returned home early from war.  After a short reunion he states he must return to his post.  This would have been fine, but instead of walking out of our home, he walked to the window instead.  Before I could ask him what he was doing he turned into an eagle and flew out into the night! I knew in that very moment that it was not my husband but a god, possibly Zeus himself! I am too upset to write anymore, I shall continue tomorrow.

Entry 2: (A few weeks have passed)
I have returned diary, but not without the worst news.  My, real, husband's fleet has finally returned from war and despite their victories there is awful talk of my beloved. Rumor has it that while they were in battle he had prayed to the mighty Zeus that he would return home to his spouse. Zeus heard his prayer, and protected him throughout the battle.  When battle was over all the men of the army ventured to nearby temples to sacrifice to the gods.  This is where my husband made his mistake, he became hot-headed and boldly stated that he did not need Zeus' aide. He continued that skill was untouchable by any warrior, and decided not to give sacrifice.  Zeus quickly overheard this and was enraged.  Before he could plot death on the battle field, the enemy surrendered and war was over.  He learned that this man had a beautiful and loyal wife, and decided this would be his revenge tactic.  After his deed, he visited my husband in his dreams and told him of his actions.  He told him that he had impregnated me with who will become the most powerful hero in ages.  I have yet to see my husband in person, diary, but I hope that he is not angry with me.  I will soon write of our reunion.

Entry 3:
Oh diary, this scenario is growing worse with each passing day.  More bad news has come.  My husband has finally returned home, and accepts my pregnancy fearing to further anger the might king of the gods. Before I could say anything on the matter a messenger swiftly enters our chamber.  He stated that Hera, wife of Zeus, has heard of her husband's infidelity. She seeks revenge on me and my unborn child. He tell us while at a banquet of the gods Zeus, who was intoxicated, stated that he has been a victim of Cupid's powerful influence, and has created a descendant of half immortality. He continued to state that this child would grow to be a great, powerful, hero and all will worship him. With this statement Hera was irate with embarrassment, and quickly left the hall. Before my husband, and I, could ask the messenger where he had heard such an elaborate story, he quickly relayed that he is Hermes and disappeared in thin air. Oh what am I to do!

Entry 4: (Nine month's later)
I have not written in such a while, but the time is near for me to give birth. Surprisingly there has been no more talk of Hera's revenge on me and my child.  It has been eerily peaceful throughout my pregnancy, and I am afraid a storm is brewing.  My abdomen has stretched far, womb heavy with child, it is unmistakable that I am pregnant with a god's offspring.  Pregnancy tires me, diary, I will write after childbirth is over.

Entry 5:
So much has happened in two weeks time.  I have given birth to a son, and named him Hercules.  It was not without turmoil though, and if it were not for my loyal servant Galanthis I could still be in labor at this very moment. The story follows:

I had been in labor for seven consecutive days.  On day seven I felt my will and strength withering, and I called to the heavens for Lucina to visit me.  Lucina is the infamous goddess of childbirth, and she soon arrived at my doorstep with a grin on her face.  "Oh look at you," she said, "it was unfortunate to have been impregnated by Zeus for his wife is enjoying your agony."  A cold chill ran down my spine, but was quickly replaced by a contraction. I pleaded in pain, but she sat in the doorway with her hands clasped over her knees.  Everyone in the house knew that if Lucina remained unpersuaded, I may suffer death from childbirth. My Galanthis heard the words spoken by Lucina, and she decided to concoct a plan to trick her.  Later in the evening I had fallen into a slumber from exhaustion, and there was an unusual silence inside my home.  Lucina was lounging in the front room, hands still clasped, and was talking leisurely with her nymphs.  There was a sudden wale of a child.  Lucina, startled, leaped from her seat and ran into my chamber.  As she stood she momentarily released the clasp of her hands, and I awakened to my womb opening and childbirth was over.  Lucina witnessed the birth, and realized she had been tricked. Galanthis had borrowed her cousin's babe, and once I was had fallen asleep she took this opportunity to stage the fake birth of my Hercules.  Lucina, fuming, grabbed Galanthis and screamed, "You wretched girl!  "Since you have tricked me, and act as a pet to your master, I will turn you into one!" Galanthis was transformed into a dog, and is cursed to carry litters to lengthen the agony of childbirth.  Although Galanthis made a significant sacrifice for me, she still frequents my home, and I have ordered all to treat her lavishly.  Now that Hercules is born I hope the torture has ended, but only Fate knows...

(Birth of Hercules)

Author's Note:  I wrote this story based off Ovid's story of The Birth of Hercules in his book Metamorphoses. Metamorphoses is known as a mix collection of old Roman Myths translated into enlgish pertaining to transformations.  In the original there is no back story of how Alcemna and Zues conceived Herules, in fact the tale is a story within a story, and Alcemna is trying to console another woman as she herself is giving birth.  In the original Lucina has been sworn to prolong or prevent the birth of Hercules, per Juno, and she is tricked by Galanthis.  Though, in this version of the tale Galanthis tells Lucina that Alcmna has given birth and she must go congratulate her. Lucina then jumps up, unclamps her hands, and Alcmna was able to give birth.  The goddess quickly realizes that she had been tricked, and turns Galanthis into a weasel instead of a dog.  Since her trick had to do with childbirth she was cursed to give birth through her mouth from then on.  The introduction of the text explains that the Roman's actually believed that weasel's gave birth through their mouths.  I decided to tell it in a diary fashion so I could elaborate in the point of view of just Alcemna.  I excluded the part where she is telling the story to another woman, to limit word count, and instead used a diary so that she could still be confiding in someone.  This was also one of the shorter stories in Metamorphoses, and I liked this so I could elaborate and make up points that were left untold in the original.  

