Final Thoughts

When I first came to this class, I really did not know what to expect. I was thinking weekly quizzes on assigned readings. I didn't think that I would enjoy this class as much as I've had. I think I have leaned more about mythology in the way that this class has been structured then I would have sitting in a boring lecture class regurgitating information. In this course we as a class experienced the class and actually enjoyed it. I am going into the field of education and one of the things that I have learned is that one of the best motivators is to appeal to what students are interested in, which this course did a great job at. I am going to miss having this class but I am thankful I was able to take this class.

The parallels between the movie Taken and the abduction of Europa.

I love the movie Taken. (Not Taken 2 because that was a terrible movie.) I was watching it the other day and I realized, the plot behind it is a lot like the abduction of Europa. Taken starts off with a (naive) girl who believes nothing bad can happen to her as she and her friend go to Paris. There they meet a handsome stranger (the equivalence to the bull in my mind) who has them abducted so that he can satiate his own desire. (Money in this case instead of rape). While this happens, her father hears what happens and swears he will rescue her. He is pretty much the biggest B.A. around and so he can do just this. (Just like how Europa's brother Cadmus goes after her when Zeus abducts them). Both characters brought a lot of destruction in their wake. It is after this that the stories differ. Cadmus at a point decides to stop hunting his lost sister (probably due to the fact he did not want to take on Zeus) and because of this could never return home. Brian (the father in Taken) does not give up his search for his daughter and so when he finds her, he kills the man who bought her (a wealthy shiek who could be considered Zeus' counterpart) and returns home with his daughter. I think Taken shows what could have been if Cadmus has stayed true to his search for his sister instead of abandoning her to her captor Zeus. (Of course in the Greek version she didn't mind Zeus). I think the change in the ending can also be attributed to modernization. What person wants to see a loved one give up on finding a damzel in distress? You don't just let things happen like that in a movie because the audience will get mad at you. It makes for a much more touching ending to have the dad save his daughter rather than the brother leaving his sister to find his own glory. Which goes to show again that Ovid's works can be messed up. (of course they may be more realistic in the sense that most family members would not risk their lives even for a loved one. People are more selfish than that).

Coincidences

I don't believe in coincidences. I believe that random things don't just happen in life. But I guess something that would be a coincidence is the constant presence of someone in my life. I first heard about this girl Ali from my brother's friend who is like a third brother to me. He told me about how much he loved this girl. I rushed this fall and ended up in the same sorority that this girl had been a part of. I didn't really think anything of it and time moved on. Soon however, we were assigned who our big sisters would be. (Bigs are there to be mentors to you and help you adapt to greek life.) When you get a big, you are welcomed into their family. (This structure is formed by who my bigs big was, etc) It wasn't until much later until I found out that Ali had actually been my great great aunt in the family. Again pretty weird that this person who I have never met personally was actually starting to be a part of my day to day life. I guess it is just something I am aware of that I probably would not have been if it hadn't been for my pretty much brother. Still I think it is ironic that this one person that I had known of out of hundreds of girls that have lived in my sorority is the one who is constantly there without being there physically. Well today I just had to laugh. Our seniors who are graduating were giving away some of there things to the rest of us. One of my sisters approached me handing me this really funny but cute blue short princess costume. She told me that it was a family heirloom. Apparently this dress had belonged to Ali and she had actually worn it to one of our formals/themed functions. It is something that I can't really grasp. This cannot be coincidence there has to be something behind it all. Some would call it fate. I just found it really funny that so many events have happened and this one girl that I have never even met is apart of so much in my life. It just seems like one of the fates would be behind this or something I don't know.

