Truth and deception went hand in hand for the Greeks. The relationship often, but not always, involved deception used to conceal a powerful truth in both gods and humans. Truth, in itself, was power. The gods and humans told lies that showcased their craftiness while the truth demonstrated something else entirely. Meanwhile, gods and humans could also deceive in attempts to gain power while hiding their own powerful truths. Thus, deception was a necessary evil and part of the culture of the Greeks. The role of deception in the lives of the gods and humans was, in essence, the art of maintaining and protecting truth and gaining power.
When the truth is given to others, it gives them power; thus, the speaker must lie so as to protect parts of …show more content…
Hermes is perhaps one of the most skilled liars amongst the gods, even when he is a newborn. His skill at lying is best depicted in his interaction with the tortoise with his baneful words, “It is better to be at home, since the outdoors is harmful” (Hermes 25-60). Hermes, like Odysseus, tells a direct lie that is known to the audience. The audience knows something is up with the tortoise and Hermes; his gentle tone is far too sweet and kind to actually be true. Thus, when he reveals how he kills the tortoise inside his home and turns the tortoise into an instrument, the audience is not surprised. However, it is not until later that the result of Hermes’ lie is revealed. All that is known is that he now has an instrument. While music is generally thought of as a beautiful thing, it is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of power. However, in Hermes case, his lie gains him a powerful new instrument in music, something that can tempt others away from their better judgments. The temptation of the lyre is what tempts Apollo away from his anger and allows the trade, the lyre for the Caduceus (Hermes 409-580). To simplify, Hermes’ lie to the tortoise gives him the Caduceus, the symbol of his power as a herald, the herald of the gods to be specific, and which in turn makes him a god within the twelve Olympians. In essence, the god Hermes lies to become a god, which may not have happened
When the truth is given to others, it gives them power; thus, the speaker must lie so as to protect parts of …show more content…
Hermes is perhaps one of the most skilled liars amongst the gods, even when he is a newborn. His skill at lying is best depicted in his interaction with the tortoise with his baneful words, “It is better to be at home, since the outdoors is harmful” (Hermes 25-60). Hermes, like Odysseus, tells a direct lie that is known to the audience. The audience knows something is up with the tortoise and Hermes; his gentle tone is far too sweet and kind to actually be true. Thus, when he reveals how he kills the tortoise inside his home and turns the tortoise into an instrument, the audience is not surprised. However, it is not until later that the result of Hermes’ lie is revealed. All that is known is that he now has an instrument. While music is generally thought of as a beautiful thing, it is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of power. However, in Hermes case, his lie gains him a powerful new instrument in music, something that can tempt others away from their better judgments. The temptation of the lyre is what tempts Apollo away from his anger and allows the trade, the lyre for the Caduceus (Hermes 409-580). To simplify, Hermes’ lie to the tortoise gives him the Caduceus, the symbol of his power as a herald, the herald of the gods to be specific, and which in turn makes him a god within the twelve Olympians. In essence, the god Hermes lies to become a god, which may not have happened