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One More Trickster: Coyote. Native American Trickster Tales http://hotcakencyclopedia.com/ho.Trickster%26Honey.html For more see: http://hotcakencyclopedia.com/. http://trickstercentral.blogspot.com/. Who wears a helmet like this in Homer’s Iliad ?. 29. 26. Odysseus Ilium Sisyphus. 0. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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One More Trickster CoyoteNative American Trickster Tales
httphotcakencyclopediacomhoTrickster26Honeyhtml
For more seehttphotcakencyclopediacom
bull httptrickstercentralblogspotcom
BugsBunny Wiley Coyote - Shortcutlnk
Who wears a helmet like this in Homerrsquos Iliad
Mean = 1
1 2 3
100
00
1 Odysseus
2 Ilium
3 Sisyphus
The name of this trickster is
Mean = 2875
1 2 3
4
92
4
1 Sisyphus
2 Hermes
3 Prometheus
Which term does not describe a trickster
Mean = 38462
1 2 3 4
0
88
84
1 mischievous
2 cunning
3 vulgar
4 physically strong
Ways of Interpreting MythTricksters
Ancient Vs Modern
The Web of Myth
Interpreting myth is like Penelope at her loom Thread upon thread of interpretation is interwoven in myth As one approach to myth goes out of favor and is unraveled from the fabric another takes its place The result is that like Penelopes shroud the cloth of myth interpretation is ever-changing and can never be finished See Sienkewicz on the Web of MythSee also Michael Websterrsquos Ways of Interpreting Myths
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
Homer XenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
The Rationalist ApproachXenophanes of Colophon
c570 BCQuestioned the godsrsquo Anthropomorphism
170 But mortals consider that the gods are born and that they have clothes and speech and bodies like their own
171 The Ethiopians say that their gods are snub- nosed and black the Thracians that theirs have light blue eyes and red hair
172 But if cattle and horses or lions had hands or were able to draw with their hands and do the works that men can do horses would draw the forms of gods like horses and cattle like cattle and they would make their bodies such as they each had themselves
So what would Xenophanes say about Hermes the Trickster
Myths as Allegory
Theagenes of Rhegium (525 BC) gods as symbols of human qualities eg Athena = wisdom
Hermes = trickery
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (c500-428 BC) The misdeeds of the gods are intended to illustrate evil and teach virtue
Myths as Instructive Models (Paradigmatic Model)
Is Sisyphus a ParadeigmWhat instructive model does he offer
Aeschylus (c525-456 BC) used myth to teach Athenians about the gods and the their role in the civic life of Athens
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Who wears a helmet like this in Homerrsquos Iliad
Mean = 1
1 2 3
100
00
1 Odysseus
2 Ilium
3 Sisyphus
The name of this trickster is
Mean = 2875
1 2 3
4
92
4
1 Sisyphus
2 Hermes
3 Prometheus
Which term does not describe a trickster
Mean = 38462
1 2 3 4
0
88
84
1 mischievous
2 cunning
3 vulgar
4 physically strong
Ways of Interpreting MythTricksters
Ancient Vs Modern
The Web of Myth
Interpreting myth is like Penelope at her loom Thread upon thread of interpretation is interwoven in myth As one approach to myth goes out of favor and is unraveled from the fabric another takes its place The result is that like Penelopes shroud the cloth of myth interpretation is ever-changing and can never be finished See Sienkewicz on the Web of MythSee also Michael Websterrsquos Ways of Interpreting Myths
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
Homer XenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
The Rationalist ApproachXenophanes of Colophon
c570 BCQuestioned the godsrsquo Anthropomorphism
170 But mortals consider that the gods are born and that they have clothes and speech and bodies like their own
171 The Ethiopians say that their gods are snub- nosed and black the Thracians that theirs have light blue eyes and red hair
172 But if cattle and horses or lions had hands or were able to draw with their hands and do the works that men can do horses would draw the forms of gods like horses and cattle like cattle and they would make their bodies such as they each had themselves
So what would Xenophanes say about Hermes the Trickster
Myths as Allegory
Theagenes of Rhegium (525 BC) gods as symbols of human qualities eg Athena = wisdom
Hermes = trickery
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (c500-428 BC) The misdeeds of the gods are intended to illustrate evil and teach virtue
Myths as Instructive Models (Paradigmatic Model)
Is Sisyphus a ParadeigmWhat instructive model does he offer
Aeschylus (c525-456 BC) used myth to teach Athenians about the gods and the their role in the civic life of Athens
