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In my world, discussions about leadership often involve debates about the age of politicians and whether they should retire instead of continuously running for office. There's a common joke that Biden can't even speak properly, and Trump is seen as selfish—a sentiment reflected in the meme depicting them as bickering old men from "The Simpsons" as both Biden and Trump are very old. This portrayal highlights how even the most powerful people can be critiqued for their leadership qualities and personal characteristics.

Comparing this to Zeus in classical myth, Zeus is depicted as a powerful ruler of the gods, but his leadership isn't without flaws. He often acts impulsively, makes questionable decisions, and his personal desires sometimes overshadow his responsibilities. Similarly, modern-day political leaders, despite their authority, can be criticized for their shortcomings and self-serving tendencies.

The idea that leadership requires more than just power or status is a common thread between the critiques of both modern politicians and mythological figures like Zeus. It underscores the importance of integrity, empathy, and competence in effective leadership, regardless of the era or setting.

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The discussions about the age of politicians such as Biden and Trump, and whether they are still fit for office, reveal opposition within human society. For example, Biden struggles with speaking clearly, which affects his ability to express himself coherently and representatively as the U.S. President. Inadequate leadership from both candidates, characterized by ignorance and hypocrisy, furthers chaos in the absence of a functioning democracy.

-Catherine Garcia

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By drawing comparisons between criticisms of contemporary political leaders and those of legendary characters, your post underscores opposition within human civilization and illustrates the ongoing assessment of leadership attributes across historical periods. It draws attention to the criticisms leveled at leaders, both historical and modern, for their shortcomings, implying a widespread discontent with leadership that is only centered around power. This resistance highlights the need society has for leaders to possess competence, empathy, and integrity. It also illustrates the ongoing conflict between the ideals of leadership and the sometimes imperfect reality of individuals in positions of authority. You also show how satire and comedy are employed as a manner of expressing and responding to these criticisms, exposing a societal approach to overcoming obstacles in leadership.

-Elvin Shetman

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The role of motherhood is perceived by society as central to a woman's identity, requiring her to prioritize her children over personal aspirations, sometimes without choice. There is also an expectation that mothers adhere to traditional gender roles in caregiving and home duties while taking primary responsibility for raising children alone. In both the classical myth of Demeter and Beyoncé's dedication to her daughter through song, we see deep expressions of maternal devotion and the transformative power of a mother's love.

Similar to mothers in my world who face challenges and sacrifices in raising their children, Demeter, the goddess of fertility and harvest, represents a grieving single mother whose deep despair impacts agriculture, leading to famine, as she experiences the loss of her abducted daughter Persephone. Despite this turmoil, Demeter's determination to be reunited with her daughter demonstrates her strong will and maternal bond that presents her as both a powerful deity, a devoted mother, and depicts the complexities of motherhood within modern and traditional roles through classical myth.

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Beyoncé - Blue (Official Audio) ft. Blue Ivy

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While I agree with some elements of this post, I think we need to be careful not to essentialize motherhood as necessarily a part of a woman's biology, identity, or experience. Demeter suffered due to the loss of her daughter and maternal role, with Rachel Zucker suggesting that Persephone may have chosen to go with Hades in her modern reading of the myth (Eating in the Underworld); whereas Beyonce was a successful and established musical artist well before taking on motherhood. As contrasting female figures, they demonstrate to me some progress being made in deconstructing essentialism, which is foundational to traditional gender roles and patriarchy.

-Dan McElligott

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Blue Oyster Cult's song (Don't Fear) The Reaper expresses death in my world by showing death that is different from the traditional mythical depiction of Hades. The song's lyrics encourage audiences not to fear death because it is a normal part of life's journey and instead embrace it. This is in contrast to the ancient story of Hades, who is frequently portrayed as the harsh ruler of the underworld, a place connected to punishment and the afterlife. The song's theme of accepting mortality with understanding and serenity is in line with contemporary views on death, which, in contrast to the more regimented and occasionally menacing image of Hades in classical mythology, frequently emphasizes embrace and the continuation of existence outside of physical life. Therefore, while the song promotes a calm attitude toward death, classical mythology offers a more intricate and organized story about the afterlife and Hades's role.

