CLAS 203 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Telling Stories, Harpy, Comparative Mythology
3 Oct 2015
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Clas203 - lecture 5 theories of myth interpretation. Philosophers: searched for the truth that myths contain. Modern theories focus on: content, social function (anthropology, emotional needs myth satisfies (psychology) Investigation of myth fueled by development of greek philosophical thought. >offended by immoral, unethical behaviour of gods, irrational details. >xenophanes (6th c. bc): questions truth of gods" existence. But if cattle and horses and lions had hands or could paint with their hands and create works such as their correctly. >other philosophers: myths contain an element of philosophical or historical truth, but must be. Wanted to show the eternal realities (forms) that lie behind the changing surface of the present. Allegory/symbolism: myths mean other that what they appear to say. Moral allegory: system of advice on good and bad behaviour. >judgement of paris: hera (active), athena (contemplative), aphrodite (amorous) lifestyles every young man must choose. >apollo: fire, poseidon: water; battle in iliad shows basic opposition between fire and w.
