Thursday, September 19, 2013

Hesiod Theogongy

Please answer the following questions in your notes:

1. Why do you suppose the Greeks thought that each these four powers or beings (Chaos, Gaia, Tartaros, Eros) were necessary at the beginning of creation? 
2. Have you ever seen the sky mating with the earth? What events in nature could account for this image of mating? 
3. Why do the Greeks have so many Gods? 
4. What do you think are the main messages of each creation story? 
5. Comment on the symbolism of Kronos' deed. Do you think Uranus deserves his punishment? 
6. Why do you suppose the gods are allowed to commit incest (Rhea and Kronos, Zeus and Hera) but men cannot? 
7. Name some reasons why Kronos might want to swallow his children as they are born. 
8. Why should Zeus be the god most worthy of respect and worship? What do you think of him? Why do you suppose Hesiod likes him so much? What powers do you think Zeus represents?