英语国家文化笔记

一．Apollo and Dionysus

1.Apollo

1)difficult birth: the floating island of Delos, 9 days in birth

2)avenger and destroyer of monster. It was Apollo, the god of light, who defeated the primordial goddess-empowered Python and installed himself as the source of oracles at the sacred precinct(区域)of Delphi. The defeat of the Python represents the classical Greek patriarchal culture’s defeat of the old chthonic and chaotic goddess power of Gaia, the firstborn of Chaos in the Greek creation myth.

3) a young man who has to prove his worth to establish his worship

4) a most unfortunate lover. the beloved youth Hyacinth who was posthumously transformed into

a flower; the posthumous transformation of the youth Cyparissus, who Apollo's tears are transformed into a cypress tree; the transformation of the mountain nymph, Daphne, who begs Zeus to protect her from the unwanted pursuit of Apollo -- Zeus turns her into a Bay or laurel tree; the killing of Coronis, mother to Apollo's son (Asclepius, father of healing).

5)the god of the sun or the light

6)patron of herds and flocks (life)

7)patron of plants (life)

8)patron of archery, dance, poetry, music, and medicine (cultural life). He plays a role as patron of the Muses, the divine beings of inspiration to human artists. He incorporates rituals of nature worship(festivals celebrating harvest) with those of rational creativity.

9)the god of prophesy and religious healing: famous oracle in Delphi (spiritual life)

10)the god of reason and intellectualism."Know Thyself" and "Nothing in Excess" are advice given by him to humans for forgetting their mortal limitations and behaving as if they were gods.

2.Dionysus

1)unnatural birth. He is called "twice-born" because he was conceived in a woman's womb, but born from the thigh of Zeus. His miraculous birthing reflects the hierarchy of Olympus :Hera's offspring as gods and goddesses and other gods and goddesses through Zeus' own actions.

2)His story also reflects the patriarchal gender roles of ancient Greece.

3)loss of sanity: madness

4)violence and death

5)a loving son: bringing his mother back from the Underworld

6)a faithful lover: Ariadne

7)the god of wine (vine) and intoxication

8)Cycle of nature. Dionysus represents the cycle of nature -- birth, growth, death, regeneration, as

a male Persephone who makes the earth produce grain and vine.

9)patron deity of agriculture

10)patron of the theatre

11)a twice-born deity: the cycle of nature -- birth, growth, death, regeneration, as a male Persephone who makes the earth produce grain and vine.

12)A liberator: instinctual life force that animates nature ;shatters conventional restraints and permits humans to act out extremes of emotion and behavior. He inspires the emotional and the

irrational side in human beings, which drove them relentlessly to fury, fanaticism, and violence. He also took human to the highest ecstasy and religious experience.

4. Connections

1)Both inspire poetry, song and dance and are linked with the other arts

2)Both are tied essential nature myths

3)Both represent human psyche

二．Female Images in Greek Mythology

1.Oppressed/dominated : the weak, the inferior ,the dependent ,the ignorant, the obedient

2.Stereotyped : powerless wife and virginal daughter, dangerous mistress

3.Demonized: tempting but dangerous and evil

1.The Problematic Creation of women

1) The birth of woman cited outside the womb of Gaea or any other Great Goddess, but within the mind/desires of the masculine mind.

2) The creation of woman by Zeus (or Hephaestus, actually) without the help of a female, and usurping the female role of creation.

2.The Problematic Existence of Female

The ideal existence of men is compromised by the presence and demands of women, who subvert masculine values of order, independence and dominion.

3.The Problematic Wisdom of Female

The essentially male mythology assimilate feminine wisdom/power, while seeing female

intelligence and assertiveness as "threats to male security".

4.The Problematic Feminine Attributes ( Characteristics) :

1) the trappings of beauty and sexuality/ temptress "with the mind of a bitch"

2) the source of unresolved tension between male and female (including why Zeus himself can't resist pursuing such a "lovely evil' after creating her to destroy men).

三．Definition of mythology

1.Mythology is a collection of myths, or anonymous, traditional stories that explain our beliefs and customs, the wonders of nature and our own history.

?Myths usually deal with major issues such as the origin of humanity and the mysteries of life.

2. Function of Myths

1) Myths grant continuity and stability to a culture.

2)Myths present guidelines for living.

3)Myths give meaning to life.

4)Myths explain the unexplainable.

5)Myths offer role models.

