Lyric Poetry

Definition

• Short poems accompanied by the lyre or other musical instrument

• Epic poetry differences-subject matter

• Two main forms– Choral– Monodic

Archilocus

• Life on the frontier

• Other themes

• Bawdy poems

Hesiod

Hesiod

• Theogony

• Works and Days

Sappho

• Most celebrated of the lyric poets

• Personal life

• As a poet

Pindar

• Victory odes

Alkman

• Choral odes

Alcaeus

• Civil wars

• Wine, women, and song

Alcaeus and Sappho

Solon

• Political poetry

Theognis

• Conservative poet

• Many laments

Gods and Mythology

Attributes

• Human-like

• Benevolent

• No priests

• Gods in common

• Origination

Hades/Persephone

• Similar to Isis/Osiris

Oracle of Delphi

• Source of prophecy and wisdom

• Questions

Getting the Gods Mad

• Hubris

• Ate

• Oath-breaking

Sacrifices

• Procedure

Greek Beliefs

• Mankind most important

• Heaven

Creation Legend

• Many stories

• Hesiod

Zeus

• Father of gods and men

• Philanderer

Hera

• Relationship with Zeus

• Protector of womankind

Poseidon

• God of oceans

Hades

• Underworld

• Persephone

Myths

• Heroes/heroines

• Rituals

• Reversals

• As history

Gods and Mythology

Attributes

• Human-like

• Benevolent

• No priests

• Gods in common

• Origination

Hades/Persephone

• Similar to Isis/Osiris

Oracle of Delphi

• Source of prophecy and wisdom

• Questions

Getting the Gods Mad

• Hubris

• Ate

• Oath-breaking

Sacrifices

• Procedure

Greek Beliefs

• Mankind most important

• Heaven

Creation Legend

• Many stories

• Hesiod

Zeus

• Father of gods and men

• Philanderer

Hera

• Relationship with Zeus

• Protector of womankind

Poseidon

• God of oceans

Hades

• Underworld

• Persephone

Myths

• Heroes/heroines

• Rituals

• Reversals

• As history