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A small thread on Greek mythology references in the first season of Attack on TItanWith the latest AoT rewatch, I was especially keen on catching some mythological references, as the term "Titan" always indicated that story possibly has some mythological roots. Enjoy!
Probably the most obvious one was Eren holding a giant boulder on his back, while trying to plug the hole in the wall, and that imagery strongly resembled the Greek titan Atlas, who was holding the world/skies on his back. Atlas was on of the titans who fought alongside Kronos-
against Zeus and other Olympians. Olympians eventually won and Zeus imprisoned almost all of the titans within the depths of Tartarus. Atlas was one of the rare exceptions, as Zeus condemn him to forever hold the world/skies (which one varies between interpretations).
Titans were selfish beings and they would do anything to gain personal satisfaction and needs, while not endangering themselves in any way. Zeus knew that Atlas would never drop the skies and potentially crumble the universe. Because of this, he gave Atlas a task he couldn't fail
So back to AoT, Grisha (like Zeus did to Atlas) entrusted Eren with titan powers, giving him the greatest responsibility he could give, which would limit his lifespan and burden him for life, but believing Eren was the one who would carry on the humanity to victory without a fail
So, in that mankind-heavy, breathtaking pose, Eren held the fate of the entire humanity, compacted inside a boulder, as he marched towards mankind's first victory. Also, if you consider the interpretation where Atlas holds the skies instead of the whole world, that would also fit
perfectly, as sky symbolize the desire to break free, to feel the freedom with the full lungs and there is no better freedom representative and advocate than Eren.
The other mythological reference I wanted to point out was more of an optimistic interpretation, rather than the possible reference, but I still wanted to share it. It's about the pomegranate scene. Pomegranate symbolism dates all the back to ancient Egypt, where it was worshiped
as a plant of life and prosperity. Christianity interprets it as a fruit of life and rebirth, which fits very well with the this scene, as Eren was practically reborn, and furthermore, he saved another life. But, the most interesting pomegranate symbolism that could fit into this
scene in a certain way is the Persephone myth. Persephone was a daughter of the goddess of the harvest and prosperity. Hades, the god of the dead who liven in the underworld was really interested in Persephone, but he knew that her mother would never let the two have a contact.
So, he decided to abduct her and take her into the underworld. After noticing Persephone's absence, Demeter started looking everywhere and after the unsuccessful search, she started to protest by causing huge drought and infertility, which threatened to destroy the mankind.
Zeus, pressured by the situation, sent Hermes (deity with trickster and oratorical nature)to persuade Hades to allow Persephone to return, so humanity can be saved. Hades agreed to let her go, but he managed to tricked her in the process, by making her eat the pomegranate.
It is said that whoever eats the fruit of the underworld is bound to live there a certain amount of time each year. So, Persephone had to spend one third of a year in the underworld (she swallowed 3 seeds), and that part of the year was unfertile and cold, because of Demeter's
longing and worry for her daughter. This is considered as the Greek explanation for seasons. So, back to AoT, we could draw some parallels between Eren and Persephone, as Eren was allowed to see the daylight again, but burdened with the titan form to which he would jump to every
so often from that point, just how Persephone was bound to the underworld. His "rebirth" gave the hope to humanity, just like Persephone return stopped the drought and saved the mankind from demise.
So, that was my little analysis :) I'll admit that it is more an optimistic fitting the Greek mythology in, rather than what the scenes my actually represent, but it felt pretty cool trying to pull this of, as I adore mythology in general :) Hopefully you found it funny as well!
