Modern Greek Mythology

        Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends associated to the ancient Greeks, concerning their Gods and heroes, the nature of the world, origins and significance of their own culture and ritual practices, they were a part of religion in modern Greece. Poets and artists from ancient times to the present have derived inspiration from the Greeks and have discovered significance and relevance in the mythology themes. Throughout these themes; love, generosity, faith, fate, strange love and sacrifices are portrayed.

        Greek heroes during this time tend to share uncommon strength, bravery and morality. They also depend on ingenuity to succeed. The limits of average men, heroes act between Gods and mortals, the hierarchy of Greek myths. Their stories are memorable such as: Zeus, Theseus, Hercules and Perseus. Although Hercules had a bad temper that caused him to do terrible things, he in fact, had a kind heart. As of Perseus, he had shown selflessness and intelligence and Theseus who also shows intelligence. These qualities are also seen in today’s heroic situations.

        In the midst of Greek myths, generosity appears to be noble. Occasionally generosity reinforces a story such as when Metaneira takes Demeter and disguise themselves as elderly women, or when Perseus baby is taken by Dictys to wash him up from his shore. Hospitality is the importance of generosity in Greek mythology. For example, in the case of Baucis and Philemon, the theme generosity is more assured. When they travel to their homes and have an idea of Jupiter and Mercury who are tested in their hospitality as well. In these generosity stories, one can see a way in which Greek myths are used as morality is shown; this also reinforced the good quality that was valued in the time.

        Perhaps faith was the most important theme in Greek mythology. One thing, if people knew what myths were and actually believed they were true then that is why they were meaningful. People that are in myths and others who hear these myths go further into believing that those Gods actually exist. The people who disobeyed Gods were punished and those who praised their Gods were rewarded with everlasting lives; at least that’s what they believed. Having faith in something is quite easier than misleading it. Faith also appeared in more inquisitive situations that had to do with beliefs and truth. As an example, Psyche couldn’t bear to not see her husband during daylight; she chose to see Cupid in daylight. Eventually she redeems herself from this betrayal that takes suffering. In the other hand Orpheus who couldn’t find any forgiveness and lost faith into leading Eurydice from the underworld.

        Complex challenges vary in several ways through strange love in Greek mythology. Narcissus who falls in love with his own image cannot leave it alone for one moment. He withers and dies by the pool in which he sees his reflection. Selene falls in love with Endymion who hopes to keep him forever; in order for her to keep him she puts him to sleep forever. Unfortunately, she suffers from loneliness. In these circumstances, a selfish kind of love always results in suffering. Pygmalion is rewarded by Venus with love of his sculpture, only when he decided that it isn’t good for him to show affection to an inanimate object. Venus then turns the piece of stone into a real woman in order to gain that love back. The unifying theme of strange love is the truth and mutual felt of both people but that love is difficult when it involves two natures, such as human, animal, stone or divinity.