Term Paper

My Life as a Mythic Detective

I am not the most observant person. Growing up my brothers would always tease me saying that I wouldn’t last long in a city because of this fact. So when I was assigned to be a mythic detective, let’s just say I was a little nervous. I have done my best to observe the world around me and to make connections to the different mythologies. Let me tell you, life is much stranger than fiction. My brother Steve came home this Christmas after a very long and arduous busy season. (He is an accountant in San Francisco). He is an avid snow boarder and loves to do all kinds of tricks and jumps off of cliffs. Before Steve left to go to the Yellowstone club (the day after Christmas) to go snowboarding with his friends my mom told Steve to be careful, he just brushed it off. At the Yellowstone club Steve and his friends decided to race on all of the groomers when they weren’t doing tricks. Well there was a ditch that was covered in snow down one of the groomers, and Steve being a little arrogant in his abilities was cutting in and out of the trail, so he didn’t even realize he hit a ditch until it was too late. Steven admitted to me that his next action was out of pure arrogance. When the ditch launched him into the air, he tried to land the jump on an upslope rather than just let himself biff it. When he did this his mouth jammed into his knee and screwed up his leg and destroyed his teeth. He was blessed because when he did this, his teeth jammed upward and a fraction more and he would have died. Instead, he is just missing his two front teeth and is ego is a little bruised. But during this entire thing Steve was still his smiley happy self and acted like nothing happened. All he could say, is this real life? Looking back now, Steve was a bit like Icarus. He was warned by my mother to take caution but he shrugged it off thinking he was too good to get hurt. He then proceeded to goof off and not take heed of her warning and then got in a life threatening situation. All of this because of arrogance.

Life is stranger than fiction. I have a friend who I grew up with. She is gorgeous, but she doesn’t want anything to do with men. She sees no use for them, and that women can do without them. Well every guy who comes into contact with her pretty much falls in love with her. It is the craziest thing. I mean things that happen in the movies or bad teen television shouldn’t be able to happen in real life right? Well it happens to her all the time. Who needs to watch bad chick flicks when you can watch her interactions with men. To be honest, she reminds me of Daphne from Daphne and Apollo. She is beautiful but she doesn’t want a guy, and yet men don’t get that and so they fall over themselves chasing after her, and really it just pushes her away from men. I would go more into detail but I don’t exactly have her permission to talk about her love life. All I can say is twilight has nothing on her life.

My mother is the most intelligent woman I know. She had her masters in speech pathology and she was great at her job. She stopped when she had kids because she wanted to be a stay at home mom and she was the best mom a girl could ask for. Well things happened in my personal family life that I don’t exactly like sharing, but to sum it up my dad was a very bad person, stole over $750,000 from my mom and her family, and abandoned us.  When my mom went to go back to work, she found out that my dad stopped paying for her certification. (He was in charge of the finances). So she couldn’t use her masters s she had to get a job that she is overqualified for. She now works up at the hospital as a receptionist at one of the offices. She has so many stories and all I can say is people are insane. People will treat my mom as if she doesn’t have a brain in her head because she is just some receptionist. Well one day my mom had it. One of her coworkers is just someone who isn’t happy in life so she takes pleasure in hurting other people. I would say that Ovid would agree when I say she is a villain. Well one day she was talking to a patient about hearing aids in front of my mom (and at the same time being condescending to my mom acting as if she knew nothing) and the lady said something that was completely wrong. My mom had had it up to here with everything and finally she couldn’t take it anymore. She showed up her coworker and corrected her in front of the patient and one of the doctors. Well she gained a lot more respect in the office and most people don’t look down at her for being a receptionist, but the coworker now has a personal war against her. Again is this real life? Things like this should only be in books and movies. But it happens, just like in the story of Arachne.  Arachne was better than Athena, but even when she proved this, Athena made a vendetta about it.

