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Aeolus in The Odyssey: The Winds That Led Odysseus Astray
Aeolus in The Odyssey helped our hero by providing him with a bag of winds. Odysseus's men's ignorance, however, resulted in the waste of this help...
By Ancient Literature
Alcinous in The Odyssey: The King Who Was Odysseus' Savior
Alcinous in the Odyssey is the king of Phaeacians, of his island kingdom Scheria. A large part of the narrative retells Odysseus's wanderings with ...
By Ancient Literature
Alexander and Hephaestion: The Ancient Controversial Relationship
Alexander and Hephaestion are the best of friends and allegedly lovers. Their relationship has been a topic of debate among historians and philosop...
By Ancient Literature
Alliteration in Beowulf: Why Was There So Much Alliteration in the Epic?
Alliteration in Beowulf is the repeated use of initial sounds/letters right after the other, which occurs very often in Beowulf. Alliteration was v...
By Ancient Literature
Anglo-Saxon Culture in Beowulf: Reflecting Anglo-Saxon Ideals
Anglo-Saxon culture in Beowulf is pricisely represented and portrayed in the famous poem through its main character and his respected actions. Beow...
By Ancient Literature
Antenor: The Various Greek Mythologies of King Priam's Counselor
Antenor of Troy was an aged and wise counselor who offered great services to Priam, the king of Troy, and his wife, Hecuba, before and during the T...
By Ancient Literature
Antigone's Tragic Flaw and the Curse of Her Family
Oedipus Rex The tragic life of Oedipus and his family are summarized in the following: Queen Jocasta of Thebes gives birth to a son An oracle warns...
By Ancient Literature
Antilochus: The Greek Mythology of the Greatest Prince of Pylos
Antilochus was a Greek warrior who sought the hand of Helen in marriage and thus had to join the Greek expedition to Troy after Paris kidnapped Hel...
By Ancient Literature
Antinous in The Odyssey: The Suitor Who Died First
After the war that left the land of Troy riddled in chaos, Odysseus and his men gather to return to their beloved homes. They venture off the land ...
By Ancient Literature
Aphrodite in The Odyssey: A Tale of Sex, Hubris, and Humiliation
Why did Homer mention Aphrodite in The Odyssey? She doesn't even appear in person, but only as a character in a bard's song. Is it just an entertai...
By Ancient Literature
Arcas: The Greek Mythology of the Legendary King of the Arcadians
Arcas was a beloved ancestor of the Arcadians and the person after which the Arcadia region in Greece was named. To enable the region to develop he...
By Ancient Literature
Are Zeus and Odin the Same? A Comparison of the Gods
Odin and Zeus are some of the most recognizable names in mythology and pop culture as a whole. Both figures are featured in various media, such as ...
By Ancient Literature
Athena in The Odyssey: Odysseus' Savior
Athena in The Odyssey acted as a guardian towards Odysseus' family, ensuring their safety and prosperity in the Homeric Classic. Her actions lead t...
By Ancient Literature
Beowulf Boast like a Pro to Boost Confidence
For Beowulf, boasting was more than just bragging about his accomplishments. Boasting in Beowulf was akin to writing a powerful resume in modern ti...
By Ancient Literature
Beowulf Characters: The Major Players of the Epic Poem
The Beowulf characters list is quite long, but there is a small number that has speaking parts or importance to the poem. Beowulf is the protagonis...
By Ancient Literature
Beowulf vs. Grendel: A Hero Slays a Villain, Weapons Not Included
Beowulf vs. Grendel is likely one of the more famous battles in literature history. It is an epic Scandinavian hero pitted against a dark, bloodthi...
By Ancient Literature
Beowulf's Last Battle: Why Is It the Most Important?
Beowulf's final battle is one against a fire-breathing dragon. This was the third monster Beowulf encountered, according to the epic poem Beowulf. ...
By Ancient Literature
Caesura in Beowulf: Function of the Caesura in the Epic Poem
What Is a Caesura in Beowulf? Caesura is defined as a break or pause in a line of poetry, and it is the same in Beowulf. The break comes where one ...
By Ancient Literature
Christianity in Beowulf: Is the Pagan Hero a Christian Warrior?
Beowulf and Christianity: Examples and Values of Christianity Throughout the poem, it's clear that all the characters are Christian and believe in ...
By Ancient Literature
Comitatus in Beowulf: A Reflection of a True Epic Hero
Comitatus in Beowulf is an agreement or bond between a nobleman and his warriors. It is a sworn oath that involves allegiance, loyalty, and bravery...
By Ancient Literature
Defying Creon: Antigone's Journey of Tragic Heroism
By defying Creon, Antigone sealed her own fate, quite literally. But how did it come to that? How did the daughter of Oedipus end up sealed alive i...
By Ancient Literature
Deidamia: The Secret Love Interest of the Greek Hero Achilles
Deidamia was the daughter of Lycomedes, king of the island of Scyros who secretly had an affair with Achilles. Thetis, the mother of Achilles, disg...
