Impact of Greek Mythology on Western Culture Essay

classic mythology s repair on ultra groundbreakinge societies cannot be understated. Modern language, industry, hu patchistic discipline and culture all demonstrate the uphold of Hellenic mythology in today s public. For example, well-nigh people who have no formal knowledge of Grecian mythology comfort know that Hercules was a strongman and that Venus (the roman print version of the classical Aphrodite) is the goddess of love. The Impact of Hellenic Mythology on Language Very a couple of(prenominal) people speak ancient classical on a regular basis, but classical mythology has shaped English and different languages on m either levels. A superhuman task, for example, is one that requires large effort. This phrase serves from a myth about the Twelve Labors of Hercules. The medicate morphine takes its prognosticate from the Hellenic divinity fudge of Sleep, Morpheus. Venereal disease is a sort of unflattering reference to Venus. The goddess of love f bes i ntermit in the term aphrodisiac , referring to all substance or circumstance that arouses internal desire. To this day, an unpleasant muliebrity may be called a harpy (a winged deuce with a woman s luggage compartment and a bird s feet). Alternately, a handsome man is an Adonis, the mortal man so beautiful that Aphrodite herself fell in love with him. We call computer viruses Trojans, a rather unfair comparison with the Trojans, as we re actually referring to the Greek-built Trojan horse, utilise by the Greeks to infiltrate Troy and closure the Trojan War. The impact of Greek mythology on western culture and language isn t confined to individual words. Many expressions, proverbs and clichs atomic number 18 direct references to ancient Greek myths. For example, the expressions caught amidst a rock and a disenfranchised place and between the Devil and the slurred blue sea both come from tales about sailors being caught between the monsters Scylla and Charybdis of Greek mythology. Other common expressions that demonstrate Greek mythology s impact on unexampled societies include an Achilles heel (a single shameful vulnerability) having the Midas touch (everything turns to gold) lying in the fortify of Morpheus (sleeping) opening Pandora s Box (unlocking a world of trouble) rich as Croesus (Croesus was know for his wealth) the face that launched a thousand ships (a woman worth going to war for). ethnic Impact of Greek Mythology in the wolfram Greek mythology s impact on modern societies is practically seen in the liberal arts and ordinary culture. In the 1980s, the all-female rock call up The Bangles had a top ten mop up with the single Venus. Television shows and movies, such as Disney s Hercules, have also reintroduced unreal figures to new generations, including characters such as Hades, the victor of the Underworld. In fact, movies have been retelling versions of Hercule s base since the 1950s. Some of the almost famous whole works of art and literature demonstrate the impact of Greek mythology on western culture. Botticelli s The Birth of Venus is one of the world s most recognizable paintings. Operas often delve into Greek mythology, as well. Offenbach s Orpheus in the Underworld is one of the most famous examples.Great writers such as Dante, Shakespeargon and Milton make frequent references to Greek mythology, so much so that an understanding of Greek myths is necessary to truly appreciate their works. American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne s Tanglewood Tales is a order of battle of rewritten Greek myths. Science and Greek Mythology Greek mythology s impact on modern societies can be seen on any clear night. Many constellations are named subsequently characters or monsters from Greek myths, including Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Hercules and Gemini. All of the planets and most of the moons in the solar system are also named after Greek mythic characters, although the planets have been given Roman versions o f the Greek name. Even our Earth was named after a Greek myth An opposite name for our planet is Gaia, the name of the Greek orb mother. Signs of Greek Mythology in Modern Societies The names of Greek mythology surround us today, sometimes in unusual places. Would Ajax, one of the great Greek heroes of The Iliad, be happy sagacious he s the namesake for a popular cleaning product? Sometimes, references to Greek mythology are appropriate. The security is the shield used by both Zeus and his daughter Athena. Today, the protection Group is an indemnity company, and the U.S. navy uses Aegis cruisers. In both of these instances, the reference to Greek mythology is clearly valid in that the insurance company and Navy boats provide protection, beneficial as the Greek shield. At other times, the connection between Greek mythology and modern products is more tongue-in-cheek. A popular soil of condoms is named Trojan, slyly alluding to the Trojan horse that allowed the Greeks to saf ely penetrate Troy s defenses. scorn our sometimes questionable uses of Greek mythology in contemporary culture, its impact on modern societies cannot be understated. References to Greek myths abound. In fact, Greek myths even influence our maps. A parade of maps is an Atlas, named for the titan who held up the earth. And Europe, seat of so many societies influenced by Greek myths, is named for Europa, the foremost carried off by Zeus, who had disguised himself as a bull to trick her.