Kids for Breakfast and Sickles at Night: The relevance of Greek myth in the present world

 Note: I personally would like to put some trigger warnings for my classmates and other people who may have traumatic experiences and fear about bullying and any other family struggles.

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Introduction to Theogony by Hesiod

 

    Reading Hesiod’s Theogony reminded me of those popular dramas people enjoy watching so much. There was the competition for dominance, challenge for authority, and the unhealthy family dynamics that make the show keep us on the edge of our seats. What makes Theogony interesting is that it is similar to a drama, and even though they are viewed as someone revered, respected—like the usual characters in dramas are--and worthy of devotion, they act so differently from how they are being described, and I find it such a hellish storm!

    Hesiod, according to Overly Sarcastic Productions (2018) that—to put it in simple terms—it’s the family tree of the Greek gods and goddesses that we are all familiar with. Theogony starts from the beginning of the universe and how these deities and the creatures were created. The Ancient Greeks were curious to find out where they descended from and what their relationship is to the infinite cosmic world around them, and this gave them a view that helped them understand their roots (Mason, n.d.). While it did talk about the gods and goddesses’ origins, their relationships and interconnection with the world is also explored here. Interestingly, Theogony is relevant to scenarios in the present world and it is about to be such a bumpy ride.

The Castration of Uranus

Source: Vasari, G. (1564). The mutilation of Uranus by Saturn [Oil on panel]. Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy. Useum (n.d.). https://useum.org/artwork/The-Mutilation-of-Uranus-by-Saturn-Giorgio-Vasari-1564

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...but fear seized them all, and none of them uttered a word. But great Cronos the wily took courage and answered his dear mother: “Mother, I will undertake to do this deed, for I reverence not our father of evil name, for he first thought of doing shameful things.” – Theogony by Hesiod, 167 (Theoi, n.d.)

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    One well-known part of the Theogony is the Castration of Uranus. Uranus is Gaea’s husband that from whom came the Titans and creatures such as the Cyclops and the monstrous Hecatoncheires. This is where the unhealthy family dynamics begin. Uranus disliked his children for seemingly no apparent reason stated in the Hesiod. I’m talking about how Uranus locked the Cyclops and the Hecatoncheires in Tartarus which was the reason for this whole family feud (Greek Mythology, 2015). Ironically, the Hesiod stated that “Heaven rejoiced in his evil doing” (Theoi, n.d.), which is aggravating come to think of it due to his “oh-so-amazing” parenting skills. Note the sarcasm. When Gaea decided to devise a plan to turn the tables for Uranus with their children, it is not so surprising to see that his children didn’t want to do the deed and that’s because of the authority Uranus exudes from himself. Who would want to oppose him? He’s more powerful. So there enters the ever-angsty Cronos to put a stop to his father’s oppression. If there’s any experience that is relevant to this, it’s going to be about bullying. It’s an alarming problem to be addressed as it affects people negatively in various aspects, which is why it is important to discuss it with people regardless of whether they were victims, the ones being bullied, and those who were witnesses (stopbullying, n.d.). Victims—all three that were mentioned—are subject to some sort of oppression that left them feel insecure, making it hard for them to seek out help. I would like to spare some time for a story telling about an experience of mine but I’m afraid I still do not have the courage to gather. That was why I couldn’t blame the other titans who refused. In such a way, this reflects Uranus’s treatment towards his children that they dared not to challenge him and made them feel hatred towards him. What will really help is a voice that will stop perpetrators and help others. Believe that it makes a huge difference in their lives.

Source: Delaney, B. (2020 Oct 27). Crucible [Online image]. Brigit Delaney. https://brigitdelaney.com/2020/10/the-crucible/

Cronus and his children

Source: seelcraft (2009, Sept 27). Cronus [Online image]. Photoshop Contest. http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/158782/cronus.html

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For he learned from Earth and starry Heaven that he was destined to be overcome by his own son, strong though he was, through the contriving of great Zeus.¹⁹ Therefore he kept no blind outlook, but watched and swallowed down his children: and unceasing grief seized Rhea. - Theogony by Hesiod, 453 (Theoi, n.d.)

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    On another note, let’s take another section in the Theogony, which is the timeline of Cronus and getting his personal issues muddled in with his family matters. To summarize, Gaea and Uranus prophesized that Cronus' own son would seize his power and take his throne as the ruler. In fear of this happening, Cronos decided to swallow his children as he thinks it would “permanently” solve his problem. Ironically, Rhea did what she could to save Zeus from the same fate his siblings fell to and when Zeus had grown enough, he went to battle it out with his father. This story alone strikes home due to personal family problems, and I’m sure others have experienced this as well. A competition to see who is the smartest family member by beating each other through test scores and being a part in honor rolls. Jealous family members? They would think the competition would help their family but it actually is the opposite (Shrapnel, 2018). I have met people that have the same experience, and the whole conflict is destructive and weakening the family foundation that is supposed to exist at homes. In a similar sense, Zeus and his father—Cronus—were still at each other’s throats even after he saved his siblings.

Source: Harrison, R. (2015). Competition of college applications [Online image]. Fastweb. https://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/competition-of-college-applications

Conclusion

The lineage of the gods and goddesses are indeed magnificent, although it may be overwhelming to others when studying about their relationships are with each other. But besides all of this—all the features that are notably honorable about themselves—lies deeper issues of power, dominance, and pride that brought conflict and ultimately, formed the world of the Greek mythology that we are all familiar with. I still think their mythology is interesting, and it’s because of their flaws that make them seem more human and relatable even with every second passing in our world.

What about you? Why is Greek mythology interesting to you? How can you relate these episodes to the current generation?

 

References:

Delaney, B. (2020 Oct 27). Crucible [Online image]. Brigit Delaney. https://brigitdelaney.com/2020/10/the-crucible/

Greek Mythology (2015, March 27). Castration of Uranus. Blogspot. https://01greekmythology.blogspot.com/2015/03/castration-of-uranus.html

Harrison, R. (2015). Competition of college applications [Online image]. Fastweb. https://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/competition-of-college-applications

Hesiod, Theogony (n.d.) Theoi. https://www.theoi.com/Text/HesiodTheogony.html?fbclid=IwAR08F45z09_ef81sa1QGkcIs4o3nTbkw6IXFTzbxCMNL6d7c1HNIym7claQ#3

Mason, M. (n.d.). Hesiod's Theogony, Myths and Meaning. http://www.moyak.com/papers/hesiod-theogony.html

Overly Sarcastic Productions. (2018, Dec 1). Miscellaneous myths: The theogony (Greek creation myth) [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9RGT0ICHpY

seelcraft (2009, Sept 27). Cronus [Online image]. Photoshop Contest (2009). http://photoshopcontest.com/view-entry/158782/cronus.html

Shrapnel, R. (2018, November 22). The downside of competition between family members #succession. Orienteering Succession. https://richardshrapnel.com/competition-between-family-members-can-destroy-wealth/

stopbullying (n.d.). Effects of bullying. https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/effects

Vasari, G. (1564). The mutilation of Uranus by Saturn [Oil on panel]. Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy. Useum (n.d.). https://useum.org/artwork/The-Mutilation-of-Uranus-by-Saturn-Giorgio-Vasari-1564