Examining Family Relationships in Literature Examining...

The human relationship can be interpreted as interpersonal or intimate; stemming from these two classifications are many of the reasons for characteristic development within human nature. By studying literary works we can glimpse into human behavior and learn what actually causes a person’s actions and downfalls. Many of these works have shown the effects a dominant and inferior relationship may cause, ranging from self-independence to parental influence. We’ve seen the defiance of rulers, the mimicking actions of father and son, the comparison of siblings, and the rebellion of a son. Within the play Antigone, we see a relationship that tests the strength of ones personal convictions. We quickly learn that the dominant figure is a†¦show more content†¦Even without a strong father/son relationship, Telemachus begins to exhibit many of the same characteristics his father has, in both appearance and action. â€Å"Now that you mention it, I see the likeness to o†¦Odysseus’ feet were like the boy’s, his hands as well, his glancing eyes, his hand, and the fine shock of hair.† (pg 242) â€Å"Not even an older man could speak and do as well. Your father’s son you are-your words have all his wisdom.† (pg 244) Telemachus also begins to exert himself in a more dominant manner, thus imitating his father. Once returning home with his father, he immediately begins to follow in his father’s footsteps proving that it is within a child’s nature to become similar to that of their parents. Without this relationship a child would not have a superior influence to mold their behavior. Sibling relationships are ones usually of blind loyalty. In The Iliad, Hector exalts this behavior by constantly putting himself in harms way to protect his brother, Paris, who was undoubtedly in the wrong. Even though there was loyalty between the brothers, their relationship was lacking mutual respect. â€Å"Pari s puts on his magnificent bronze-inlaid gear and sprinted with assurance through the city†¦..Gleaming like amber and laughing in his armor.† â€Å"I don’t understand you, Paris. No one could slight your work in battle, you’re a strong fighter, but you slack off-you don’t have the will.† (pg131) Due to this fact, war was brought to Troy and the life ofShow MoreRelatedGreek Mythology8088 Words   |  33 Pages  and  stories  about  them  conveyed  serious  themes.  The  Greeks   considered  human  heroes  from  the  past  closer  to  themselves  than  were  the  immortal  gods.   A   Gods   Given  the  multiplicity  of  myths  that  circulated  in  Greece,  it  is  difficult  to  present  a  single  version  of  the   genealogy  (family  history)  of  the  gods.  However,  two  accounts  together  provide  a  genealogy  that   most  ancient  Greeks  would  have  recognized.  One  is  the  account  given  by  Greek  poet  Hesiod  in  his   Theogony  (Genealogy  of  the  Gods),  written  in  the  8th  century  BC.  The  other  account