Discussion 1: Myths Of Gods And Comparative Analysis ✓ Solved
Discussion1: Myths of Gods and Comparative Analysis
Compare the myths of gods and goddesses from the three chapters (7 to 9) of "Classical Myth" by Barry B. Powell. Select one myth that you found most striking, interesting, enjoyable, or disturbing. Explain what about this myth made it stand out to you and what you learned from it. Reflect on whether your perception of the god or goddess differs from what you previously thought, and describe how.
Next, choose a different myth within these chapters for comparison. Discuss whether the characters, plotlines, or events remind you of any other myth encountered this week. Analyze how the two myths are similar and how they differ, supporting your points with evidence from the textbook. Be specific about the myths you refer to, including page numbers from Powell's "Classical Myth."
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Throughout chapters 7 to 9 of "Classical Myth" by Barry B. Powell, various myths depict the stories of gods and goddesses such as Hermes, Apollo, Artemis, and Athena. These myths serve not only to explain divine origins and actions but also to reflect human virtues, flaws, and societal values. Among these mythic stories, a particularly striking one was the myth of Athena's birth (Page 152). Unlike other myths about gods that often emphasize conflict or romantic liaisons, Athena's birth story is unique in its depiction of wisdom and strategic warfare emerging fully formed from Zeus's head. This myth stood out to me because of its emphasis on wisdom as a divine attribute, symbolized through Athena. It challenged my previous notions that gods simply personified natural or human traits without such symbolic depth. Learning about Athena's origin broadened my understanding of her role as the goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare—a nuanced personality that encompasses both intelligence and strength.
When comparing this myth to that of Apollo’s son, Asclepius, in the same chapters (Page 175), I noticed both stories highlight divine origins related to healing and wisdom. Apollo’s role as the god of prophecy and music, as well as medicine in some myths, parallels Athena’s wisdom aspect. However, the myth of Asclepius accentuates the healing arts, contrasting with Athena’s strategic wisdom. The stories also differ in tone; Athena’s birth is a story of sacred emergence and divine intelligence, while Asclepius’s myth emphasizes the transformative power of healing through divine intervention. Both myths reveal how gods embody human ideals—wisdom and healing—but they do so through different narrative lenses. This comparison helped me appreciate the diverse ways gods are portrayed as sources of human excellence in Greek mythology (Powell, pp. 152, 175).
References
- Powell, Barry B. "Classical Myth," 8th Edition.