Supervisors info:
Δημήτριος Λαμπρέλλης, Καθηγητής, Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο
Ευάγγελος Πρωτοπαπαδάκης, Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Φιλοσοφίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Γεώργιος Αραμπατζής, Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Φιλοσοφίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Animals (other animals - non-human animals) occupy a prominent place in Greek folk tradition. They appear, often as protagonists, in myths, proverbs, folk songs, customs, and folk art. Some of them are more "popular" in general, while some others are found in larger numbers on a case-by-case basis, like birds in folk songs. Many times they are presented with anthropomorphic features: they talk to each other, to other species of animals, to elements of nature or to people, they express feelings and thoughts, they have intentions and motives, and they behave and act humanly. This practice stems from the prevailing anthropocentric conception and also extends to objects and elements of nature. It developed, multiplied and prospered until the present day, due to its effectiveness in the transmission, reception and acceptance of ideas, perceptions, proposals, by society as a whole. Its metaphorical and allegorical dynamics have been used over time to circumvent the social or political restrictions (overt or quasi-censorship). The investigation of this evolutionary path is the subject of this thesis. The penetration, dispersion and diversity of the anthropomorphic presence of animals in the various forms of Greek folk tradition are examined. An attempt is made to answer a series of questions of moral and value status mainly. Finally, outlining the situation in the present era, a macroscopic projection into the future is made.
Keywords:
anthropomorphism, animals, folk song, customs, Greek folk tradition, myths, proverbs, fairy tales
