Analysis Of The Character Of Apollo From The Ancient Greek Myth Apollo And Daphne

Throughout our history, different stories which relate to greek and Roman mythology is portrayed via different art methods (plays, texts, movies, paintings, sculptures, etc.).

This analytical essay will examine the origins of one Greek myth, and it's different adaptations during the following time periods: (a) greek, (b) roman, (c) middle ages, (d) renaissance, (e) post renaissance through to the nineteenth century and then finally (f) modern/contemporary version. For each of the following periods, I will include my analysis of the specific version in order to give reasons why I chose this myth. Before I get started into describing my chosen myth,

I should first describe what mythology is. According to the online version of the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, mythology is a religious story which describes specific themes (Merriam-Webster 'Mythology'). During the Greek and Roman times, religion played a crucial role in their society, as well as dictate the way they often behaved.

The myth that will be analyzed in this paper is the mythological narrative of Apolo and Daphne. There are numerous and artworks which depict scenes from this myth. Upon analysis of the myth of Apollo and Daphne, its readers acknowledge the fact that this mythological narrative revolves around these four central characters: Apollo, Daphne, Eros, and Peneus. Who were these people in this story?

According to an article titled 'The Naiad Daphne in Greek Mythology' which can be found at the website 'Greek Legends of Myths,' Daphne is considered to be the innocent, most sought-after and virgin daughter of the Greek god Peneus ( Greek Legends and Myths 'The Naiad Daphne in Greek Mythology”). Throughout numerous myths, both greek and roman, some women do not want to partake in any sexual acts, thus wanting to maintain their virginity.

Unfortunantely, like in the myth of Apollo and Daphne, sometimes some of the other characters do not take the hint about what the woman truley wants. As one reads this myth, the readers can actively observe all of the failed attempts of courting love which Apollo had given Daphne. In my opinion, Apollo's actions (if were enacted upon today in real life and not in a fictional narrative) would be labeled as sexual harassment or stalking.

Who is the god Apollo and what are his origins? In my opinion, out of the twelve main Olympian council gods/goddesses, the god Apollo was one of the more important ones due to his sphere of domains, symbols and inventions/creations. According a 2018 article, that was written by Dave Briggs, called 'Apollo - The God of Music, Poetry and Oracles in Greek Mythology', which can be found on the website titled 'Greek Mythology Tours', Apollo (who is the god of the sun, truth, medicine, and music) is the son of Zeus and Leto, and is the sibling to Artemis and Hermes (Briggs 'Apollo - The God of Music, Poetry, and Oracles in Greek Mythology' 2018).

Historians, writers, art scholars, and architects have noticed a reoccurring theme of the mentioning of Apollo, whether it is by movie, play, book, religious text, or the creation of a temple. In a lot of fictional books and movies, Apollo is portrayed as an extremely enthusiastic, creative, fun and somewhat of a womanizer god. He will eventually get into a rivalry with Eros, thus resulting in this myth.

The god named Eros is often portrayed in artworks, especially at the Uffizi Museum, when it comes to art that has the theme of love, desire or romantic relationship(s). According to a short fictional biography called 'Eros' on the website 'Greek Mythology' this source claims that Eros is the god of lustful love and is one of the numerous children of a very powerful primordial.

Throughout history, art conservationalists have uncovered different statues which dipicts Eros semi-naked while holding weapons for hunting. Sometimes he has wings and sometimes he does not. For some statues and paintings, he appears as a young child, while others as an older-teenager which is highly sexualized ('Eros.' Greek Mythology).