How does Greek mythology come alive Visual & Performing Arts Essay

HOW GREEK MYTHOLOGY COME ALIVE IN TITAN ATLAS
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Atlas was a great Titan of the Greeks who is mentioned as the leader of the Titan army that went to war against Zeus. Upon the defeat of the Titans in the war against Zeus, he was punished together with some of the Titans by being summoned to carry the heavens upon his head and shoulders as shown in the vase painting “T20.1B Titan Atlas.” “Atlas” is used as an indication of endurance for throughout the time, Atlas bore the globe without rest. However, the Greek heroes, Heracles later relieve Atlas of the torment as he helps them find the Golden Apples. King Eurystheus had tasked Heracles to bring back the apples that had been a wedding gift from Gaia to Hera’s wife. The apples were located in the Garden of Hera and were guarded by a serpent, Ladon. Since Heracles did not know where the apples were located, they had to seek help from Atlas. In return, the Heracles had to relieve Atlas and hold the heavens as the Titan retrieved the apples, which was a simple task was given his strength and knowledge. The Greek mythology comes in live in Titan Atlas through the depiction of endurance, heroism, and slavery.[Theoi.com (a). “T20.1B Titan Atlas.” Theoi Project, 2000-2017. Accessed January 26, 2020, /Titan/TitanAtlas.html]
Fig 1: Vase painting “T20.1B Titan Atlas. Titan is carrying the heavens on his shoulders and is tormented by Ladon, the serpent”[Theoi.com (b). “T20.1B Titans Atals.” Theoi Project, 2000-2017. Accessed January 29, 2020, /Gallery/T20.1B.html]
In the vase painting, the Titan Atlas is depicted as a naked man and heavily bearded with long dreads. He is carrying a rocky dome of the celestial globe upon his shoulders and is tormented by a dragon. The pillars of the heavens were built by Atlas’ visitors, the Heracles from the far-west next to his daughters’ garden. The Heracles was looking for the golden apples that were securely guarded by Atlas' daughters. Following the war, the garden was guarded by a dragon snake named Ladon and in the painting, Atlas is being tormented by Ladon as part of his punishment. Heracles offered to hold the Gaia on behalf of Atlas, as it would be easy for him to collect the apples from his daughters. This became a liberation for Atlas from the burden of carrying the skies upon his shoulders.[Greeklegendsandmyths.com (n.d)]
Endurance
The Greek mythology also presents Atlas as a hardworking Titan from his past activities before the war against the god Zeus. He is the leader of the Titan rebellious army that is against the Olympians and upon defeat, they are sent to the underworld by Zeus. He is, however, given a different task of holding the Gaia (Earth) on his shoulders throughout his life as a punishment from Zeus. Despite this, Titan Atlas holds the heavens for a long time without giving up. This gives him the eminent description of a powerful Titan and his endurance is revered in Greek mythology. As a part of the punishment, god Atlas is also tormented by a hundred-headed dragon named Ladon. This makes his punishment more severe, but accordi...