Faith In Greek Mythology
Essay 1
Faith is perhaps the most widely important theme in Greek mythology. For one thing, those who hear the myths must in some way believe they are true in order for them to be meaningful. Humans, not only those in the myths but also those who hear the myths, generally go even further and believe that the gods actually exist. Characters who defy or anger the gods are punished, and those who honor and praise the gods find rewards. Having faith in a prophecy is better than trying to circumvent it. Faith also appears in more nuanced situations having to do with trust and belief. Psyche, for example, cannot bear to not see her husband during the daylight, so she chooses to see Cupid in the light, against his wishes. Although eventually she redeems
herself from this betrayal, it takes much suffering and effort. Orpheus, by contrast, finds no forgiveness when he loses his faith while leading Eurydice up from the underworld. Such myths reinforce the theme that faith should not be broken or misused. Phaeton was the son of Helios and when his mother told him he bragged about it to his friends who made fun of him because he had NO PROOF. so he went to see his father and asked him. Helios admitted to being his father and promised him anything he could ask for. So Phaeton asked to drive the Chariot of the Sun. Which no mortal was meant to drive and he set half the world on fire and Zeus shot him with a thunderbolt to save the world.
Faith is perhaps the most widely important theme in Greek mythology. For one thing, those who hear the myths must in some way believe they are true in order for them to be meaningful. Humans, not only those in the myths but also those who hear the myths, generally go even further and believe that the gods actually exist. Characters who defy or anger the gods are punished, and those who honor and praise the gods find rewards. Having faith in a prophecy is better than trying to circumvent it. Faith also appears in more nuanced situations having to do with trust and belief. Psyche, for example, cannot bear to not see her husband during the daylight, so she chooses to see Cupid in the light, against his wishes. Although eventually she redeems
herself from this betrayal, it takes much suffering and effort. Orpheus, by contrast, finds no forgiveness when he loses his faith while leading Eurydice up from the underworld. Such myths reinforce the theme that faith should not be broken or misused. Phaeton was the son of Helios and when his mother told him he bragged about it to his friends who made fun of him because he had NO PROOF. so he went to see his father and asked him. Helios admitted to being his father and promised him anything he could ask for. So Phaeton asked to drive the Chariot of the Sun. Which no mortal was meant to drive and he set half the world on fire and Zeus shot him with a thunderbolt to save the world.