Triple Threat; Cerberus

Unraveling the Unknown

Hopewell Valley Student Podcasting Network

Show Name: Unraveling the Unknown

Episode Title: Triple Threat; Cerberus

Hello curious people and welcome to a world of mystery,

You are listening to Unraveling the Unknown with your hosts Lily and Tessa.

In this episode of Unraveling the Unknown, the Podcast we will discuss: Cerberus and other multiheaded creatures.

This podcast will be a little special. In this week's episode, we have not one but two special guests. We are here with…

Guests

Seamus- he used to be a big fan of the Percy Jackson series

Zoe-

Segment 1: Q/A

-What do you think Cerberus symbolizes in Greek mythology? Is it just a guardian, or is there a deeper meaning to his role?

He has been a symbol of protection in many stories even to this day including Percy Jackson and Harry Potter.

His name literally means flesh devouring, he is an important part of a system like the cerberus molecules in the human body that build the heart, head, and help create left-right symmetry. He is also often related to the military and war, using its name as a military protocol.

I think it is really important how he prevents the living from entering the underworld and devours those who try to leave. He kind of protects life.

Cerberus is often seen as the complexity of Death. With his multiple heads, he might symbolize the multifaceted nature of death.

I think Cerberus could represent a lot of different things, and it is up to the mind's interpretation that makes him such a unique mythological figure.

-Cerberus is often depicted as a fearsome beast with three heads. What do you think the multiple heads represent? Could they symbolize anything beyond just being intimidating?

I feel like they probably relate to the three parts of the underworld:

Elysium, where the righteous and heroes go

Tartarus, where the evil go, pretty much a dark pit

Asphodel Meadows, where ordinary souls go who did nothing with their lives, their minds were numbed.

I also agree with zoe, I think the three heads could represent the three parts of the underworld. I think the three heads could also represent the past, the present and the future.

Since Cerberus guards the underworld, the heads may represent the different phases of human existence, meaning Cerberus overs those who have died but also the flow of souls and in inevitable passage of time.

-Cerberus guards the gates of the Underworld, preventing souls from leaving. Do you see him as a symbol of the inevitability of death or something more complex?

Some myths describe Cerberus being tamed or subdued by certain heroes, like Heracles or Orpheus. What do these interactions tell us about human nature and our relationship with death or fear?

Death is inescapable in real life for normal people and stories of heroes are used to cope with this idea that people cannot escape death. Heros give people hope and inspiration

Hesiod

-What do you personally find most fascinating about Cerberus? Is it his loyalty to Hades, his terrifying appearance, or something else entirely?

-If you were tasked with designing a modern version of Cerberus for a film or game, how would you change his appearance, abilities, or personality to make him resonate with today's audience?

-If Cerberus had a human counterpart or a voice, what kind of personality do you imagine he would have? Would he be more philosophical, menacing, or indifferent?

Quick overview of Cerberus/ three headed beasts-

Cerberus is known as the watchdog of the underworld and hound of Hades, god of the underworld. Cerberus prevents souls from leaving or escaping the underworld and guards the gates into the underworld.

Cerberus is the offspring of the mythological monsters Echidna and Typhon.

Echidna- half woman half snake

Typhon- a half snake and half human god of storms with many heads.

Sibling of the hydra.

Cerberus is often depicted as only a huge canine with three heads, however many older descriptions include a mane of snakes or a tail consisting of several snakes (often three),

Hera gave cerberus to hades, her brother, after receiving cerberus as a gift from echidna.

Today, cerberus often symbolizes ferocious loyalty, vigilance, strength, power, protection, death and the afterlife.

Segment 2: Free Discussion

How believable on a scale from 1-10? 1 being not believable 10 being super real.

Harry potter

Thank you for tuning into this week's episode about three-headed monsters

Next week we will be discussing the Banshee

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Let curiosity be your compass.

Music Credits:

Missing Persons by Jeremy Blake

Dead Wrong by Jeremy Blake

Devil’s Organ by Jimena Contreras

Frightmare by Jimena Contreras

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