Difference between revisions of "Harpy" - New World Encyclopedia
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | Harpies were often described as bird-like creatures, no smaller than an [[eagle]] but usually not that much larger. They had hooked claws and beaks of a bird, but also left an over-powering stench where ever they went. Later, the harpies were depicted as having the head of a human, being linked to [[gorgon]]s and [[siren]]s as composite creatures, and were usually described as female. | + | Harpies were often described as bird-like creatures, no smaller than an [[eagle]] but usually not that much larger. They had hooked claws and beaks of a bird, but also left an over-powering stench where ever they went. Later, the harpies were depicted as having the head of a human, being linked to [[gorgon]]s and [[siren]]s as composite creatures, and were usually described as female. They are often associated with the wind and air, and thus are sometimes seen as representing the duality of the air: calm and graceful at times, but capable of great destruction and chaos, much as the harpies themselves. |
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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==Theories of origin== | ==Theories of origin== | ||
| − | R.D. Barnett suggests | + | As with many ancient Greek creatures, there is no widespread consensus on how the idea of the harpie originated. The scholar [[R.D. Barnett]] suggests that the Harpies were originally adapted from the ornaments on bronze caldrons from [[Urartu]] |
| − | + | <ref> Bedrosian, Robert G. (2000) [[http://rbedrosian.com/Gmyth.htm Greek Mythology - Myths Concerning Aia"Greek Mythology"]] Retrieved June 15, 2007</ref>. Other scholars point out that this theory is based upon the idea that the Harpies were bird monsters with human heads, which was not true in the original myths. | |
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| − | Other scholars point out that this theory is based upon the idea that the Harpies were bird monsters with human heads, which was not true in the original myths. | ||
In their winged human form, the Harpies are no different from a large number of Greek divinities and as such would not need a special explanation for how they came to be. The later bird composite form is considered by most authors to have been a confusion with an early depiction of the [[Sirens]] as bird women. A Harpy was the mother by the West Wind [[Zephyros]] of the horses of [[Achilles]] (''[[Iliad]]'' xvi. 160). The Harpies were sisters of [[Iris (mythology)|Iris]], daughters of [[Typhon]] and [[Echidna]]. | In their winged human form, the Harpies are no different from a large number of Greek divinities and as such would not need a special explanation for how they came to be. The later bird composite form is considered by most authors to have been a confusion with an early depiction of the [[Sirens]] as bird women. A Harpy was the mother by the West Wind [[Zephyros]] of the horses of [[Achilles]] (''[[Iliad]]'' xvi. 160). The Harpies were sisters of [[Iris (mythology)|Iris]], daughters of [[Typhon]] and [[Echidna]]. | ||
Revision as of 18:57, 16 June 2007
Harpy is the singular form for the creatures called Harpies in Greek mythology, winged-beasts that were sent down by Zeus to punish, most famously the prophet Phineus. They were sometimes refered to as "the hounds of Zeus" for such actions.[1] Like many other second-tier Greek creatures, the harpies were more prominent in art works than in mythological literature, and while they may occasionally be used in popular culture today, they are still most widely remembered for their part in the legendary adventures of Jason and the Agronauts.
Description
Harpies were often described as bird-like creatures, no smaller than an eagle but usually not that much larger. They had hooked claws and beaks of a bird, but also left an over-powering stench where ever they went. Later, the harpies were depicted as having the head of a human, being linked to gorgons and sirens as composite creatures, and were usually described as female. They are often associated with the wind and air, and thus are sometimes seen as representing the duality of the air: calm and graceful at times, but capable of great destruction and chaos, much as the harpies themselves.
Etymology
The word Harpy in English comes from the Latin Harpyia, which in turns derives from the Greek Άρπυια, or Harpuia. Harpy literally translates as "whirlwinds."[2]
Theories of origin
As with many ancient Greek creatures, there is no widespread consensus on how the idea of the harpie originated. The scholar R.D. Barnett suggests that the Harpies were originally adapted from the ornaments on bronze caldrons from Urartu [3]. Other scholars point out that this theory is based upon the idea that the Harpies were bird monsters with human heads, which was not true in the original myths.
In their winged human form, the Harpies are no different from a large number of Greek divinities and as such would not need a special explanation for how they came to be. The later bird composite form is considered by most authors to have been a confusion with an early depiction of the Sirens as bird women. A Harpy was the mother by the West Wind Zephyros of the horses of Achilles (Iliad xvi. 160). The Harpies were sisters of Iris, daughters of Typhon and Echidna.
Mythology
Phineas, a king of Thrace, had the gift of prophesy. Zeus, angry that Phineas revealed too much, punished him by putting him on an island with a buffet of food which he could never eat. The Harpies always arrived and stole the food out of his hands right before he could satisfy his hunger, and befouled the remains. In this form they were agents of punishment who abducted people and tortured them on their way to Tartarus. They were vicious, cruel and violent. They lived on Strophades. They were usually seen as the personifications of the destructive nature of wind. The Harpies in this tradition, now thought of as three sisters instead of the original two, were: Aello ("storm swift"), Celaeno ("the dark") — also known as Podarge ("fleet-foot") — and Ocypete ("the swift wing").
This continued until Jason and the Argonauts arrived on the island. The Boreads, sons of Boreas (the North Wind), who also could fly, succeeded in driving away the Harpies and killing one of them. However, at the request of Iris, the remaining harpies were allowed to leave safely, in return that Phineas would not be bothered by the Harpies again. Thankful for their help, Phineas told the Argonauts how to pass the Symplegades. [4]
Aeneas also encountered the Harpies on the Strophades as they repeatedly made off with the feast the Trojans were setting. Celaeno cursed them, saying the Trojans will be so hungry they will eat their tables before they reach the end of their journey. The Trojans did not fare as well as the Greeks and soon fled in fear.[5]
Art and Heraldry
In the Middle Ages, the harpy, often called the "virgin eagle," became a popular charge in heraldry, particularly in East Frisia, seen on, among others, the coats-of-arms of Reitburg, Liechtenstein, and the Cirksenas.
Harpies in Literature and Pop Culture
Both Dante, and William Shakespeare used Harpies in their works. In the Divine Comedy, in Canto XIII of the Inferno, harpies hound those who have committed suicide, while in "The Tempest," the spirit Ariel disguises himself as a harpy to deliver the message of his master Prospero. Other more contemporary authors have used harpies as well, such as Peter S. Beagle, who wrote "The Last Unicorn" which was also adapted into a succesful animated film of the same name.
The familiar figures of harpies, with their composite form and violent nature, are much employed in video games and other products of market-directed culture.
Notes
- ↑ Hamilton, Edith. (1942) "Mythology" ISBN:0316341142
- ↑ (1971) "Oxford English Dictionary" ISBN:76-188038
- ↑ Bedrosian, Robert G. (2000) [Greek Mythology - Myths Concerning Aia"Greek Mythology"] Retrieved June 15, 2007
- ↑ Argonautica, book II; Ovid XIII, 710; Virgil III, 211, 245)
- ↑ Hamilton, Edith (1942) "Mythology" ISBN:0316341142
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