"No sooner have you grabbed hold of it than myth opens out into a fan of a thousand segments. Here the variant is the origin. Everything that happens, happens this way, or that way, or this other way. And in each of these diverging stories all the others are reflected, all brush by us like folds of the same cloth."
-Page 147
This pretty much sums up how i've been feeling while reading Calasso. You think you start to finally understand something and then it opens up into a whole different reality. I found that if I try to think too hard about it then I sometimes overthink it and end up with a headeache instead of a solution. However, I also found that if i read a certain part over and over a couple times i start to make sense of it a little more. This quote is basically saying that myth is a fan of a thousand different segments. You can never fully understand it. You just have to take what you've been presented with and do the best with it. However, there are variables throughout myth and origin seems to be a huge one. Like the quote mentions, everything that happens in all these different stories happens this way or that way and if you look close enough all stories are just mirrored throughout time. This seems to always be present in myth; a reference to a past event of similiar results. Calasso also goes on to say that if only one version of a mythical event is present, it is like a body without a shadow, and we must do our best to trace out the shadow in our minds. Basically, myth is what you make of it, and there are a thousand different ways in which you can look at something. We just have to do our best with what we have been given.
The main portion of class today was viewing and discussing Jennifer's blog. We looked at sections where she tied together everthing from class: Cadmus and Harmony to the Wizard of Oz to The Magus. It was very interesting stuff. We also briefly talked about how all heroes want to go home (Dorothy, Odeseus). We also took note of sparagmos and omophagia, which is the eating of raw flesh. Finally, we briefly talked about abduction and metamorphisism being a constant in myth in which somebody is taken away and changed.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
September 22nd
"The repetition of a mythological event, with its play of variations, tells us that something remote is beckoning to us. There is no such thing as the isolated mythical event, just as there is no such thing as the isolated word. Myth, like language, gives all of itself in each of its fragments." -Page 136
I found this section to be quite interesting. Here Calasso is comparing mythology with language. He is stating that like language, mythology is very broad. A single word can's describe something with much detail just as a single mythical event can't sum up the meaning of mythology. There is too much to know, no one will ever fully understand it and grasp it, it keeps on growing. We just have to try to understand what we do know. It goes with what we first learned in class that mythology is the precedence behind every action. Everything has already happened before. All of the footprints are already laid out before us, one just has to know where to place his foot. And most people look to the gods and see how it played out with them for the answer. In this quote Calasso is saying that all mythical events have been played out before, the only thing changing with them are the variables, for example the names and the places.
The Magus is just getting more interesting and more interesting. Nicholas can't get the idea out of his mind that everything is a big playwrite. He has the feeling that everything Conchis says and does, his grand gestures and all, are meant for a purpose. For example when he glimpses sight of a white blur going back into the house he mentions that he felt like he was meant to see her. He views Conchis as someone who has priviliged information. Some mysteries are the strange smell and music that he hears, the woman that he sees with Conchis and then vanishes whom he believes to be Lily.
In class we talked about how axis mundi meant the center of the world and how ompholos navel means belly button. We went into detail about the 3 regimes that mans relationship with the gods went through. Conviviality, rape, indifference. We brushed up on how Cadmus and Harmonys' wedding was the very last time the gods and men sat down for a feast. We also talked about how in every culture our gods are projections of ourselves.
I found this section to be quite interesting. Here Calasso is comparing mythology with language. He is stating that like language, mythology is very broad. A single word can's describe something with much detail just as a single mythical event can't sum up the meaning of mythology. There is too much to know, no one will ever fully understand it and grasp it, it keeps on growing. We just have to try to understand what we do know. It goes with what we first learned in class that mythology is the precedence behind every action. Everything has already happened before. All of the footprints are already laid out before us, one just has to know where to place his foot. And most people look to the gods and see how it played out with them for the answer. In this quote Calasso is saying that all mythical events have been played out before, the only thing changing with them are the variables, for example the names and the places.
The Magus is just getting more interesting and more interesting. Nicholas can't get the idea out of his mind that everything is a big playwrite. He has the feeling that everything Conchis says and does, his grand gestures and all, are meant for a purpose. For example when he glimpses sight of a white blur going back into the house he mentions that he felt like he was meant to see her. He views Conchis as someone who has priviliged information. Some mysteries are the strange smell and music that he hears, the woman that he sees with Conchis and then vanishes whom he believes to be Lily.
