Hephaestus by Brenda To

Q1: Which monsters were created by Hephaestus? What does this show about his personality?

brendato — 2014-10-22 20:13:37 UTC

Hephaestus created automatons (or Colossi), which were monsters crafted out of metal that were brought to life to perform various tasks. The Hippoi Kabeirikoi, one of Hephaestus's monsters, were four horse-shaped automatons made of bronze created to carry the chariot of Calbieri. The Keledones were singing maidens carved of gold. The Khalkotauroi were fire-exhaling bulls created for Aeëtes as a gift. The Kourai Khryseai were maidens chiseled of gold to act as servants. The last monster made by Hephaestus was Talos, a ginormous man made of bronze created to protect Europa Esther.

The Greek God, Hephaestus created the monsters out of resilience. Hephaestus didn't want to be known as a careless Greek God. Most gods/goddesses viewed Hephaestus as incompetent and wanted to prove his value.

Q2: What are Hephaestus' relationships with the other gods/goddesses like? What might that say about relationships in Greek times?

2014-10-24 03:47:49 UTC

Hephaestus is the child of Zeus (king of Olympus) and Hera (queen of Olympus). When he was born, Hera threw Hephaestus out of Olympus because he was physically unattractive. Hephaestus never forgave Hera until he attempted to physically disable her. His brother, however, reasoned with him and Zeus made a compromise with him: If he released Hera, he could marry Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. However, Aphrodite was never physically attracted to Hephaestus.

Throughout Greek mythology, there were many unfaithful relationships and jealousies which inevitably led to revenge. Most gods/goddesses weren't faithful to their spouse. For example, Zeus didn't remain faithful to Hera. In Greek mythology, relationships were not as value as they are to us since the gods are immortal. Relationships between the gods/goddesses were often unstable an untrustworthy.

Q3: What is Hephaestus' backstory and how does it relate to who he is currently?

2014-10-24 03:49:25 UTC

As a youth, Hephaestus had a traumatizing childhood that led to who be became later on. Zeus, his father, had been and had children with other women which angered his wife, Hera. As part of her revenge, Hera gave birth to Hephaestus, however, he was physically unattractive and she couldn't bear to have an ugly child so she threw him out of Mount Olympus and spread rumors saying that Zeus had thrown Hephaestus out. After he'd fallen, he broke both his legs causing him permanent damage; he was crippled and determined to seek revenge. He rode back to Mount Olympus with new thrones for all the gods/goddesses and he gave Hera a particularly beautiful throne made of gold; however, when she sat down, invisible and unbreakable chains bounded her to the point where she couldn't breathe. After discussing with Dionysus, his brother, he finally decides to free his mother and made peace with each other.

Forgiveness doesn't come easily to Hephaestus, he chooses the path of revenge instead. After his fall from Olympus, Hephaestus still chose to get revenge back at his own mother after all the years. However, he is a friendly, peaceful, and reserved god who enjoyed making goods for other gods/man. Hephaestus also has a jealous personality and was often times bitter about how other gods/goddesses perceived him.

husiensstul127 — 2014-10-24 20:34:36 UTC

Hera & Hephaestus Video

brendato — 2014-10-24 20:40:08 UTC

The video tells the myth about Hephaestus and Hera. When Hera gave birth to Hephaestus, she threw him off of Mount Olympus.

Allusion

brendato — 2014-10-24 20:43:18 UTC

This image is from the DIsney animation, Hercules. Hephaestus, in this scene, was creating lightning bolts for Zeus.

Sources

brendato — 2014-10-26 16:14:04 UTC

List of Greek mythological creatures. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation Inc., October 21, 2014. October 24, 2014.

Aaron J. Atsma. Hephaistos. Theoi. Theoi Project, 2011. October 24, 2014.