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Poetry About Hermes
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Tricia, thanks for the links to those poems. I enjoyed seeing the themes we've been discussing (particularly trickery and boundaries) represented from a different angle. Interestingly, while some of the poems mention Hermes's function as psychopomp, I have not seen anywhere in Brown's book where he brings this up.Tricia wrote: "I've been following the "Hermes" topic. Although I am not reading the acxtual book thought a few of you would like some poems I found online about Hermes. Note the new section too!
http://boston..."
Dan wrote: "Tricia, thanks for the links to those poems. I enjoyed seeing the themes we've been discussing (particularly trickery and boundaries) represented from a different angle. Interestingly, while some ..."I like the poems also. Well, more the Joanna Klink poems. What do you mean by psychopomp? Do you think it's an oversight on Brown's part or is it something the poets have brought into the dialogue that perhaps should be there or perhaps shouldn't?
Andy wrote: "What do you mean by psychopomp? Do you think it's an oversight on Brown's part or is it something the poets have brought into the dialogue that perhaps should be there or perhaps shouldn't? ."
I think the poets rightly mention Hermes's function as psychopomp (the term refers to a conductor or leader of souls, for instance to the afterworld). There isn't any mention of Hermes's performing this function that I remember seeing in Brown's book, however (I think it might have fit, for instance, in Brown's chapter on Hermes's association with boundary-crossings). It is possible that Brown did not mention this function because he felt it did not contribute directly to his argument. Nonetheless, it may have been better if he had mentioned it, if only to say that it was one of Hermes's functions, and one that Brown felt needed no further comment in the context of the argument he wanted to make.
Psychopomps (from the Greek word ψυχοπομπός (psychopompos), literally meaning the "guide of souls") are creatures, spirits, angels, or deities in many religions whose responsibility is to escort newly-deceased souls to the afterlife. Their role is not to judge the deceased, but simply provide safe passage. Frequently depicted on funerary art, psychopomps have been associated at different times and in different cultures with horses, Whip-poor-wills, ravens, dogs, crows, owls, sparrows, cuckoos, harts and Yamatoots.In Jungian psychology, the psychopomp is a mediator between the unconscious and conscious realms. It is symbolically personified in dreams as a wise man (or woman), or sometimes as a helpful animal. In many cultures, the shaman also fulfills the role of the psychopomp. This may include not only accompanying the soul of the dead, but also vice versa: to help at birth, to introduce the newborn child's soul to the world (p. 36 of). This also accounts for the contemporary title of "midwife to the dying," which is another form of psychopomp work.
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopomp
Dan, I did not know this term psychopomp...wow what a hoot!
Candy, I enjoyed your comment on the function of Hermes as psychopomp. Sorry I couldn't reply sooner but I've been organizing a major move--at the moment I'm just getting to where I have only a few more boxes to unpack.I did not see anywhere in the book where Brown discusses Hermes' function as psychopomp. What do you think...shouldn't Brown have mentioned this somewhere in the book--for instance in the chapter about boundaries and border crossings?
Hi Dan!It seems we all have challenges with life getting in the way of posting here huh? I am sorry you've been going through a major move but its wonderful to see you here again!
let me work on the question of why didn't Brown mention psychopomp...quickly I think the idea of "trickster" is so closely associated he just might not have bothered...but let me think okay?
http://bostonreview.net/BR24.1/klink....
http://www.neosalexandria.org/hermes_...