Classical Literature and Mythology's Journal
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Classical Literature and Mythology's LiveJournal:
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| Sunday, August 5th, 2007 | 1:13 am
[fordsflappers]
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| | Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 | 12:58 am
[fuego]
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Brizo
Has anyone ever heard of Brizo? Anyone know where she is referenced in Greek texts or mythology? I only ran across her name earlier today on http://www.theoi.com and I found this tiny blurb on wikipedia: Brizo is an ancient Greek goddess who was known as the protector of mariners, sailors, and fishermen. She was worshipped primarily by the women of Delos, who set out food offerings in small boats.
Brizo was also known as a prophet specializing in the interpretation of dreams.And there is this from http://www.pantheon.org: Brizo is known as a charmer, and a soother. In Greek mythology, she is a goddess worshipped at Delos and honored by women as the protector of mariners. Food offerings were set before the goddess in little boats (no fish). Brizo presided over an oracle that was consulted on matters relating to navigation and fishing. Her answers were given in dreams.And then there are several websites that cite Brizo as a moon goddess (insert gratuitous eye-rolling here) that all have extremely questionable information and seem to have taken it from the same source or sources. That's about as much as I'm able to find, with nary an actual textual reference in sight. Any additional information appreciated. | | Monday, April 30th, 2007 | 11:37 am
[zerotonin]
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lose yourself in metatext
Hi, I'm hoping this'll be relavant to the community. It's Proppian analysis. ^_^ ------------------------------------- In the wake of the breadcrumbs (filched when the evil stepmother wasn't looking) and talking animals (the best, naturally, was in boots) left in the wake of Vladimir Propp's formalist functional classification of folk-tales, I'm wondering if his methodology can be harnessed to classify popular genre fiction. More specifically, to 1) civilly register the ironically All-American dream of the ubermensch and 2) the current (mainly) neo-Norse selection of fantasy fiction. Briefly, Propp's function-based methodology was a break from the motif-based scholarship of Veselovskij and the classification-by-narrative-weight of Aarne. He saw characters and incidences as simply fulfilling plot functions in folk-tales. Further, he noted that the number of functions in folk-tales in limited, and that the sequence of functions is always identical - he concluded then that all folk-tales are of one type with regard to their structure. Now, the case against (because it's easier to be cynical): The most striking problem is that popular fiction is a chaotically polytheistic pantheon. By contrast, no new folk-tales are being added to the canon. This means that for popular genre fiction, the markers of genre are shifting with every new release of key texts. It'll be like propping up boundaries in quicksand. (Yeah, that's the old anti-genre-classification argument.) Second, the superhero comics industry is so much more postmodernist than Propp's milieu. Narration is not necessarily in a traditionally chronological once-upon-a-time-then-happily -ever-after style. There's in media res, flashbacks and a tight extra-diegetic universe. Worse, universe s - where different agents rework different functions. The 'What If...' universes were the first I thought of...then i realize there's also Earth-2, Ultimate, Astro City and definitely others. And the movie universes, which are in prime position to accumulate enough cultural capital such that they can inflect their meaning upon the core universes, such that what previously came to pass is now never was. The proposition then says that stories change anyway. They first need to be born - someone has to think them up. Later on, stories decay (cf. various passages in Genesis and Kings). Closer to Propp, the Grimm tales were Chinese-whispered throughout Europe by generation after generation of nursemaids and godknowshowmany regional dialects - things like little red-caps were lost in translation, and steps were added to mothers...so increased mutability should not stop a formalist classification. Superhero stories are similarly chimerical mutants. And the non-key texts, they prop up genre conventions and narrative structural functions through their sheer volume and force or repetition (this force, tail-bitingly, from existing genre dictates and expectations) *chews on sardine puff, thinking some more* Current Mood:  thoughtful | | Wednesday, April 4th, 2007 | 11:34 pm
[zerotonin]
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seek you wisdom still?