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
The name of this trickster is
Mean = 2875
1 2 3
4
92
4
1 Sisyphus
2 Hermes
3 Prometheus
Which term does not describe a trickster
Mean = 38462
1 2 3 4
0
88
84
1 mischievous
2 cunning
3 vulgar
4 physically strong
Ways of Interpreting MythTricksters
Ancient Vs Modern
The Web of Myth
Interpreting myth is like Penelope at her loom Thread upon thread of interpretation is interwoven in myth As one approach to myth goes out of favor and is unraveled from the fabric another takes its place The result is that like Penelopes shroud the cloth of myth interpretation is ever-changing and can never be finished See Sienkewicz on the Web of MythSee also Michael Websterrsquos Ways of Interpreting Myths
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
Homer XenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
The Rationalist ApproachXenophanes of Colophon
c570 BCQuestioned the godsrsquo Anthropomorphism
170 But mortals consider that the gods are born and that they have clothes and speech and bodies like their own
171 The Ethiopians say that their gods are snub- nosed and black the Thracians that theirs have light blue eyes and red hair
172 But if cattle and horses or lions had hands or were able to draw with their hands and do the works that men can do horses would draw the forms of gods like horses and cattle like cattle and they would make their bodies such as they each had themselves
So what would Xenophanes say about Hermes the Trickster
Myths as Allegory
Theagenes of Rhegium (525 BC) gods as symbols of human qualities eg Athena = wisdom
Hermes = trickery
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (c500-428 BC) The misdeeds of the gods are intended to illustrate evil and teach virtue
Myths as Instructive Models (Paradigmatic Model)
Is Sisyphus a ParadeigmWhat instructive model does he offer
Aeschylus (c525-456 BC) used myth to teach Athenians about the gods and the their role in the civic life of Athens
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Which term does not describe a trickster
Mean = 38462
1 2 3 4
0
88
84
1 mischievous
2 cunning
3 vulgar
4 physically strong
Ways of Interpreting MythTricksters
Ancient Vs Modern
The Web of Myth
Interpreting myth is like Penelope at her loom Thread upon thread of interpretation is interwoven in myth As one approach to myth goes out of favor and is unraveled from the fabric another takes its place The result is that like Penelopes shroud the cloth of myth interpretation is ever-changing and can never be finished See Sienkewicz on the Web of MythSee also Michael Websterrsquos Ways of Interpreting Myths
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
Homer XenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
The Rationalist ApproachXenophanes of Colophon
c570 BCQuestioned the godsrsquo Anthropomorphism
170 But mortals consider that the gods are born and that they have clothes and speech and bodies like their own
171 The Ethiopians say that their gods are snub- nosed and black the Thracians that theirs have light blue eyes and red hair
172 But if cattle and horses or lions had hands or were able to draw with their hands and do the works that men can do horses would draw the forms of gods like horses and cattle like cattle and they would make their bodies such as they each had themselves
So what would Xenophanes say about Hermes the Trickster
Myths as Allegory
Theagenes of Rhegium (525 BC) gods as symbols of human qualities eg Athena = wisdom
Hermes = trickery
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (c500-428 BC) The misdeeds of the gods are intended to illustrate evil and teach virtue
Myths as Instructive Models (Paradigmatic Model)
Is Sisyphus a ParadeigmWhat instructive model does he offer
Aeschylus (c525-456 BC) used myth to teach Athenians about the gods and the their role in the civic life of Athens
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Ways of Interpreting MythTricksters
Ancient Vs Modern
The Web of Myth
Interpreting myth is like Penelope at her loom Thread upon thread of interpretation is interwoven in myth As one approach to myth goes out of favor and is unraveled from the fabric another takes its place The result is that like Penelopes shroud the cloth of myth interpretation is ever-changing and can never be finished See Sienkewicz on the Web of MythSee also Michael Websterrsquos Ways of Interpreting Myths
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
Homer XenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
The Rationalist ApproachXenophanes of Colophon
c570 BCQuestioned the godsrsquo Anthropomorphism
170 But mortals consider that the gods are born and that they have clothes and speech and bodies like their own
