Modern Mythology 2020 - Blog #23

Jia Yan Jiang
Modern Mythology Period 1
11/4/19

Aim: Why and how does Hercules' characterization make him one of the most memorable figures in Greek mythology?

Daimonic 
(adj.)
In the way of a daimon; befitting a demon; fiendish.
Motivated by a spiritual force or genius; inspired.

(n.)
(psychology) The unrest that exists in us all which forces us into the unknown, leading to self-destruction and/or self-discovery.
(psychology, spirituality, mythology, literature) The journey and transition from innocence to experience; part of the process of individuation.
(mythology, literature) The place where light and dark meet.

Anagnorisis - is a moment in a play or other work when a character makes a critical discovery. Anagnorisis originally meant recognition in its Greek context, not only of a person but also of what that person stood for. Anagnorisis was the hero's sudden awareness of a real situation, the realization of things as they stood, and finally, the hero's insight into a relationship with an often antagonistic character in Aristotelian tragedy.


11/6/19
Aim: How are death and mortality approached in the Oedipus Trilogy?
Do Now: THINK PAIR SHARE
Suicide is a controversial topic because across cultures and time periods, the perspective and purpose has evolved. Japanese Samurais would stab themselves through the chest when faced with defeat, Japanese Kamikazi pilots would fly to their deaths during wartime, Islamic suicide bombers would do the same.

Think about how suicide is used in Antigone and compare it across time periods and cultures.
What kind of clout does suicide have? Why does/doesn't it bear the same weight now and today?
In the past, suicide was a way to be able and faithful to your country. As shown by Japanese Samurais and Kamikazi pilots, their lives were sacrificed for the belief that they were doing the right thing. Now, suicide has a much more different impact on society.  It can be seen as a result of mental illnesses. It is much more controversial and can be seen to be a result of psychological issues.  It is no longer seen as an honor but now seems to be caused due to emotional reasons.

FATE VS. FREE-WILL

In the lessons we have learned from the Greeks, the more we try to avoid fate, the more we play into it.

The Fates. In Greek Mythology, the Moirai—often known in English as the Fates—were the white-robed incarnations of destiny. Their number became fixed at three: Clotho (spinner), Lachesis (allotter) and Atropos (unturnable). They controlled the metaphorical thread of life of every mortal from birth to death.
They were often depicted as weavers of a tapestry on a loom, with the tapestry dictating the destinies of men.
- No one could control fate
- Fate = all-powerful
- Nothing could change fate
- Greeks believed in pre-destiny

ANTIGONE - THE FIRST REBEL FEMINIST
Antigone's crime was defying the laws of her land to appease her morality. Is this a crime? How would it play in our justice system (translating the circumstance into a modern perspective, of course)?

Antigone's actions were against the law but she did it to appease her morality.  To her, she is justifying her brother’s death while to the king, it is unjustifiable to break the law.

How do you determine your perspectives on justices? Is there a formula for deciding what is justified? If so, what is embodied in that formula?
Emotions + beliefs + morals

Why is it still a problem?
How will you fix it as you go into the world?
It is still a problem due to the flaws in the human mind.  Some may find things to be justified while others may not.

TURN AND TALK
The Oedipus Complex explains the emotions and ideas that the mind keeps in the unconscious, via dynamic repression, that concentrates upon a child's desire to have sexual relations with the parent of the opposite sex (i.e. males attracted to their mothers, and females attracted to their fathers). Sigmund Freud, who coined the term "Oedipus complex" believed that the Oedipus complex is a desire for the parent in both males and females (though it is called Electra Complex for females).

What are your thoughts about this?
In Greek mythology, there are a lot of stories where the child desires to have sexual relations with the parent of the opposite sex, for example, Oedipus marrying his own mother. This might be common throughout Greek mythology while in modern times, people will look at it weird and strange for having sexual relations with your own parents.

Reflection: 
Today in class, I've learned about how suicide is viewed through different cultures. Before today's lesson, I thought suicide means the same in every culture, I was not expecting there to even be a difference. Everyone has a different view and opinion on the thought of suicide. Suicide plays a crucial part in today's lesson because it was important for us to understand Antigone's crime, how she believed that she was right for burying her own brother. Although her actions were against the law, she still did it to appease her morality. In addition, I also learned that we cannot control our own life due to fate. Fate is something we cannot physically change it. Your life is set since birth and there is no way for you to avoid what is going to happen later on in your life no matter if it is good or bad. I can use the information I learned today and care about the people around me more and cherish the time and experience right now since our future still forever remain mysterious.