YES! Finished this before midnight; thus, it is still Wednesday. More appropriate. 'This'? It's below. I dedicate it to conscription, and All-Father Odin. ^_^ __________________________
Soldiers all waiting while wits dull The weeks wax you stand still Hear my words, you weary hearts You’ll lose naught but your chains
Long was its making blade-sundered, wind-marked A dragon’s descendants delved deep into the woods Bark and branch brought they to the blade-hall Thus was the shaft shaped: unstintingly straight Seek you wisdom still?
Men marked the shaft so simple that was!
Below the shining ceiling in the shadowed cells Midnight’s ink, leaden strikings multiplied its might Their dreams runed: ORD Seek you wisdom still?
Inscribed about its width is Araby’s wisdom
A dozen digits no dullard’s feat Knowledge from deserted vineyards frames the void Equal are earls and bondsmen both beneath its rule
Bands of pure rubber run it through
Removing them causes red calamity Catastrophe, clamour, cataclysm, contagion Norns will fold you a fearsome fate Seek you wisdom still?
Course-Plotter, Fault-Canceller
Reason’s Blade, Foe’s Bane Are but of its worth a pitiful portion A hidden power hastens. Seek you wisdom still?
Mystic might it holds over months and minutes
Grasp it six seconds by its splintered girth It sends soldiers six seconds sooner To their dreams runed: ORD Soon I will sink down __________________________    mischievous | | Wednesday, March 21st, 2007 | 7:43 pm
[fordsflappers]
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Short Story Help
I'm thinking about doing a short story about a small mountain town called Olympia that contains many eccentric characters. Such as Diane Greenwood, a celibate huntress of whom the townmen are terrified. She teaches a self-defense class for young girls. An attempted assault by hunter fellow Ryan ended bloodily. Personal quote: "I love animals. That's why I like to kill them." Her brother Sol runs a boy's camp where he teaches archery and first-aid, he also runs the town choir. Every winter he vacations up north. There's Vanessa Shelborne, the town bicycle (everybody's had a ride!), married though married to a crippled welder, is having an affair with Mark, the miltitary nut, who was forced to resign from being a drill sargeant because of sadistic behavior, and still tends to treat others as Privates. He's a weight-trainer with a buzz-cut whose house is filled with macabre war memorabilia. Herman, the paper/mailboy is a Ferris Bueller-type schemer. He also gives lottery numbers, and is a part-time bookie. Brewer is a moon-shiner, and the town eccentric/drunk. The Mayor is an ill-tempered, petty tyrant with of whom many towns- children suspiciously resemble. He has a battle-ax for a wife who is recognized by the peacock feather she where in her hat. Can anyone think of any other characters? | | Sunday, March 4th, 2007 | 4:45 pm
[deleriumschild]
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I've recently become interested in myths. One of my favorites is the legend of Fiddler's Green. I want to learn a bit more about names I keep hearing in books. Perhaps someone can help...it's always better to get info from actual people than from google! Loki Legion Morrigan (sp?) Odin Anansi Were the last two half God/ half human? Has anyone read American Gods. I'm trying to find a place that talks about the different mythical characters in the book. I'm a firm beliver that Gods/Goddess' are one of each, they just show up different in each place. For example the Goddess Diana is one goddess who would show up black to africans, greek in greek goddess' etc... | | Saturday, February 10th, 2007 | 12:02 am
[elspethdawitch]
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CFP: Undergrad Conference @ UNB
(from my alma mater, some friends of mine are putting this together...also cross-posted aaaaaall over the place, apologies for any overlap)
16-17 March 2007
CALL FOR PAPERS EXTENSION
The Classics Society in conjunction with the Department of Classics and Ancient History at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton will be hosting an undergraduate conference on the 16th and 17th of March, 2007.
We are welcoming papers from all students of Classics and Classical Studies as well as from students of any discipline within the Humanities. Topics should be related to the Classical World. Presentations should be about ten to fifteen minutes in length.
