📚Myth and Literature Unit 5 – Underworld & Afterlife in Myth

Key Concepts & Definitions

• Underworld refers to a realm of the dead, often located beneath the surface of the earth or in a separate dimension
• Afterlife is the continued existence of the soul or spirit after the death of the physical body
• Chthonic deities are gods or goddesses associated with the underworld, earth, and fertility (Hades, Persephone)
• Psychopomp is a guide who leads souls to the underworld, often depicted as a messenger or a god (Hermes, Charon)
• Katabasis is the journey of a living person into the underworld, often undertaken by heroes or mortals seeking knowledge or redemption
  • May involve facing challenges, monsters, or tests of character
  • Successful completion often leads to a transformation or enlightenment
• Nekuia is a ritual or practice of summoning the dead for divination, guidance, or to appease their spirits
• Elysium is a concept of a blessed afterlife, reserved for heroes, the righteous, or those favored by the gods

Origins of Underworld Myths

• Underworld myths emerged as a way for ancient cultures to explain and make sense of death and the mysteries of the afterlife
• Early agricultural societies associated the underworld with the earth and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth
  • Burial of the dead in the ground may have contributed to the idea of an underworld beneath the earth
• Mesopotamian mythology includes some of the earliest known underworld myths, such as the descent of Inanna/Ishtar
• Egyptian mythology developed a complex system of afterlife beliefs, including the underworld realm of Duat and the judgment of the dead
• Greek and Roman mythology shaped many of the most well-known underworld myths, including the stories of Hades, Persephone, and Orpheus
• Norse mythology features the underworld realm of Hel, ruled by the goddess of the same name
• Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Maya and Aztec, had their own unique underworld myths and afterlife beliefs (Xibalba, Mictlan)

Common Themes in Afterlife Beliefs

• Judgment of the dead based on their actions, morality, or adherence to cultural values during their lifetime
  • Egyptian concept of the weighing of the heart against the feather of Maat
  • Greek idea of the judges of the underworld (Minos, Rhadamanthus, Aeacus)
• Division of the underworld into different regions or levels based on the nature of the deceased's life or death
  • Greek underworld divided into Tartarus (for the wicked), Asphodel Meadows (for the ordinary), and Elysium (for the heroic or virtuous)
  • Dante's Inferno portrays a multi-leveled hell with punishments fitting the sins committed in life
• Presence of obstacles, challenges, or guardians that the deceased must overcome to reach their final destination
  • Greek mythological figures such as Cerberus, the multi-headed dog guarding the entrance to the underworld
  • Aztec belief in the four-year journey through the nine levels of the underworld, facing trials and dangers
• Idea of a final resting place or paradise for the deserving or righteous
  • Norse concept of Valhalla, a hall of slain warriors who feast with Odin
  • Christian belief in Heaven as a reward for the faithful and virtuous
• Cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth in some cultures
  • Ancient Egyptian belief in the daily journey of the sun god Ra through the underworld, symbolizing renewal
  • Hindu and Buddhist concepts of reincarnation and the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara)

Major Underworld Deities & Figures

• Hades (Greek) is the god of the underworld and the dead, often depicted as stern and unyielding
  • Abducted Persephone, goddess of spring, to be his wife and queen of the underworld
• Persephone (Greek) is the goddess of spring and queen of the underworld, associated with the cycle of life, death, and rebirth
  • Her return to the earth each spring symbolizes the renewal of life and vegetation
• Anubis (Egyptian) is the jackal-headed god associated with mummification, embalming, and guiding souls to the underworld
  • Plays a role in the judgment of the dead, weighing the heart against the feather of Maat
• Osiris (Egyptian) is the god of the underworld, the dead, and resurrection, often depicted as a mummified king
  • Killed by his brother Set and resurrected by his wife Isis, symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth
• Hel (Norse) is the goddess who rules over the underworld realm of the same name, depicted as half-living and half-corpse
  • Receives those who die of sickness, old age, or are deemed unworthy of Valhalla
• Mictlantecuhtli (Aztec) is the god of the underworld and the dead, often depicted as a skeletal figure with owl-like features
  • Rules over Mictlan, the lowest level of the underworld, where most souls reside after death
• Yama (Hindu/Buddhist) is the god of death and the ruler of the underworld, responsible for judging the dead and determining their fate
  • In Buddhism, he is known as the Dharmapala, a wrathful protector of the Buddha's teachings