Well this was my attempt at linking my life to Ovid, and when I did I realized that myths aren’t that out there. Real life really is stranger than fiction 

Ouroboros

When we were talking about the Ouroboros the other day in class, I couldn't help but think of one of my all time favorite book series, The Wheel of Time. This series references more myths and draws upon the mythological more than any other book series I know of. The motifs about the Bible, Hinduism, and even Ovid are countless. The symbol that represents this book series is a wheel that has a snake intertwined within it biting its own tail. The Ouroboros is mentioned countless times and is the symbol of one of the most important and wise groups within the series. The women who make up this group wear a ring that is a serpent that is biting its own tail to remind them that there is no beginning and no end. These women are supposed to symbolize the wisdom and agelessness of their group. Within in this series, people are constantly reincarnated due to everything being bound to a wheel and tapestry that depicts and decides everything that happens. The Ouroboros also represents recreation which is another reason why it is so prominent within this series. The great snake is what allows the world to survive and is what keeps time still flowing. It is probably one of the most important entities in this series. Snakes are one of the most important creatures in literature and are used as allusions to different myths throughout the world. It interests me to see the affect Ovid has had on writers. After I have read the metamorphoses, I now am very aware of the constant motifs towards Ovid's works.
                                                      

Notes

These are the terms for the semester:
Mythos: Story
Mythology: The precedent behind all actions
In Ilo Tempore: In the great time.
Logos:The word. Truth, reason, and reality.
Anabasis: Ascending and descending
The Mythic Journey: Separation, initiation, return.
Psyche: Means Soul. (Was Cupid's girlfriend who was beautiful)
Sparagnos: Tear, pull to pieces or mangling.
Fairy Tale:Deteriorated myth
Axis Mundi: The center or connection between heaven and Earth. Celestial pole/geographic poles that expresses a point of connection between sky and earth where the 4 compass directions meet.
Etiological myths:Explains specific features in religions.
Apocalypse: The end. The lifting of the veil.
Eschatology: Concerns about last acts. The final events of end days.
Drominom: The Greek word for things being done.
Ritual:A set of actions performed for their symbolic value.
Mace Sacre: To make sacred or sacrifice.
Creation Myths: Ex Ni Halo: the creation out of nothingness. Earth Diver: Pulling life out of water. Division of a Primordial entity: The split between Heaven and Earth. Dismemberment of a Primordial entity: When life is made for the death of a god like entity.
Dytherambos:  Double doors, music. Associated with the god Baucus.
Caduseus: The medical symbol with a snake intertwined upon an oak staff.
Apotheosis: Glorification of a subject to a divine level.
Ouroboros: A snake biting its own tail. No beginning and no end.

Lindsey and me hugging a baby tree.

I forgot I had this picture.

Discussion in writ 201.

The other day in my writing class, my teacher was talking about the different ways to write a creative non-fiction piece. She then proceeded to ask if anyone in the class had written a blog. I was the only one in the class who had and so she then asked me to describe my experience of writing one. I told her that I used it for this class as my life as a mythic detective. I then got into a heated "discussion" with another student of how everything is mythological. When people hear the word myth, they automatically think of fairy tales and the like, so they then begin to not take anything seriously. I told them that the definition of myth is the precedent behind all action, but it is sad that people really do not understand what myths actually are. I have found throughout this course, as I have examined my life, that truth is stranger than fiction. Like myths, things happen in life that almost seem too crazy to have happened. I view myths not  just as stories, but as ways to try and explain things that are difficult to comprehend. Everything is mythological, but it is sad when people do not understand that.

The Eye of Medusa

I am someone who loves items that have some cool back story, so when  my birthday  came and my friend got me a necklace, I was thrilled. This is because the necklace that was given to me is called the eye of Medusa. My friend had gotten it on a trip to turkey.Ii looked into the lore about it and found out that it is a charm used as protection against anyone that would try and harm me. According to Ovid, Medusa turned anyone who looked her in the eye to stone. This necklace is supposed to do just that to anyone with impure intentions. It is also an item that is to ward off any evil spirits set to harm someone. This necklace's charm is also known as the evil eye in other cultures which was used as a means to curse ones enemies. If the person who wears this charm feels envy towards another, then that person is cursed. (That part of the myth is a little dark for my taste so I'm going to stick with the story that it is a protective charm, not a cursed object).
                                              

