Week 2 Reading Diary:

I really enjoyed the stories about Phaethon in Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books 1-4):

Phaethon and the Sun: Phaethon really needed a sense of identity, not only to prove to his friends that he was Phoebus Apollo's son, but to also prove to himself that he was more than just a man. Phoebus shows us the danger that can come from making a blank promise when Phaethon asks for far more than Phoebus had expected. Phoebus's inability to break his promise once he has made it is something worth noting. He did not specifically exclude riding the chariot from his offering, so it was technically up for grabs. 

Phaethon's Ride: Despite the numerous warnings from his father, Phaethon still insists on taking the reins of his father's chariot. He is stubborn and foolish. He quickly learns what he wanted was wrong, and the earth suffers greatly for it. The earth pleads to the gods, asking what she has done to deserve the pain.

The Death of Phaethon: Jupiter responds to the pleading of the earth and smites Phaethon and the chariot. Phaethon's sisters mourn his death for four months, but then get turned into trees. His friend mourns his death and gets turned into a swan. Everyone is mad at Jupiter for killing Phaethon. I don't understand why. He had no choice; Phaethon made a foolish decision and was destroying the earth.

Reading Diary Part B

Echo: I have heard the Judgement of Tiresias before. I know that the staff and two snakes are what we see in the symbol for medicine. I enjoyed the dialogue between Echo and Narcissus; it was very creative. Sad thing that she ended up just being another Nymph whose love Narcissus refused. It wasn't even due to her speech impediment; he was just in his own world.

Narcissus: Wow! Fantastic story and a fantastic way to find out where the term "narcissist" comes from! Interesting how he did not know he was looking at his own reflection; he was so convinced that there was a person in the water. He was completely in love with himself and totally detached from reality. I, for one, am glad of his fate; I really can't stand people who are too engulfed in themselves.

Pyramus and Thisbe: I had no idea Romeo and Juliet was based on Greek mythology. I guess no stories are truly original, and all are based on some story before it. I think I liked the lion version better, though. Thisbe really couldn't help that a lion came, whereas I never felt that Juliet should have taken that fake poison without letting Romeo know. Although, I feel that Pyramus and Thisbe's tragedy could have been avoided with a simple phone call. Too bad the technology didn't exist back then.