Pindar´s Poems

Pindar, a lonely boy with a very blurry past created one of the best sets of poems in Greek culture; In this entry we shall analyze his poems regarding sporting events which generated a sense of honor in the Greeks. 

What is the form of the poems? Verse, a structure different from prose but with no apparent metric sequence.

In poetical language, which literary figures can be found? 

"Pero sobre ti la lira de grata voz"

Personification by attributing the capacity of voice to a musical intrument.

We can also find extended metaphors, and an hiperbaton in the text about Aphrodite.

Are there metaphors?

Hades, the final destination for the athletes. This is the place in which they are rewarded. But why Hades? Because it represents the least desired place in which to be. Hades will test the athletes will and tenancy, and will make them reconsider if they will have the strength necessary to enter themselves into the infra-world.

The theme of the poems is definitely honor. This quality is of vital importance in Ancient Greece. Losing your honor meant that you were no longer a complete one self, but a man that is missing his most important mask. Honor represents the virtue and well behavior of the athletes. They participate in sporting events because they want to bring honor, recognition, to their family names. Obtaining the favor of the gods is the ultimate prize. Being oneself with divinity.

Regarding the tone and symbols, the majority of the voice in Pindar´s Poems is a voice of exaltation. The duty of him is to create knowledge of the actions performed by the athlete through his poems. The symbols are very easy to understand. The athlete represents the human composition of the universe: fatal, capable of blunder, but also full of will and effort. On the other hand we can find the gods: the perfect beings that will give a judgement of the athletes’ performance. 

Why sports? Sports were not solely an activity to exercise the body, but a social and athletic way to demonstrate virtue. The sport was not the important thing, but the honor of participating and competing with fellow athletes to prove who is really the supreme being above them all.

Pindar´s fantastic work helps the present worldview to incorporate the universe of sports. he was, in a way, the first sport´s journalist that recorded the adventures of those who with dignity gave their bodies to the gods.