When a Stranger Moves to Town

He had just moved to Laurel Montana to get away from all of the noise that comes from living in a city. He was sick of being surrounded by people who thought too highly of themselves. He could not stand the fact that women would throw themselves at him when they in fact were not worthy of one such as he. He was a man whom most thought of as perfect, some even said that he shined like the light from the sun. He was special, unlike the ordinary rats who plague society. One afternoon, he stopped into the local hair salon because as perfect as he was, he still needed to work at his looks. It was there that he finally found her. She was everything he could wish for in a mate. She was stunning, personable, and strong. He had to have her, and when she turned around to ask him if he would like an appointment, he could just tell she wanted him as much as he wanted her, just by the way she smiled at him. After he made an appointment for the following Wednesday with Danielle (for that was the name she gave him,) he set out to find out everything about her and everything that was happening in her life. He found out that she lived with her poor father on the outskirts of town, that she was a hunter just like himself, that she walked her german shephard every morning around 6:30 before she went to work. (He knew that she knew that he was following her, but the little minx was just playing hard to get and pretending that she could not see him). This little game of cat and mouse went on for months. Eventually he grew tired of calling her in the late hours of the night just to hear her voice even if she only said one word, hello. He tired of watching her from her bushes outside her bedroom window, for she would only tease him by changing her clothes in front of him, but never inviting him inside. (She had to know he was always there watching her, wanting to be a part of his true loves life, even if she was acting like a cluess bitch.) One day, when he felt that it was time, he asked her out to dinner.(For that was what society deemed proper, even though he knew that they were meant to be together forever.) However the coy woman refused him saying that even though she thought he was a nice guy, she just did not having any interest in ever dating anyone. This refusal made him lust after her even more for no woman had ever refused his advances. That was when he decided to take her that night. He had observed that Danielle walked alone to her house after work. (It was probably because she was so poor that she could not afford a car, but she would be able to once they were man and wife.) This was when he approached her. At first she was her lovely self, but when he told her he wanted to end their little game, her smiling face turned into pure terror. Then she ran. Oh the games she always played the evasive bitch, but he would chase her, because obviously that was what she wanted. He chased her through the trees and was in awe by her speed and stamina. She truely was his equal. He followed her for a long time and was very close to catching up with her when she ran up onto the highway screaming for help. (He was amazed at this side of her, he never knew she was such a free spirit/daredevil. No wonder fate gave her to him.) However his awe turned into annoyance. Why did she have to be so stubborn? He called out to her to get her to come to him which only made her start to run again, however she was so exhausted she collapsed. It is to his ever lasting shame as to what happened to his goddess after that. He should have made her stop that ridiculous game. He should have had more control over her..... Needless to say a semi-truck accidentally ran her over, and he was left with a broken heart.

Siren Song

So the other day I was emptying out the trunk of my car and found an old English paper I had written last year. The paper was one on a prompt to compare the Odessey's representation of the Sirens and the Sirens represented in the poem Siren Song by Margaret Atwood. This poem is one that takes the view point of the siren itself, and is what I think of whenever I hear about the sirens. So I thought I would share it on my blog:

Siren Song

This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:

the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see beached skulls

the song nobody knows
because anyone who had heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.

I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song

is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique

at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.      

