Mythology - Introduction

The true sophisticate will understand mythology, especially the ancient Greek and Roman myths. There are so many references to mythology in art such as paintings, literature, plays, music, and even movies. Maybe you know all the stories already and don’t even realize it. I was surprised, after reading The Odyssey in 9th grade, that the cartoon Duck Tales already taught me about a lot of the myths when I was just a 10 year old sponge sitting in front of the TV. What might be so appealing about these ancient myths is that human nature never changes. The gods have great stories of sex, betrayal, love, war, and similar personalities to us mortals today. We can relate to their heartaches, the injustices they have to endure, their longings and desires. These stories are then translated by artists into many forms of media. Basically, you will sound smart pointing out the mythology behind the art, and will enjoy art even more when you understand what it is about.

Thomas Bulfinch, a 19th century American author said “the so-called divinities of Olympus have not a single worshipper among living men; they belong now not to the department of theology, but to those in literature and taste.”

Examples of mythology in art:

1.The Portland Vase - (pictured above)
Made in the first century BC in Rome, this vase inspired the creation of Wedgewood jasperware (those light blue porcelain plates with white mythological characters on them at your grandma’s house) and English cameo glass. It depicts a scenes of the Judgment of Paris, and Mark Anthony being lured by Cleopatra.

2.“The Birth of Venus” painted by Botticelli -This painting depicts the emerging goddess Venus from the sea on a shell, just as her birth is described.




3.“The Divine Comedy” written by Dante Alighieri -
The Roman poet Virgil guides him through hell and Purgatory.

4.“Orfeo ed Euridice” by the German composer Christoph Gluck -
A opera first preformed in Vienna in 1762, based on a Greek mythological character.

5.“O Brother Where Art Thou?” a modern movie based on Homer’s “The Odyssey”.

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