In Greek Mythology there was always a monster to be slain by the hero figure. This one specifically, was the offspring of Typhon and Echidna. The monster was called the Hydra, known for terrorizing farmers and livestock around Lake Lerna; therefore, hearing of this, King Tiryns sent Hercules to kill the Hydra. Filled with courage, Hercules had no doubt he could slay the hydra and complete yet another trial. Upon seeing the Hydra, its heads were above the clouds and only came down for a worthy battle.
Typhon was giant so tall his head touched the heavens. He had the body of a man, but each leg was an enormous viper coil that twisted and hissed as he moved. He had a head that carried 100 snake heads that constantly spit fire and screeched . All that is described of his human like head are glowing red eyes that drove fear into the hearts of all that looked upon them, he had a mouth that breathed fire. He had hundreds of wings all over his body and feathers all the way around.
I learned about a greek monster named Scylla who was a big creature that had 6 dangling necks and 6 dangling feet from its huge body. This monster was actually a beautiful women that was turned into a horrifying monster. She couldn't leave in a area by a rock which was her punishment. She was put into this terrifying body because a sea god fell in love with her and wanted that love to be there forever, unfortunately the witch that was suppose to cast that spell decided to turn her into a huge scary sea monster. So Scylla job now was to just destroy anything that came by her rock.
Many know about the idea of the "monomyth," or the hero's journey as an outline for many of our modern books, movies, t.v. series, etc. Joseph Campbell's definition for the hero's journey is, "the quintessential (or best example) of an archetypal myth. " The Disney film Hercules is one of the best examples of Joseph Campbell's monomyth. For instance step one of the hero's journey outline is the Ordinary world. Hercules was born the son to Zeus and Hero.
Ulysses, is a man referenced into many stories in western culture, but who is he? First known as the son of Laertes, he was the king of Ithaca during the Trojan War and sailed across the sea for 10 years, desperately trying to return home to his wife Penelope. During the journey returning home from the Trojan War, Ulysses used the same smarts which won him the war to beat monsters and travel through harsh environments aiming for home. The first monster he faced was Polyphemus, the cyclops who ate a good portion of his crew, Circe who turned his crew into pigs and finally Charybdis, wrecking his entire ship and left him alone to Neptune’s(Ocean God) wrath. Calypso saved him, but kept him in her home for years, until she finally relents to Hermes(Messenger
Tyrants were common in the Archaic Period. This has led many historians to debate the origins of tyrants within the Greek poleis. Many Ancient Greek historians have proposed varying theories on the origin of tyrants such as Drews, Anderson, Stien-Hollskamp,Cockwell,Sealey, Ure, Nilsson, Forest and White. By examining their theories I would propose that the origin of tyrants was due to the need for rapid social change in poleis, changes of economy, and tyrant’s personal desire for glory.
Xenophon, one of Socrates students, was a Greek general and soldier, as well as an active politician. He was also a widely acclaimed historian who has written many books. One of his more popular works is Xenophon’s Hiero, which is a dialogue between Hiero, a tyrant, and Simonides, a wise poet. The dialogue is a response to assumptions that the tyrant’s life is more pleasant than the life of private men. Hiero as someone who has lived both lives gives many reasons to break this misconception and prove the unhappiness state that he lives in because of his position as a tyrant.
The Greek’s had eight evil thoughts that they lived by, similar to the moral codes of today. They were taught to avoid these thoughts. “The Cyclops”, is an excerpt from Homer’s epic The Odyssey, Odysseus, the protagonist of the epic, explores the island that Polyphemus, the cyclops that is the antagonist of the episode, lives on. Odysseus and his crew meet Polyphemus and become trapped inside Polyphemus’ cave, where Odysseus uses his cunning to escape.
In The Odyssey, the Cyclops is a monster because of his key differences from mere human beings, specifically his lack of wit and of morals. Depicting these qualities as monstrous support that cleverness and a general regard for human life were heavily valued in Greek culture. Odysseus easily trick the Cyclops bragging, “I poured him another fiery bowl - three bowls I brimmed and three he drank to the last drop, the fool”(9.404-406). To describe the bowls of wine as fiery foreshadows the demise of the Cyclops. Odysseus was able to use his brain, not strength, to make the Cyclops drink himself into a stupor.
Monster Myths I read through some of the Greek monster myths, and I chose the one most interesting one, Typhon. I read online that he was born from Gaea (mother earth) and Tartarus (lower underworld). Typhon was part man part beast and he was Gaea’s Strongest and largest child. Typhon was so tall his head brushed the stars, and instead of fingers he had 100 deadly serpents. Typhon’s misson was sought to destroy the world and put obstacles to Zeus along his way to Olympus.
Eos was a Titaness and the Greek goddess of the dawn. She is portrayed as a winged goddess who would rise each morning from her home near the edge of Oceanus and ride her chariot across the sky, thus bringing in the dawn. Her chariot was pulled by two horses, as described by Homer’s Iliad. The names of the horses were Lampus and Phaethon. Eos is commonly described as having a rosy appearance, with rosy fingers, a light, and a flowing pink gown woven with flowers.
The Greek monster I researched was Echidna or the mother of all monsters. She was married to Typhon, who is the father of all monsters, she is also half snake half women the bottom half being the snake. Another characteristic that stands out is that she has snakes for hair. Echidna is known for presiding over things such as rot, slime, illness, and disease. Her main diet is the raw flesh of things.
I have chosen to do my speech critique on Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Civil Rights Bill of 1964. This speech has changed many lives and helped shape America into what it is today. Lyndon Johnson did this speech at the White House in the East Room. This speech is something everyone should listen to at one point because of how impactful it is. I have always enjoyed history and I believe this is a great speech to critique.
Loco is a god found in areas of Haiti, West Africa and the Caribbean Islands. He can also be referred to as the Patron of Healers and Plants, God of Trees, and Spirit of Vegetation. He may be called upon in Voodoo customs by priests and priestesses. Loco is a nature deity because he is thought to work with all kinds of plants, although he is generally connected with trees and their leaves which he provides properties of healing to, specifically the Kapok or Ceiba tree, also referred to as the Cheese or Wool tree. Loco may be invoked to aid in healing, particularly with healing through the use of plants.
The monster archetype has been one of the most riveting archetypes that surrounds the concept of ‘evil’. It has been portrayed as a supernatural creature with grotesque features that normally brings disruption to the city and needs to be tamed or controlled to bring once again peace to the story. Due to this, it is most commonly depicted with a negative connotation, and with the idea of horror and fear. The monster has been present since the bible, which was written approximately 3,400 years ago, with the anecdote of Goliath. It has remained with its primary role of converting the protagonist into a hero and providing fear to the storyline.
