Paper Summary:

This paper examines the origins and cultural significance of three of the Greek myths, that of the Gorgon Medusa, that of the Minotaur, and that of the twin dangers of Scylla and Charybdis, the whirlpool and man-eating monster who lived opposite one another in a narrow strait through which ships had to pass. The paper finds that the Greeks tried to explain the phenomena of their world, and managed a reasonably good job of doing so.

From the Paper:

"To anyone studying the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean, Greek mythology stands as a breakthrough. The Greeks were "sane, high-spirited, clear-headed, beauty-loving optimists." (Hard, 14) Their mythology reflected these traits. It is the mythology of a people generally happy with life. In sharp contrast to earlier cultures, they created gods in their own image, rather than in the strange animal shapes seen in other cultures. (Hamilton, 8) The Greek gods are remarkably human in every respect, sometimes flawed, but not irrational or grossly unfair in their dealings. (Hard, 14)"

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