Abstract This paper explains that, despite being the same goddess, there are significant differences between the presentation of Aphrodite's existence, as well as the treatment of her image, in these two texts. It shows that the development of this goddess between these representations is a direct parallel to the way in which Greek culture in later antiquity shifted to value the intellectual over the instinctual. Among the variations of Homer's and Hesiod's interpretation of Aphrodite, which are the focus of the paper, are the origins of her birth, physical strength, sexuality, and literary imagery.
From the Paper "First, there is a very different focus on the content of these two selected passages from The Iliad and Theogony. Homer's piece is primarily dealing with the injury and deathlike experience of Aphrodite, while Hesiod's excerpt is the story of her creation and birth. According to Homer, on the battlefield, Aphrodite had entered the fight to rescue her son from being killed. She was wounded with a spear by Tydeus, and "beside herself with pain" (Homer) she collapses into the arms of her mother. She sobs and tells her mother of what has happened to wound her. In Hesiod's tale, Aphrodite is born of the earth. Uranus' genitals were severed and thrown into the river, where they floated and collected white foam. From that foam, Aphrodite (meaning that she was formed of seafoam) developed in the water and was born. She was beautiful and celebrated sexuality, and she was honored on all of the islands she visited. Hesiod, additionally, mentions that she becomes companions with the god of love, Eros. "Among both gods and humans, she has fulfilled the honoured function that includes Virginal sweet-talk, lovers' smiles and deceits and all of the gentle pleasures of sex." (Hesiod) The Iliad shows a very dark and painful occurrence in Aphrodite's existence, while Theogony shows a light and joyful time for the goddess."
Abstract This paper looks at the Greek Goddess, Aphrodite, the mythology of her birth and how she has interfered in the lives of man and woman throughout key mythological events such as the Trojan War and the journey of Odysseus to Ithaca from the battlefields of Troy. The author uses such texts as Hesiod's "Theogony", and Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey".
From the Paper "Aphrodite is known by many followers of Greek Mythology as the Goddess of Love, desire and beauty, amongst her normal immortal gifts Aphrodite also has a magical girdle, which compels those whom she desires to desire her. Aphrodite has been given many names as the Goddess of Love the most famous being Venus, even within the mythos of the tales from Homer she is given this name as a substitute to Aphrodite, in some ways Homer and the Greek bards give the names of Gods and Goddess both Roman and Greek names as if they are writing for a classical Greco-Roman audience instead of a pure Greek one."
Abstract This paper examines the play "Hippolytus" by the Greek playwright Euripides which explores classical Greek religion. It discusses how throughout the play, the influence of the gods on the actions of the characters is evident, especially when Aphrodite affects the actions of Phaedra and also how central to the plot is the god-god interactions between Artemis and Aphrodite. It attempts to determine whether the Greek view of their gods was governed in a frame work of forgiveness and mercy or whether they believed that they, the Greeks, were only pawns to be pushed in and out of life's joys and sorrows. It evaluates whether the characters concern themselves with the reaction of the gods to their behavior as well as what they expect from the gods and what the gods expect of the human behavior.
From the Paper "The thoughts and actions of Hippolytus and Phaedra are irrational at times. After all, a stepmother falling in love with her stepson is unlikely, but probably even less acceptable. This is directly related to the gods. What Aphrodite does to Phaedra causes her to do some strange things. For instance, first Phaedra seems to go crazy, and then she decides to hide her new-found love for Hippolytus from the nurse. Later, though, she decides to tell the nurse, and when she finds that the nurse has told Hippolytus, decides that the only logical course of action is to kill herself. This action is certainly related to the gods because Aphrodite makes it look as if Phaedra's suicide is really the fault of Hippolytus. Some of Hippolytus? actions are related to the gods as well. When Theseus discovers that Phaedra is dead and decides to exile Hippolytus, Hippolytus does object to his banishment, but eventually he stops arguing with his father."
Abstract This paper examines the role of goddesses in Greek and Roman mythology. The author discusses how they were worshipped in polytheistic cultures, how goddesses were portrayed as virgins, mothers, wives, always in relation to male counterparts. The paper looks at such goddesses as Hera, Demeter, Gaia, Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, and more.
From the Paper "Long ago, the image of the goddess appeared. Stone was carved and bone modeled after a reflection of a maternal figure. Her curvaceous body and falling breasts seem to be humanity's first tangible image of life. From the beginning, the Great Mother was associated with nurturing and life giving. This notion, of Mother Earth as the bearer of all that is living, and the provider of sustenance of life, dates back to a time when we as humans, regarded ourselves as children of nature, and nature as divine, Baring & Cashford, The Myth of the Goddess. London : Penguin Books, 1991. pg. 5. Myths corroborate that women and goddesses were responsible for the discovery of food cultivation and ultimately the preservation of life. While the primacy of the goddess and the idea of the goddess as the creator are not seen in all civilizations, many do show evidence towards this sort of belief."
