A friend and I were disscussing whether or not Actaeon deserved to be turned into a stag and devoured by his own dogs just for seeing the goddess naked..... your thoughts?
2007-02-26 06:06:09 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
good answers thus far... but in the version I read, although he didn't go looking for her, when he found her he stood there staring in a rather idiotic manner. I dno if that changes anyones opinon...
2007-02-27 00:31:07 · update #1
The implications within Greek myths are as much culturally understood as they are mythologically understood. What that means is that each succeeding culture reimagines the myths to suit their cultural belief system.
An anciet greek might have thought the myth showed the capriciousness (and danger) of humans venturing willfully or ignorantly into the realm of the gods. A 19th century Londoner might have taken away the idea that the power of female sexuality was a danger to mortal men (seeing her naked is what got him 'killed') since it makes them 'helpless' before the cruel huntress. A neo-feminist would instead see Diana as one protecting her sacred femininity from the lecherous patriarchal Actaeon, who refused to abide by her rules.
One interpretation is not necessarily more 'correct' than the other, which is what makes the myths so powerful and meaningful to each successive generation. Something else that makes them powerful is that they go beyond the limitations of the storyteller, to become a kind of rorschach test to the person reading them. How you interpret the myth says less about whether or not the version is 'correct' and more about how the myth squares with your own personal mythology/beliefs.
2007-02-28 07:31:31 · answer #1 · answered by Khnopff71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I don't think so. It was not really a crime. The only reason why he died was because he was unlucky!
He didn't know of the Artemis' cave nor did he go looking for her. He just stumbled upon her and bang, he gets turned into a stag and killed.
I think it was very unfair and cruel..
but some sources say that Artemis as the virgin goddess was protecting her purity.
I still think it was over the top.
2007-02-26 06:32:53 · answer #2 · answered by Ymmo the Heathen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if you are thinking about it as if you were living in the Greek era, then yes, he did deserve what he got. Goddess and God were considered greater than great. If you did anything to displease them, you were punished no matter how just we think it is nowadays.
But, if you are asking do I think what happened was just, then obviously not. I, like you, have read the myth were he accidentally wondered into her abode and saw her unapparelled. This punishment was cruel and unfair, thus Homer wrote this myth to show the cruelty and spitefulness of the gods and goddess.
2007-02-28 11:35:01 · answer #3 · answered by anysportzchik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't really think it's a question of fair or not really. If you read a lot of Greek myths, the Gods were extremely vain and controlling in all aspects. Any deviation from their powers was met with dire and sometimes fatal consequences - no questions asked. I think that his punishment was harsh to say the very least but again considering the times - not unusual.
2007-02-26 07:04:07 · answer #4 · answered by siamsa_siamsa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the version I read, he MEANT to stare, it wasn't an accident.
So, peeping Tom? Yes, If I was Her, I'd do the same.
2007-02-26 07:29:58 · answer #5 · answered by AmyB 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