By Ancient Literature
Dikaiosyne: The Female Embodiment of Righteousness and Justice
Dikaiosyne is the spiritual embodiment of righteousness and justice in Greek mythology. She was a minor deity and was of Olympian descent like many...
By Ancient Literature
Eirene: Greek Goddess of Peace
The goddess of peace in Greek mythology is Eirene. She is the personification of peace and is likewise considered the goddess of peace and tranquil...
By Ancient Literature
Epithets in Beowulf: What Are the Main Epithets in the Epic Poem?
Epithet in Beowulf is an extra description given to the verses of the poem to add further imagery to the story. There are plenty of examples of epi...
By Ancient Literature
Fate vs Destiny in Ancient Literature and Mythologies
Fate vs Destiny has a very subtle line between them that separates the two terms. In shallow meaning, the two words are very similar and also repre...
By Ancient Literature
Female Characters In The Odyssey – Helpers and Hindrances
What roles are played by the female characters in the odyssey? They are either Helpers or Hindrances. Women in the Odyssey offer an insight into th...
By Ancient Literature
God of Rocks in the World of Mythologies
The God of rocks is present in almost all of the mythologies around the world in addition to the god of mountains, these gods of rocks and mountain...
By Ancient Literature
Good vs. Evil in Beowulf: A Warrior Hero Against Bloodthirsty Monsters
Good vs Evil in Beowulf is exemplified in every action in the plot of the story. Beowulf is the symbol of all heroic virtues, and what is a better ...
By Ancient Literature
Halitherses in the Odyssey
Halitherses in the Odyssey is an Ithacan prophet who foresees the homecoming of his dear friend Odysseus. He, together with Athena, fights for Odys...
By Ancient Literature
Hamartia in Antigone: The Tragic Flaw of Major Characters in the Play
Hamartia in Antigone refers to the tragic flaw exhibited by Antigone and other characters that led to their ultimate demise at the end of the class...
By Ancient Literature
Heorot in Beowulf: The Place of Light Amidst the Darkness
Heorot, Beowulf's center, is the mead hall for the Danes in the poem, Beowulf. It is the place where the monster, Grendel, attacks, kills and takes...
By Ancient Literature
Homeric Epithets – The Rhythm of Heroic Descriptions
Homeric epithets appear throughout the epic works and help ground the listeners in the writer's expressions of the people and places described. Epi...
By Ancient Literature
How Did Aphrodite in the Iliad Act as the Catalyst in the War?
If Helen of Sparta was referred to as "the face that launched a thousand ships," it was Aphrodite in The Iliad who was the true catalyst for the wa...
By Ancient Literature
How Did Beowulf Die: The Epic Hero and His Final Battle
Even though Beowulf was the story of an epic hero highlighting his strength, it ends with Beowulf's death. The death of Beowulf is shown in his fin...
By Ancient Literature
Hubris in The Odyssey: The Greek Version of Pride and Prejudice
Hubris in The Odyssey and other Greek literature plays a vital role. In a way, Homer's The Odyssey served as a cautionary tale to the ancient Greek...
By Ancient Literature
In What Way Is the Odyssey an Epic: A Comprehensive Analysis
An epic poem tells the story of heroic acts or significant historical or mythological events. In Homer's Odyssey, the poem recounts Odysseus' epic ...
By Ancient Literature
Ipotane: The Look-alikes of Centaurs and Sileni in Greek Mythology
The Ipotane is a mystical creature that belongs to various mythologies but most prominently is seen in Greek mythology. It is a morphologically div...
By Ancient Literature
Irony in the Odyssey: A Literary Device
Irony in the Odyssey was used by its author, Homer, in writing his epic poem. Irony refers to a situation expressing a contrast between reality and...
By Ancient Literature
Ismene in Antigone: The Sister Who Lived
Ismene in Antigone is the sister of Antigone and the youngest daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. She is a loyal but cautious sibling. In contrast to ...
By Ancient Literature
Itzpapalotl-butterfly Goddess: The Fallen Goddess of Aztec Mythology
Itzpapalotl-butterfly goddess was known as the one who ruled in the paradise land of Tamoanchan, which is the paradise of stillborn infants and wom...
By Ancient Literature
Jupiter vs Zeus: Differentiating Between the Two Ancient Sky Gods
Jupiter vs Zeus compares the strengths and weaknesses of the two chief gods of Roman and Greek mythologies. Since the Romans heavily borrowed from ...
By Ancient Literature
Kennings in Beowulf: The Whys and Hows of Kennings in the Famous Poem
Kennings in Beowulf are one of the main topics discussed by scholars and students about this famous epic poem. Beowulf is an Old English epic poem ...
By Ancient Literature
King of the Danes in Beowulf: Who Is Hrothgar in the Famous Poem?
The name of the king of the Danes in Beowulf is Hrothgar, and he is the one whose people struggle against a monster for years. He called Beowulf to...