Abstract This paper discusses how the Gods (deities) play an extremely important part throughout "The Iliad" by Homer, the poetry of Sappho and "Pericles Funeral Oration" by Thucydides and through much of ancient literature. It examines how in "The Iliad," Achilles often turns to the Gods to aid him in battle and in his personal life, how Sappho often wrote of the Gods and Goddesses in particular Aphrodite and how Thucydides does not directly mention the Gods but puts Athens on a pedestal in their place.
From the Paper "Sappho writes often of love and affection, but her affinity for the deities is never far from her poems. She often asks for guidance and aid in love and life, just as Achilles did in "The Iliad." Sappho writes most commonly about Aphrodite, Peitho, Ares, Hecate, Hera, Hermes, Hephaestus, and the Muses. Her poems also show the Gods interacting with humans, and aiding them at important times, such as blessing them at weddings. "All the High Gods from Olympus, to bless the Two, descend." Her lyric poetry (meant to be sung along while playing a lute) was different in that it was often written from the deities' point of view. Homer and Pericles mostly wrote from the human, heroic point of view."
Abstract An analysis of the two essays: "Coming Aphrodite" by Willa Cather, and Elizabeth Bowen's "The Demon Lover". The paper analyzes both of the texts to reveal a sense of women on the verge of discovering themselves, but who remain very plain and simple.
Abstract An analysis of the two essays: "Coming Aphrodite" by Willa Cather and Elizabeth Bowen's "The Demon Lover". We will analyze both of the texts to reveal a sense of women on the verge of discovering themselves, but who remain very plain and simple.
An analysis of Aphrodite, who ruled the realm of pleasure, beauty, and fertility; Apollo, the god of music; Zeus, the god of the sky; and Poseidon, the god of the sea.
Abstract This paper begins by discussing Aphrodite, the goddess of love. It also deals with the history behind the goddess and her purpose and importance in Greek life. It then focuses on Zeus and discusses the god's history and worship, respectively. It then follows the same pattern for Apollo and, finally, discusses Poseidon.
From the Paper "There is some disagreement about the origins of Aphrodite. The poet Hesiod for example holds that she was formed from sea-foam, while Homer has a more conventional view of Zeus and Dione as the godess's parents (Barthell 31). She was chosen by Paris, the Trojan prince as the most beautiful over Hera and Athena. It appears that she bribed him into saying this by offering the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. At the time, Helen of Troy ? originally Helen of Sparta ? held this position, and as promised by Aphrodite, offered her love to Paris. The two eloped, after which Helen of Sparta became Helen of Troy. The consequence was the Trojan War, where Aphrodite remained loyal to Paris (Barthell 33)."
Abstract This paper explains that his humor and his trenchant insight into the very machinations that make us human enables Allen to portray vivid characters that, in merely a few brief scenes, spring to life. The author points out that, because of this deft and subtle manipulation of his characters, Woody Allen is able to get down all of the elements of family life so powerfully and correctly with an almost shocking reality. The paper relates that, in ?Mighty Aphrodite?, Allen's family is a constructed one rather than a "real" one, where the fabrication of a family through adoption plays with the idea of the movie itself as a fabrication, emphasized by including a Greek chorus.
From the Paper "Woody Allen's movie "Radio Days", made roughly a year before "Hannah and Her Sisters", is a much lighter film that is essentially free of the gravitas and existential concerns that plague the characters of many of his other movies. As such it is a sort of light comedy, a nostalgia pieces that harkens back to the early days of radio and attempts to convey some of the excitement and amusement that came with radio as a popular medium. Indeed, it also speaks to an interesting, intriguing, and short-lived era, in which people listened to radio as a group, but television had yet to appear as the dominant form. The characters in "Radio Days" are all moved by an essential passion or concern, in this case, the radio.
Abstract This paper compares "The Iliad" to Sappho's works, mostly to the "Hymn to Aphrodite" which is her only known complete work. The paper points out differences between the portrayal of the gods and goddesses in Homer's epic and Sappho's poems, particularly that Homer's gods are more like mortal characters and that Sappho's appeal comes out of a frustration with the vagueness of love, not from an actual belief that Aphrodite will divinely change her luck in romance.
