Minerva and Arachne
Carter Welch, Maddie Stephens, and Emma Southard
Kahoot!
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/c97676b2-7eeb-4875-bbd5-e104460f30f9
Today's Allusions to Minerva & Arachne
- Many modern day books, movies, etc. make allusions to this myth when discussing topics regarding this theme: respect your superiors.
- Also, universities commonly utilize Minerva due to her position as goddess of wisdom.
- Spiders are alluded to and play an important role, too.
- Lastly, Minerva is internationally recgonized, through the city of Athens, named after her Greek counterpart, Athena.
Summary
Classic Art Involving Minerva & Arachne
Arachne
- Arachne was a maiden who was mortal.
- She was incredibly prideful and disrespectful of her superiors, leading to her downfall.
- Minerva turned Arachne into a spider after she dared to test a goddess. Arachne was now in a horrible place.
- Arachne was a skilled and prideful weaver, and she dared to test her skills against Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and weaving.
- Minerva disguised herself to warn Arachne of a consequence that would result of challenging higher command; but Arachne disregarderd her counsel, leading to an epic weaving competition between the two.
- The winner was unclear, but Minerva was offended by insults woven into the patterns.
- Minerva enforced guilt and shame on Arachne, causing Arachne to attempt suicide (by hanging). But, Minerva pitied Arachne, and turned her into a spider.
Minerva
- This piece of classic art by Rene-Antoine Houasse, a French painter of the 1600s, depicts the scene in where Minerva interferes, touching her forehead and bringing a load of guilt and shame upon her after the brutal contact.
- It's revelance is clear; a painting depicting the story of Minerva and Arachne and the vital moment where Arachne's transformation begins.
- Minerva was the goddess of wisdom; and a hugely respected one for that matter.
- She was born out of Jupiter's brain, mature and fully armored.
- In an epic battle for the city now known as Athens, Minerva offered the olive while Neptune offered a horse.
- The olive was decided more valuable, and the city of Athens was rewarded to Minerva, or her Greek counterpart, Athena, obviously named after her.
Respect Your Superiors
- Minerva and Arachne has an assortment of important themes; but the one that rings clear is to respect your superiors, and also to keep your arrogance in check.
- This is evident as Arachne's fate is one that is truly undesirable, ending up as a spider due to her disrespect and arrogance.
- Subsequently, the story advises to be respectful and humble, or you'll end up in a world of hurt.