Introduction
The imagery of hybrid species, encompassing a wide array of bizarre anatomical combinations feature in numerous Greco-Roman myths. These hybrid creatures typically possess humanoid parts alongside beastly characteristics, which intuitively seem to exhibit a certain principle. The true nature of the creatures remains unclear; they may have inhabited alternate dimensions of reality or constituted a fruit of wild imagination completely – regardless of that, deeper symbolism is lurking behind all of them. The question of understanding the reason for the creation of Chimeras, Sirens, Harpies, Centaurs, Pegasuses, and Hippocampuses lies in unraveling the influences that they were incepted from – as well as their designated role in the myth and the reason behind it.
Key Features
The distinct bodily elements differ significantly in every mythical creature; however, there is a number of unifying principles of design in all of them. Retaining speech apparatus and upper body that of a human provides them with a connection to the human world. There is an evident trend in the design of the creatures that employ wit, deceit, and seduction to have a human head. Centaurs, Harpies, and Sirens, with the latter being “daughters of the Muse Melpomene and Achelous, women in the upper parts of their bodies but bird below” constitute a great example (Pseudo-Hyginus 125). Female creatures usually employ seductive techniques to manipulate men into death at their hands; however, not all of them follow that route. Scylla, a monstrous creature, with “twelve feet all dangling down, six long necks and heads, and in each head a triple row of crowded and close-set teeth,” hunts for bypassing travelers (Odyssey, Homer, 54). Thus, non-monstrous creatures tend to retain their most recognizable human features; typically, their limbs belong to some animal.
Other mythological creatures, such as the Minotaur and Scylla, have less anatomically correct humanoid features and, therefore, are categorized as monsters in Greek and Roman mythology. They usually pose as a brute opposing force, with a debatable level of condolence required of the reader being presented with their death. Creatures of both monstrous and humanoid appearance are contributing to the narrative in a profound way.
The Creatures’ Connection to Greco-Roman Mentality
More often than not, the chimeric beasts serve as a composite symbol of characteristics of everything evil, with a “fairly straightforward action of repelling bad and attracting good” (Posthumus 73). The symbolism can explain this that the Greeks and Romans instilled into these chimeric forms – by making them hideous in appearance, they made them adepts of disharmony, disruptive of the natural order. Through this symbolism, the reader can see Greco-Roman political and social philosophy and their reverence of order and their beliefs concerning aesthetics of the human form, which these creatures broke.
Aside from that quite obvious function, every creature contained a particular belief that influenced its nature in Greco-Roman myth. For instance, Pegasus was associated with the sea because Greeks believed that Poseidon’s chariot was dragged across the ocean floor by horses with brass hooves (Homer, Illiad). Another example is related to Centaurs – they are perceived as barbaric creatures that are only fond of women and wine. Plutarch illustrates these principles, “when these were flown with insolence and wine, and laid hands upon the women, and the Lapithae took vengeance upon them” (Plutarch, 30). Supposedly, such a difference in symbolism may come from Centaurs originally being connected to the image of Satyrs, which bore similar characteristics.
The Role of Chimeric Creatures in Myth
Although the most evident role, as has been mentioned before, lies in serving the antagonizing purpose and a chance for the hero to exemplify their outstanding qualities, it is not limited to it. They can appear in crucial moments, serving as means for the hero’s metamorphosis, as is the case in many epic poems. However, it is not always the case – various creatures have more functions. In many Greek myths, monsters serve as guards of a certain location or object: for instance, Cerberus guards the gates of Hades, and Lernean Hydra protects the entrance into the Underworld (Posthumus 2018). In such a role, they are not advocating chaos and exhibiting their untamed nature, but instead, prove to be servants of divine order – which, inevitably, the human hero disrupts.
