Week 5, Chpt 13, 14 Flashcards
Dionysus
God of wine and ecstasy
How was Dionysus born?
After Hera tricked pregnant Semelē into convincing Zeus to reveal his true form to her Semelē was burned to a crisp. Zeus pulled a fetus from the ashes and sewed the fetus into his thigh and Dionysus was born from his thigh. Thus he was “twice born”.
What is the named of Dionysus’s magical staff?
Thyrsus
What is the etiological tale for why humans and dolphins get along?
Pirates trapped Dionysus and didn’t believe he was a god. After changing forms and filling the deck with wine among other things the pirates jumped over board. They were turned into dolphins.
Maenad
Female worshippers of Dionysus
Why did Pentheus’s mother tear him apart?
Dionysus had convinced him to dress as a woman to spy on the Maenad, after being discovered the women, his mother included, tore him apart.
Shared Motifs of the Hero
- Divine parents
- Miraculous/unusual birth
- Hero is outstanding in strength and a menace to his community
- Hero has male companion
- Hero fall under enemy power and is forced to complete impossible tasks
- Hero travels to the land of the dead, faces his mortality in some way
Who is Gilgamesh’s male companion?
Enkidu
How was Enkidu tamed?
A prostitute seduced him and after this he cried for his loss of nature.
Why did the gods become angry with Gilgamesh and Enkidu?
They killed Humbaba, an aspect of nature.
What happened to Gilgamesh after he resisted Ishtar?
She told her father Anu, and he sent a bull after them.
Why did Gilgamesh go on a journey to defeat death?
Enkidu died.
What was Gilgamesh given in order to cross the waters of death?
Magical stilts.
Did Gilgamesh become immortal?
No, but he died in fame and glory.
Why was Io turned into a cow?
Zeus wanted to disguise her from Hera after falling in love with her.
