Myth and Literature - 23BENA4 Lesson 3: Birth of Hercules and Echo and Narcissus

 Myth and Literature - 23BENA4

Lesson 3: Birth of Hercules and Echo and Narcissus

Overview

In Tales from Ovid, Ted Hughes retells the myths of Hercules’ birth and the story of Echo and Narcissus from Metamorphoses. The myth of Hercules’ birth is rooted in themes of divine power, strength, and destiny. It introduces Hercules, the son of Zeus, who is destined to become one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology. The story of Echo and Narcissus explores themes of unrequited love, vanity, and self-obsession. In this myth, Echo, a nymph, falls in love with Narcissus, who is too enamored with his own reflection to notice her. Both stories examine the nature of fate, love, and identity in different ways.

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Key Parts of the Stories

1. Birth of Hercules

o Hercules is born to Zeus and a mortal woman, Alcmene. Hera, Zeus’s wife, grows jealous of Hercules and attempts to destroy him. Despite these efforts, Hercules survives and is destined for greatness, showcasing themes of strength, divine intervention, and heroism.

2. Echo and Narcissus

o Echo is a nymph cursed to only repeat the words of others. She falls in love with Narcissus, a handsome young man who falls in love with his own reflection. In the end, Echo fades away, and Narcissus transforms into a flower, symbolizing the dangers of vanity and unrequited love.

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Two-Mark Questions with Answers

1. Who are the parents of Hercules?

o Hercules is the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and a mortal woman named Alcmene.

2. Why is Hera angry with Hercules?

o Hera is angry with Hercules because he is the child of Zeus and a mortal woman, born out of Zeus’s infidelity.

3. What curse does Echo suffer from?

o Echo is cursed to only repeat the words of others, which prevents her from expressing her own feelings directly.

4. Why does Narcissus fall in love with himself?

o Narcissus falls in love with his own reflection, mistaking it for another person, because of his vanity and self-obsession.

5. What ultimately happens to Narcissus?

o Narcissus becomes enchanted with his own reflection and eventually withers away, transforming into a flower.

6. How does Hercules survive Hera’s attempt to destroy him?

o Hercules’ strength and divine protection allow him to survive Hera’s attempts to harm him, illustrating his destined greatness.

7. What happens to Echo after she is rejected by Narcissus?

o Echo is heartbroken by Narcissus’s rejection and fades away until only her voice remains.

8. What does the story of Narcissus symbolize?

o The story of Narcissus symbolizes the dangers of vanity and self-obsession.

9. Why is Hercules destined for greatness?

o Hercules is destined for greatness due to his divine heritage as the son of Zeus, which grants him exceptional strength and resilience.

10. What does the transformation of Narcissus into a flower signify?

o The transformation of Narcissus into a flower signifies the consequences of excessive self-love and the idea of beauty fading with time.

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Five-Mark Questions with Answers

1. Describe the circumstances of Hercules’ birth and Hera’s anger toward him.

o Hercules is born from the union of Zeus and Alcmene, a mortal woman. His birth sparks Hera’s jealousy and anger, as he represents another of Zeus’s infidelities. Hera sees Hercules as a reminder of Zeus’s unfaithfulness and attempts to destroy him, sending serpents to his cradle. However, even as an infant, Hercules demonstrates his divine strength by strangling the serpents, symbolizing his destined role as a hero and his resilience against adversity.

2. Explain Echo’s curse and its impact on her life.

o Echo is cursed by Hera to only repeat the words spoken by others, preventing her from fully expressing herself. This curse isolates Echo, as she cannot communicate her own thoughts and feelings. Her inability to articulate her love for Narcissus makes her suffering worse, as she can only echo his words without conveying her emotions. The curse highlights the tragic nature of Echo’s love, symbolizing unfulfilled desires and the pain of unrequited love.

3. What is the moral lesson in the story of Narcissus?

o The story of Narcissus serves as a warning against vanity and excessive self-love. Narcissus becomes so enamored with his reflection that he ignores the love of others, including Echo. His inability to see beyond himself ultimately leads to his downfall, as he wastes away, consumed by his own reflection. This story illustrates the dangers of narcissism and the importance of humility and compassion, showing that an obsession with oneself can lead to isolation and self-destruction.

4. How does Hughes portray the theme of transformation in Echo and Narcissus?

o Hughes uses transformation in the story to reflect the consequences of human emotions. Echo, heartbroken and rejected, fades away, leaving only her voice. Narcissus, meanwhile, is transformed into a flower, symbolizing the fleeting nature of beauty and life. These transformations serve as metaphors for the effects of unrequited love and self-obsession, showing how such feelings can consume individuals and alter their existence.

5. Discuss the significance of Hercules’ strength and resilience in his myth.

o Hercules’ strength and resilience are central to his identity as a hero. Even as a baby, he demonstrates his exceptional power by strangling serpents sent by Hera. This resilience foreshadows his later heroic feats, where he overcomes incredible challenges and completes the famous Twelve Labors. Hughes emphasizes these qualities to highlight the theme of divine destiny and the importance of perseverance, showing how Hercules’ unique abilities make him a symbol of courage and heroism.

