Hesiod s View Of The Gods - 3056 Words

Western Civilization Student’s name Professor’s name Course Title Date submitted When Poets Ruled the World from Hesiod, Archilochus, Pindar, and Solon 1. Is Hesiod’s view of the gods different or similar to Homer’s? There are big differences between two ancient representatives of the Greek literature. If Homer is a legendary figure from the beginning to the end, Hesiod is real. Respect for the gods, love and respect for parents, homeland defense are the commandments of the Greeks, as reproduced in the Homeric poems. The appearance of the gods is portrayed contradictory. Homeric gods are completely humanoid (anthropomorphic), although some of them may become different animals. They are corporeal, and can even be hurt,†¦show more content†¦Hesiod’s gods lost their carelessness and gaiety of the Homeric gods, became the moral forces, severe guardians of order and justice, born of Zeus. The role of gods according to Hesiod belongs not only the Olympian gods with human form, like Zeus or Apollo, but the Earth, Sky, Star, Wind, Fight, Lies, Victory, Wisdom, violence, etc. Zeus as for Hesiod is not just carrier of the power, as Uranus and Kronus, but also the embodiment of a long-awaite d order, keeper and guardian of ethics. The desire to have a better life and a constant feeling of dissatisfaction are natural for people, and the gods tend, on the contrary, to complicate people’s lives and create new difficulties. Thus, the Hesiod’s style of poetry is close to Homer’s one, but because of the general didactic orientation Hesiod’s poetry is almost out of bright Homeric metaphors, similes and epithets. 2. What are some of the essential features of Hesiod’s view of the appropriate way to live and how does it differ from Homer’s depiction of the heroic life? Hesiod after the slave system, on the one hand, is poor, on the other – his ideals related to enrichment in the old and new sense. His assessment of life is full of pessimism, but at the same time of labor optimism and hope that a happy life comes through constant activity. First of all, the nature for him is a source of benefits, but Hesiod is a big fan of its beauty.