Classical Mythology & Philosophical Thought: Key Figures & Myths
Classical Mythology and Philosophical Thought
Sigmund Freud: Pioneer of Psychoanalysis
Sigmund Schlomo Freud, born May 6, 1856, in Freiberg, and who died September 23, 1939, in London, was an Austrian neurologist and physician. He is widely recognized as the creator and principal exponent of psychoanalysis.
Addressing concepts like the Oedipus complex, which describes a child’s sexual attraction to the parent of the opposite sex, Freud’s theories (and later interpretations like the Electra complex) suggest two potential paths: the child attempts to replace the same-sex parent (an active role) or seeks to be loved by the opposite-sex parent (a passive role).
Hesiod and the Origins of Greek Mythology
The Theogony (literally ‘Origin of the Gods’), a foundational poetic work, is considered the definitive ‘Origin of Greek Mythology’. It was meticulously written by Hesiod, who organized and recorded the narratives of the Greek gods.
Hesiod, born in Ascra near Thebes around the second half of the 8th century BC or early 7th century BC, was the son of a peasant merchant. After his father’s death, he settled in Nafpaktos, where he spent his youth tending a flock and living the peaceful life of a Greek peasant. His most renowned works include:
- Theogony
- The Shield of Heracles
- Works and Days (which details a dispute over inheritance with his brother)
The Myth of Sisyphus and Albert Camus’s Philosophy
Albert Camus’s interpretation of the Myth of Sisyphus delves into the absurdity of existence. While the efforts of an individual may seem futile, Camus posits that humanity finds happiness in the awareness of being alive, and this very effort provides that feeling.
Sisyphus, condemned by the gods for his deceit, was sentenced to an absurd and eternal task: to roll a massive stone up a mountain only for it to roll back down upon reaching the summit. This endless, futile labor represents the human condition, yet Camus argues that Sisyphus finds meaning and defiance in his rebellion against this fate, embracing the present moment.
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel: Influential German Philosopher
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a prominent German philosopher, was born in Stuttgart on August 27, 1770, and died of cholera in Berlin on November 14, 1831. He is considered one of the most influential modern philosophers, with his extensive writings inspiring subsequent thinkers such as Karl Marx and Jean-Paul Sartre.
Prometheus: Symbol of Knowledge and Ambition
The myth of Prometheus recounts his severe punishment for stealing fire from Olympus and bestowing it upon humanity. He was chained to a rock, where an eagle would daily devour his liver, which would then regenerate overnight, ensuring an endless torment.
This enduring myth symbolizes the constant pursuit of knowledge, the sacrifices made for human progress, and humanity’s inherent ambition to always strive for more.
Achilles: The Invulnerable Hero’s Vulnerability
Achilles, the legendary son of the sea nymph Thetis and Peleus, was prophesied by his mother to die if he fought in the Trojan War, though his name would achieve eternal fame. Thetis attempted to make him immortal by immersing him in the River Styx, but she held him by his heel, leaving this single point vulnerable and unprotected – hence the term “Achilles’ heel.”
Ulysses (Odysseus): The Long Journey Home
Ulysses, also widely known as Odysseus, was the cunning King of Ithaca and grandson of Aeolus. The god Poseidon caused him to suffer a prolonged and arduous journey home from the Trojan War, which lasted 10 years. This was in retribution for Odysseus blinding Poseidon’s son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. Throughout his epic voyage, his faithful wife Penelope awaited his return. This incredible journey forms the central framework of Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey.
Hector: The Noble Defender of Troy
Hector, the first-born son of Trojan King Priam and Queen Hecuba, was the valiant brother of Paris and Cassandra. He was tragically killed by Achilles in revenge after Hector, misled by Athena, fought and killed Patroclus, Achilles’ close companion. Hector’s body was then brutally dragged to Achilles’ camp, from where King Priam, aided by the messenger god Hermes, bravely retrieved it for a proper burial.
Paris: The Catalyst of the Trojan War
Paris, in the infamous Judgment of Paris, chose the goddess Aphrodite as the fairest, thereby winning her protection and the love of Helen, the most beautiful mortal woman. Helen, however, was already the wife of Menelaus, King of the Achaeans. According to Homer’s Iliad, Paris’s abduction of Helen was the direct and devastating cause of the legendary Trojan War.