Classical Studies 3211F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Ancient Greek Literature, Theogony, Fire Bringer
20 Oct 2016
School
Department
Professor
Document Summary
Foundation for western civilization: literature, democracy, etc. Ex. of greece valuing deception: peisistratus cheated his way to the top. He was a tyrant of athens, expelled from athens and cheated his way back into power. Cheating and deception can be perceived as intelligence, which was valued (cheating and knowledge are one in the same) These stories of gods cheating are not just stories to the greeks, but a religion, therefore cheating is almost sacred in a sense. Zeus is hostile, prometheus is kind to man, yet they both use deception, just with different causes. Hermes is the only god to be able to cross borders, being a trickers gives you these abilities, crossing borders is important to being a trickster. The story of winnebago trickster cycle: wakjunkaga and hare. The whole course is about comparison, and looking into the very idea of morality.
