The philosopher Plato explained the nature of love by telling a myth about the first human beings that were circular creatures each with two faces on a single neck, four legs and four arms. They traveled by rolling their bodies along the ground. Zeus (Jupiter) grew angry with these early humans when they challenged the rule of the gods, and sliced each of them in half, leaving humankind with only one face, two legs and two arms. Zeus threatened that if, ever there was any more serious trouble from humankind, he would cut everyone in half again. Then with one leg and one arm each, reduced to hopping everywhere, people would finally learn how to treat gods with respect. According to this myth, we are all halves of lost wholes, each longing and searching for its missing half. Love according to this myth, is the desire and pursuit of the whole.
Source: Mythology – Myths, Legends, & Fantasies, Ed. Parker Janet, Stanton Julie
© Global Book Publishing Pty Ltd, 2003
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4 comments:
That was a very interesting story.I liked it . Wasn't it Plato who said "At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet."
May be the pursuit of the whole those this to us.
I'll try to get my hands on this book when i have the time.
Is this why some people call their spouses "better half".
--[Random Stream Of Thought not anyways connected to your blog or my comment]
Did you see "Shrek"? In that the donkey crosses the valley of fire halfway only to look down and get scared.Shrek tells the donkey that anyway he covered half the distance and there's no point going back because its the same. Donkey says "I know that half is Safe" pointing to the side it came from..
--[ END Random Streeam Of Thought not anyways connected to blog]
Akshay, if you do get your hands on the book - it actually covers mythologies of the world. I've just finished the section on Greek/Roman mythology - still have to read Celtic/Norse/European/Oceanic/Asian mythologies. My only problem with the book is that the Indian mythologies have been so inadequately represented - Granted it's an Occidental publication, but even they know that Indian myths can easily cover more than a token 5-10 pages.
All said and done - its worth having on your shelf (though it takes its toll on your hands because of its weight!)
Paddy - I like random thoughts. I have seen Shrek, but unfortuantely not Shrek II. A friend is a BIG fan of Shrek - she will probab recognise the scne you've described, me doesn't quite remember this scene.
And I posted this particular myth because I found it so interesting in light of the terminologies of "other half", "better half", "ardhangini" etc etc...
In search of search
We will keep searching,
The precious stone of love
Reaching into the tempest
Turning sand into gold
The winds will rise
Turning gold into ashes
In search of search
We will keep searching
Knowing not what we have
Is entirely what we search
Love is calling you from behind
Look at it once and you will know
Love is calling
You are searching
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