Difference between revisions of "Harpy" - New World Encyclopedia
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[[Image:Harpyie.JPG|thumb|right|350px|A [[medieval]] depiction of a Harpy as a bird-woman.]] | [[Image:Harpyie.JPG|thumb|right|350px|A [[medieval]] depiction of a Harpy as a bird-woman.]] | ||
− | '''Harpy''' | + | '''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.<ref> Hamilton, Edith. (1942) "Mythology" ISBN:0316341142</ref> 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]]. |
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+ | ==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. | |
− | + | ==Etymology== | |
− | + | The word Harpy in [[English langauge|English]] comes from the [[Latin]] Harpyia, which in turns derives from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''Άρπυια,'' or Harpuia. Harpy literally translates as "whirlwinds."<ref> (1971) "Oxford English Dictionary" ISBN:76-188038 </ref> | |
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==Theories of origin== | ==Theories of origin== | ||
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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. | 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. | + | 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]]. |
− | == | + | ==Mythology== |
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− | + | [[Image:Harpyje.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Harpy in [[Ulisse Aldrovandi]], ''Monstrorum Historia'' , Bologna, 1642]] | |
− | In [[ | + | Phineas, a [[Monarch|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 (mythology)|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]]. <ref>''[[Argonautica]]'', book II; [[Ovid]] XIII, 710; [[Virgil]] III, 211, 245)</ref> | |
− | + | [[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.<ref>Hamilton, Edith (1942) "Mythology" ISBN:0316341142 </ref> | |
− | + | ==Art and Heraldry== | |
+ | In the [[Middle Ages]], the harpy, often called the "virgin eagle," became a popular [[charge (heraldry)|charge]] in [[heraldry]], particularly in [[East Frisia]], seen on, among others, the [[coat-of-arms|coats-of-arms]] of [[Reitburg]], [[Liechtenstein]], and the [[Cirksena]]s. | ||
− | + | ==Harpies in Literature and Pop Culture== | |
− | In the [[ | + | 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. | |
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==Notes== | ==Notes== |
Revision as of 21:35, 13 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.
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
R.D. Barnett suggests in "Ancient Oriental Influences on Archaic Greece" — an essay in The Aegean and the Near East, Saul S. Weinberg, ed. (Locust Valley, N.Y.,1956) — that the Harpies were originally adapted from the ornaments on bronze caldrons from Urartu:
- These made such an impression in Greece that they seem to have given rise to the siren type in archaic Greek art, and as they appeared to flutter at the rim of such noble cooking vessels, apparently gave rise to the familiar Greek legend of Phineus and the Harpies, who are thus depicted in Greek art. The very name of Phineus, the victim of their persecutions, may be nothing but a corruption of the name of a king of Urartu, Ishpuinish or Ushpina (ca. 820 B.C.E.), who was perhaps associated by the Greek merchants with these vessels [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
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
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