was also familiar with many key concepts in the Hindu Tradition. Since Nietzsche’s lifetime, others have also explored this angle, comparing the roles of Dionysus to the god Shiva, notably Alain Daniélou in his work ‘Gods of Love and Ecstasy’. The fact that these two gods share so many features in myth and iconography does lend a great deal of credibility to this theory of them having a conjoint origin. What is more interesting however is that a similar dyad to that of Apollo and Dionysus occurs in Hinduism within the relationships expressed between the gods Shiva and Vishnu. Like Dionysus, Shiva is sometimes depicted as being an hermaphrodite. Can we then conclude, from the works of scholars such as Daniélou and Bachofen, that Dionysus is not a purely masculine emanation, and in fact embodies a disguised representation of feminine consciousness? In terms of sexuality, the answer is no, for both gods depict a certain ambiguity in regards to their sexuality not just Dionysus – Apollo’s iconography also contains an air of sexual ambiguity to it, and out of all the Greek gods, it is Apollo who takes the most male lovers. It can therefore be said that both gods express a bisexual ambiguity in terms of gender, and that it is through this shared set of gender characteristics (as opposed to sexual ones) that the true dichotomy is born, for like all polar opposites, they are in truth not a dyadic opposition, but rather an expression of polar linearity on the same plane; fundamentality they are same thing, but in both cases the essence of the absolute reveals itself through contrasting modes of self expression. If we were to describe them in terms of Religiousness Type A and Religiousness Type B, the polarity would be clear with the Apollonian nature of man at one end, and the Dionysian at the other. To a certain extent they can also be seen to embody the opposition of science and religion, which occurs frequently in modernist/post-modernist thought – Apollo can be seen to portray the scientific, rational mind and Dionysus the raw emotive power that can only be unleashed though belief and emotion alone. For gender however, both gods cannot be said to be either fully masculine or feminine, but rather each signifies a complimentary state of sexual ambiguity – and as the immortal representatives of this state, they perfectly embody the fact that gender does not necessarily correlate to biological sex. Both the Apollonian, with their expression of outer belief as Religious Type A and the Dionysian with their expression of inner belief as Religiousness Type B are the perfect expressions of the fluctuating principle of gender in the post-modern world.
Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/dyadic-approaches-to-the-divine-kierkegaard-nietzsche-religion-and-gender-in-a-postmodern-world-173060.html”
(ArticlesBase SC #173060)
Need more traffic? No problem. Publish with us and see why everyone’s talking about Articlesbase.com
Liked this article? Click here to publish it on your website or blog, it’s free and easy!
Gwendolyn Toynton –
About the Author:
Gwendolyn Toynton is a Masters student in Religious Studies. She is also the the publisher and editor of Primordial Traditions a free online magazine, published quarterly. Gwendolyn Toynton is also a published poet and exhibited artist.
]]>
Questions and Answers
Ask our experts your Religion related questions here…
200Â Characters left
What are the wonders of the modern world ?
What are two wonders of the modern world ?
What are the seven modern wonders of the world ?
Rate this Article
vote(s)
1 vote(s)
Feedback
RSS
Print
Email
Re-Publish
Article Tags:
nietzsche, gender, philosophy, religion, modernism, post modernism, kierkegaard
Latest Religion Articles
More from Gwendolyn Toynton
How to Find Intel in Modern Warfare 2 Takedown Map
Kristin Adams brings you tips and tricks for the game ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’ in this edition of Cheat. Find out how to get the Intel in the Takedown level of the game. (02:15)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Tips – Heartbeat Sensor
Want to know how to get a jump on your opponents with Modern Warfare 2’s Heartbeat Sensor gun attachment? Find out which perks you’ll need to finish your build. (03:19)
The Wonders of the Modern World – Part 2/7
In this history video take a look at the engineering feats found in the seven wonders of the modern world, part 2/7.