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Essay Question with Detailed Answer

Essay Question: Analyze the themes of love, vanity, and destiny in the myths of Hercules and Echo and Narcissus from Ted Hughes’ Tales from Ovid. How do these themes reflect human nature?

• Introduction:

o Ted Hughes’ Tales from Ovid captures the timeless myths of Hercules’ birth and the tragic story of Echo and Narcissus, both of which explore complex themes of love, vanity, and destiny. Hercules represents the theme of divine destiny and the strength needed to overcome challenges, while the story of Echo and Narcissus illustrates the dangers of unrequited love and self-obsession. These myths provide insights into human nature, showing how individuals grapple with their desires, identities, and relationships. Through his retelling, Hughes highlights how these ancient stories continue to resonate with universal truths about the human condition.

• Subtitles and Explanations:

1. Hercules and the Theme of Destiny

 Hercules’ life is marked by divine intervention and destiny from birth. As the son of Zeus, he is destined for greatness and must overcome Hera’s hostility. Hughes presents Hercules as a figure shaped by fate, who embodies resilience and courage. This theme of destiny emphasizes the idea that certain individuals are bound for specific paths, reflecting beliefs about fate and the heroic journey.

2. Strength and Perseverance in Hercules’ Myth

 Hercules’ strength is both physical and symbolic, representing his inner resolve. His perseverance, even as an infant facing Hera’s wrath, foreshadows his future as a hero. Hughes uses Hercules’ strength to convey the importance of resilience, suggesting that heroes are defined not only by their abilities but also by their determination to overcome obstacles.

3. Echo’s Curse and Unrequited Love

 Echo’s love for Narcissus, combined with her curse, symbolizes the pain of unrequited love. Unable to express herself, Echo is forced to watch Narcissus fall deeper into his own self-obsession. Hughes portrays Echo’s suffering as a reminder of the anguish that can come from loving someone who cannot reciprocate, a theme that resonates with universal experiences of loss and rejection.

4. Narcissus and the Dangers of Vanity

 Narcissus’ self-obsession leads to his downfall, as he becomes entranced by his reflection. Hughes uses this story to critique vanity and self-love, showing how excessive pride and focus on one’s appearance can lead to isolation. Narcissus’ fate serves as a warning, illustrating the consequences of failing to see beyond oneself.

5. Transformation as a Reflection of Inner Qualities

 In both stories, transformation symbolizes the characters’ inner qualities. Hercules’ strength leads to his heroic role, while Narcissus’ vanity causes him to wither and become a flower. Echo’s transformation into a voice signifies the lingering pain of unrequited love. These transformations reflect how character traits shape individuals’ destinies, suggesting that actions and emotions have lasting impacts.

6. Human Relationships and Isolation

 Both myths explore the theme of isolation—Hercules as a unique figure set apart by his strength, and Echo and Narcissus separated by their respective obsessions. Hughes emphasizes the ways in which love, pride, and fate can isolate individuals, reflecting the challenges of human relationships.

7. The Role of Divine Influence

 Divine influence plays a major role in both stories, shaping the destinies of Hercules, Echo, and Narcissus. Hera’s actions against Hercules and the curse placed on Echo highlight how gods affect mortal lives, underscoring themes of fate and intervention. Hughes uses divine influence to show how higher powers impact human affairs, shaping lives in ways beyond individual control.

8. Moral Lessons in Vanity and Self-Love

 Narcissus’ fate serves as a moral lesson on the dangers of excessive self-love. His inability to love others ultimately leads to his own destruction, illustrating the pitfalls of vanity. Hughes presents this theme as a caution against focusing solely on oneself, emphasizing the need for humility and empathy.

9. Echo’s Tragic End as a Symbol of Longing

 Echo’s transformation into a voice symbolizes her endless longing for Narcissus and the pain of unrequited love. Her fate reflects the suffering that comes from unfulfilled desires, resonating with universal themes of love and loss. Hughes captures the poignancy of her story, showing how unrequited love can leave lasting echoes.

10. Universal Appeal of the Myths

 Hughes’ retelling emphasizes the timeless nature of these stories, as themes of destiny, love, and vanity continue to resonate with modern readers. Through Hercules’ strength and Narcissus’ downfall, Hughes illustrates universal aspects of human nature, showing how myth can serve as a mirror for our own desires and shortcomings.

• Conclusion:

o In Tales from Ovid, Ted Hughes captures the enduring themes of love, vanity, and destiny in the stories of Hercules and Echo and Narcissus. These myths reflect human experiences and emotions, illustrating the power of myth to reveal truths about the human condition. By exploring themes of strength, unrequited love, and self-obsession, Hughes brings ancient characters to life, making them relatable and relevant to readers today. Through these timeless narratives, Hughes reminds us of the importance of humility, resilience, and the connections that shape our lives.