The Importance Of Bonds Shown Through SкMa In Greek Song Culture

The Homeric epic, Odyssey, begins with the invocation of the muse. The muses are the goddesses of total recall. Their name is "a reminder" since in earlier times, poets had to recall then recite events since the tales were not written down. The importance of memory and recognition is a central feature in Greek song culture. The film Chunhyang gives an insight to ancient Greek song culture. Although each of these stories is from a different culture, the themes and symbolism are the same and central in both cultures. Both of these tales sкmainф in order to show the connection between lovers.

The importance of recalling events is an integral aspect of Greek song culture. By watching the film Chunhyang, one can gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of metonymy. Metonymy is an expression by means of a connection. In the film, Chunhyang and Mongryong exchange gifts - Chunhyang gives him a jade ring and he gives her a mirror. These gifts are little memories of each other. The connection between two individuals is shown through sкma. The jade ring is one of the clearest symbols in the movie. Jade represents love in Eastern cultures. It is fitting that the ring is made from jade since the exchange of gifts is a symbol of the love they share for each other. In addition, jade was thought to preserve the body after death and could be found in the tombs of emperors. The jade ring given to Mongryong by Chunhyang is a sкma for both definitions of the word; it is a physical symbol of their trust and a physical representation of the tomb of a hero. Mongryong achieves his kleos by becoming a high ranking official and saving Chunhyang's life. The mirror is another sкma. A mirror shows reflection and this reflection is of the memories that were shared between Chunhyang and Mongryong. A person can reflect on past events and build connections between places, objects, and people. The signs that people give to each other are important for recognition and building relationships

The importance of sкma can be seen in the Odyssey as well:

So you see I know all about this sign [sкma], and I desire to learn whether it is still there, or whether any one has been removing it by cutting down the olive tree at its roots. When she heard the sure signs [sкmata] Odysseus now gave her, she fairly broke down...Now, however, that you have convinced me by showing that you know all the signs [sкmata] of our bed...hard of belief though I have been, I can mistrust no longer (23.202-230).

In this scene, Odysseus and Penelope give each other their secret signals to show their true identities. The sкma in this scene is their olive marriage bed and the intricate description of how the bed was made serves to intensify the relationship between Odysseus and Penelope. The bed is a symbol of the marriage and love. When Penelope mentions that she moved the bed, Odysseus recalls making the bed and how it is immobile (23.182-184). It is noteworthy that the marriage bed of Odysseus and Penelope is made from an olive tree (23.186-187). In Greek culture, the olive tree is a symbol of peace and prosperity. If the bed had been removed from the room, this action would have represented the abandonment of their marriage and union. Odysseus and Penelope's

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