Blog Entry Ten~ Zeus

Zeus was the father of Apollo and the youngest son of Cronus and Rhea. He was the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus. He also ruled all the gods who resided there. As the ruler he upheld the law, justice, and morals.

He has always been known as the weather god. His most famous attribute is the thunderbolt. He controlled rain, thunder, and lightening. When monarchies still existed Zeus was the protector of them. After the end of monarchy he became the chief judge and civic god.

According to legend, Metis was Zeus’ first love. He swallowed her after hearing that she would bear a daughter whose son would one day overthrow Zeus.  He fathered many deities as well as many mortals. He used many disguises to seduce mortals. There were many festivals and temples in honor of Zeus.

"Zeus." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2010. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
01 Nov. 2010 <http://www.pantheon.org/articles/z/zeus.html>.

Blog Entry Nine~ Apollo

Apollo is the son of Zues and Leto. His twin brother is Artemis. Apollo is the god of music, mostly of the lyre. He also directed the choir of Muse. He was also known as the god of prophecy, colonization, medicine, archery (but not for war or hunting), poetry, dance, intellectual inquiry and the carer of herds and flocks. He was also a god of light. Also he was the god of plague.

Apollo’s father was married to Hera. When she learned of Leto’s pregnancy she forced her to roam the earth to find someplace to give birth. She finally found shelter at Delos. There she was able to give birth to the divine twins.  It is said that before she gave birth to Apollo the island was encircled by swans. For this reason swans are sacred to Apollo.

Apollo was known to be ruthless when he was angered. He also had many love affairs with mortals and goddesses. He also is said to have fallen in love with a male, Hyacinthus, the prince of Sparta. Apollo was worship throughout the Greek world.

"Apollo." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2010. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
01 Nov. 2010 <http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/apollo.html>.

Blog Entry Eight~ Journal Article

In the article “Suppose Freud had Chosen Orestes Instead” by Margaret Clark, Clark argues that Oedipus is not the only Greek myth that could support the Oedipus Complex, but also that it would not have stayed as current without Freud. Clark states that Freud did not completely “choose” Oedipus, rather that Oedipus chose him. The two “fit together”. Freud wrote that his father’s death was the most important event in his life. Clark believes that Freud’s attraction to the story of Oedipus only makes sense after a statement such as that. Clark says that Freud made a large generalization when he concluded that the story of Oedipus shows the sexual desires of everyone. Clark agrees that it is a stage in sexual development, but that its wide range recognition is due to Freud. Clark does not believe that it would have been as recognized without Freud’s “choice”. She believes that this is why Oedipus stayed so current, not because of its psychological implications.

Clark, Margaret. "Suppose Freud had chosen Orestes instead." Journal of Analytical Psychology 54.2 (2009): 233-252. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 1 Nov. 2010.

Blog Entry Seven~ Adaption of Oedipus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gssOoO4TlnM&feature=related

This video shows an adaptation of Oedipus. It was performed by the University Theatre at Western Michigan University. They chose to set the production in Africa. They added in places for movement as there would have been in Greek times said Joan Herrington, the director of the production.

I was unable to find any evidence to back up Herrington's claim that Oedipus was originally an African myth. I think that it is an interesting claim, and something that I will continue to research. 

The whole experience of being in this particular producation appeared to be a great learning experience. The actors had to learn not only the story of Oedipus, but also African dance and music. They learned to "become one" with the music and fellow cast members.