Greek Influences

The story of Niobe, another mortal who challenged a deity. She was proud of her children above anything else, and during a feast honoring Latona, the mother of Apollo and Daphne, she declared that a feast honoring her, the best mother of all, should also be done. When the Gods heard this, a fight between Niobe´s sons and Apollo and Daphne broke out, where the mortals ended up losing their lives. Her daughters were also killed when she called Latona inferior to her still, and the intense grief turned Niobe into a stone that still cries.

The next myth I read is titled The Wedding Feast, which talks about the party that took place because of the marriage between Perseus and Andromeda. Phineus, who was previously engaged to Andromeda burst in, claiming their previous agreement. After a fight, Perseus took out Medusa´s head turning some of his friends into stone. When Phineus begged for mercy, Perseus was firm on his decision and turned him into a statue.

The final myth was one that talks about a monster, The Sphinx. Laius, the king of Thebes, was told that his new son would challenge him when he grew up, reason why his murder was ordered. However, the man responsible for it was not capable. A few years later, the king was out for a ride when there was turmoil on the road and he was slayed by his unknowing son, named Oedipus. Not after long, s Sphinx tormented the highroad. Oedipus challenged her, and she asked him a riddle. Oedipus was able to answer it, reason why the sphinx killed herself.

The first and second myths relate because in both of them, characters are turned into stone, both in pitiful conditions. However, I can relate the third myth to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. During the last challenge, although it was not featured in the movie, Harry actually comes face-to-face with a Sphinx, which will only let him pass if he answers a riddle. Of course, he gets it right and is able to reach the cup that takes him to Voldemort, but that it another story. My point is that with each passing myth it becomes easier to realize just how much our lives are based on Greek influences.