Similar Values Found In Greek And Japanese Mythology

Amira Ruiz-Marentes
Ms. Foster
Freshmen English
23, January 2023
[The difference and similarity of values shown in Greek and Japanese mythology]
Imagine if you had just won a battle against a Cyclops, how would you show your success? Would you use humor and make fun of the cyclops or would you give it respect even after you blinding it? Mythology has all kinds of different and similar values shown throughout different cultures. The different values that they show make each culture different making them each specialize in different values then others. Just like Greek mythology and Japanese mythology both being very different cultures. However despite being very different kinds of cultures, they do show many similar values but one mostly

Greek mythology valuing more so humility than Japanese mythology valuing respect/kindness. Humility is a common value shown in Greek mythology, being able to humiliate someone, after overpowering them makes you feel as if your better then them. This is shown in Greek mythology such as when it states , “Cyclops, if ever a mortal man inquired how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye:”... [Book 9 of Odyssey 416]. Odysseus boasting about this win, him winning against a Cyclops wanting to get more attention to whom did this task and humiliate the Cyclops by him stating his name. He wanted it to be known who he was, how powerful he was trying to scare him, not being careful or thinking twice about what he was saying. Not thinking of the consequences that it would come with. It shows how Greek culture values humility, how instead of using respect, using humility to prove to themselves that they are strong and not to be messed with. It tells us a lot about the people of that culture how they are egotistic being caught up in their own ego or even being narcissistic. Because of this they face even more problems then they would have had before because of their own high ego. If Odysseus never said this and just left since he was already in the clear it would have led to less problems in the

Despite Greek mythology and Japanese mythology being completely different they do share some of the same values like success and achievement. Even if they might share it no two cultures show it the same exact way which makes them distinct from each other. Like how Japanese values more so respect and kindness which leads you to success while Greek mythology shows humility and humor from succeeding. Even relating to their societies today, that being shown in the day to day lives of people of these cultures. Cultures are connected being able to get ideas from others but showing it a different way. Giving them a different feel like how Americans value status and thats how they feel they can achieve great things, with money. Exploring Japanese and Greek mythology gives a better insight in how no matter how different cultures might be all being interconnected in one way or another. If that means sharing the same value or even showing a value in the same way. Mythology teaching culture aspects which makes mythology so interesting, making you think more about the deeper meaning of all these