Musical Epics, a Reincarnation of Sappho, and Kaos... Your Questions, My Answers
Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! Greek & Roman Mythology Retold
Deep Dive
Why hasn't Liv listened to Epic: The Musical?
Liv hasn't listened to Epic: The Musical because her attention span struggles with musicals unless she's watching them live. She also feels that consuming such content becomes a job when listeners expect her to discuss it, which conflicts with her ADHD and autism tendencies.
What are Liv's thoughts on Netflix's Chaos?
Liv has only seen the first episode of Chaos and enjoyed it, but she hasn't watched more due to her current stress and inability to focus on new content. She plans to watch it soon and hopes to discuss it with a guest in the future.
How does Liv view Sappho's queerness and its erasure?
Liv believes Sappho was unquestionably queer, as her writings include love poems for women. She thinks the erasure of Sappho's queerness still happens today, but it's nonsensical given that terms like 'lesbian' and 'sapphic' are derived from her. She finds it absurd to suggest Sappho was straight.
What does Liv think about AI in mythology and literature?
Liv is strongly against using AI to interpret ancient texts or mythology, as she believes AI cannot understand the human condition. While AI might have some uses in reading damaged texts, she doesn't think it should be relied on for interpreting the meaning of words or human creativity.
What is Liv's take on Clytemnestra's divine parentage and its role in the curse of the House of Atreus?
Liv notes that Clytemnestra's divine parentage is contested in the sources. While Helen is often considered the daughter of Zeus, Clytemnestra is not. Liv doesn't think Zeus cared about the curse on the House of Atreus, and she finds the idea of Artemis demanding Iphigenia's sacrifice as part of the curse to be speculative.
How does Liv interpret the Greeks' views on death and Hades?
Liv believes the Greeks weren't afraid of death or Hades, as the underworld wasn't seen as a place of eternal punishment. Hades was neutral, representing the world of the dead, and was also associated with wealth due to the riches found in the earth. The Greeks viewed Hades as tied to geology and science rather than fear or punishment.
What does Liv think about the interpretation of Odysseus as a victim of sexual assault by Circe and Calypso?
Liv agrees with the listener that the argument for Odysseus being a victim of sexual assault by Circe and Calypso doesn't hold much weight. She sees Odysseus as willingly engaging with both Circe and Calypso, though she acknowledges the complexity of the situation with Calypso.
How does Liv view the relationship between Greek mythology and religion?
Liv distinguishes between mythology and religion, noting that while mythology is the story of the gods, religion involves worship and rituals. She believes both can coexist, as evidenced by the physical remains of Greek worship practices. She also sees parallels between modern fandoms like Harry Potter and ancient religious practices, as both involve storytelling, community, and ritualistic behavior.
- Delay in Q&A episode release due to move to Toronto
- Challenges of settling into a new home with ADHD
- Recording in a new room
Shownotes Transcript