Delve into the weird and wonderful Greek myths, from Zeus to Achilles, with a cast of epic characters like Odysseus and Aphrodite, shaping Western civilization. Explore the historical roots, the peculiar end with Telegonus, the transition from oral to written traditions, and the dynamic portrayals of Jason and Medea. Unpack Ovid's humorous and political reinterpretation of Greek myths in 'Metamorphoses'.
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Quick takeaways
Greek myths influenced societal roles and personal traits, shaping cultural identity.
Myths like Orestes' tragedy raised moral dilemmas and delved into human nature complexities.
Deep dives
Evolution of Greek Myths
Greek myths have persisted across centuries, featuring powerful stories involving gods and heroes. These myths were constantly retold and reshaped from before Homer to after, influencing aspects of culture and identity, such as societal roles and personal traits.
Mythical Ages and Heroes
The Greek myths contained elements of a heroic age with gods and legendary figures. For instance, the story of Telegonus inadvertently killing his father, Odysseus, reveals intricate familial and fate-driven narratives that were central to Greek mythology.
Literary Transformation of Myths
Greek myths were later captured and adapted into literary works like Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, transitioning from an oral tradition to written epics. The tragedies of Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus explored the darker dimensions of heroic tales, offering a complex portrayal of characters and their fates.
Myths as Thought Experiments
Myths served as thought experiments, prompting audiences to reflect on human existence, morality, and societal norms. By challenging established beliefs and pushing conceptual boundaries, myths like the tragedy of Orestes posed moral dilemmas and explored the complexities of human nature.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Greek myths from Achilles to Zeus. Are you a touch narcissistic? Do you have the body of an Adonis? Are you willing to undertake Herculean tasks or Promethean ventures? Perhaps you have an Oedipus complex? If you answer to any or perhaps all of these you owe something to the Greek myths, a collection of weird and wonderful stories that, like Penelope’s shroud or the needlework of Arachne, were constantly woven and unpicked across centuries of Greek and Roman civilisation. The myths have a cast of thousands including mighty Zeus, Jason and the Argonauts, wily Odysseus, beautiful Aphrodite and Cerberus, the three-headed dog. They are funny, shocking, quirky and epic and have retained their power and their wisdom from the ancient world to the modern. With Nick Lowe, Senior Lecturer in Classics at Royal Holloway, University of London; Richard Buxton, Professor of Greek Language and Literature at the University of Bristol; Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at Cambridge University
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