"Dido and Aeneas" and the descent to the underworld

Henry Purcell created the opera "Dido and Aeneas," a retelling of the tragic love story we read in the Aeneid. This website explains a lot more about the opera, including that it is witches instead of Mercury that reminds Aeneas of his duty to found Rome.
One of the most famous pieces of that opera is what is known as "Dido's Lament" or the aria actually titled "When I am Laid in Earth." Here is a version sung by Hayley Westenra, a more modern artist. A link to the lyrics are in the description beneath the video.
 This link talks a lot more about the common theme of the descent to the underworld in myths. If you don't have the time or inclination to read all of it, here's the gist: the descent to Hades or hell was a step on the journey that led the hero ultimately to enlightenment. The author also talks about the significance of the downward descent, literal in the stories we have been reading, where the Underworld is actually under the crust of the earth. Although hell has always been thought of as at least being partially a torture chamber, the Hades of the Greeks also holds the Elysian fields, their equivalent of Christianity's heaven. The author references several other 'descent' myths, including Gilgamesh and the myth of Orpheus. (This link takes you to another site with two versions of the Orpheus myth.) The author of "The Descent into Hades" discusses the idea of the descent being literally versus otherwise and how it may or may not be the equivalent of a temporary death for the hero. Despite the frequency that trips to the Underworld are mentioned, it was not an easy thing. The author lists a number of rituals that the hero would have to complete in preparation for the journey. In the end, the author states, "The true significance of the descent into Hades is not to be measured by mundane results. These are but stepping-stones on the way to greater goals. The ritual is nothing beyond what it represents; the preparation for initiation is everything. Only when the necessary moral strength and purity have been developed will the required transformation of consciousness safely take place. The final initiation will mark the awakening into divinity which is the potential for all humanity." 

Hospitality and the gods

Visit this site to get a look at the relationship between the gods and expectations of hospitality in The Odyssey.

A harpy and comical description

I was very interested in a visual of this horrible creature.  I hope everyone enjoys the comic relief.

This might help start to sort out some of the character's relationships.

Gilgamesh help

Thinking back I thought there was a part where Gilgamesh was talking to Enkidu saying how staying in the city was basically making them fat and lazy, so they needed to go on an adventure. I've been looking through the book, but can't seem to find it. Does anybody else remember this and possibly have a page number where it can be found? Or am I just losing my mind and it's not actually in the story?

Last Chapters of The Odyssey

Hello Everyone,

I added a video about the final books of the Odyssey.

Give the video your attention.

Odysseus vs the Suitors

I seen this clip for the first time a few years back and happened to find it again. It's an extremely cheesy fight scene between Odysseus and the suitors.

Liar Liar

Odysseus is possibly one of the greatest liars/storytellers ever.  Even Athena believes it, so you know it has to be true right?  I love how he's always testing everyone, even his swineherd and his house servants.  If they aren't loyal to him then they will die with the suitors.  And that's why I love Odyssseus, because he doesn't take too kindly to those who betray him.

Circe and Odysseus and Scylla

In doing some more reading, I found that Circe has a wonderful history which includes tales that she was the one who cursed Scylla. 
           

CIRCE, GLAUCUS & THE CURSE OF SCYLLA

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 199 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Scylla, daughter of the River Crataeis, is said to have been a most beautiful maiden. Glaucus loved her, but Circe, daughter of Sol [Helios], loved Glaucus. Since Scylla was accustomed to bathe in the sea, Circe, daughter of Sol, out of jealousy poisoned the water with drugs, and when Scylla went down into it, dogs sprang from her thighs, and she was made a monster. She avenged her injuries, for as Ulysses sailed by, she robbed him of his companions."

Circe reportedly had two sons with Odysseus, Argios and Telegonos.  At the end of Odysseus's life, Penelope and Telemachus, along with one of Circe's son, Telegonos, take him to Circe's island to die and be buried there.  Then, apparently, Telemachus marries Circe and Telegonos marries Penelope.  Interesting stuff.  The site above tells about Circe and her relationships including with Odysseus.  Hope you enjoy it!

Some more about Athena

In class, we've talked a lot about Athena- both her, as a goddess, and Homer's use of her as the manifestation of Odysseus's cunning and wisdom. At this link, it talks about the history of Athena, and shows us some of the Greek art that portrays her. The author also talks about Athena's tendencies toward war, and a feminist aspect of Athena being the patron goddess of Athens.

Modern Heros

While reading Gilgamesh and now the Odyssey the journeys of both Gilgamesh and Odysseus remind of heroes in Contemporary literature. Storytellers and writers have been sending heroes on epic adventures since Homer told of the Odysseus. The physical journey can be a wonderful way to explore the human condition and the question: "What is it to be human?" 


John Steinbeck's exploration of the U.S.A. in Travels with Charley: In Search of America first came to mind, probably because I just read it for English Seminar. Steinbeck's odyssey is not nearly as exciting as Odysseus' but it is an important journey none the less. Steinbeck sets out in his custom made camper, Rocinante, along with his trusty poodle companion, Charley. The goal of the pan-American trek was to reconnect Steinbeck with America and by the end he felt as though he had succeeded. When Steinbeck visits his home, Montery, California, he has a tense encounter with the bar tender and an old friend of his. Steinbeck is of the same sentiment as Homer: homecomings are dangerous.

Steinbeck's journey is fairly dry compared to the Odyssey; Alobar's journey on the other hand is just as exciting and exceedingly magical. Tom Robbins presents Alobar's odyssey through time in Jitterbug Perfume, Alobar's story is one of three intertwined throughout the novel. Alobar like Odysseus is smooth-tongued, sexually-charged and passionately tenacious. Alobar leaves his home in search of the life he is determined to live. Odysseus sought immortality though reputation and Alobar sought immortality of the physical being. Alobar meets his true love, Kudra, in India and together the two discover the secret to immortality all the while with Pan hanging out on the side.

Jack Kerouac's On the Road comes to mind as well. He wrote the entire account of his drunken adventures across the U.S.A. and Mexico with companion Neal Cassady. Kerouac wrote the entire manuscript as a scroll. Like Gilgamesh, Jack Kerouac writes his version of the journey. The characters are closely based on factual individuals.

Of course there are numerous accounts of journeys that have been told in all forms of media. Motorcycle Diaries is another account of an odyssey that led to the rise of one of the most influential political leaders of the 20th century, Che Guevara.