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Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper (Official Audio)

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Desire, as represented in the song “High Definition” by Waterparks, is an elusive idea that is craved yet unattainable. Wanting to be loved and being able to love are vastly different. It is also incredibly hard to reciprocate if one can’t even love themselves. This idea can is reflected in Greek mythology surrounding Aphrodite, especially regarding the Erotes that are often depicted beside her. These divine winged beings suggest that the emotions Aphrodite inspires, such as desire and love, are difficult to trap and encompass, powerful yet always out of reach.

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Waterparks - HIGH DEFINITION (Official Music Video)

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Aphrodite appears frequently in modern media and art, given her close association with the timeless concerns of love and lust across human history. I chose the video for Applause by Lady Gaga, the lead single off her third studio album ARTPOP because the art direction and album concept drew heavily from the myths and iconography surrounding Aphrodite (known as Venus to the Romans). The video has Gaga appear in a look inspired by Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus (~1485), a painting that depicts the birth of the goddess from the castrated genitals of Uranus as told in Hesoid’s Theogony. While accounts of her birth vary between sources with Homer attributing the birth of Aphrodite to the union of Zeus and Dione, Gaga made a very deliberate choice for this period of her music with The Birth of Venus, which also appears in small fragments on the album cover. It evokes an understanding of Aphrodite as a primordial force of the erotic within the cosmos and as a symbol of rebirth, out of an era of chaos under Uranus into one eventually characterized by order and stability governed by Zeus with the other Olympian gods and goddesses. Gaga aimed to get back to her pop music roots with the concept and album, bringing into question our basic understanding of the genre and art itself.

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The representation of Aphrodite in Lady Gaga's "Applause" video, drawing inspiration from Sandro Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus," is a manifestation of universal human themes deeply rooted in Greek mythology. Aphrodite, renowned for her association with love, beauty, and desire, embodies concepts that transcend time and culture, thereby resonating with human experiences across millennia.

Primarily, Aphrodite's emergence from the sea foam in Botticelli's painting symbolizes a primordial and elemental force of beauty and desire. This portrayal, steeped in Greek mythology, depicts her genesis from chaos, suggesting a fundamental human fascination with the origins of love and creativity amidst disorder. Such a theme is universal in nature, reflecting humanity's perpetual pursuit to comprehend and harness the power of emotions and attraction.

Furthermore, Aphrodite's role as a goddess affecting love and relationships underscores enduring human aspirations for connection and intimacy. Her myths, whether through her own passionate relationships or her influence over mortals like Paris and Helen in the Trojan War, illustrate the complexities and ramifications of love—a theme Lady Gaga explores through her artistic interpretation.

Lady Gaga's decision to incorporate Aphrodite's imagery into her music video reflects a contemporary fascination with ancient mythological themes that continue to captivate and inspire. By alluding to Botticelli's iconic painting, she aligns her artistic expression with timeless notions of beauty, transformation, and the divine feminine—themes that have captivated humanity since ancient times.

Additionally, Greek mythology often delves into the tension between chaos and order, mirrored in Aphrodite's emergence from Uranus' severed genitals and her subsequent integration into the Olympian order under Zeus. This dichotomy resonates with human experiences of navigating personal and societal upheavals, while endeavoring to find harmony and stability amidst uncertainty.

In summation, Lady Gaga's artistic homage to Aphrodite in "Applause" underscores universal human themes found in Greek mythology, such as the origins of love, the potency of beauty, and the pursuit of order amidst chaos. By intertwining these elements into her music and visuals, Gaga delves into timeless narratives that continuously enrich and challenge our comprehension of human nature and artistic expression.

-Kaley JC