四．Mythology summary

1.Prometheus

1)Creator of humans

2)Human benefactor(恩人): fire；arts of healing, medicine；mathematics ；astronomy；navigation(航海)；divination(占卜) ；architecture metallurgy(冶金)

3)Defender of human interest: cheating at sacrifice---leaving meat to men；bringing the needed fire, the symbol of civilization (the Forbidden Fruit)

4)Savior of mankind: Christ-like, to suffer for the sake of mankind

5)Rebel against tyranny: refused to give in to Zeus

2.Promethean Fire:

the Forbidden Fruit, which makes civilization possible and simultaneously severs humanity’s primal bond with Nature (Eden/animal)

3. Relationship between Gods and Man

1)The Amoral gods manipulate mortals for their own purposes.

2)The schemes and plots of the gods and goddesses often entangled mortals.

3)The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology had frequent affairs (with each other as well as with mortals).

4.The essential order of the Greek cosmos :

1)Hierarchy

2)patriarchy

3)The ideals represented by the Greek Gods that males could aspire to emulate :

4)perfect autonomy

5)freedom from labor

6)extreme longevity

5.Greek Religion and the Nature of the Divine

1)The lack of sacred tests on Greek religion .

2)Greek polytheism contrasts with the monotheism of modern Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

3)Greek view of their gods as immortal but not eternal .

6.Distinctive Qualities of Greek Myth

1)Anthropomorphism 神人同形同性论:to give human form or qualities to gods.

The Greeks created gods in their own image. The Immortal Gods were also easier to relate to than previous gods.

The Greek gods looked and acted human .

The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology embody human emotions.

The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology manifest human flaws and failings.

Feasting/Drinking

Philandering/Adultery

Obsessive Jealousy, Stubbornness, Pride, Anger

The amoral gods/goddesses manipulate and use mortals for their own purposes.

The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology often deceived and/or abducted mortals.

The schemes and plots of the gods and goddesses often entangled mortals.

The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology had frequent affairs (with each other as well as with mortals).

五．Five ages

1.Golden age

2.Silver age

3.Bronze age

4.Age of Heros

5.Iron age

六．The Trojan War

1.background

Most of our information comes from The Iliad of Homer, which is the earliest surviving epic poem . Homer was a wandering bard, who recited his poems in 8th century B.C..

He memorized and chanted stories of Greek heroes and gods dating back to 12th Century B.C. Nobody knows who first wrote down his stories, or when—it may have been 200 years after his death.

2.Where

The Trojan War ( 1193 BC to 1183 BC) took place in Troy which is in the northwest corner of what we now call the Republic of Turkey.

Dardanelles Strait and Bosporus

This was the only passageway from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea.

Important for trade and strategy, whatever country in control of this strait could determine many things.

Dardanelles is considered one of the most dangerous waterways in the world.

Troy was located near the western entrance so was an important asset in war.

1) The cause of the war

●The Apple of Discord:

Wedding of Achilles’parents;The uninvited Eris ;The apple ;Three goddess: Hera, Athena, Aphrodite

●The Judgment of Paris:

Hera: political power

Athena: Skill in battle and wisdom

Aphrodite: Helen

2)Preparation for war

●Gathering of Achaean Forces

Odysseus: feigned insanity (went for his son)

Achilles: disguised as a women (went for honor)

The army made sacrifice to Apollo

The army Killed son of Hercules

Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter to Artemis

●Arrival in Troy

3)The war

●The siege

Aggression and Progression :Achilles ,Ajax

The revenge of Odysseus for his son(The death of Palamedes)

Palamede’s father avenged his son

Achilles :Agamemnon took the concubine妾of Achilles

Achilles was refused to participate in the war.

Diomede vs. Pandoros (Aphrodite)

The death of Patroclus ：Hector killed Patroclus in Achilles’armor.

The revenge of Achilles:Achilles killed Hector

●Death of Achilles

Apollo guided Paris to shoot a poisoned arrow at Achilles

Odysseus took Achilles' armor

●The Trojan Horse

The idea of Odysseus

The prophecy of Cassandra

5.What were the Iliad and the Odyssey

Epic Poems both written by Homer.

An epic poem are ling poems that illustrate the deeds of a great hero.

The Iliad takes place during the last year of the siege on Troy. Achilles is the main hero in the poem. Odyssey is presumed to be the Iliad's sequel. It focuses on the hero Odysseus after the fall of Troy. They were used to educate and teach important values.

These stories are questionable because they’re not first hand accounts.

6.Themes

●Beauty

Beautiful is better.

Judgment of Paris, Aphrodite, Helen of Troy

The quest for beauty is the cause of much suffering.