By Ancient Literature
Ladon Greek Mythology: The Myth of the Multi-Headed Hesperian Dragon
Ladon Greek mythology follows the legend of the Hesperian Dragon who was tasked by the Hesperides, the daughters of Atlas, to guard the golden appl...
By Ancient Literature
Loyalty in Beowulf: How Does the Epic Warrior Hero Show Loyalty?
Loyalty in Beowulf is an important theme, probably one of the key major themes because of its importance to the culture during that period. Through...
By Ancient Literature
Metaphors in Beowulf: How Are Metaphors Used in the Famous Poem?
Metaphors in Beowulf are a figure of speech, used to add a little bit more interesting imagery to the famous poem. They are used in the form of cha...
By Ancient Literature
Odysseus Ship – The Greatest Name
The Odyssey is a story of a journey in Odysseus' boat, as our Hero tried to find his way home following a conquest. Unfortunately for Odysseus, the...
By Ancient Literature
Oedipus Rex Themes: Timeless Concepts for Audiences Then and Now
The story of Oedipus was well-known to Greek audiences: the king who unwittingly fulfilled a prophecy while trying to escape it. The earliest recor...
By Ancient Literature
Omens in the Aeneid: How Virgil Used Signs to Predict the Future
Omens in the Aeneid are signs that foreshadow future events while giving assurances of what is to come. Several times throughout the poem, the gods...
By Ancient Literature
Otrera: The Creator and First Queen of the Amazons in Greek Mythology
Otrera, according to Greek mythology, was a female warrior who possessed the strength, skill, courage and agility comparable to her male counterpar...
By Ancient Literature
Proteus in The Odyssey: Poseidon's Son
Proteus in The Odyssey had a small yet impactful part in the Greek classic. He, the Greek Sea god, had insurmountable knowledge and would only shar...
By Ancient Literature
Protogenoi: The Greek Deities That Existed Before Creation Began
The protogenoi are the primordial gods that existed before the Titans and the Olympians. These gods were actively involved in the creation of the c...
By Ancient Literature
Symbolism in Antigone: The Use of Imagery and Motifs in the Play
Sophocles used symbolism in Antigone to carry out deeper messages that were not obvious to the audience. These symbols gave weight to the play and ...
By Ancient Literature
The Heroic Code: How Did Beowulf Represent the Epic Hero?
The heroic code was a set of values and ways to act in a warrior society. Even if you've never heard of the heroic code before, you can certainly i...
By Ancient Literature
The Length of Homer's Epic Poem: How Long Is The Odyssey?
Homer's Odyssey is one of the two most famous ancient Greek epic poems (the first one was The Iliad). This is regarded as one of history's great st...
By Ancient Literature
The Myth of Bia Greek Goddess of Force, Power, and Raw Energy
Bia Greek Goddess was the personification of force, rage, and raw energy who lived on Mount Olympus with Zeus. Though they were Titans, Bia and her...
By Ancient Literature
Tydeus: The Story of the Hero Who Ate Brains in Greek Mythology
Tydeus was a leader of the Argive army that fought against the Thebans to remove their King, Eteocles, and to hand over the throne to Polynices, th...
By Ancient Literature
What Does Grendel Look Like? A Detailed Analysis
What does Grendel look like? This question has been asked a lot of times because of his fierce personality in the epic poem since Grendel was the m...
By Ancient Literature
What Does Grendel Represent in the Epic Poem Beowulf?
What does Grendel represent in the Old English poem, Grendel? The answer to this question is complex and requires a bit of a back story. Grendel wa...
By Ancient Literature
Where Do Gods Live and Breathe in World Mythologies?
Where do gods live? This question has been asked many times and the answers are just a little blurry. The reason for this is that there are many di...
By Ancient Literature
Who Is Cain in Beowulf, and What Is His Significance?
Who is Cain in Beowulf? Cain is believed to be the origin of all evil in the epic poem Beowulf. His biblical story, which made him the first human ...
By Ancient Literature
Why Is Beowulf Important: The Major Reasons To Read the Epic Poem
Why is Beowulf important in the study of English Literature? Reading Beowulf opens your eyes to the Anglo-Saxon culture of old while intriguing you...
By Ancient Literature
Why Is Oedipus a Tragic Hero? Hubris, Hamartia, and Happenstance
Before Oedipus, "tragic hero" meant very little as a literary device. Ever since Aristotle outlined the qualities of tragic drama, scholars continu...
By Ancient Literature
Why Would Beowulf Be Considered a Perfect Medieval Knight?
Some people think that the epic hero Beowulf should be considered a perfect knight because his attitude and adventures are comparable to the knight...
By Ancient Literature
Wiglaf in Beowulf: Why Does Wiglaf Help Beowulf in the Poem?
Wiglaf in Beowulf is one of the most important characters, but he doesn't show up until the end of the poem. He is the only one of Beowulf's warrio...
By Ancient Literature
The Island of the Lotus-Eaters: Odyssey Drug Island
Djerba was the lair of the lotus-eaters, Odyssey island, where addictive lotus plants grew. Odysseus encountered the lotus-eaters on his long journ...