Abstract This paper explains that, throughout history, Venus as a representation of love and beauty has been captured in various media, including the visual arts of paintings and sculpture, music, and drama. The author points out that understanding the roles in history and Greek mythology of Venus, an ancient Italian goddess closely associated with fields and gardens and later identified by the Romans, and Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, is important for understanding how artists have been able to use her as a representation of love and beauty. The paper relates that artistic representations of Venus have long been associated with female sexuality as embodied in the "Venus Pudica", a statue in which Venus stands erect with her face slightly turned away, one hand over her breasts and the other shielding her groin, displaying both modesty and an alluring nature.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Venus and Aphrodite Venus and her Roles in Classical and Renaissance Art
Venus and Sexuality
Venus, Madonna, Mary Magdalene and the Female Role in Society
Venus in Contemporary Culture
From the Paper "During the 18th century, the French painter Fran?ois Boucher also captured the charms of Aphrodite, often depicted her in his most notable work ?The Triumph of Venus.? Boucher's style was considered to be in the Rococo genre. Rococo by nature is light, playful, and can sometimes be a bit frivolous but proved to be a suitable style for depicting the goddess of love and beauty. This painting indeed conveys to the viewer feelings of delight and joy. Another artist who produced works that depicted the birth of Aphrodite was the French painter J A.D. Ingres. Ingres? work is considered more classical in form that Boucher's version and is part of the artistic movement known as Neoclassicism. In addition, Ingres? work draws inspiration from the past as he depicted her as she emerges from the sea."
Abstract This paper presents an overview of the one particular sculpture by the ancient Greek master, Praxiteles. The paper includes illustrations.
From the Paper "The entire beauty of the earth has been preserved by the many forgeries that attempted to capture the genius of Praxiteles. He set the standard for later depictions of the goddess. Roman copies are often criticized for not portraying the form's magnificent presence. The classical Greek sculpture, Aphrodite of Knidios, changed the way women were denoted in future artworks. The visual representation of the goddess of love and beauty provided the ancient world with a positive view of female sexuality."
Abstract This paper examines the roots of monotheistic and polytheistic religions, and the different gods worshipped over time. The author uses such examples as the gods of ancient Greece, the Code of Hammurabi, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Bible.
From the Paper:
"There is no doubt that having belief in a supernatural being or beings is healthy for the human soul. Whether it be one God or a family of gods and goddesses, religion allows the human essence to have something to help cope with emotions, give blame for the unjust, and rejoice in a celebrate life. Truth, indeed, is finite, and the roads that lead to it are numberless.?
Abstract This paper looks at how Sophocles and Homer portrayed their female characters in "Oedipus the King" and the "Odyssey", respectively. The author examines how in both works women display superior qualities and are catalysts for action, but never the equals of men. The paper exhibits the Greek view of women as powerful, strong, necessary testers of heroes, but ultimately lesser creatures.
From the Paper "In both Homer's The "Odyssey" and Sophocles? "Oedipus the King" the role of women is subordinate to the central male figures, as was the norm in Greek Society. Women were expected to follow established roles and Sophocles and Homer made sure that they did. Both works are named for the men who are the heroic focus, but both are structured around women who are essential to the artistic purpose. In The "Odyssey", being much larger in scope, Homer presents a variety of female figures, while in "Oedipus the King" Sophocles offers mainly Jocasta to represent his vision of womankind. The "Odyssey" centers around the travels of a male hero, but it is women who provide the core of his adventures. Odysseus is trying to get home to his beloved woman, after the Trojan War, which was fought over a woman. Athena, a female goddess, literally guides and forms the action. Odysseus is a hero as his journey begins, but the women he meets, enlarge his quest for self knowledge and his heroism. Homer's attitude toward women sometimes seems inconsistent, but he is simply depicting varieties of women in his world."
Abstract This paper briefly examines the history of ancient Greek art. It focuses on several periods - Archaic Period, Early Classical Period, Golden Age, Late Classical Period and Hellenistic Period. Different types of art forms are discussed and examined how they developed during these periods. The influence of other cultures on Greek art is also analyzed, namely Middle Eastern and Egyptian.
Outline
I. Introduction
A. History
B. Cultural influence
II. Archaic Period (600-480 B.C.)
A. Egyptian influence
B. Middle Eastern influence
III. Early Classical Period (480-450 B.C.)
A. New humanism led to balanced human form
B. Marble and bronze figurines
IV. Golden Age (450-400 B.C.)
A. Temples of the Athenian acropolis
B. Parthenon sculptures
V. Late Classical Period (400-300 B.C.
A. Expression of emotion
B. Individualization and three-dimensional movement
VI. Hellenistic Period (323-31 B.C.)
A. Nike and Aphrodite B. Terra-cotta figurines
VII. Conclusion
A. Importance of masterpiece copies
B. Influence of Greek culture
From the Paper "The earlier great cultures of Egypt and the Near East were making art long before the Greeks and much of the early Greek art looks Egyptian, with its stiff and profiled poses and boxy geometric designs. Moreover, the Greeks borrowed the ideas, motifs, conventions, and skills from these earlier civilizations (Tansy 1996). However, it was the Greeks who made the leap into naturalism and in their representations of the human body created an ideal of perfectly balanced proportions that has never been improved upon. Although, we often speak of Greek and Roman in the same breath, the greatest accomplishments of Greek art were five centuries old by the time the Romans began to copy them. "
