2014+SH+P6+Harpies

Aim: Aidan Nash

Harpies, similar to other Greek myths, were an explanation for the people of that time period. They were often times associated as “ sudden, mysterious disappearances, often attributed to the Harpyia” (Theoi). In common Greek Mythology, people would generally link simple occurrences with what people know today as “Greek Myths.” The aim of Harpies themselves, as Greek mythology states, were to explain the sudden disappearances of people, or as part of the wind, seeing that they have wings. They are depicted to have said wings because they were thought to be part of the wind. As defined by Merriam- Webster, a harpy is “ a shrewish woman” (Merriam-Webster). As a current term, it could be used as an offensive word, or a term used for a mean or nasty woman.

Historical: Alejandro Urquides

Harpies are a part of Greek mythology, and their purpose was stealing food and carrying evildoers to the Erinyes. In the early part of mythology, the harpies were not seen as terrible, ugly creatures. However, later on they were represented as “horribly foul and loathsome” (Encyclopædia Britannica). Creatures that had a bird's body and woman's head. There is a specific myth about their creation and freedom, They were originally on an island with Phineas, a man who was doomed to eternity on the island with a feast that he could not eat. Whenever Phineas went to eat some food, “the harpies would swoop down and snatch it away” (Harpyiai). This went on until the Argonauts, and Jason, came and made the harpies leave. From then on, they abducted and tortured people while they went to Tartarus, or a place in the underworld of Greek mythology. They were feared because of their tendency to snatch items from people and take people that they see.

Audience: Cade Powell

Harpies are a Greek mythology of a woman with wings that would snatch victims and their belongings. This mythology was made and believed by the audience which were the people who believed in the gods at the time. The harpies was a belief of a winged creature that struck fear into people's heart as it is it said, ”They steal food from their victims while they are eating and carry evildoers” (Encyclopædia Britannica). The audience of this belief would then act accordingly in order to avoid what was described as a, “horrid creature that would snatch victims”(Encyclopædia Britannica). The myth makes the assumption of people believing in the creature and what it stands for which ultimately makes the argument weaker. When their is no direct evidence to back a point up, it makes the point hard to believe.

Cultural: Leonard Aros 

The author used the harpy, which was a mythological being, to strike fear into people. An article from Britannica states, “  they were represented as birds with the faces of women, horribly foul and loathsome. They were sent to punish the Thracian king Phineus for his ill-treatment of his children; the Harpies snatched the food from his table and left a disgusting smell” (Encyclopædia Britannica). The description of the harpy as “horribly foul,” and “loathsome” brings a negative connotation to the creature. Since Roman mythology was a religion during the times the book was written, people would look upon the harpy as a real threat in or out of hell. Therefore, the author would induce fear in the reader. However, since the harpy is no longer a religion and is now just mythology, the negative connotation does not bring fear into the modern day. Now, people see the story as a less than realistic story as the mythological characters are no longer believed to be existing. The mythological creature’s lack of existence make the negative connotation mute and does not affect modern society since they no longer believe in the creature.

Sources:

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Harpy (mythology)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2014.

"Harpy". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2014. Web. 27 Aug. 2014

"HARPIES : Bird-Women Monsters, Storm Spirits | Greek Mythology, Harpyiai, W/ Pictures." HARPIES : Bird-Women Monsters, Storm Spirits | Greek Mythology, Harpyiai, W/ Pictures. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2014.

Merriam-Webster. "Harpy." Merriam-Webster- Definition. Merriam-Webster Incorporated, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2014.