●Love

Love often leads to conflicts and tragedy.

Selfish love ends in suffering.

Love is often unreturned.

Lovers are often abandoned by those they love.

Love between gods and mortals seldom works out.

Love is from Eros’ arrows.

●Fate

No human or god can escape fate.

Trying to change fate only guarantees a prophecy comes to pass

e.g.

The fall of troy/the death of Achilles

/the death of first man who land Troy

Oracles, prophecies

●War

War is an inescapable part of existence.

The greatest warriors are proud and/or arrogant.

It is an honor to die in battle.

Gods/Goddesses involve themselves (and choose sides) in mortal conflicts.

Bloodshed begets bloodshed.

The gods avenge those who do not give proper burial rites to those who died in battle.

●Women in Troy

Helen

Iphigenia, Agamemnon’s daughter

Wives of Achaean kings

The concubine of Achilles

Cassandra , Priam’s daughter

The competition between Goddesses, (idealized female roles and their status within the patriarchy 在男权社会的理想化的女性角色和地位)

●Heroes

1.The hero is usually a demi-god, or has a god in his family.

2. The hero has some kind of super-natural power or has the strong support of a god.

3. The hero is usually on a quest. He has a task or a challenge (or more than one) that an ordinary mortal could not carry out.

4, The hero is always seeking fame, glory and most important, honor. These are more important than life itself.

5. The hero is braver, stronger, bolder and some times more clever than most men. He is close to the gods.

6. The hero usually has a weakness, usually too much pride or a terrible temper. This can lead to problems for him, and usually to his downfall.

●The cultural importance of Human

Human perception is the defining element :

a human male gets to decide the worth of these goddesses and their symbolic cultural roles, representing wisdom, family and beauty

7.humanism 人文主义

It refers to how Greek art and literature -- and art and literature in that tradition -- puts the human experience at the center of events,while in contrast the Hebrews and Christians put God at that center.

Individualism and Competitiveness个人主义与竞争力

The themes of individualism and competitiveness in terms of Greek myth and its relevance to their contextual Greek culture.

七．Odyssey-Odysseus

1.The Odyssey by Homer

The Odyssey, meaning 'the story of Odysseus', takes place after the Trojan War in the Mediterranean Sea. Odysseus, who has been away from his homeland for over twenty years, struggles to return. His tale of the hardships he encountered is told, and the fate of his homeland is resolved. He murders all of the suitors plaguing his household, returns to his wife and son, and restores peace to his island of Ithacs.”

https://www.360docs.net/doc/4215687093.html,plexity of the Epic

●Abundant supernatural elements (such as Gods and Goddesses, ghosts, villains) and special effects(such as turning men into 9-year-old swine and siren songs).

●Complex narrative structure -- the Hero does not appear until the fourth chapter; the span of time (even though the story itself takes place in only six weeks, it relates events over a nineteen year period); the various realms

3.main characters

4.The meaning of each Odysseus’ stories

Betrayal ;Challenges of leadership;Deceptive appearance ;Hunger ;Fear of Death ;Curiosity ;Violence (physical Obstacle);Greed ;Addiction ;Temptation ( of Sexuality

/art/indulgence/immortality );Moral dilemma ;Arrogance /proud

5.Odysseus:A Different Kind of Hero

1)the dominant role of Odysseus :he is the star of the narrative and all other characters are seen in relation to him.

2)The significance of a Hero who is NOT semi-divine, but has two mortal parents.

3)A Hero (Odysseus) with cunning, intelligence, strategy more than his extraordinary strength and endurance

4)The comparative qualities of Odysseus and the Goddess Athena in terms of strategy (including forethought and prudence), rationalism and ingenuity -- comparing the aspects of divine and mortal ideals.

6.Odysseus’s Weaknesses

●Intelligence or deceitfulness/cunning ?

An insidious Idea of the Trojan Horse

Naming himself “Nobody”to play a trick

Disguised himself as a beggar

●Self-centered & Doubt on others

Test his wife for loyalty

7.Introduction

Odysseus, the hero of the Odyssey, is a mortal man with remarkable physical and mental gifts. Although Odysseus possesses many godlike qualities, he struggles with the mortal pitfalls of temptation and has to overcome great adversity in order to return home.

Odysseus is an impressive hero, blessed by the gods with nearly superhuman qualities of strength, wit, and endurance.

Yet, Odysseus is far from perfect. He cleverly escapes the cave of Polyphemus, the Cyclops, but in his pride cannot resist giving the Cyclops his real name. Because of this arrogant gesture, Odysseus earns the wrath of Poseidon, thus prolonging his return to Ithaca by several years. The struggles which Odysseus endures during his long voyage home shape the hero greatly, however.

