‘IN A WORLD OF POWERFUL GODS, MANKIND HAS LITTLE FREEDOM’ Powerful gods can have both a negative and positive impact on the obstruction of the freedom of man, as shown in the film ‘Clash of the Titans’. The gods have the ability to completely dominate the humans that live under their rule. Their supernatural authority means that, when the emotions of the gods become uncontrollable, humans will often suffer as an unnecessary result. Man, in comparisons to the gods, seems to be insignificant and trivial. In the movie ‘Clash of the Titans’, we are shown that if a god sees fit, he or she can punish humanity for a choice that it makes that goes against the interests of Olympus.
Zeus took pity of the King and gave him, as recompense for his son, brisk trotting horses, the kind which carry the gods. Zeus also ordered Hermes to explain everything, including the fact that Ganymede would be immortal and would never grow old. When Tros heard this message from Zeus, he stopped mourning and he rejoiced within his heart. The relationship between Ganymede and Zeus is disturbing in todays society for several reasons. The first reason for this is the blatant promiscuity of Zeus.
The addition of Apollo to the Olympian order bridged this gap between gods and men since Apollo was now the mediator between Zeus and mankind. Apollo uses his attributes of music, archery and prophecy throughout the hymn to strengthen the relationship between gods and mankind as well to secure the order in Olympus. In the poem the gods muse at the human suffering and their defenceless nature. The gods laugh at how the humans cannot defend themselves against growing old or how they cannot avert death. Though they seem to have a perfect life, the gods require humans to express their majesty.
Some of the times being in book five and six. The gods complain to Zeus and squabble among themselves, while the mortal engage in their own armed warfare. When the gods don’t get what they want they complain and moan and then decide to involve themselves in the mortal war only because the tide of war doesn’t flow in the direction that the gods desire. When they do involve themselves in battle Aphrodite and complain when they get hurt. In this instance it seems to me as if they are not used to using simple logic and reason, they involve themselves in battle yet expect to have no harm done to them.
Progress in any matter was practically impossible without divine endorsement, or rather, the people’s belief that they were in the gods’ good graces. Furthermore, retribution from the gods when offended often affected the entire polis. For example, earlier in the Oedipus trilogy all of Thebes suffers a terrible curse for many years because of the actions of a few. Punishments that affected the entire community (even if the majority were innocent) led to the prevailing belief in the sovereignty of the polis. When it becomes clear to the community, represented in the play by the chorus, that divine law supports Antigone’s actions, they urge Creon to reconsider out of fear for the polis.
Love Morals in Greek Mythology In mythology there are so many similarities to the Bible I can scarce count them all. Both have a story about the world flooding and repopulating, wraths brought onto mortals by the gods or God, blessings to the faithful, creation, and many other similarities. There is one major difference though, in the Bible the deity is widely known for the disapproval of adultery and in mythology the Gods practice it themselves and praise the mortal warriors who follow in their footsteps. Zeus sleeps with mortals, nymphs, other gods, titans, and anything else he can. The warriors, who are praised and blessed by the gods, are allowed to rape and pillage in the towns that they conquer.
The answer is not an easy one. People who are controlling are actually fearful and scared. To them, controlling people is easier instead of dealing with people from a level of self-respect and dignity. To them, having a manipulating attitude makes things easier. These people have visions of acting like an all-powerful God with an overruling dominance over the lives of others.
This is demonstrated when there is a chaos from a lack of justice at times throughout the play, when justice is delivered sooner societies stability increases, and when antagonist’s display no remorse for their actions. A world without justice would be greatly chaotic. "Let the great gods, That keep this dreadful pother o'er our heads, Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch, That hast within thee undivulged crimes, Unwhipped of justice." (III ii 49-53) At this point King Lear has now become too week to correct his misjudgments about his daughters and is now calling on a divine justice because his power is now limited.
They were both polytheistic. However, Mesopotamians feared their gods because of the misfortune that they had every year. The Egyptians however, praise and worship their gods because of the fortune an “blessings" that they receive each year. These views were highly affected by adequate culture in both civilizations. Mesopotamia never had very good crop seasons and they believed that this is because of the gods unforgiving and spiteful manner.
The gods exercise absolute power over mortal actions in The Odyssey. In The Odyssey mortals are constantly making sacrifices to them. Offending the gods creates problems, as seen by the oxen of Helios and Poseidon's grudge against Odysseus for blinding his son Polyphemos. Athena is the most visible god in the poem. Only with her can Odysseus survive his dangerous adventures.