Bibliography:

Book: Metamorphoses 

Author: Tony Kline (Translated Ovid's original into english)

Year Published: 2000

Web Source: Ovid's Metamorphoses

Week 2 Reading Diary: Greek Myths: Ovid III

Below I have written a small(ish) summary of my favorite stories from the Unit Greek Myths: Ovid III.  There was a wide variety of stories in this Unit, and many of them were broken up into several sections.

Daedalus and Icarus:
This story tells how Daedalus is a known inventor, and has been exiled to an island. He devises an escape plan for he and his son, Icarus.  He knows that escaping on land or sea is impossible, so he creates two makeshift sets of wings with wax as the binding.  Prior to taking off into the air, Daedalus warns Icarus from flying too high or too low.  Once in flight Icarus became careless, began to fly too high, and consequently the wax began to melt.  Icarus ends up falling to the ocean, and drowns because he did not head his father's warnings.

(Landscape with the Fall of Icarus, Hans Bol: WikiCommons)

Philemon and Baucis & Transformation of Philemon and Baucis:
This story caught my attention because it tells about a humble couple who pleased the gods Jupiter (Zeus) and Mercury (Hermes).  The gods had decided to build a temple in an inhabited swamp.  They knocked one each door to test the households' kindness, and was turned away from all expect Philemon and Baucis. The couple did all they could to politely serve their guests, and soon realized that they were catering to gods.  In the end Jupiter and Mercury escort them out of the swamp, where the temple immediately is built. They told the couple they would grant them one wish. Philemon and Baucis reply with a request to be the priests of the new temple, and when it is time for them to pass they wish to do so together.  This couple practically had nothing, resided in poverty, but did not ask for much more when they could have been granted anything.

Achelous, The Shirt of Nessus, & The Death of Hercules:
The first story is pertinent, since it tells the tale where the great Hercules wrestles Achelous, the river god, for the hand of the beautiful Deianira.  Hercules eventually wins, and they are soon wed and journey to his home when they come across the River Euenus.  Nessus, a centaur, offers to help the new bride across the river, but ends up taking her with intentions of rape. Hercules is quick to action and sends a poisonous arrow through the back of Nessus, killing him.  As Nessus is dying he gives Deianira a blood soaked cloak as a "love token," and for some off reason she accepts it.  The last story tells, after some time, a rumor floats around the household of Hercules that he has eyes for another woman.  Deianira believes the rumor, remembers her previously gifted "love token," and sends a servant to deliver the item as a gift to Hercules. She is unaware the cloak contains the same poison that killed Nessus.  Once Hercules places the shirt onto his body he is doomed.  The poison immediately sears into his flesh, is unable to remove it, and he is in a great deal of agony.  It is known that Hercules is a demigod, and that Jupiter (Zeus) is his father. Jupiter petitions to the gods that since he is a part of him, that he is part immortal, and that Hercules has passed all his trials and tribulations.  He requests that they allow Hercules to enter Mount Olympus and take place among them, and they agree. In the mean time Hercules has chosen to end himself voluntarily and builds a pyre.  He enters the fire and once his mortal self is burned away, leaving only his immortal being, Jupiter sends a chariot to retrieve him.

(Funeral of Hercules, Hans Sebald Beham: WikiCommons)

The story of Hercules was my longest review, but thus far it is my favorite of this Unit.

Birth of Hercules:
The story following the trilogy of Hercules life his mother, Alcmena, tells about his birth.  She tells while being in labor for a consecutive week, she called upon the goddess of childbirth Lucina.  She arrived but she had previously made a prior commitment, to Juno (Hera), to keep the child in the womb as long as possible.  She has her hands placed in a clasp, over her knees, and this was symbolized as her "hold" on childbirth. Alcmena mentions a loyal servant, Galanthis, who decided to trick Lucina into allowing her master the ease of childbirth.  She came to Lucina and told her to congratulate the lady on the birth on her new child.  This surprised the goddess leaped from her spot, momentarily releasing her clasped hands, and Alcmena was able to give birth.  Lucina soon realized that she had been tricked, and transformed Galanthis into a weasel.  Since her lie had aided in the birth Galanthis, in weasel form, now is forced to proceed with childbirth through her mouth.

Atlanta and Hippomenes & The Foot-Race:
Atlanta was known for her ability to run faster than anyone around, and for her beauty.  She was once told by a god that she should not seek a husband for it would change her.  She tried to remain unmarried, but suitors would come after her persistently.  She had told all of them that the only way she would be wed is if they were to beat her in a foot race, and if they happen to lose then they will have their life taken.  Nonetheless suitors would flock from all areas.  Once Hippomenes, grandson of Neptuene, came to see what all commotion was about.  He, like the other men, soon was infatuated by Atlanta.  He decided to challenge Atalanta in a race, but in concern that he would lose, he first visited Aphrodite.  She agreed to help Hoppomenes, and gives him three golden apples. During the big race anytime Atalanta would be in the lead Hippomenes would throw an apple, and she would retrieve it.  He eventually won and they were soon wed.  After some time Aphrodite became angry that Hippomenes never thanked, or gave sacrifice for, her and came up with a scheme.  When the newlyweds were on a journey, while resting, Aphrodite gave Hippomenes the sudden urge to make love to his wife. They were compelled to go through with the action and defiled a sacred temple.  The god who the temple was devoted to then turned the couple into lions.

(Hippomenes and Atalanta, Nicolas Colombel:WikiCommons)