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.
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