Power as Inheritance: Theogony and Philippine Family Dynasties exposition

 

Power is not just a possession rather an inheritance that will either divide or unite a society and nation

Hesiod's Theogony is a poem from 700 B.C it is the poet that traces the successions that occur in the realms of the gods. It is the first rich oral tradition which was passed down through generation to generation and was only written decades later. It also discusses the history of the world from its creation up to the battle between the Olympians and the Titans. In addition, the family and genealogy throughout theogony details the chronology of the various gods and goddesses and their relations to one another. It also include personifications of abstract concepts such as death, sleep, power and memory.

Moreover, Theogony emphasizes the concept of violence because it was used by the gods/goddesses to obtain and preserve power. It is where an initial conflicts between successive generations of gods  however it might seem that these acts of violence are a contempt of negativity but seeing the two sides of the coin , it also part of life where power remains as the untouchable yet dangerous possession of someone.

In connection with that, Hesiod believes that the purpose of man is not just only to survive but to work and satisfy life that correlates to our present time in the 21st century wherein we do our work not just only to gaze and survive each day but to satisfy the needs and wants that we have in order to continue to live in this world full of uncertainties. It also emphasizes that not just mythology gods are in verge of seeking satisfaction and power but also men where in our present time that when you have authority and influence you can make the world upside down.

On the other hand, In Philippine context it can be seen that what happened to the theogony is also present in our country wherein the gods and goddesses are the family politicians who maintain their power in the government also known as "family dynasty". These family dynasties in the Philippine government have encapsulated Filipinos in decades where power and position have become a trade of business in their own "balwarte" where in that place serves as their threshold to continue the succession of power and influence from generation to generation similar to theogony in which through violence the line of Zeus as the most powerful god has been handed out not only to gods but also to humans.

These family dynasties have used their position and power to maintain control over their place wherein it restricts other people's opportunity to serve since the family of politicians have used it like as an inheritance that would only run down from only one bloodline. This realities have not just become a norm in Philippine context but it became a trend wherein if you were affiliated with the same family you would also gain power and influence and this acts do not  use violence but manipulation that is also connected to theogony where the gods uses their influence to manipulate other gods and later on overthrew that god

In conclusion, Theogony is still present in the 21st century but were specially seen in the government or politicians where power become an optimum necessity in order to satisfy their life's need and wants to the point that other people become enslave with the false promises and hopes that have been corrupted from generation to generation.

Reference:

Walson, D. (2017, December 19). World History Encyclopedia . Retrieved February 26, 2021, from ancient.eu: https://www.ancient.eu/Theogony/

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/theogony/themes/violence-and-power