SC+P1+2013+Elysian+Fields

=**Elysium, Island of the Blessed**=

- Andrew Calvin Caleb
 * Aim:**

The aim of the Elysian Fields mythology was to promote a positive Greek society. The Elysian Fields mythology accomplishes this aim in many ways. The biggest way the mythos does this is by making people want to act positively. The Elysian Fields is described as being “ … a happy place which has a sun and stars of its own… Those who dwell in Elysium exercise upon grassy playing-fields or wrestle friendly on yellow sands; some dance and others sing or chant poems” (maicar). By describing Elysium as a happy place where people dance and sing, it sounds appealing to a wide range of people. To get to Elysian, one would have had to had a large positive impact during their life. The helps the Elysian Fields mythology accomplish its aim because people will now want to go to such a place.

"Elysian fields | Infoplease.com."//Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. | Infoplease.com//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013. "Underworld and Afterlife - Greek Mythology Link." //Entrance - Greek Mythology Link//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013. Audience:

-Caleb Buckner

The audience of the Elysium Fields mythos was the Greek people. The Elysium Fields was the idea of a better afterlife. The people who went to the Elysium Fields were said to be great heroes and mighty warriors. One Greek poem describes it as “Paradise of the heroes, either in the Underworld or in the far West. Here the likes of Achilles lived on in splendid company, in pleasant surroundings, in heroic pursuits of the hunt and banquet” (mythweb). Achilles is known as being a legendary warrior who was invincible in battle, which the Greeks admired. The second part of the quote talks about the hunt and banquet. In the Greek culture, hunting was known as being an honorable tradition. Since the Greeks look up to Achilles and hunting, it is clear that they were the intended audience.

"ELYSIUM, ISLAND OF THE BLESSED : Greek Mythology." THEOI GREEK MYTHOLOGY, Exploring Mythology & the Greek Gods in Classical Literature & Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

"Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology: Elysian Fields." Greek Mythology. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

-Andrew Gavin
 * Historical:**

The Elysian Fields are the place that made life worth living in ancient greece. The Encyclopedia Britannica says "In Homer’s writings the Elysian Plain was a land of perfect happiness at the end of the earth, on the banks of the Oceanus River . . . only those specially favoured by the gods entered Elysium" (Elysium (Greek mythology)). People in greek had an idea of what happened after death in many aspects and only if they were the best of the best could they go somewhere that was admirable. This place gave people hope and aspiration to try and be great. This is a prime thought, as seen thought homer's writings, that many normal people had. Being able to have no worries about death, made many of their lives great and worth it. By having that idea that only a god would pick them out made them feel the need to do great things, and as a result there were many great and famous writers, mathematicians, and hero/lore.

"Elysium - Elysian Fields - Crystalinks." // Elysium - Elysian Fields //. N.p.. Web. 30 Apr 2013.

"Elysium (Greek mythology) -- Encyclopedia Britannica." // Elysium //. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 30 Apr 2013.

The Field of Elysium are often referenced by literature, film, and their are even towns in the United States named after it. The fields act as an afterlife for mortals who are admired by the gods, but it's sometimes adapted by more modern works. An example is J.R.R. Tolkien's version of the fields in his Lord of the Rings series: "the Elysian Undying Lands, the home of the gods, elves, and a select few others, can only be reached by crossing the western sea, much as one would have to cross the stream of Oceanusto reach the Fortunate Isles"(askdefine). This has an apparent relation to the fields of Elysium because it's a place where non-gods are able to live, the only difference is that gods lived there to.
 * Cultural:**

Sources "Define elysium | Dictionary and Thesaurus." //Define elysium | Dictionary and Thesaurus//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

 "Elysium." Hellenica, Information about Greece and Cyprus, Michael Lahanas . N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.