Elysian+Fields



The Elysium fields are a part of greek mythology in which it has been said that those who died, and were favored by the gods, went and were made immortal. The fields tended to hold those heros and valiant men that were scattered among those greeks, and deserved a special place in heaven among the gods. This paradise island was located near the mouth of the Oceanus river, and was ruled over by the Titan, Kronos. There have been many poets over time that have used their skills to interpret the fields and incorporate them somehow, into their writing. However, “ after the Renaissance, as popular poets became less influenced by reading Greek and Latin literature, and images of Valhalla entered the popular European imagination, an even cheerier Elysium evolved for some poets,” (Elysium 1). No matter what the take, authors have on the fields, they have been incorporated into numerous works over the years, being known for the heavenly place of the gods and the mortals who were favored by those gods, and made immortal. The use of the connotation of a place of joy, that has been associated with Elysium over the years, has come to be widely known and well used in movies, plays, and songs in modern literature. Going into this play, the reader has knowledge of the paradise like setting that the play occurs in, and the authors persuasion helps to enhance this mythical setting that sets up the play for an audience to enjoy.
 * Historical: (Austin)**

Works Cited Atsma, Aaron. "ELYSIUM, ISLAND OF THE BLESSED : Greek Mythology." //ELYSIUM, ISLAND OF THE BLESSED : Greek Mythology////.// The Theoi Project, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. "Elysian Fields." //Elysium// //- Elysian Fields - Crystalinks////.// N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.

Audience: Christian Jennings
In Greek Mythology lies the existence of the Elysian Fields, a paradise for the virtuous and heroic who were respected by the gods that lay in the realm of Hades. The writings by Homer and Virgil, which instituted the Elysian Fields in Greek Mythology, served to provide the members of the Greek culture an incentive to act mindfully, morally, and righteously as well as a provide a mortal an attempt to resonate with the gods. According to Mark Cartwright of // Ancient //// History //// Encyclopedia //, the purpose of such myths were to explain “. . . the origin and lives of the gods, where humanity had come from and where it was going after death, and gave advice on the best way to lead a happy life” (Cartwright 1). The myth of the Elysian Fields sought to target Greek citizens and nobles who had the ability to add to society in war, art, and academia. Greeks who lived a notable and righteous life, as explained in // Harper’s Dictionary of Classical Literature and Antiquities //, would live in a “region blessed with perpetual spring, clothed with continual venture, beautiful with flowers, shaded by pleasant groves, and refreshed by never-failing fountains” (589). Given the paradise and utopia at stake, many Greeks would devote their lives to heroism in battle or to beauty in hopes of achieving this as their final resting place. Additionally, the Elysian Fields would drive Greeks act righteously in order to resonate with the Gods and heroes that were admired in mythology at that time period. The myth of the Elysian Fields are a remarkable sign of influence mythology had on Greeks in ancient Greece as it assisted in the explanation of existence after death, provided incentive for Greeks to act with a high-minded character, and appealed to the citizens desire to be one with the gods.

Works Cited:
Cartwright, Mark. “Greek Mythology.” //Ancient History Encyclopedia.// Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited, 28 Jul. 2012. Web. 20 April 2014. //Harper’s Dictionary of Classical Literature and Antiques, Volume 1//. Ed. Harry Peck. New York City: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1897. Web.


 * Aim - Katherina **



The purpose for the Elysian Fields was a Greek abstraction of the afterlife that would dictate the actions of the Greek people. The Elysian Fields were considered to be a sort of paradise specifically reserved for Greek heroes chosen by the gods. This is stated explicitly through classical Greek literature such as the epic Odyssey, stating, “to the Elysian plain…where men live unlaborious days. Snow and tempest and thunderstorms never enter there, but for men's refreshment Okeanos sends out continuously the high-singing breezes of the west” (Homer 4.560-565). Elysium was transformed and developed throughout time, and would be divided into two separate islands: the Island of the Blessed and the Lethean field of Haides. When referenced by Homer, it is described as the end of the world, and is not a haven for mythical heroes. However in later Greek texts it elaborately describes the paradise of Elysium in detail, giving the Greek people inspiration to act as heroes in their life to achieve Elysium in death. Overall, the motivation to have the Elysian Fields be a heaven-like place was an explanation of the events to occur after death. The myth described that, “The souls who were good went to the Elysian Fields, while the others were singled out for special treatment” (The Underworld). This prompted many Greek poets and writers to compose poems and epics to describe the Elysium in their interpretation. While the details of Elysium have been altered to fit the desires of the Greek people, its’ purpose has overall become unchanged from even the brief reference from older authors such as Homer to work created even 500 years after their deaths.


 * Works Cited:**

Homer, and E. V. Rieu. //The Odyssey.// Baltimore: Penguin, 1946. Print. "The Underworld." //Greek Mythology.// GreekMythology.com, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.


 * Cultural- Alexis Roether **



====The Elysian Fields, also known as Elysium, has been a mythical place passed down in Greek myth stories for many generations. It is a place said to be paradise reserved for gods or virtuous men after they die. However, the location of Elysian Fields has been referenced differently throughout literature. Homer wrote that it lies near the Oceanus River while Virgil wrote that it is a part of Hades.This has also had a modern cultural influence within modern literature; it is referenced in poetry as well as plays.“ Elysium as a pagan expression for paradise would eventually pass into usage by early Christian writers” (“Elysium” 1).  Today, hearing “Elysium” referenced would be as if to reference a pure and utopian place.This is a term still coined today in film, art and music as well as literature. Tennessee Williams wrote A Streetcar Named Desire with the setting taking place in the fictional Elysian Fields, New Orleans to show that the characters are in a purgatory area in New Orleans. This helps the audience understand that the setting is created from a cultural background to add to the fabricated vibe of the play. It is a strength Williams uses with this symbolic setting that most would not catch on to right away. ====

Works Cited:

"Elysium". //Encyclopædia Britannica//. //Encyclopædia Britannica Online//. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.

“ELYSIUM, ISLAND OF THE BLESSED: Greek Mythology". //ELYSIUM, ISLAND OF THE BLESSED: Greek Mythology//. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.

 "Elysium." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.