The Spinners Painting

Analyzing artwork has never been one of my strengths, however I will try my best. At first in Velasquez's painting I notice the contrast in brightness throughout the piece. The background to where the the end product of Arachne is shown is very bright, like it is under a spotlight. This illustrates the importance of this part in the painting, revealing it to be of the upmost importance. This also makes Arachne's finished product look almost holy and divine, revealing the beauty and significance of her work and her triumph over Athena.The foreground of the piece has both light and dark contrasts. Over to the left where the "old woman" (who I believe to be Athena) the light is very dim, showing Athena's cruel intentions. I believe this woman to be Athena do to the youthful leg that is outstretched and also the hidden sword underneath her spinning wheel. Athena was the goddess of wisdom and war which makes it safe to assume that that weapon is her's. Over to the right, where I believe Arachne to be with her helpers, is bright.  You can tell which one is Arachne due to her being the one holding the threads that makes it look as though she is actually weaving a spider web. This woman is also wearing a white headband signifying her purity and goodness, and also she is wearing mostly white-- whereas Athena is in mostly black. This, to me, reveals her to be the heroine of the piece who is the better of the two. I believe this painting is one of contrasts illustrating Arachne as being good and pure and the goddess Athena to be cruel and underhanded. This is probably wrong, but this is what I see within this painting.

Ancient Egyptian Creation Myth: Khepri Version

In the begining there was nothing but water. A chaotic and tumultuous force known as Nu or Nun. It is because of Nu that the world began. One day, Nu's waters reseded and from them stood a single hill, and from that area rose the scarab god Khepri (Who is sometimes known as a version of the sun god Ra) rose above the hill, creating the first sunrise from all of his glory. Now Khepri had within his heart, the desire to create all things and so it was him and him alone that created the world. Khepri would draw materials from Nu in order to make and shape this world. Khepri knew for a world to function there must must be law order and stabilty, thus he laid the land in the foundation of Maat taht stood for all of these principles. Now Khepri was the father of the gods Shu and Tefnut, the gods of the sky and moisture. He gave birth to them by expelling them from his mouth and left them within Nu. One day, Khepri decided to raise his children from the watery depths and brought them to him, and when they came to him, they presented him his lost eye, also known as the sun. At this, Khepri wept profusely and from his tears man emergered. And thus man was born. Now Khepri's eye was furious, she was angered that there were those that were higher than she. So Khepri took the sun and placed her high upon his brow so that no one could ever be above her. In her fury and wrath, she ravished the land, allowing it to become furtile. So Khepri was able to make plant life and animal life. In the meantime, Shu and Tefnut gave birth to Geb and Nut who in turn gave birth to Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nephthys creating leadership and order within the world, and that is how the Earth was made.

Dreams

Ever since I was a kid, I've always had the most bizarre dreams. Most of them are pretty weird, and I attribute that to my extensive imagination. There are even some dreams/nightmares that I can still recall vividly and it has been years since I had those particular dreams. For example, when I was young, I would have chronic nightmares of the same exact thing. The people I loved most and the people around me would be infected by a virus that would turn them into a hybrid of a zombie and a dementor. (This was before I had even heard of the Harry Potter series though.) I would watch in horror as people I knew would change from being human into a walking decayed corpse. (The imagery still give me the creeps and is really gross so I won't describe what they looked like.) I would try and flee from these creatures and try to find help, but everyone was one of those creatures, and by the end of the dream I would also be turned. This nightmare was one that I dreamt of almost every night when I was 5. I would also have other dreams too with themes of me being a princess, fighting dragons or other monsters, being a super hero, etc. I enjoy dreaming because I like to get out of my own reality which is probably why I have always loved reading. I love to wake up, tell my mom about my dreams and the two of us try and figure out what the heck was I thinking. It can be really funny. :)

Figuring out how to write a Blog.

I have never written a blog before so this should be interesting. I have always had a unique interest in the different mythologies of different cultures. Greek mythology has always been my favorite, however I also have found roman and norse mythologies facinating as well. Mythologies are tools used to understand the nature of why we are here. The use of the supernatural to amplify the meaning of the tale is something that I enjoy. My favorite myths seem to have elements of beautiful tragedy, heroism, and war. This is probably why I enjoyed the Illiad and Oedipus Rex so much. I am truely enjoying Ovid's works within Metamorphoses and am excited to post about my thoughts on his many myths.