Power as a tool for one’s motivation: In Hesiod’s Theogony and the 21st-century Philippine context

The Greek gods had personalities like those of humans and struggled with one another for position and power. They did not love humans (although some had favorites) and did not ask to be loved by them. They did not impose codes of behavior. They expected respect and honor but could act contrary to human needs and desires. - Barry B. Powell

 

Hesiod’s Theogony is a telling of the compacted family tree of the ancient Greeks. And an occurring theme throughout its story is about power and how it is a necessary tool for them to pursue their personal agendas or to even fulfill or on some occasions, to stop a prophecy dedicated to them. But power and violence do not fully suit one’s motivation in a 21st-century setup, as they can do more harm than good. 

The first conflict of power in regards to a prophecy for Uranus that one of his children would capture the throne from him. In order to try and stop this prophecy from coming true, Uranus locks his children in a cave on Earth. However, it was Gaia and Kronus, Uranus’ own titan son, who castrated his own father with Gaia’s sickle. 

Hesiod's "Birth of the gods" in generational conflict

Kronos then, quite similar to Uranus’ prophecy, also has a prophecy that his own children will also overthrow him for the throne. And in order to try and stop this, he makes sure to swallow his children, Rhea, his sister, and his married wife, birthed. But Rhea was able to birth Zeus in secret and trick Kronos into thinking that he swallowed his sixth child. Zeus in turn managed to have Kronos vomit the previous children he swallowed. After Zeus’ act against Kronos, would then lead to the Great Titan War, between the Titans and the gods. 

Two instances lead to having both prophecies unfold even if both Uranus and Kronos tried to stop it, and it was due to maintaining the power they held and would not want to be taken away from. Although in the perspective of a reader and having it be taught in a mythologies class, we can’t argue that their plan for power is a necessity for their survival, change, and passing down the legacy. 

But to contextualize gaining power through violence in the 21st century is not justifiable as there are real human lives affected by it. It is no doubt that our country is headed by a president who has unleashed a bloody war on drugs, uncanny croons scattered across the government, and a media outlet shutdown with only personal agendas in mind. And because of how he and his minions try and retain the power they still have, they have affected the many lives of the Filipino people. It’s like how the gods have always meddled with mortal lives and left lasting effects or danger upon them. Thunders, plagues, and wars are quite the same as lack of a healthcare response, relief operations on climate emergencies, and blatant corruption. 

The current Philippine government is not the Titans, gods, nor even the giants, and the Filipino people are definitely not required to pay respects to these ‘make believe’ gods in order to be spared from their anguish and power-driven minds. 

 References:

Atsma, A. (2017). Hesiod, theogony. Theoi Classical Texts Library - Exploring Mythology in Classical Literature & Art. Retrieved from: https://www.theoi.com/Text/HesiodTheogony.html?fbclid=IwAR2uJ8ODc3LFkrL4_FyAGiwd8-PoIvoyiiksl1PT9GO0CQwfgbV9OxsV8ng
Gavilan, J. (2020, June 8). Abuses, killings in PH possibly incited by Duterte's violent rhetoric - U.N. report. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/nation/un-report-abuses-killings-philippines-traced-duterte-government-violent-rhetoric
LitCharts. (2021). Violence and Power Theme in Theogony. LitCharts. Retrieved from: https://www.litcharts.com/lit/theogony/themes/violence-and-power.
Marquez, C. A year of pandemic in PH: Health workers group says gov't remains 'slow, deaf'. Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1390092/a-year-of-pandemic-in-ph-health-workers-group-says-govt-remains-slow-deaf
Pena, D. (2021, Jan 13). After series of disasters, envrionmental activists calls on gov't to declare climate emergency. Rappler.  https://www.rappler.com/moveph/environmental-activists-call-philippine-government-declare-climate-emergency

Ranada, P. (2021, February 24). 5 ways Duterte has become a threat to Philippine democracy. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/five-ways-duterte-has-become-threat-philippine-democracy