171 The Ethiopians say that their gods are snub- nosed and black the Thracians that theirs have light blue eyes and red hair
172 But if cattle and horses or lions had hands or were able to draw with their hands and do the works that men can do horses would draw the forms of gods like horses and cattle like cattle and they would make their bodies such as they each had themselves
So what would Xenophanes say about Hermes the Trickster
Myths as Allegory
Theagenes of Rhegium (525 BC) gods as symbols of human qualities eg Athena = wisdom
Hermes = trickery
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (c500-428 BC) The misdeeds of the gods are intended to illustrate evil and teach virtue
Myths as Instructive Models (Paradigmatic Model)
Is Sisyphus a ParadeigmWhat instructive model does he offer
Aeschylus (c525-456 BC) used myth to teach Athenians about the gods and the their role in the civic life of Athens
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
The Web of Myth
Interpreting myth is like Penelope at her loom Thread upon thread of interpretation is interwoven in myth As one approach to myth goes out of favor and is unraveled from the fabric another takes its place The result is that like Penelopes shroud the cloth of myth interpretation is ever-changing and can never be finished See Sienkewicz on the Web of MythSee also Michael Websterrsquos Ways of Interpreting Myths
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
Homer XenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
The Rationalist ApproachXenophanes of Colophon
c570 BCQuestioned the godsrsquo Anthropomorphism
170 But mortals consider that the gods are born and that they have clothes and speech and bodies like their own
171 The Ethiopians say that their gods are snub- nosed and black the Thracians that theirs have light blue eyes and red hair
172 But if cattle and horses or lions had hands or were able to draw with their hands and do the works that men can do horses would draw the forms of gods like horses and cattle like cattle and they would make their bodies such as they each had themselves
So what would Xenophanes say about Hermes the Trickster
Myths as Allegory
Theagenes of Rhegium (525 BC) gods as symbols of human qualities eg Athena = wisdom
Hermes = trickery
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (c500-428 BC) The misdeeds of the gods are intended to illustrate evil and teach virtue
Myths as Instructive Models (Paradigmatic Model)
Is Sisyphus a ParadeigmWhat instructive model does he offer
Aeschylus (c525-456 BC) used myth to teach Athenians about the gods and the their role in the civic life of Athens
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
Homer XenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
The Rationalist ApproachXenophanes of Colophon
c570 BCQuestioned the godsrsquo Anthropomorphism
170 But mortals consider that the gods are born and that they have clothes and speech and bodies like their own
171 The Ethiopians say that their gods are snub- nosed and black the Thracians that theirs have light blue eyes and red hair
172 But if cattle and horses or lions had hands or were able to draw with their hands and do the works that men can do horses would draw the forms of gods like horses and cattle like cattle and they would make their bodies such as they each had themselves
So what would Xenophanes say about Hermes the Trickster
Myths as Allegory
Theagenes of Rhegium (525 BC) gods as symbols of human qualities eg Athena = wisdom
Hermes = trickery
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (c500-428 BC) The misdeeds of the gods are intended to illustrate evil and teach virtue
Myths as Instructive Models (Paradigmatic Model)
Is Sisyphus a ParadeigmWhat instructive model does he offer
Aeschylus (c525-456 BC) used myth to teach Athenians about the gods and the their role in the civic life of Athens
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
The Rationalist ApproachXenophanes of Colophon
c570 BCQuestioned the godsrsquo Anthropomorphism
170 But mortals consider that the gods are born and that they have clothes and speech and bodies like their own
171 The Ethiopians say that their gods are snub- nosed and black the Thracians that theirs have light blue eyes and red hair
172 But if cattle and horses or lions had hands or were able to draw with their hands and do the works that men can do horses would draw the forms of gods like horses and cattle like cattle and they would make their bodies such as they each had themselves
So what would Xenophanes say about Hermes the Trickster
Myths as Allegory
Theagenes of Rhegium (525 BC) gods as symbols of human qualities eg Athena = wisdom
Hermes = trickery
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (c500-428 BC) The misdeeds of the gods are intended to illustrate evil and teach virtue