By the time he returns to Ithaca, he is a much humbler man. Odysseus’s humility is demonstrated by his willingness to remain disguised as a poor, old beggar for several days. He patiently endures the insults of the suitors and of his own traitorous servants, waiting until the time is right to take his revenge. No longer rash and arrogant, Odysseus has matured into a wise leader, capable of maintaining peace in his kingdom for the remainder of his years.

8.Characteristics

●Determined

Odysseus’only goal is to return to his home of Ithaca, and he stops at nothing to achieve his goal. Odysseus is tested many times during his homecoming, by monsters that almost destroy him and pleasant situations that could keep him safe and secure. However, he forsakes everything for Ithaca, and thanks to the help of Athena, his patron Goddess, he is able to return to his home and regain his wealth and status.

●Curious

He is willing to pay a price for curiosity. For example, he insists on hearing the Sirens' call, even though to do so, he must have himself excruciatingly strapped to the mast of his ship so that he cannot give in to the temptation.

●Merciful

Odysseus can be merciful, as when he spares the bard Phemius, or brutal, as he seems when dealing with the dozen disloyal maidservants. He creates his own code of conduct through his adventures. He is deeper than Achilles, more contemplative, but still capable of explosive violence.

●Agressive

Odysseus has the strong love of glory. It is Victory that motivates him. He wants to return home and live well in Ithaca. As a result, every step along the way is another test, sometimes, another battle. His concern with victory is also cultural, as well as practical. Because in Homer's world, where there are no police or justice systems but the strong prevail might usually make right.

●Respectable

He is favored by the gods and respected and admired by the mortals. Even the wrath of Poseidon does not keep him from his homecoming. He is confident that he represents virtue even when a modern audience might not be so sure. When Odysseus left for Troy, he had already established his reputation as a hero. His participation in the war was crucial to the Greeks' victory. It was he who disguised himself as an old beggar and infiltrated the enemy.

●Courageous

Odysseus is a courageous and just leader who inspires admiration and respect from his shipmates and servants. He has never been overtaken with terro while facing the struggles during his journey to home.

●Full of contractions

Odysseus is a fascinating character full of contradictions. While he is intent on returning home to his faithful wife, Penelope, and his adult son he has barely seen, Telemachus, Odysseus also

willingly beds down with not one but two beautiful goddesses during his travels and expresses little remorse for his infidelities. Though he rails against the suitors who are trying to capture his wife.

八．Bible Summary

1.The Bible (66 books)

Divided into two parts old and new testaments

Old = before Jesus, the story of the Jews

New= Jesus’life

2.

3.Genesis covers:

?The creation

?The fall of man

?The flood

?Spread of civilization

?The call of Abraham

?Promises of the Messiah

?Joseph in Egypt

4.An Outline of the Bible:

Genesis 1: Who is God?

Genesis 2: Who is man?

Genesis 3 & 4 The problem of sin.

Genesis 5-Revelation 22 The solution.

( Redemption/ Salvation)

5.Book of Genesis

First book in the Bible

Originally written in Hebrew; translated to Greek in 280 B.C.

Greek word meaning origin, source, beginning.

Tells about the beginning of many things.

Written by Moses around 1450 B.C.

Answers the question, ”Where did I come from?”

Genesis 2 Man

Created in God’s image.

Created to know God and to be known by him.

Created for relationships Genesis 2:18

Given everything, including “free will.”Genesis 2:15-17

Genesis 3 Structure

3:1-5 Temptation by the serpent

3:6 Sin of Adam and Eve

3:7-13 Results of the sin

3:14-19 Imposition of divine judgments

3:20-24 God’s provision in spite of the sin

6.The Christian World View according to Genesis 1-4:

1)The physical world is essentially good.

2)There exists an unseen spiritual reality which is not limited to or defined by the physical reality.

3) The creator of both the physical and spiritual realm is the God who reveals himself in the Bible.

4) Human beings have both a physical and a spiritual nature, The spiritual nature is more essential as it is eternal.

5) God is not easily defined but he can be characterized by certain qualities. God is love, God is just, God is holy, God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent.

6)Although all God’s creation, including the physical world is good, evil does exist. Such evil is the result of freedom of will given to created beings and their subsequent decision to use that

freedom to rebel--to “sin”.

7.The Trinity ( God in three persons)

Father –Creator –creates and makes all things possible.

Son –Redeemer –saves humanity from their sins by becoming human.

