In this paper I want to write about the different elements from Greek mythology that appear in Jeffrey Eugenides' novel Middlesex and their connection to the characters and their lives. I want to show that the author had a certain intention when he chose the names and background of the characters. I will start with the main character of the novel, Calliope, and talk about the different elements that refer to her. Then you can read about some of her family members and how they are connected to Greek mythology in chapter three. The fourth chapter of my paper deals with the journey of Desdemona and Eleutherios. I added a map on page 19 so that it is easier to follow their way. In chapter five I will talk about the genealogical tree of the figures from Greek mythology we can find in the novel and compare it with the relationships of the family members in the novel.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Calliope Helen Stephanides
2.1. Names
2.2. Minotaur
2.3. Hermaphrodite
3. Family
3.1. Grandparents
3.1. Eleutherios Stephanides
3.2. Parents
3.2.1. Tessie Stephanides
3.2.2. Milton Stephanides
4. Smyrna
5. Relationships of the figures
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the integration of Greek mythological elements in Jeffrey Eugenides' novel Middlesex, exploring how these references illuminate the lives and characteristics of the Stephanides family. The central research question investigates whether the author consciously utilized mythological archetypes to provide a subtextual layer to the protagonist's identity and the family's history.
- The role of mythological names and their connection to character fates.
- Transformation and identity as recurrent motifs inspired by Greek legends.
- The symbolic recurrence of the Minotaur in the context of genetic deformity.
- The intersection of incestuous patterns in both the family tree and mythological genealogy.
Excerpt from the Book
2.3. HERMAPHRODITE
Hermaphrodite was the son of Hermes and Aphrodite, which becomes obvious through his name. He was very beautiful so that the water nymph Salmacis fell in love with him, but her advances were refused. When he bathed in her spring she pulled him to the ground and asked the gods to unite their bodies. Her wish was granted and from then on they lived as a being with female breasts and male genitals. The name of Hermaphrodite then became the term for having female and male genitals. The Greek believed that everyone who bathed in the spring of Salmacis would become a hermaphrodite too. The Herder Lexikon Griechische und römische Mythologie the image of a divine creature with both sexes probably has its origin in the Orient.
In Middlesex the term Hermaphrodite is used in its two different meanings. It first appears when Dr. Luce presents Calliope two other Doctors. He uses the medical definition of the term. Narrating Cal already mentions it on page 21. He tells the reader that he would become “the most famous hermaphrodite in history” when the novel is read all over the world. But Calliope first meets the term in her life when she is looking up the term hypospadiac which she has heard when Dr. Luce presented her to two other doctors. She goes to the New York Public library to look up the term and first finds a link to eunuch in the definition. In order to inform herself properly she follows that link and finds another one that she looks up as well.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author outlines the scope of the paper, detailing the intention to link mythological elements to the characters of Middlesex.
2. Calliope Helen Stephanides: This chapter analyzes the protagonist's name, the symbolism of the Minotaur in the story, and the dual identity of the Hermaphrodite.
3. Family: The focus lies on the lineage of the Stephanides family, specifically examining the historical and mythological resonance of the grandparents and parents.
4. Smyrna: This section investigates the symbolic importance of the city of Smyrna as a site of transformation and its mythological counterparts.
5. Relationships of the figures: An examination of the complex genealogical parallels between the Stephanides family tree and the divine family tree of Zeus.
6. Conclusion: A final synthesis confirming that Eugenides intentionally embedded mythological subtexts to define the family’s journey and individual fates.
Keywords
Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides, Greek mythology, Hermaphrodite, Minotaur, Calliope, Stephanides family, transformation, genealogy, incest, identity, narrative subtext, literature analysis, classical references.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the deliberate inclusion of Greek mythological motifs in the novel Middlesex and how they shape the characters and plot.
Which character is at the center of the analysis?
The primary focus is the protagonist, Calliope Helen Stephanides, whose life and identity are interpreted through mythological archetypes.
What is the central research aim?
The aim is to demonstrate that Jeffrey Eugenides did not select character names and backgrounds randomly, but used mythology to provide depth to his narrative.
What methodology is employed?
The study uses comparative literary analysis, mapping the biographical traits of the Stephanides family against their Greek mythological namesakes.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
It covers individual character naming, the recurrence of the Minotaur as a symbol for deformity, and the structural parallels between human and divine family trees.
How would you summarize the core keywords?
Keywords include transformation, incest, genealogy, mythology, and identity, as these reflect the recurring themes of the novel.
How is the myth of the Minotaur applied to the novel's plot?
It is interpreted as a symbolic thread of fear regarding genetic deformities, specifically linked to the family's history of incestuous relationships.
Does the author conclude that the mythological links are intentional?
Yes, the author argues that the parallels are too precise to be accidental, serving as a subtle subtext that enriches the novel's complex structure.
- Citar trabajo
- Denise Ellinger (Autor), 2004, Elements of Greek Mythology appearing in Jeffrey Eugenides' Middlesex, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/32493
