Abstract
This paper explains that American icons are a symbol of things that the society holds in high value and that are desired by the masses. The paper discusses Jim Morrison, the lead singer of the innovative rock group "The Doors", who, alongside the cultural icons of decades past, holds his ground firmly and with a true rock-n-roll flair. The paper contends that Morrison has many traits that can be identified as truly iconographic and he is the embodiment of American myths and values, both in his life and in his death.

From the Paper
"Many people mistakenly believe that mythology is dead and an aspect of ancient culture that no longer exists in our society. However, mythology of our culture is being written (and rewritten) every day, the heroes and heroines of today's mythology may also be known as American Icons. An American icon is defined as someone who has transcended popular or celebrity status to become a true mythological figure with "cultural significance that goes beyond any particular qualities he... might have." (Maasik & Solomon) American icons are a symbol of things that our society holds in high value, and that are desired by the masses. An American icon is a symbol of the American Dream itself in some way, and by giving esteem and power to these icons, Americans reinforce the belief that important values and goals are both active and attainable, and everything is somehow OK."

Tags:doors, mythology, celebrity

Abstract
This paper discusses the gods Odin, Thor and Loki, and the parts that they played in Norse mythology. The writer explains how Odin, the most important figure and the creator in the Norse pantheon, became known as the Almighty or All-Father, and the wisest of all the gods. Thor, the god of thunder, and his magic hammer and goats, are also described. The writer explains how Loki, originally from a different race, acquired godhood by becoming Odin's blood brother, and eventually caused the downfall of the Aesir gods through his malicious acts. Ragnarokk, the day of reckoning for the gods, is also described.

Outline:
Introduction
Aesir Gods
Thor - The God of Thunder
Loki - The God of the Jotun Race
Ragnarokk - Destiny of the Gods
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In Asgard the land of the gods Thor was good natured, kind and had a beautiful wife named Sif who ripened seeds after Thor's thunder showers. They also had two sons Magni and Modi who were almost as strong as their father. Thor was the strongest of all the gods and also the protector of the gods and also the people on Midgard, he ruled over all the wars on Midgard and chose who would be the winner in each war. He protected the gods and humans by smashing jotuns and trolls with his magic hammer. He also had an iron mitt to protect his hand and a magic belt that made him twice as strong."

Tags:Yggdrasil, Jotun, Midgard, wisdom, runic, sepent

Abstract
This paper discusses the play "Antigone," written by Sophocles and first performed in Athens around 440 B.C.E. The writer describes the drama in detail and discusses some of its main themes, such as the power of upholding morality, the conflict between Antigone's moral values and Creon's immoral tyranny, and Antigone's conflict with male chauvinism. The writer concludes that Antigone's spirit permeates every woman today who courageously continues to struggle against continued bias and discrimination against women.

From the Paper
"Therefore, Sophocles' tragedy of Antigone really encompasses the major theme of an apparently insoluble problem of whether the rights of the state are of greater importance than that of the rights of the individual common man and/or woman. Sophocles' Antigone clearly can be considered a work sympathetic to feminism. This is because of its portraying the unrelenting courage and fearless defiance exhibited by Antigone, in her wanting to have her brother Polynices' body buried regardless of the consequences to her as a woman because of defying the higher male authority of Creon, who unjustly imposed an immoral ruling not to have Polynices' body decently buried."

Tags:Oedipus, tragic, confrontation, dominance, sexist, mortal, democratic, inhumanity, human, tradition

Abstract
This paper explains that playwright Aristophanes, author of "Clouds", instead of speaking in rhetoric as other scholars did in Plato's dialogue "Symposium", devises an entertaining myth about the origins of man. Aristophanes seems to propose an idea of love, free from the virtue; however, the author believes that Aristophanes' stance on love is very different from it appears. Aristophanes begins his discourse on love by describing that there originally were three different genders: males, females and androgynous. The paper analyzes the story and the reaction of the other scholars represented in this ancient dialogue.

From the Paper
"Aristophanes begins his speech by talking about the complete human being. The complete human being was actually two of today's human beings, and they were much stronger. This suggests a type of harmony between two human beings that is not seen in the split humans. It is odd that Plato writes that Aristophanes was scheduled to speak after Pausanias, but was unable because of hiccups. Eryximachus then takes his spot and speaks of love as harmonies. I think this is a key to the fact love is seen more in the harmony of the original human beings, rather than in the split human beings that are purely concerned with sex. It is said that these beings are more powerful and have a concept of overtaking the gods."

Tags:intercourse, agathon, harmony, disapproval, wholeness

Abstract
This paper explains that the statue of Flora embodies Roman contradictory attitudes towards female fertility and sexuality; sexuality was desirable for familial propagation, but female liberality in the sexual sphere was something Roman society wished to contain. The author points out that Flora, like most Roman deities, has a counterpart in Greek mythology called Chloris, who was mainly known as the relatively minor wife of the West Wind Zephyr, but Flora, who became much more important than the West Wind in Rome, was not Zephyr's wife, but his consort. The paper relates that the connection between sowing and open sexuality might be why prostitutes adopted Flora's festival as their own because, in an interesting twist, at an agricultural festival meant to honor the flowers, land, soil, and toil of farmers, part of the festival honoring Goddess Flora was held during the night, so prostitution became a more important component of the celebration.

From the Paper
"Flora wears a transparent-like garment that emphasizes and conceals the nudity of her figure in its artful drapes and beckons the gazer in a friendly and alluring way. Her palm turned open, as if making an offering. She wears a garland of flowers in her hair, as is typical of all statues of the goddess Flora. She strikes the viewer as both sensual, yet also motherly, traditional and womanly. She is nude and provocative in the way she extends her grasping hand to the gazer, but not intimidating in her beauty."