In class we talked about how axis mundi meant the center of the world and how ompholos navel means belly button. We went into detail about the 3 regimes that mans relationship with the gods went through. Conviviality, rape, indifference. We brushed up on how Cadmus and Harmonys' wedding was the very last time the gods and men sat down for a feast. We also talked about how in every culture our gods are projections of ourselves.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
September 20th
"For the Twelve Olympians the war was a greater and more terrible struggle than their fight with the Giants." -Page 131
This is all in the words of Isocrates and it is referancing the impact that the Trojan war had not only on earth but with the gods as well. I found it interesting because it is opposite of how you would expect the gods to react. You would think that they would look elsewhere and find their own mighty, grand adventure to do. But the fact is, they stop and hesitate and look down on this painful,endless war between men and it affects them. Helen affects them. It affects them so much that they burst out with a civil war of their own.They fought among themselves over Helen. The whole scene actually became quite dangerous; Helen became quite dangerous. For it ran for the gods the risk of becoming to like men. The gods had to be pretty involved for them to say it was greater then the war with the giants. I found the way in which they reacted very interesting.
Today in class we once again brushed over etiology and this time I added to my notes it is simply: to be. We also talked about how the study of being was ontological. We talked once again about the creation of music and the Lyre. The most important thing we talked about was the three parts seperation, initiation, and transformation. The beginning the middle and the end. Pain always occurs in the initiation stage. Another way to look at it is paradise, paradise lost, and paradise regained.
This is all in the words of Isocrates and it is referancing the impact that the Trojan war had not only on earth but with the gods as well. I found it interesting because it is opposite of how you would expect the gods to react. You would think that they would look elsewhere and find their own mighty, grand adventure to do. But the fact is, they stop and hesitate and look down on this painful,endless war between men and it affects them. Helen affects them. It affects them so much that they burst out with a civil war of their own.They fought among themselves over Helen. The whole scene actually became quite dangerous; Helen became quite dangerous. For it ran for the gods the risk of becoming to like men. The gods had to be pretty involved for them to say it was greater then the war with the giants. I found the way in which they reacted very interesting.
Today in class we once again brushed over etiology and this time I added to my notes it is simply: to be. We also talked about how the study of being was ontological. We talked once again about the creation of music and the Lyre. The most important thing we talked about was the three parts seperation, initiation, and transformation. The beginning the middle and the end. Pain always occurs in the initiation stage. Another way to look at it is paradise, paradise lost, and paradise regained.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
September 15th
"And yet, of all men, he was the closest to being a god. Because he had taken the place of he who should have put an end to Zeus, his own end was forcibly etched into his flesh." - Page 105
This quote is in reference to Achilles. In this part of Calasso, you are really getting a unique picture painted of Achilles before your eyes. I liked this part because it was easy to understand and it really gave you the whole beginning chapter of Achilles life. Calasso goes on to say how he is an "only child," however six brothers died before him in Thetis' attempt to make them immortal. Achilles is almost immortal. He was closest of all men to being a god. However, because of the name and position he was born into he will suffer a short life. There is nothing he can do about it accept play out the role he has been given. In Calassos' words instead of a god who would out live other gods, he was a man that would have a shorter life than other men. With all this said, he is still the closest to the gods then any other man and his temper is more furious then any other warrior. All this is really all going with the theme that everything is prewritten and you just have to know what motions to go through. And if you don't do one thing there is a whole different story played out the opposite way.
Today in class we listened to the remaining creation/origin myths. I presented mine which was the comanche creation myth.
Unfortunately, a shape-shifting demon was also created and began to torment the people. The Great Spirit cast the demon into a bottomless pit.
To seek revenge the demon took refuge in the fangs and stingers of poisonous creatures and continues to harm people every chance it gets.
Today in class we listened to the remaining creation/origin myths. I presented mine which was the comanche creation myth.
A Comanche Legend
One day the Great Spirit collected swirls of dust from the four directions in order to create the Comanche people. These people formed from the Earth had the strength of mighty storms.Unfortunately, a shape-shifting demon was also created and began to torment the people. The Great Spirit cast the demon into a bottomless pit.
To seek revenge the demon took refuge in the fangs and stingers of poisonous creatures and continues to harm people every chance it gets.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
September 13th
"When the time had come to be rid of the heroes, a plague would have been quite enough to settle the matter. But a war, a long, complicated war, was far more attractive." - Page 101
This quote suggests that we are only puppets to the gods acting out for their own amusement. The world is our backdrop and within it a million different plays are being acted out. This quote goes further on the subjects we were talking about last week in which the Homeric say you are no longer in control, a god has posessed you (ate'). We are merely pawns on the gods chess board. Calasso mentions how Zeus wouldn't be interested watching a plague. He needs a battle to keep himself amused and to show emotions. Yes, even Zeus shows emotions. Calasso mentions how he even suffers and wanted to save Sarpedon. However this is just a moment of sublime, for to actually do this would go against everything god-like. War isn't just a spectactle for Zeus but for all Olympians.
