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Example research essay topic: Greek Myths Greek Mythology - 1,190 words

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The purpose of this essay is to discuss the five monolithic theories of myth as described in GS Kirk The nature of Greek Myths (1974), in relation to the myth of Hymn to Pythian Apollo by Cynaethus (Kynaithos) of Chios. In the first part of the essay I will briefly summarize the Hymn to Pythian Apollo by Cynaethus (Kynaithos) of Chios. The second part will be a brief description of the five monolithic theories as set out by GS Kirk in The nature of Greek Myths. The third part of the essay will discuss the extent to which each of these five monolithic theories provides an explanation of that myth. The conclusion will be my opinion on which of the five theories best describes Hymn to Pythian Apollo and my arguments for this theory over the others. I will be using Hymn to Pythian Apollo in our text Classical Mythology images and insights by Harris and Planner and The nature of Greek Myths by GS Kirk as my major source.

In my essay I will be using the line numbering system as used in Classical Mythology images and insights as I dont have access to either the original text in the Greek or another English translation. A example of this would be; Its here that Im inclined 30 to build a very beautiful temple, 31 This would be page 172, lines 30, 31 and 32 of the Hymn to Pythian Apollo as printed in our text by. Chapter 3 of The Nature of Greek Mythology by G. S. Kirk describes the five monolithic theories. In reference to this work I will be using page numbers and paragraph from the 1974 edition (borrowed from Macquarie library).

A example of this would be The first universal theory has all ready been touched upon: It maintains that all myths are nature myths This is would be page 43 paragraph 2 of The nature of Greek Myths by GS Kirk All other references will be given in full as footnotes to the text of this essay. A brief description of Hymn to Pythian Apollo by Cynaethus (Kynaithos) of Chios Phoebus Apollo is traveling around Greece looking for a suitable place to found his temple when he came upon the nymph Telphusa. Telphusa was the guardian of a beautiful stream and didnt want Apollo to build his temple next to her stream and so convinced him that another place would be better to build. Later in the story Apollo returns to Telophases stream, angry at being fooled into building at Delphi and not at Telphusa beautiful stream. Apollo pushes over a mountain and a rock slide which covered over the stream belonging to Telphusa. Apollo also sets up temple where the people pray to him as Telphsaiani in a shaded grove Apollo then went to Python (Delphi), where he battles and kills the she-dragon Python before laying the foundations for his temple.

At this point in the hymn the story of Zeus, Hera and Typhaon is introduced as a side issue / anecdote to help explain the significance of Python. Hera, angry at Zeus for giving birth to Athena without her, decides to give birth without the help of her husband to Typhaon. When Typhaon was born, Hera gives him into the safe keeping of Python until Zeus battles with Typhaon, and in defeating him, places him under Mt Etna. Apollo is thinking over who will be his priests for this new temple when he sees a ship on the ocean. The ship from is from Minoan Cnossos and is manned by Cretan sailors who were sailing to Pylos. Diving into the sea, Apollo takes on the shape of a Dolphin, then jumps from the water into the ship of the Minoan sailors.

The sailors were compelled by the vision of Apollo to stay in there ship and sail with the Dolphin thrashing about, North along the coast of Greece until they reached China. Apollo, still in the shape of a Dolphin jumps from the ship and enters the shrine. Returning to the sailors in the shape of a man, Apollo invites the sailors to land there ship and take food with him and his followers. The captain of the ship replies with a question about his whereabouts and who is speaking to him. Apollo discloses his identity to the sailors and explains the it was he who brought them to this place to become his priests and be honored before all other men.

Apollo then explains that the sailors should make a Alter to him on the beach and offer up Barley and pray to him as Delphonus (as he appeared to them first in the shape of a Dolphin). From there that they would be taken to his Temple and act as the priests. In accordance with his wishes, the sailors follow Apollos instructions and in time are lead to Parnassus and to his Temple. The sailors start to complain about the area around Parnassus as it is not suitable to support a large number of people. Apollo answers there fears by explaining that will always be enough food for them and not to worry about such day to day tasks, but to guard his Temple and bring honor and justice to all. Apollo also warns them that if any are disobedient or careless or contemptuous, use idle words and incidents or are arrogant then other men would come to rule them by force.

Apollo bids farewell and so the Hymn ends. A brief description of the five monolithic theories, as set out in G. S. Kirk's book The Nature of Greek Mythology (1974) Chapter 3 of The Nature of Greek Mythology describes the five monolithic theories. In reference to this work they are as follows. The first universal theory states that all myth are nature myth.

That Myth is used to explain natural or meteorological or Cosmological phenomena. The second theory is one loosely covered by the term a etiological, that is that Myth is a form of early science and is used to explain something of the real world. The third theory is the Charter theory of Myth. The Charter theory says that Myths are narratives that explain certain customs that are in use at the time of telling of the Myth.

The fourth theory, which is a subtle development of the Charter theory, is to evoke or re-establish in some sense the Creative era. That is that myth would in effect recreate the event and help the participants share in the power of the divine action The fifth theory states that all Myth is closely associated with ritual or even derived from rituals. How each of the 5 monolithic theories of myth applies to Hymn to Pythian Apollo The explanation of the nature myth can bee seen to apply to some extent to Hymn to Pythian Apollo. When Apollo revisits the nymph Telphusa he is angry that she had deceived him.

Apollo then pushes over a mountain top and creates a rock slide which cover over her streams as a punishment to Telphusa. This could be seen as a extra...


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