THE PRINCIPAL GODS: Student Reactions

Years ago, I asked my students to observe the family diagram of the Olympians who ruled the deities and the world for that matter. They were believed to have dwelt in Olympus. The deities highlighted in blue are the principal gods of Olympus; hence they are called the Olympians. After a few discussions and back stories, here's the reaction they have written.

NOTE: The names you see are merely representations of the idea of what a student wrote. These are written by real students but the names that represent their ideas may not.

LALA

Looking at the diagram and the story behind every character, one could say that imagination was really vast and almost everything that seemed foolish to us today was once magical and believable. Both gods and goddesses get easily tricked because there was no science. For example, Hera simply believed that Athena sprang up from Zeus' head without realizing that only women bore children. Aphrodite was born of the sea foam and they didn't even question why. There were almost no rules. What was laid out in front of them, they accepted it regardless of whether it was true or not. Zeus could make out with every woman he wished and the others did not see that as a problem. When you really think about it, there is no logic behind the powers of the gods. Today, you do not see anyone transforming into a swan or a bull like Zeus. Anyone who thinks they can will be considered as someone who is not in his right mind. But I think that is what makes Greek Mythology such a beautiful thing. You can tell people about nymphs and gorgons and you wouldn't be judged.

ELOIS I find the lineage vastly interesting, especially how Zeus vividly expressed his vim in keeping his bloodline alive. He had children from several women, including his sisters, cousins, distant relatives and even mortals. It is revolting how he started incestuous relationships with Hera and Demeter. He even had three children with Hera and a daughter with Demeter. I might not know of his actual reasons of his polygamy, but his behavior, from my perspective, is morally wrong and is inappropriate for a highly powerful and vaunted god.

LOIS

There is incest everywhere! Zeus had relationships with other goddesses other than his wife, who of course is his sister. That is totally disturbing! Zeus may be a great god but his actions are not. A god should be a good role model to all people. A god should show good actions and deeds, especially to people who worship them. Showing good deeds is a must, to maintain peace and purity and also no one will follow and continue the bad examples. Gods should not create disturbing actions and malicious acts.

GEM

The human race has been evolving as time passed. But what if it didn't? What if we are just repeating the mistakes of the past? We fear so much that we'll be overpowered, so we do things to prevent it. But what if those fears caused numerous disasters? Cronus was afraid that one day one of his children would overthrow him. So, he devoured them all up to prevent it. But sadly, Zeus defeated him. And so the latter became king. The oracle's prophecy came true. On the other hand, Zeus committed adultery. Just because he has the power doesn't mean he can just abuse it. In recent times, people do such acts, sometimes unconsciously. Isn't it because the more we study, the more we try to understand, and the more we criticize the act, we tend to follow it? When will we be aware that the mistakes we're making have already been made? And that these repugnant acts will do no good.

VAL

I find Zeus' number of children to be very shocking, especially since they are born from different women. I also find these incestuous relationships quite disturbing but then again, they're gods and goddesses with free will unless if one tells them not to. I think Greek mythology is a very interesting topic. Learning how Uranus and Gaea are the roots where all these other gods came from is overwhelming. In my opinion, I think Cronus' way of thinking is ridiculous. Devouring his own children to stop them from taking his throne is inhumane and stupid. I also think Zeus is such a playboy. Worst of all, he is unfaithful to his wife, Hera. Overall, I would love to learn more about Greek mythology. Thinking there are gods and goddesses for everything is very nice and quite uplifting. Who knows, maybe someday, it wouldn't be a myth anymore.

JOE

I find Zeus' extra-marital affairs to be repulsive and the fact that he had the audacity to commit such acts repeatedly sickens me more. I'm normally very squeamish when discussing things relating to infidelity because I have an intense dislike for cheaters. I deem them to be immoral individuals whose only pursuit in life is to seek pleasure which in my opinion, only gives respite. Not the true warmth that only a family can give.