The 16th will consist of one afternoon session with a keynote address in the evening. This year’s speaker will be Dr. M. Carter from the University of Brock, who will be presenting a paper entitled: “Undressed to Kill: Views of the Retiarius.” The second and third sessions will be held on the morning and early afternoon of the 17th. A reception will follow the keynote address, and a combined luncheon and presentation-skills workshop will follow the final session on the 17th.
The registration fee is $10, payable at the conference.
Abstracts should be around 300 words and should include a name, address, e-mail address, phone number and the university affiliation. The deadline for submissions has been extended until February 15th, 2007, and all accepted undergraduates will be notified by February 21st, 2007. Abstracts (preferably as a word document) should be sent to Chelsey Young t33k2 AT unb.ca, as should any questions. All undergraduates are welcome and encouraged to submit an abstract regardless of experience.
... seen in the Canadian Classical Bulletin
| | Monday, December 18th, 2006 | 8:27 pm
[cellistkjp]
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Just gave a speech on recapturing mythology for our times
Hi! I had a couple things I wanted to say. First, this is a wonderful topic for a community. It's what we need in our culture! Truth is found in myth - that is, stories that try to explain the world that give us insights into human potentialities. Joseph Campbell I only discovered a couple weeks ago, wow! is all I can say. I watched The Power of Myth DVD and was astounded. I am also currently reading the Illiad for the first time - I can't believe I never had to read this in school. Our school system is crazy, insane!! We still haven't recovered from John Dewey's "Democracy and Education", or his followers who sorely misunderstood him. Second, I just gave a speech for my speech class last Monday on the problem of losing a prevailing myth that is a cultural force for our culture, our society, our country and our world, its causes and its effects. I was wondering what people thought. I recorded myself giving it and uploaded it to this website: http://www.uploading.com/files/GVDHEVXW/Recapturing_Mythology.m4a.htmlPlease please let me know what you think!! Current Music: Howard Shore - Lord of the Rings | | Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006 | 11:26 pm
[feli_valkyria]
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How do you pronounce Domina (yes, the Latin word for mistress & lady) properly? | | Friday, September 29th, 2006 | 3:53 pm
[thelucyfurr]
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new webcomic about gods and myths
Hi everyone, Silent Devil Comics is hosting a new weekly webcomic called "the After-Lifers" that I thought members of this community would be interrested in. linkThere is also an LJ RSS Feed hereHere's a sample. I hope you all enjoy it!  | | Sunday, July 16th, 2006 | 9:37 pm
[meaganashley]
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OLD MYTHS, OLD GODS, OLD HEROES HAVE NEVER DIED Once there were gods great and beautiful, whose palms crushed whole villages, whose smiles ensured mortal love. They reigned over their world with words that shook the hearts of mountains, and their exploits became myths without number. From thrones (carved of clouds and bejeweled with snared lightning) they presided over a land teeming with monsters, men, and heroes. Passing eternity warring with each other and those that thought they could best a deity, they were slowly stripped of their supremacy – brick by brick – until they slid into memory. But gods do not die, forgive, or forget. Once again they are waking up – but in bodies strange and impermanent, bodies that will die. Their powers fizzle as they toil away in mortal flesh; memories slink away to private parts of the brain. Mount Olympus only visits in the secret places of dreams. They wear the faces of boys and girls – but below the brain, below the fumbling of earthly fingers, they are so much more. It’s been so long! They may remember, finding their own faces in others likewise divine; they may slip into the mortal coil, and stray through lifetime after lifetime, never grasping what glories they once had. And here, we begin. | | Wednesday, July 5th, 2006 | 11:49 pm
[shy_bunny]
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Hello
