"Stories never live alone: they are the branches of a family that we have to trace back and forward." (P.10) That single line from this whole chapter describes how much of these mythological stories are conveyed. In the beginning we read the myth of the rape of Europa. Also before I go any further I want to clarify the word "rape." As this is a class on Greek mythology and Robert Calasso had chosen to write his book in a way untainted by the hands of decency censors, some words and scenes might not fall within the realms of social literary norms. Rape in the full definition sense is the act of seizing and carrying off by force. Europa has been taken by Zeus, in a fashion that seems to be a family curse. Europa and her ancestor Io were both taken by Zeus (in the form of a bull) in a way that reveals the gods hubris. Despite being the ones who created the humans and living in a way that befits God-like entities, they live like drunken fraternity boys and jealous high school girls.
The gods are not the only ones who deserve scorn. Men in these tales seem to live a life of care-free ineptitude and possess absolutely no forethought. Take for example Theseus, "Theseus is he who gets up and goes. Not even Helen can hold him, happy prisoner as she is." (P.14) The man can't or won't even stay with a woman, supposedly the most beautiful woman of ancient times, that he just kidnapped. Theseus then goes on with Peirithous to steal the Queen of the Underworld from Hades. That's a great idea. Wouldn't anyone with some for of intelligence perhaps know that as old as Hades is he probably knows much more and is far more cunning than these two fools. Then after I calm down and think, these stories are as much religion as they are education. Take the lesson of these two dunces and don't fool the gods. Take the lessons of Io and Europa and don't tempt the gods with your beauty. Now obviously these don't apply today but they were probably very relevant back then.
