Escaping on a Goat: The Phrixus myth & the eastern roots of the Argonautic tradition
[pic seahuntcollector.com]
Jason's Cloak and Jason as 'anti-Hero'
[Anthony Bulloch, Berkeley University, California]
'Ulysses' 'Odysseus' and 'Jason' are different names for the same Mythologic figure
FREDERICK APTHORP PALEY (1815-1888) was a British classical scholar famed for his editions of several classical works. In this piece, Paley drew on emerging German scholarship that suggested more ancient origins for the stories behind the Homeric poems to investigate whether Homer used an early version of the Argonautica in developing the Odyssey. This work, first published in the Dublin Review in 1879, is notable both for anticipating future scholarship and for suggesting that Greek mythology had not just Bronze Age antecedents but possibly forerunners dating back to the Ice Age, a claim echoed in modern fringe history hypotheses of a lost civilization and its myths
Possibly it will be objected that the solar interpretation of the story is strained and unnatural.
A golden fleece “may have meant a rude method of collecting gold particles from running streams.
These adventurers may, after all have only desired to go to certain far-off “diggings,” the reputation of which had reached them from the reports of merchants or travellers.
They may have gone in search of a breed of sheep with wool of a naturally yellowish tint, like that of the Spanish sheep, so much prized by the Romans; [2] or, lastly, they may have been Phoenician adventurers, influenced solely by a wish to extend their commerce.
It is desirable, therefore, at the outset, to show that the sun is generally symbolised by a fiery cloud, or golden fleece, as the mantle of glory and majesty in which the god is wrapped.
It is desirable, therefore, at the outset, to show that the sun is generally symbolised by a fiery cloud, or golden fleece, as the mantle of glory and majesty in which the god is wrapped.
Amictus lumine sicut vestimento is the description that the Psalmist gives to the Divine Being himself.
[3] The aegis of Pallas, the goddess of the Dawn, is in the same manner the fringed cloud that arrays in spangled light the Aurora of the Greek Mythology.
[4] It was represented in ancient art, as may be seen on many of the early Greek vases, as a fringed goat-skin, the root of the word, which implies “rushing motion,” being confounded with αἴξ, “a goat.”
We read in Homer [5] of the golden tassels or fringes surrounding it, and Herodotus tells us [6] that the dress of the goddess was derived from the stained goat-skins (apparently closely akin to what we still call Morocco leather) worn by Libyan women.
This shows that he had not the least suspicion of the true origin of the symbol, as a solar “glory.”
Even in early Christian art the oval nimbus, or aureole, enveloping the whole form of the Blessed Virgin, may be referred to the same traditional idea.
The edges of the goat-skins were cut in strips and curled to imitate snakes’ heads, and this, which at first merely represented the ragged edges of a cloud, was designed to add terror to the form of the dread war-goddess.
Again, the narrative in the “Odyssey” about Cyclops, and the blinding of his one eye, is either a very silly and impossible story, or it is a myth not inappropriately describing the extinction of the sun, the eye of day, in the “forehead of the sky,” as Milton calls it.
If Ulysses himself meant, as the name will allow him to mean, the “setting sun,” the interpretation is as simple as possible; the setting of the sun puts out, or removes from sight, the orb that is the eye of the world — that far-ranging power to whom poets naturally and spontaneously attribute the faculty of sight.
But you will convince very few persons, if you propound such a view, reasonable as it is and perfectly consistent in itself.
Not less evident is it that the numerous and varied stories of the descent of heroes into the nether world in quest of some departed friend, whom they brought back to life, like Orpheus, who went to recover his Eurydice, are founded on the apparent sinking of the sun below the horizon and his speedy return to the surface of the world.
Nothing, we say, can be more clear than this ; and those who cannot accept such an interpretation cannot have gone far into the history of primitive thought.
If there is one fact more certain than another in the records and monuments of the ancient world, it is the wide prevalence of sun-worship. Therefore, there is the strongest antecedent probability that many of the primitive myths symbolise sun-worship too.
The Sirens, or “Pipers,” form the subject of another myth common to Homer and Apollonius. They are not mentioned by Hesiod, Pindar, or Aeschylus; but Sophocles is quoted by Plutarch as having referred to them in connexion with the wanderings of Ulysses, [59] and Euripides alludes to them once in the “Helena.” [60] We read in Homer of their enchanting songs, and of Ulysses having stopped the ears of his crew with wax, that they might not hear those lovely but fatal strains as they sailed past the island, while he himself listened to them tied fast to the mast”
Although the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece contains elements of myth
and folklore, Jason's quest may have a historical basis
see
Homer is the only Greek author mentioned by name in the Talmud- the influence of the 'Odyssey'
can be seen in the 'Book of Tobit' probably written Aramaic in the second century bce
So, in the Myth of the Poetic 'Odyssey' various common features keep re-appearing- the most prominent being 'Absent Fathers'.
Lloyd Bridges, played 'Mike Nelson' in the TV series 'SEAHUNT'
The name of His Boat in the bulk of the Series? -THE ARGONAUT
Of course, Homer based His Tale on the 'Epic of Gilgamesh' which is the basis of so-called 'Freemasonry'
the thing to remember is Poets [like Lloyd's Wife Dorothy] unconsciously re-produce Mythologems
which on first viewing have nothing in common with the Subject Matter.
Lloyd is quoted as saying 'carrying all that heavy Scuba Gear around during filming'
was both exhausting and tedious- yet Fan Websites have documented Balsa Wood 'Props'
almost indistinguishable from the real thing
were provided to the Actors whilst 'Stand-ins' did action sequences?
Lloyd, it would appear, was not above stretching the truth when it suited Him
-something His Actor kids
would of course also do in later life?
You play Your Games-I play Mine
there are rules...The first one is do not underestimate your opponent's intelligence
another name for an 'Argonaut' is 'Conman/Gold Digger' or? Actor.
Sons Beau and Jeff followed his lead; each had their acting debuts on Sea Hunt and would inherit Lloyd’s passion for ocean conservancy.
While Nelson’s is a haven for oceanside dining, it also provides a slice of Hollywood history. Taking their cue from this rich history, the developers at Terranea reached out to the Bridges family to request their involvement in the planning of Nelson’s. The family was excited to be involved and donated their collection of photos to decorate the space. The posters are from their Sea Hunt comic book collection.
Lucinda provided back-story on the framed coin that hangs on the east wall: “The souvenir coin was an idea of our mom’s brother, Frederic Simpson, Jr. My mom’s dad, our grandpa, used to help with Dad’s fan mail, and he would include a medallion in each autographed photo. We all have one of those good luck medallions on our key chains … so do our kids.” As a result, the room has a personal feel from the photos and posters. Lloyd’s diving helmet is there on loan from the family as well.
https://terranealife.com/paying-homage-television-actor-famous-role-resort-eatery-keeps-legend-alive
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment