161k views
0 votes
How would you describe the two narrative patterns that are present in the foundation myths of Thebes and Rome?

User Adoss
by
7.6k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The foundation myths of Thebes and Rome share the narrative patterns of violence and brotherhood, with Romulus killing Remus to found Rome, while Theban myths involve intergenerational tragedies. Despite both involving violence, their interpretations of freedom differ, with Romulus's quest for power contrasting Theban struggles against fate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The two narrative patterns present in the foundation myths of Thebes and Rome both include elements of violence and brotherhood. In the story of Rome's foundation, Romulus and Remus are twin brothers who, after being raised by a she-wolf, disagree on where to build a new city. Romulus eventually kills Remus in a dispute, which is an act of violence that mirrors the city's later history of civil war. Similarly, in the Theban myth, the city is marked by episodes of violence among kin, such as the story of Oedipus who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, leading to catastrophe.

Although both tales are rooted in murder and familial discord, they differ in the aftermath of these events. Romulus establishes Rome's foundation upon his brother's death, whereas the Theban saga continues with ongoing tragedies among descendants. Additionally, these myths interpret the concept of freedom differently. Romulus claims freedom through absolute power by becoming Rome's first king after the murder, while Theban myths often focus on the struggle against fate, with characters seeking freedom from the curses that plague their lineage.

User Bovium
by
8.5k points