Tags:mother, virgin, whore, viewer, consort

Abstract
This paper explains that all myths can be divided into two categories. The first category is explanatory myths, which explain everything from the creation of the world to the color of certain birds, often as a substitute for science, and many times contain a moral for human behavior. The author relates that the other category is called adventure myths, which exalt legendary heroes, some of whom are real figures, with supernatural powers and serve as an example for others to follow. The paper points out that both religion and myths generally deal with man's attempt to explain the universe and natural phenomena, often ascribing action to one or more deities or other supernatural forces. Color illustration.

From the Paper
"Since the beginning, people have tried to understand the reasons why certain things happen. For instance, why and when the earth was created, why the day changes to night, where humans came from, and who created them. Today, people have science to answer for many of these questions about the world around them. But in ancient times, along with some places in the world today, people lacked the knowledge to come up with these scientific explanations. Therefore, they have to explain natural events in stories about gods, goddesses, and heroes. These stories are called myths."

Tags:fairy, knowledge, adventure, explanatory, moral

Abstract
This paper explains that, although native to different civilizations, Noah to the Hebrews and Utnapishtim to the Babylonians, these two stories are very similar to each other, with only specific details being different. he author points out that these similarities have brought some people to believe that one of the stories developed from a copy of the other story. The paper states that these stories tell of the power of the all-powerful God or god of the people and how the people are afraid to displease their divine power.

From the Paper
"There are many similarities between the two flood stories. In both stories, the divine are annoyed with humanity. In the book of Genesis, God notices man has become sinful and wicked in their actions and thoughts. In Gilgamesh, the divine assembly find humankind too numerous and noisy. In an effort to rid the earth of humankind, both stories tell of a flood that will destroy everything including animals.
However, in each story, a righteous man finds favor with God and has his life spared. In the book of Genesis, God finds favor with Noah and warns him of his plans to destroy the world. In Gilgamesh, Ea does not agree with Enlil and his plans to flood the earth so he warns Utnapishtim, through a dream, of Enlil's plan. After finding out about the flood, Noah and Utnapishtim both build arks using the specifications provided to them and bring in every living creature into the ark."

Tags:ark, babylonians, hebrews, message, birds

Abstract
This paper explains that the Greek god Apollo represents archery, music and the sun. The author points out that, by being raised on the island of Delos, he was trained by Themis to develop god-like skills away from other Olympian gods and the lower mortals of Earth. The paper relates that, by being the son of Zeus and Leto, Apollo had the powers of both a Titan and Olympian, making him unusually powerful within the pantheon of Greek Gods.

Tags:apollo, god, sun

Abstract
Ancient Rome had an impressive and varied musical tradition. There were many different traditions in Roman music and many different situations in which music was used by the Romans. The paper shows that music was often played at large events at which masses of people gathered, such as gladiatorial fights, festivals and banquets. There was also a tradition of popular music for stringed instruments, such as the kithara, which greatly resembles our modern guitar. The paper shows that there was also a tradition of more refined classical-type chamber music that was played for the wealthy and the important citizens of Rome at gatherings and parties. In order to accommodate so many diverse styles of music, it was necessary that the Romans develop an impressive array of musical instruments proper to each style. The paper discusses the instruments developed by the Romans, including the lyre, the harp, the kithara, the lute, the flute, the panpipes and the tympani, as well as trumpets and vast array of different percussive instruments. The paper shows that these instruments, many of which antedate Roman society, were employed in Roman music for a variety of different ends and with a series of different purposes, all of which testifies to the complexity and impressive diversity that comprises the Roman musical tradition.

From the Paper
"The kithara was perhaps the most famous, oft-used, and most romanticized instrument played by Roman musicians. The most impressive players of the kithara were said to be able to literally make the instrument weep through their deft manipulation of the strings. The kithara was very similar to our modern guitar, and, indeed, the word guitar can trace its etymology back to the roman word kithara. The kithara was larger than either the lyre or lute and it was also heavier. The kithara, however, was also able to be tuned much more precisely than either of those instruments could be and it was loud and had a more trebly and piercing tone that distinguished it from those other instruments. Popular players of the kithara who wrote and sang songs were known as the citharista, and the most popular of them were respected and lauded as much as the popular musical virtuosos of our own day are. The number of strings was at least more than the lute, but the evolution of the guitar up till the present day has included changes in the number of strings on the instrument."

Tags:Tympanis, Jupiter, Metamorphasis

Abstract
This paper discusses the development of Theseus and his myth which resulted in his becoming a founder-hero, credited with uniting the tribes of Attica to form the Athenian polis. The writer explains how the story of Theseus grew and was modified as the city he represented grew and was re-created after Athens' own ideals and in her own image. Plutarch's "Life of Theseus" already shows developments and additions as it relates variants, some conflicting, of some of Theseus' actions. Many of these changes attempt to explain certain less than heroic actions by Theseus, and others are aimed at representing Theseus as the Heracles of Attica. The writer concludes that the incorporation of Theseus in recent novels shows that the myth still posses qualities that are of interest to modern society.

From the Paper
"Perhaps the most well-known and recognized adventure or deed of Theseus was his battle with the Cretan Minotaur. This event is also shown to have been added to, changed and developed as different writers have told their own story and present us with a number of different variants. Plutarch presents us first with the view in which he says "most writers agree on" . This was that tribute was given from the Athenians to the Cretans; in this the Athenians were to give seven youths and seven maidens every nine years . Without going into any great detail, Plutarch notes here that the "most dramatic" of the stories declare that these youths and maidens were destroyed by the Minotaur, which lived inside a labyrinth."

Tags:democratic mirror Ariadne, funeral games, Aristotle adventures argonaut portrayal modification