The Magus is starting to get a lot more interesting. I left off with Urfe meeting his mysterious neighbor. He seems to be a very mysterious figure and even Urfe can't quite figure it out. There is also a couple mysteries going on now. Although Conchis claims to be the only inhabitor besides his maid, Urfe still has a strong feeling the belongings he found on the beach were female. He also finds a womans glove with the same scent on it as the beach towel. Starting to get interesting.
Today in class we did nothing but listen to our fellow classmates share their creation/origin myth. Some are very interesting and a lot of people seemed to pick the earh-diver myth.
This quote suggests that we are only puppets to the gods acting out for their own amusement. The world is our backdrop and within it a million different plays are being acted out. This quote goes further on the subjects we were talking about last week in which the Homeric say you are no longer in control, a god has posessed you (ate'). We are merely pawns on the gods chess board. Calasso mentions how Zeus wouldn't be interested watching a plague. He needs a battle to keep himself amused and to show emotions. Yes, even Zeus shows emotions. Calasso mentions how he even suffers and wanted to save Sarpedon. However this is just a moment of sublime, for to actually do this would go against everything god-like. War isn't just a spectactle for Zeus but for all Olympians.
The Magus is starting to get a lot more interesting. I left off with Urfe meeting his mysterious neighbor. He seems to be a very mysterious figure and even Urfe can't quite figure it out. There is also a couple mysteries going on now. Although Conchis claims to be the only inhabitor besides his maid, Urfe still has a strong feeling the belongings he found on the beach were female. He also finds a womans glove with the same scent on it as the beach towel. Starting to get interesting.
Today in class we did nothing but listen to our fellow classmates share their creation/origin myth. Some are very interesting and a lot of people seemed to pick the earh-diver myth.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
September 8th
"sparkling with desire, laden with aromas, glorious, but stupefying, something that must be shaken off." page 79
This quote is in referance to woman as seen through the eyes of the Greek men. Calasso suggests that as punishment for killing their husbands, the woman of Lemnos picked up a smell . I found the quote very interesting because it it telling you to always look past the cover. It's basically saying that one must learn to look past the first impression and see something for what it really is. Calasso explains how the smell is at first very appealing and attracting, but the more and more you take it in, it becomes overwhelming, controlling. He refers to it as a sort of trance that must be shaken off and relates it to someone climbing out of bed and immediately wanting to jump into cold water. This quote along with all its counterparts gives me the impression that greek men just don't trust woman and are very weery of them. Calasso explains how on one hand they fear the women without makeup, yet on the other hand they see makeup as a weapon for deceit. Calasso quotes it generates a softness that bewitches and exhausts.
The reading in the Magus is starting to become very interesting. After getting past the beginning, you are now able to see a very thick plot taking place. Or as Urfe suggests, the mysteries began. I left off with Urfe taking note of a new presence in his usually secluded retreat. He finds a book and towel and other belongings in the rocks and has the feeling someone is watching him. I left off with him trying to push answers out of Demetriade about the new neighbors.
Today in class we talked about how etiology means the explanation of how something came to be, and that it usually consists of two levels: simple and complex. We also talked about how mythologies is a system that answers questions. We brushed up on homeric, hesiod, homeric hymns, and classic dramas. I was told that the trojan war and the exodus were about the same time period. The greeks are obsessed with the trojan war and the hebrews are obsessed with the exodus. We finished the class by talking about how apocalypse doesn't only mean the end of the world, but rather suggests a veil is being lifted and now we are being exposed to the world that really exists.
This quote is in referance to woman as seen through the eyes of the Greek men. Calasso suggests that as punishment for killing their husbands, the woman of Lemnos picked up a smell . I found the quote very interesting because it it telling you to always look past the cover. It's basically saying that one must learn to look past the first impression and see something for what it really is. Calasso explains how the smell is at first very appealing and attracting, but the more and more you take it in, it becomes overwhelming, controlling. He refers to it as a sort of trance that must be shaken off and relates it to someone climbing out of bed and immediately wanting to jump into cold water. This quote along with all its counterparts gives me the impression that greek men just don't trust woman and are very weery of them. Calasso explains how on one hand they fear the women without makeup, yet on the other hand they see makeup as a weapon for deceit. Calasso quotes it generates a softness that bewitches and exhausts.
