BAAL
Fertility and Storm God. Baal is a
common Semitic *
word that means "lord" or "owner." The title was given to
the local god of nearly every city in Canaan. Because of the importance of rain
to life in the dry lands of the Near East, these local gods were usually
associated with fertility and the cycle of wet and dry seasons. Baal developed
into a single, widely known god, called Lord of the Earth and Lord of the Rain
and Dew. Clay tablets found at the ruins of the ancient town
of Ras es-Shamrah (in present-day Syria) contain a series of stories about how
Baal became the rain god and gained power over the waters of earth.
According to the tales, Yam, the sea god, demanded that Baal be
made his slave. He sent messengers to Baal, asking him to surrender, but Baal
attacked the messengers and drove them away. Baal then fought with Yam and,
using two magic weapons, defeated him and seized control of the waters. In the
story, Yam represents the destructive nature of water: rivers and seas flooding
the land and ruining crops and killing animals. Baal represents water's
positive powers: rain and dew providing the moisture needed to make crops grow.
Baal's Battle with Death. Other
myths about Baal relate to fertility and the cycle of the seasons. One such
story tells of the battle between Baal and Mot, the god of death and
infertility. After conquering Yam, Baal complained that he had no house like
the other gods did. El agreed to let the crafts god Kothar build Baal a fine
house. When it was finished, Baal held a great feast—but he did not invite Mot
or send him respectful presents. Greatly insulted, Mot asked Baal to come to
the underworld to dine.
Although afraid, Baal could not refuse the invitation. The food served at Mot's
table was mud, the food of death, and when Baal ate it, he was trapped in the
underworld.
Note: This reference of 'Baal' is know as an allusion.
An allusion is a reference within a work of literature to history, religion, other literature, or anything within the culture.
Review theme, symbol, character, setting and how the combination of these terms work with each other. Know how to define, explain and given examples from the new story.
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