Analyze the concept of kleos (glory) in Greek mythology. What is the purpose of this virtue? How do heroes achieve or lose kleos? What is the ultimate function of kleos? Which mythological heroes embody the virtue of kleos and which do not? What lessons are to be learned by ancient Greeks from these heroes when it comes to kleos? Be sure to cite specific examples.
Students will be graded on their ability to make use of ancient sources and evidence from myths to support their thesis and make connections to ancient culture.
Your thesis should directly answer the question in the prompt that you selected.
For paper 4, students are required to have at least four ancient sources
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Analyzing the Concept of Kleos in Greek Mythology
Thesis Statement:
In Greek mythology, kleos, or glory, serves as a central virtue that emphasizes the importance of achieving lasting fame and honor through heroic deeds. Heroes attain kleos through acts of courage, valor, and excellence, but can also lose it through hubris or tragic flaws. The ultimate function of kleos is to immortalize heroes in the collective memory of society, inspiring admiration and providing moral lessons for future generations.
Introduction
Kleos, the concept of glory or fame, holds significant importance in Greek mythology, shaping the behaviors and destinies of legendary heroes. Through a study of various myths and ancient sources, the virtue of kleos can be explored in depth to understand its purpose, attainment, loss, and ultimate function in ancient Greek culture.
Achieving and Losing Kleos
– Achievement: Heroes achieve kleos through extraordinary feats that demonstrate courage, strength, and virtue. For example, Achilles in Homer’s Iliad attains kleos through his prowess in battle and unwavering loyalty to his comrades.
– Loss: Heroes can lose kleos through acts of arrogance, betrayal, or moral failings. The tragic fate of characters like Oedipus in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex exemplifies how hubris can lead to the downfall of even the most renowned figures.
Ultimate Function of Kleos
– Immortalization: Kleos serves to immortalize heroes in the collective memory of society, ensuring their legacy endures beyond their mortal lives. The tales of heroes like Heracles and Perseus continue to be retold through generations, inspiring admiration and emulation.
Mythological Heroes Embodying Kleos
– Epic Heroes: Achilles in the Iliad embodies kleos through his exceptional skill in battle and tragic destiny. His pursuit of glory and honor on the battlefield exemplifies the ideals of heroism in Greek culture.
– Tragic Figures: Oedipus in Oedipus Rex represents a cautionary tale about the consequences of hubris and the loss of kleos. His tragic fate serves as a warning against defying the will of the gods and succumbing to pride.
Lessons Learned from Mythological Heroes
– Hubris and Humility: Ancient Greeks learned from heroes like Achilles and Oedipus the importance of balancing pride with humility. Excessive pride can lead to downfall, while humility and respect for divine authority are essential virtues.
– Legacy and Honor: The enduring legacy of heroes like Heracles and Perseus teaches the value of pursuing honorable deeds and leaving a lasting impact on society. Kleos is not just about personal glory but also about upholding noble values for the greater good.
Conclusion
Kleos, as depicted in Greek mythology, serves as a driving force behind heroic actions and tragic fates. Through the stories of mythological heroes, ancient Greeks gleaned valuable insights into the pursuit of glory, the perils of excess pride, and the enduring legacy of honorable deeds. By examining these timeless tales, modern readers can also reflect on the virtues of kleos and its implications for personal conduct and societal values.
