Thanks Daniel. Glad you found it worthwhile. Gilgamesh is on my reading list for some point in the future. Not sure if I will get to it this year as my plate is pretty full but we will see when I can fit it in.
Thank you, Matthew, for Hera's backstory. I'm beginning to think that Hesiod should be a prerequisite to Homer. I actually had a minor Epiphany with this chapter, which is that (feel free to correct me if I am wrong) it seems that the Trojans virtually never lie, while the Greeks, including the gods supporting them seem to be quite comfortable lying when it is convenient, and maybe sometimes just for fun.
Interesting that you mention the Hesiod. I am currently listening to Mythos by Stephen Fry and he says the very same thing. I am ashamed to admit I hadn't heard about Hesiod until this book by Fry mentioned it but it is definitely going on my list. While Mythos isn't an academic work by any means, it is an excellent introduction to the Greek world. I highly recommend it.
The additional background on Hera was interesting and quite helpful. The description of her seduction of Zeus is reminder of the power of sexual desire, stronger than even the lust for power and wealth, and in extreme instances, life itself. I will say I had a little difficulty dealing with revulsion from the fact that Zeus and Hera are siblings.
Dan, yes, the incestuous nature of the pantheon is revolting but is quite common, particularly when you read the stories of the Titans and other precursors to Zeus and his siblings.
I find Hera to be one of the most conflicting Gods. Whilst she exacts cruel revenge and vengeance on Zeus’s mistresses and children, she ultimately ended up in her marriage because her brother raped her and unable to deal with the shame she married him.
I feel there’s an underlying subtext of Hera; of feminine shame, rage and anger that is directed in the wrong place. Maybe because she feels scared of her abuser, the expectation of violated women in a patriarchal society or maybe has buried the emotions of her trauma. She feels like the very embodiment of ‘hurt people, hurt people’
I thoroughly enjoy reading these posts. I always find something that helps me better understand The Odyssey.
This time it’s your mention of sleep and it’s greater meaning. Sleep is definitely a reoccurring theme/symbol in The Odyssey. Every time Odysseus “falls asleep” something terrible happens. I can’t wait to discuss this with Shari!
Apropos of nothing, the description of spells woven into Aphrodite’s girdle reminded me of one of the magic systems in Name of the Wind. From my distant recollections of Roman era “religion” there was a large role for “magic” artifacts and the evil eye that isn’t well represented in the literary myths of the machinations of gods and demigods.
Interesting. I'm keeping this AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU GET INTO THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH SOMETIME.
Thanks Daniel. Glad you found it worthwhile. Gilgamesh is on my reading list for some point in the future. Not sure if I will get to it this year as my plate is pretty full but we will see when I can fit it in.
I thought, really THOUGHT, about how to make Gilgamesh " family / kid - friendly ". It would NOT BE EASY.
Seduction by a goddess AND a gouged out eyeball? What more could you want in a chapter? 😄
Thank you, Matthew, for Hera's backstory. I'm beginning to think that Hesiod should be a prerequisite to Homer. I actually had a minor Epiphany with this chapter, which is that (feel free to correct me if I am wrong) it seems that the Trojans virtually never lie, while the Greeks, including the gods supporting them seem to be quite comfortable lying when it is convenient, and maybe sometimes just for fun.
Interesting that you mention the Hesiod. I am currently listening to Mythos by Stephen Fry and he says the very same thing. I am ashamed to admit I hadn't heard about Hesiod until this book by Fry mentioned it but it is definitely going on my list. While Mythos isn't an academic work by any means, it is an excellent introduction to the Greek world. I highly recommend it.
The additional background on Hera was interesting and quite helpful. The description of her seduction of Zeus is reminder of the power of sexual desire, stronger than even the lust for power and wealth, and in extreme instances, life itself. I will say I had a little difficulty dealing with revulsion from the fact that Zeus and Hera are siblings.
Dan, yes, the incestuous nature of the pantheon is revolting but is quite common, particularly when you read the stories of the Titans and other precursors to Zeus and his siblings.
I find Hera to be one of the most conflicting Gods. Whilst she exacts cruel revenge and vengeance on Zeus’s mistresses and children, she ultimately ended up in her marriage because her brother raped her and unable to deal with the shame she married him.
I feel there’s an underlying subtext of Hera; of feminine shame, rage and anger that is directed in the wrong place. Maybe because she feels scared of her abuser, the expectation of violated women in a patriarchal society or maybe has buried the emotions of her trauma. She feels like the very embodiment of ‘hurt people, hurt people’
I thoroughly enjoy reading these posts. I always find something that helps me better understand The Odyssey.
This time it’s your mention of sleep and it’s greater meaning. Sleep is definitely a reoccurring theme/symbol in The Odyssey. Every time Odysseus “falls asleep” something terrible happens. I can’t wait to discuss this with Shari!
Apropos of nothing, the description of spells woven into Aphrodite’s girdle reminded me of one of the magic systems in Name of the Wind. From my distant recollections of Roman era “religion” there was a large role for “magic” artifacts and the evil eye that isn’t well represented in the literary myths of the machinations of gods and demigods.