Journeys to the Underworld in Literature

• The Epic of Gilgamesh (Mesopotamian) features Gilgamesh's journey to the underworld to seek the secret of immortality
  • Meets Utnapishtim, the survivor of the great flood, who reveals the futility of seeking eternal life
• The Odyssey (Greek) includes Odysseus's journey to the underworld to seek guidance from the blind prophet Tiresias
  • Encounters the spirits of his mother, fallen comrades, and legendary figures
• The Aeneid (Roman) depicts Aeneas's descent into the underworld, guided by the Sibyl of Cumae
  • Meets his father Anchises, who reveals the future greatness of Rome and the challenges Aeneas must face
• Dante's Inferno (Italian) is an allegorical journey through the nine circles of Hell, guided by the poet Virgil
  • Each circle represents a different sin and its corresponding punishment, reflecting medieval Christian theology
• Sir Orfeo (Middle English) is a retelling of the Orpheus myth, with Orfeo journeying to the fairy underworld to rescue his wife
  • Reflects the blending of classical and Celtic mythological elements in medieval literature
• Izanagi and Izanami (Japanese) tells the story of Izanagi's journey to the underworld to retrieve his deceased wife, Izanami
  • Fails to bring her back and must flee from the horrors of the underworld, symbolizing the irreversibility of death

Symbolic Meanings & Interpretations

• The underworld often represents the unconscious mind, hidden desires, or repressed aspects of the psyche
  • Journeys to the underworld can symbolize confronting one's inner demons or shadow self
• Descent into the underworld may symbolize a spiritual or psychological transformation
  • Facing death and emerging renewed or enlightened (rebirth, initiation)
• Underworld deities and figures can represent the forces of nature, the cycle of life and death, or the mysteries of the earth
  • Persephone's abduction and return symbolize the changing of the seasons and the cycle of vegetation
• The underworld as a place of judgment or retribution reflects societal values and the consequences of one's actions
  • Dante's Inferno as an allegory for the soul's journey towards God and the punishments for sin
• Journeys to the underworld to retrieve loved ones (Orpheus, Izanagi) represent the human desire to overcome death and loss
  • Ultimate futility of defying the natural order and the finality of death
• The underworld as a source of wisdom, prophecy, or hidden knowledge
  • Seeking guidance from the dead or underworld figures as a way to gain insight into the mysteries of life and fate (Odysseus, Aeneas)

Cultural Variations & Comparisons

• Mesopotamian underworld (Kur) is depicted as a dark, dusty realm beneath the earth, ruled by the goddess Ereshkigal
  • Emphasis on the inevitability of death and the importance of proper burial rites
• Egyptian underworld (Duat) is a complex realm through which the sun god Ra travels each night, battling the forces of chaos
  • Elaborate funerary practices and the belief in the judgment of the dead reflect the importance of the afterlife in Egyptian culture
• Greek underworld (Hades) is divided into distinct regions based on the nature of the deceased's life and death
  • Reflects the Greek emphasis on heroism, virtue, and the consequences of one's actions
• Norse underworld (Hel) is a cold, misty realm ruled by the goddess Hel, contrasted with the warrior's paradise of Valhalla
  • Reflects the Norse values of bravery, honor, and death in battle
• Mesoamerican underworlds (Xibalba, Mictlan) are often depicted as perilous journeys through multiple levels or challenges
  • Emphasis on the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, and the importance of sacrifice and bloodletting
• Buddhist and Hindu concepts of the underworld are tied to the idea of karma and reincarnation
  • The nature of one's rebirth is determined by the accumulated karma from previous lives, with the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of samsara

Impact on Modern Literature & Media

• Dante's Inferno has inspired countless adaptations, retellings, and references in literature, art, and popular culture
  • From classical music (Liszt's "Dante Symphony") to video games (Dante's Inferno) and comics (Neil Gaiman's The Sandman)
• Greek and Roman underworld myths continue to be reimagined and reinterpreted in modern works
  • Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series incorporates elements of Hades and the underworld into a contemporary setting
  • Madeline Miller's novel Circe explores the character of Odysseus's journey to the underworld from a new perspective
• Underworld journeys and themes of death, rebirth, and transformation remain prevalent in fantasy and science fiction
  • J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings features the Paths of the Dead and the realm of Moria as underworld-like settings
  • Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy incorporates elements of the Greek underworld and the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice
• Modern interpretations often use underworld motifs to explore psychological, social, or political issues
  • Haruki Murakami's novel Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World uses the underworld as a metaphor for the subconscious mind and the nature of reality
  • Neil Gaiman's American Gods incorporates underworld deities from various cultures to examine themes of belief, identity, and the immigrant experience
• Underworld imagery and symbolism continue to be used in music, visual art, and film
  • The film What Dreams May Come depicts a journey through the afterlife and the power of love to transcend death
  • Guillermo del Toro's film Pan's Labyrinth uses underworld motifs to explore the horrors of fascism and the power of imagination