Hiya. My name is Stefanie and just joined! Greek mythology is my main passion but I love studying all different types to see what they had in common. I’ve loved reading all the stories since I was in elementary but around the beginning of high school I lost some interest so now I can’t remember too much. I really would like to re-learn and learn some new things... So I was wondering is there any good books that someone could recommend? Recently I just bought Myths of the Ancient Greeks by Richard P. Martin. So far I like but I want more and different! It’s just something I can never get enough of. Anyways about me... My favorite God would have to Hermes. He’s just amazing and funny. (The way I choose to buy Myths of Ancient Greeks is by reading the story of Hermes first. If I don’t really like the way the interpreted that story then I move onto the next book. I know, I’m picky and weird) Second favorite God is defiantly Hades. The more and more I read about him, the more I feel sorry for him. He is probably more feared the Zeus since he deals with death, but in all honesty Hades has to be the greatest. In death, he punishes those who do wrong and award those who do well. If I read right, he’s also the only male of the 12 Olympians not to have a child. (I mean even Hephaestus has a son!) I have another question! How has studying mythology affected your life? I always find that question so fun to ask when people are actually interested in the subject. Well I guess that’s it! Toodles Current Mood: workingCurrent Music: If I Apologized - Josephine Cronholm | 11:04 am
[feli_valkyria]
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| | Monday, June 26th, 2006 | 1:58 am
[mahakala78]
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Apollo
I have another question for you guys: It's about the Greek/Roman god Apollo. Some say he was the Sun-God. Some say Helios was the Sun-God. Some say that first Helios was the Sun-God and then Apollo took over. Others say that Apollo IS Helios. Once again, I know there's probably not a real clear-cut answer to this, but I'd be interested to hear everybody's comments. Thanks. (That wasn't really a question, technically, but you get the point.) Oh, and on a completely random note...If you want to hear something corny. I'll tell you guys how I recently rediscovered my passion for mythology. I was working at an elementary school and a 3rd grade girl had a book called "The Shadow Thieves" by Anne Ursu. It's a childrens' book in the vein of Harry Potter. I believe it's actually intended for young teens. Anyway, I asked her what she was reading and she told me that it's a story about some kids who go down to Hades and deal with all kinds of Greek Gods. I thought it sounded fun (and yes, I'm 28!) so I checked it out and read it. It's pretty funny and entertaining. It almost reminded me of a kid's version of "Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett. The gods are dealt with in a comical fashion, but nothing too demeaning. (Cerebus turns out to be just a little puppy dog, all hype and not so intimidating.) So then I'm reading about Hermes and Charon and Hades and Thanatos and all those characters and I thought "Why did I ever stop reading this stuff!" And here I am again reading The Odyssey and The Iliad and The Aeneid, etc. I've been away too long. | | Sunday, June 25th, 2006 | 5:38 am
[bamadeb]
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hello
I have just joined live journal and one of my passions is reading especially greek mythology. I had a course a couple of years ago in college and I have been hooked since. I wanted to just give a quick post since I am new. I'm so glad that I came across this community. I am inspired to go dig out my mythology books and revisit some of my favorite stories. Current Mood:  goodCurrent Music: Nickelback | | Friday, June 23rd, 2006 | 1:10 am
[mahakala78]
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I've recently started to rediscover mythology. I loved it as a kid and for some reason set it aside for years and years. Maybe I needed to grow up a bit? Worried too much about looking nerdy? I don't know. :) But I've found that through all these years, there was a passion for it just waiting to re-emerge. So I'm glad to find this community. Anyway, I'm looking for a good book about the symbolism of mythology. Not just the stories, but what they mean. Or at least people's interpretations of what they mean. I realize there are a lot of different theories, but that's alright with me. Any suggestions? Right now I'm in Greek/Roman mythology mode. However, I plan on hitting Norse and Celtic mythology after that. Thanks! | | Wednesday, June 7th, 2006 | 9:33 pm
[ladyshrew]
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Euripides
It's been quiet here, so I thought I'd plug a fairly fledgling little comm of mine ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) euripides_anon. For Euripides fans, of course. Current Mood: contemplative | | Monday, February 27th, 2006 | 5:46 pm
[sheisaeval]
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What are your favorite mythology characters, and why? And what's a famous story (or a few) with that character in it? can be from any mythology - greek, roman, asian, celtic, etc. also, can be gods/goddess or mortals |
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