Reoccurring Themes In Greek Mythology

Throughout mythology there are reoccurring themes including great battles and strange birth stories. I relate to these themes because I have had experiences in my life that mimic those of the Gods in myth. A well-known battle in Greek mythology is the Titanomachy, a 10 year war between the Titans and the Olympians. I watched my cousin fight her own battle, against cancer. Greek myth always includes a unique tale of birth. A perfect example is the story of Zeus. Zeus’ father Cronus ate all of his kids as his wife Rhea birthed them. Rhea finally had enough and hid baby Zeus and fed her husband a rock instead. Lucky for me my father did not eat me or my siblings but I was born with a strange mark at the bottom of my neck thought to be a scale …show more content…
In Zeus’ case his father ate his children because he was told that one of them would defeat him. Luckily Zeus was saved by his mother Rhea. She wrapped him up and hid him from Cronus and Zeus grew up safely. I, like many of the gods, have an interesting birth story. I was born on March 5 1996 to Tom and Cindy Petracelli. I came out screaming and crying like every other kid. However, my story derails in that I was born with a scale shaped indentation near the bottom of my neck. After I was born the doctor wrapped me up in a warm blanket. As soon as he reached to hand me to my mom he pulled my back close. Then the doctor peeled back my blanket and began examining my neck. My parents watched him in anticipation and horror waiting for him to explain what was wrong with me. Finally, aware of their expressions, he quickly reassured them there was nothing wrong. The doctor explained that he was examining the mark on my neck. He told my parents what any well-educated, scientific thinking person would tell new parents, that it was probably a leftover gill from evolution that never quite healed. He believed humans came from the ocean and we started out as sea monster type creatures. My parents laughed at him instinctively but the doctor just stared at them confused. Despite what the doctor believed my scale became an inside joke in our family and I got the most adorable nickname of Kraken. This term Kraken is a reference to the Greek myth of …show more content…
A powerful example of this is the battle of the Gods between the Titans and the Olympians in the Titanomachy. After many years the Olympian’s triumphed, winning the war. This past year I have experienced my cousin Bridget’s battle with cancer. She was diagnosed with melanoma at 28. She was pregnant with her son and the doctors were doing prenatal checkups when they found her cancer. Bridget gave birth to her son and immediately began chemotherapy. I watched her lose her hair and become very thin all while taking care of her infant son. After a year of treatment Bridget was cancer free! It was amazing! I was filled with relief. This relief lasted for six years until the cancer came back again. The cancer was back and stronger than ever, stage four melanoma. The now thirty five year old was much wiser and stronger. I remember she looked at me and said “I have beat this horrible thing before and I will beat it again.” I believed her, we all did. I was at the hospital with her on good days and very bad days. Every day was a roller coaster of good news and bad news. Towards the end of the year Bridget was doing much better and the good news came more frequently. However Bridget’s insurance company dropped her and she went without chemotherapy for six days. During that time our family hosted relay for life in our home town and raised lots of money for Bridget but it was not enough. In those six days I watched my cousin wither