Introduction

The behavior of individuals and the way they present themselves to others in the contemporary society depends on the environment the people reside in and the social structure in place. One gauges social fabric by evaluating the behavior of the population in society. Social behavior results from the attribute that the nation possesses of labeling deviants the people who deviate from the norms of the society. The social structures therefore determine the behavior of an individual in place. These social structures define vice and virtue. Coupled with the environment, they shape the character of an individual. Social structures are passed down in myths, legends, songs, folktales, all of which form distinct aspects of culture.

The environment also plays an influential role in molding one's behavior. A child brought up in the ghetto, and another brought up in well-to-do estates have two different characteristics. The ghetto child has a higher potential of becoming a gangster due to the environment where he/she grows up. Life in the ghetto is not easy to cope with. The character is attributed to the hardships due to poverty and the high gang recruitment rates in the ghettos. Life in the well-to-do estates, on the other hand, is not as economically stretching. It, however, has its downsides. This paper addresses he aspect of social structure as the most commonly acceptable behavior accepted globally.

Greek mythology

Greek mythology is a combination of the myths and legends of the ancient Greeks. The Greeks centered their lives on their myths and legends. The myths and legends served to explain nature, natural events and components that make up the earth. Another aspect of the Greek culture that clearly stands out is the religion they professed. It included heroes, gods, rituals, creation stories among others. This paper seeks to analyze Greek mythology and its connection to the social structure in the world today. To achieve this, the paper examines the common themes and the possible instances of the same in the contemporary world.

The dominance of fate

Fate played a considerably significant role in the daily life of the Greeks. The theme of fate dominates a large portion in the myths and texts. Greek texts present innumerable characters who seek multiple ways to divert fate. The mortality or immortality of an individual is ineffective in altering the set path of destiny. A perfect example in the myths narrates about King Thebes. The king learns that he will die at the hands of his son, Oedipus. To avert the foretold tragedy, the King sets up strategies to ensure his son dies. The death of his son, however, is not to be. The boy grows up far from his father, a fact that makes them not to recognize one another.

The lack of recognition permits a dispute between them when they meet many years later.

Oedipus slays his father without a second thought although he does not know it. The king's action in attempting to kill his son as a way to avert fate fails terribly since it ironically provides his son with an opportune chance to kill him. In the contemporary world, the fate that is predetermined befalls all and sundry regardless of their social, economic or political status.

Consider death or sickness for a perfect example. The capacity of humankind to alter the course of death is unsuccessful to date. The rich and mighty, the rulers, and the citizens all face the insecurity of life which is brought about by sicknesses. Terminal diseases such as cancer affect any individual regardless their capacity in life. Once one is infected, the fate is spelled out, and no amount of medication has been produced to alter that yet.

Arrogance and Hubris

Greek myths involve individuals who partake hubris and arrogance. These individuals learn their lessons in brutal ways as a result of their ego. These are individuals whose pride makes them elevate themselves to the same level as the gods. As such, the gods brought the greatest wrath upon such individuals. A Greek myth detailing the dangers of arrogance is the story of Niobe. Niobe compares herself to Leto elevating herself to the level of the divine. This deed, in essence, raises her children to the level of Leta's children. This deed angers the two gods, and they, therefore, kill her children. Their mother, Niobe, is turned into a rock that weeps perpetually.

The contemporary world has had similar individuals. Such individuals become so drunk with power that they consider themselves untouchable. The example of Gaddafi suits the above­ cited story. Gaddafi was a president in Libya, an African country. He misused the resources of his country for his personal use. All this while, he claimed that the people loved him and that they fully supported his actions. He denied any claims of protests in his country saying that even

Allah helped him. His pride and self -exaltation were the root of his downfall. He was overthrown and murdered by the same subjects he purported to be his supporters.

Gender

The roles women played in Greek myths to a large extent match those performed by the women in the contemporary world. The women in Greek mythology are expressed as caretakers whose primary roles are childbearing and procreation. The women pledged allegiance and obedience to the men. Antigone's sister, a character in a play by Sophocles, is a perfect example of the role prescribed for women then. She says that it is not for the weaker, in this aspect women, to contend with men. She further continues saying that accepts the rule of the men as the stronger species since she has no alternative. Although the tides are changing, the women in the current social setting are considered the weaker sex. Women who undertake roles designated for men or functions in men dominated workforces more often than not tend to be stigmatized. The wave of equality is, however, playing a useful role in balancing that equation.

Good and evil

The myths of both Greeks and Romans had distinct aspects of their ethics in them. These stories address morality to its fullest. The moral models were set apart using myths that rewarded people of different characters differently. Behavior was recognized with either rewards or punishments depending on its moral inclination. Philemon and Baucis are a poor old couple in the myths. They alone treat Jupiter and Mercury generously. The other inhabitants of their area lack hospitality. The two, Jupiter and Mercury, destroy the inhabitants of that land, but they reward the old couple.

Institutions in the contemporary world apply the same strategy to shape behavior. Schools, homes, corporations, courts, and governments recognize the efforts of those who portray positive characters and behavior. Positive performers receive Promotions, gif ts, presents, encouragement and motivational speeches. The individuals who represent demotions, prisons sentences punish ill behavior, job losses among others.

Conclusion

Greek mythology interrelates a lot with the current social structure in effect today. The similarities are apparent from the above comparisons and evaluations. In essence, Greek mythology appears to form the foundation stone on which today's social structure is built.