Myths as Instructive Models (Paradigmatic Model)
Is Sisyphus a ParadeigmWhat instructive model does he offer
Aeschylus (c525-456 BC) used myth to teach Athenians about the gods and the their role in the civic life of Athens
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Myths as Allegory
Theagenes of Rhegium (525 BC) gods as symbols of human qualities eg Athena = wisdom
Hermes = trickery
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (c500-428 BC) The misdeeds of the gods are intended to illustrate evil and teach virtue
Myths as Instructive Models (Paradigmatic Model)
Is Sisyphus a ParadeigmWhat instructive model does he offer
Aeschylus (c525-456 BC) used myth to teach Athenians about the gods and the their role in the civic life of Athens
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Myths as Instructive Models (Paradigmatic Model)
Is Sisyphus a ParadeigmWhat instructive model does he offer
Aeschylus (c525-456 BC) used myth to teach Athenians about the gods and the their role in the civic life of Athens
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Myths as Inaccurate
Euripides on the birth of Dionysus
Confusion between thigh (meron) and hostage (hemeron) a reference to the false image of Dionysus which Zeus gave to Hera as a hostage
Boston Museum of Fine Arts 9539Attic Red-Figure Lekythos
Can you think of a way to explain Sisyphus wrestling with Death as an inaccuracy
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
bullThe poets pretend to know all sorts of things but they really know nothing at all The things they deal with cannot be known they are images far removed from what is most real By presenting scenes so far removed from the truth poets pervert souls turning them away from the most real toward the least What would Plato criticize in Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullWorse the images the poets portray do not imitate the good part of the soul The rational part of the soul is quiet stable and not easy to imitate or understand Poets imitate the worst partsmdashthe inclinations that make characters easily excitable and colorful Poetry naturally appeals to the worst parts of souls and arouses nourishes and strengthens this base elements while diverting energy from the rational part
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Is this true for Sisyphusrsquo myth
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Myths as DangerousPlato Banishes Poetry (=Myths) from
his Ideal Republic
bullPoetry corrupts even the best souls It deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively who lust inappropriately who laugh at base things It even goads us into feeling these base emotions vicariously We think there is no shame in indulging these emotions because we are indulging them with respect to a fictional character and not with respect to our own lives
In Republic Book X Socrates banishes poets from the city as unwholesome and dangerous because
Does Sisyphusrsquo myth corrupt If so how
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
EuhemerismOn Euhemerus of Messene see httpwwwcsunedu~hcfll004euhemerushtml
From Diodorus SiculusNow Euhemerus who was a friend of King Cassander [of Macedonia (301 to 297 BC)] and was required by him to perform certain affairs of state and to make great journeys abroad says that he traveled southward as far as the [Indian] ocean for setting sail from Arabia he voyaged through the ocean for a considerable number of days and was carried to the shore of some islands in the sea one of which bore the name of Panachaea On this island he saw the Panachaeans who dwell there who excel in piety and honor the gods with the most magnificent sacrifices and with remarkable votive offerings of silver and gold There is also on the island situated on an exceedingly high hill a sanctuary of Zeus which was established by him during the time when he was king of all the inhabited world and was still in the company of men And in the temple there is a stele of gold on which is inscribed in summary in the writing employed by the Panchaeans the deeds of Ouranos and Kronos and Zeus
Egyptian Pharaohs as Living HorusRoman Emperors Deified (Apotheosis)
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
DIVOANTONINOETDIVAEFAUSTINAEEXSC
Temple of Antonins Piusand Faustinac 141 AD
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings
Ancient Ways of Viewing Myth
Archaic 750-480 BC
Classical 480-323 BC
Hellenistic 323-146 BC
HomerXenophanesTheagenes
AnaxagorasAeschylusEuripidesSocratesPlato
Euhemerus
Myth as Venerable TraditionQuestioning of Myths (Rationality)
Myths as Allegory
Myths as Instructive ModelsMyths as InaccurateMyths of Questionable MoralityMyths as Dangerous
Gods as Deified Heroes and Kings