Spirit –Sanctifier –continually makes things holy as a gift sent from the Father and the Son.

8.Contains three specific promises:

The promise of a great LAND - “From the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates.”(15:8) The promise of a great NATION - “And I will make your descendents as the dust of the earth.”(13:6)

The promise of a great BLESSING - “I will bless you and make your name great: and you shall be a blessing.”(12:1)

9.In Genesis relates the beginning of almost everything, including:

?Universe ?Marriage

?Redemption ?Life

?Sin ?Prophecy

?Mankind ?Death

?Language ?Sabbath

?Family ?Sacrifice

10.Abraham, who became the first Hebrew, and whose family God chose to weave His scarlet thread through the linen of humanity.

It was through Abraham's descendants that the Jewish nation would arise, a people who would receive the covenant of the Lord, and that One of those descendants would be the Savior, not only for the Jews but for the whole world.

11.The patriarchal history

Hebrew means “From across”- name given to Abraham and his followers

Israelites: Abraham’s grandson Jacob renamed Israel which means “he who has wrestled with God”. His descendants were called “Israelites”

Jews: named after Jacob’s son Judah, ancient father of tribe of King David’s dynasty

12.The First Commandment: formal agreement between Hebrews and God (Yahweh); Hebrews worshipped God and only God, and in return, they would be God’s Chosen People and given Canaan as the Promised Land

The First Commandment is about Loyalty.

The Second Commandments is about Worship.

The Third Commandment is about Reverence.

The Fourth Commandment is about Sanctification and Relationship.

The Fifth Commandment is about Respect for Parental authority.

The Sixth Commandment is about Respect for Human life.

The Seventh Commandment is about Purity in Relationships.

The Eighth Commandment is about Honesty.

Spiritual ideas profoundly influenced Western culture, morality, ethics and conduct

Three of the world’s most dominant religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam all derive their roots from the spiritual beliefs of the Ancient Israelites

13.What is a Covenant

One of the central themes in the Bible is covenant.

The word “testament”means covenant.

The covenant combines God’s free offer of a special relationship and the people’s willing response in faith by agreeing to take the obligation to worship and obey only this God, Jehovah.

The essence of God’s convenant is love, but the idea of a covenant also implies a formal relationship. The mental commitment of a love relationship is sometimes in a legal form that makes the obligation of love explicit. A covenant is such a love commitment .

14.Biblical Covenant 作用

The covenant provides the framework for understanding God’s relationship with the Hebrew people.

It gives context to God’s promises to Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

It becomes the standard for judging Israel’s national success or failure .

It forms the background of the prophets promises and judgments of Israel.

15.The Structure of Job

Prologue（序言）on earth and in heaven.

Job's opening monologue and debates between Job and his three friends.

Three monologues(独白）: Poem to Wisdom, Job's closing monologue, and Eli Hu's speeches Two speeches by God

Epilogue（结语）

16.The Great Debate

?Was started by Job complaining.

?Throughout everything, Job maintained the posture that he was righteous. He was very proud of his spirituality.

?Job finished his speech talking about his “good works”demonstrating by them that he was righteous.

God Confronts Job

?Didn’t say anything, until Elihu finished. ?In his discourse, He never answered Job’s complaints. ?God confused Job with His wisdom and greatness.

?First discourse: No man is competent to judge the works of All Powerful God.

?Second discourse: Demonstrating manifestations of divine power over the creation.

17.Job’s Character

?Upright

?Perfect

?Eloquent 雄辩的

?Feared God

?Defeat evil

18.Message from Job

●Suffering is part of the structure of the universe.

–It is always used by God

–All suffering is not necessarily punishment.

–God’s people are not exempt from suffering.

● Not all suffering that believers receive comes by God’s hand.

–God allows the enemy to test us.

–Suffering is under divine sovereignty.

●In middle of our proving, what the believer needs more than anything is to feel God’s presence.

● Philosophical reasonings don’t help.

● God is worthy of our absolute trust, complete love, and our praise, even when it appears as if we aren’t receiving any benefit from Him.

●The faith that most pleases God is the faith that stays firm in the middle of afflictions.

●Satan’s power is inferior to God’s power, and his knowledge is less than God’s.

●Suffering is not necessarily the result of sin.

●The righteous can and do suffer.

●The really poor and wretched are those who reject God and trust in themselves.

●Momentary problems must not turn us away from eternal values.

●Material possessions and earthly ties do not endure.

●orthodox 规范的or traditional answers are not always true or appropriate

●God will tolerate honest questions