The reading in the Magus is starting to become very interesting. After getting past the beginning, you are now able to see a very thick plot taking place. Or as Urfe suggests, the mysteries began. I left off with Urfe taking note of a new presence in his usually secluded retreat. He finds a book and towel and other belongings in the rocks and has the feeling someone is watching him. I left off with him trying to push answers out of Demetriade about the new neighbors.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
September 6th
"The effects of woman's betrayal are more subtle and less immediate perhaps, but equally devastating." Page 69
Calasso is talking about the betrayal of woman in this quote and he is saying that although these actions might look subtle and innocent by nature at first, they can have devastating consequences that have lasting effects. He refers to Helen and the end result of her betrayal in which it wipes out a race and dawns a new age. These betrayals seem to be a constant in myth and its stories. Calasso tells us how we see it in Aridne and the ruin of crete, her birthplace, and with Antiope fighting the Amazons, her own subjects. In all betrayals they seem to have devastating consequences to those close to the betrayer. The reading seems to be getting a little better as i go on, but i still find myself struggling with the wording and keeping track of the different stories.
We started the class out today with talking about how there are three parts to literature: the beginning, middle, and end. These also appear throughout mythology. We talked about how Diamon means demon and we referred this to your alter ego, which is always there you just have to look for it. We also spent a good chunk of class referring to a quote on page 93. The basis for the quote is you are not responsible for your actions, the gods are. They seem to shrug all blame off and point to the gods. We talked about how to know the stories of the gods is to know a great deal about yourself. at'e- you are no longer in control, a god has possessed you. enthusiasm: possessed by the god.
We also had a weekend assignment in which we had to photograph ourselves hugging a tree. The reason for this, we talked about the myth where Daphne prays to the gods to transform herself to free herself from a man mad for her. The end result she is transforming into a tree right as he is reaching out for her.
Calasso is talking about the betrayal of woman in this quote and he is saying that although these actions might look subtle and innocent by nature at first, they can have devastating consequences that have lasting effects. He refers to Helen and the end result of her betrayal in which it wipes out a race and dawns a new age. These betrayals seem to be a constant in myth and its stories. Calasso tells us how we see it in Aridne and the ruin of crete, her birthplace, and with Antiope fighting the Amazons, her own subjects. In all betrayals they seem to have devastating consequences to those close to the betrayer. The reading seems to be getting a little better as i go on, but i still find myself struggling with the wording and keeping track of the different stories.
We started the class out today with talking about how there are three parts to literature: the beginning, middle, and end. These also appear throughout mythology. We talked about how Diamon means demon and we referred this to your alter ego, which is always there you just have to look for it. We also spent a good chunk of class referring to a quote on page 93. The basis for the quote is you are not responsible for your actions, the gods are. They seem to shrug all blame off and point to the gods. We talked about how to know the stories of the gods is to know a great deal about yourself. at'e- you are no longer in control, a god has possessed you. enthusiasm: possessed by the god.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
September 1
"To abduct women is considered the action of scoundrels, but to worry about abducted women is the reaction of fools" Page 8
This quote i found rather interesting and it goes on to explain that if they had not wanted to be abducted, they would not have been. It goes with the whole theme of myth and what we have been learning and strengthens the idea that everything is prewritten , we just have to go through the motions. This is what myth is. In class today we discussed how seeing, saying, and doing is mythological. "these things never happen but are always". We also brushed up on the muses and I noted that memory is the mother of th muses. A good portion of the class was also dedicated to the bookmarking of blogs and blogs in general. In my reading of the Magus i'm starting to find out that things are getting more interesting. Urfe sees himself as cheating on Alison, with Greece. I ended with Urfe about to go off to greece to teach , he's offered a warning: Beware the waiting room.
This quote i found rather interesting and it goes on to explain that if they had not wanted to be abducted, they would not have been. It goes with the whole theme of myth and what we have been learning and strengthens the idea that everything is prewritten , we just have to go through the motions. This is what myth is. In class today we discussed how seeing, saying, and doing is mythological. "these things never happen but are always". We also brushed up on the muses and I noted that memory is the mother of th muses. A good portion of the class was also dedicated to the bookmarking of blogs and blogs in general. In my reading of the Magus i'm starting to find out that things are getting more interesting. Urfe sees himself as cheating on Alison, with Greece. I ended with Urfe about to go off to greece to teach , he's offered a warning: Beware the waiting room.
August 30th
Throughout the course of the first class I got a basic overview of what to expect in Mythologies 285. I was introduced to my professor Michael Sexson, and he went over the details of the course syllabus and the readings that come with the class. I learned that the definition of myth is the precedent behind every action, and that mytos means story. After reading the first couple chapters of Cadmus and Harmony I found myself intrigued and confused. The parts I got were really interesting but the reading was hard to follow; it seemed to bounce around. What I got from the reading was that conflict begins with the abduction or sacrifice of a girl, and that stories never live alone. The Magus starts out slow and is pretty much introducing you to the characters. It gives the reader a sense for what type of person Urfe is. ei...., I needed a new mystery; I was not a cynic by nature, only by rebolt.
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