Conclusion
Hence, various mythological creatures serve a number of functions in the realm of Greco-Roman myth. From being a hostile force characteristic of chaos and disorder to serving a symbolic purpose of Greco-Roman ideals of socio-political order. They also exemplify a number of influences borrowed from a more archaic Greek belief as well as assimilated traditions. Typically, the chimeric creatures appear in certain parts of the epic story that provoke the hero to test his strengths, allowing him to prove himself. Despite this function being persistent in many myths, creatures and monsters also serve as guardians of the threshold areas, those that humans should not cross. In these circumstances, their role is significantly shifted – here, they become devout protectors of the natural law and not chaotic forces.
References
Homer, the Odyssey. Translated by Butler, Samuel. Perseus, 1900. Perseus E-book. Web.
–, the Illiad. Translated by Murray, Alan. Harvard University Press, 1900. Perseus E-book. Web.
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae. Translated and edited by Grant, Mary. University of Kansas Press, 1960.
Plutarch, Theseus. Translated by. Perrin, Bernadette. Harvard University Press, 1914. Perseus e-book. Web.
Posthumus, Liane. Hybrid monsters in the classical world: the nature and function of hybrid monsters in Greek mythology, literature and art. 2018. Purdue, master’s thesis.
Battery Recycling And Its Impact On Our Future
Promoting and advancing the industry of battery recycling has become highly significant in the modern world. The famous international automobile manufacturing companies have started to produce electric vehicles, and the number has continued to grow ever since. However, the benefit of reducing carbon emissions does not outweigh the harm lithium-ion batteries bring to the environment, “batteries cannot be treated like normal waste; they are flammable and could release toxic chemicals into the environment” (Hunt, par. 6). Consequently, recycling such mechanisms can reclaim the following elements: nickel, cobalt, and even lithium that can be used in further production by the sustainable automotive industry (Hunt, par. 5). In addition, the recycling companies opt to discover efficient methods for enabling batteries’ reuse and eliminating harmful waste of their elements.
As a matter of fact, the topic of battery recycling itself is fascinating as people can understand the harm these little devices are capable of bringing. Consequently, the significance of eliminating harmful elements from the used batteries is increasing daily. Thus, after reading this piece of news, one might learn new information about the materials used to produce these mechanisms. I believe it to be surprising how different types of companies can seek collaboration with recycling companies to yield benefits not only for them but also for our society. It seems shocking that the problem of scarce resources becomes more evident so that the organizations need to recover the valuable elements from recycled items to replicate them further.
Overall, the topic of recycling batteries seems highly significant for protecting our future today. In other words, as devices bring harm to the environment, they simultaneously negatively affect our society. As a result, the advancement of the companies focused on eliminating the disadvantages of battery usage is crucial in the modern world. Furthermore, such methods are beneficial for retrieving valuable materials from mechanisms in the process, considering that most elements employed for battery production are becoming scarce. Consequently, manufacturing companies might implement the retrieved materials to produce further tools to enable society to use electrical products in the future.
Work Cited
Hunt, Katie. “The Rapid Rise of Electric Vehicles Could Lead to a Mountain of Battery Waste.” CNN News, 2019, Web.
The Effects Of Globalization On The Environment
The far-reaching consequences of globalization can sometimes be very obscure. Just like preeminent technological developments, globalization contributes to civilization as a whole but also inconveniences others. In terms of global trade, helps in reducing the isolation of poor countries by increasing specialization, it expands access to information through trade, increases the pace of operations in the commercial, technological and financial sectors. According to Oyekola (2018), “With globalization, more jobs can be created” (p. 86). These can be termed the positive effects of globalization.
Be that as it may, “economic activities carried out by humans such as agriculture, construction, fossil fuel burning, solid waste generation, and mining are causing harm not only to human life but also to the environment” (Rashid, 2021), and can be termed as negative effects of globalization in different countries. The extraction of non-renewable and renewable natural resources leads to the degradation of the environment, destruction of habitats through deforestation and mining, increase in the gap between the rich and poor countries.
References
Oyekola, I. A. (2018). Culture and globalization. In O. A. Ogunbameru, A. L. Adisa & D. S. Adekeye (Eds.), Cross-Cultural Management: A multi-disciplinary approach (pp. 81-102). Obafemi Awolowo University Press.
Rashid, M. (2021). A brief perspective on globalization.