The smirky, smarmy charm of Atë!
September 4th, 2016 at 11:03:48 AM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 | Homer's Iliad (Book 19) depicts Atë as the eldest daughter of Zeus (with no mother mentioned). On Hera's instigation, Atë used her influence over Zeus so that he swore an oath that on that day a mortal descended from him would be born who would become a great ruler. Hera immediately arranged to delay the birth of Heracles and to bring forth Eurystheus prematurely. In anger Zeus threw Atë down to earth forever, forbidding her return to heaven or to Mt. Olympus. Atë then wandered about, treading on the heads of men rather than on the earth, wreaking havoc on mortals. And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side come hot from hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial. - Only one of Shakespeare's speech to include Atë. Why is Atë so completely missing from the commercial world of media about the supernatural? Loki (Thor's brother) the Norwegian god who is the equivalent to Greek goddess Atë is fairly prominent. |
September 4th, 2016 at 11:53:23 AM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25010 | 'Treading on the heads' might be a reason. What does that even mean. And she's a woman, not a sexy guy with a big hammer. Women are never very believable when they do superhero guy type stuff. They usually come across as super lesbians. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
September 4th, 2016 at 12:17:47 PM permalink | |
Fleastiff Member since: Oct 27, 2012 Threads: 62 Posts: 7831 | These days being a lesbian would assure box office revenue. I do however think treading on men's heads is figurative as in after defeating them in battle or something and being elevated or elated at victory of a man. Neither Homer nor Shakespeare were ever known as sticklers for the truth. The Globe Theater was the ante-room of a whorehouse so who really needed precision in such circumstances. |
September 4th, 2016 at 1:40:06 PM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
Another translation of the illiad says she "pass through men's minds".
Certainly she is as interesting as Amazons In Greek mythology, (Greek: Ἀμαζόνες ) who were a race of woman warriors. Wonder Woman is an Amazon.
I don't think they ever claimed to be. Historical information was just material for Shakespeare to build his characters.
I know that the Globe was in a rough section of town south of the river, where there were certainly whore houses as well as bear-baiting rings. Shakespeare certainly made vulgar double entendre's to appeal to all classes of people, but I never heard the ante-room reference. |
September 5th, 2016 at 2:45:20 AM permalink | |
odiousgambit Member since: Oct 28, 2012 Threads: 154 Posts: 5055 |
says right there, because the gods were angry. Always explains a lot. How do you pronounce Atë anyway? I'm Still Standing, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah [it's an old guy chant for me] |
September 5th, 2016 at 6:24:03 AM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
Parentage isn't as clear cut with Greek gods. Athena sprang forth from the head of Zeus, fully grown and armed. Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
September 5th, 2016 at 6:43:02 AM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
The "Let Slip the Dogs of War" Speech is about 1.5 minutes, and Atë is at around 1 minute. Pronounced Ah-tay with emphasis on last syllable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgcI-iGO0TQ Classic image of the goddess, and a rare modern image with her walking on the heads of men. |