The Acheron RiverSydni Vencill

Pd. 5

Background Information Acheron is a river located in the

Espirus region of northwest Greece. It is approximately 58 km long. Its source is near the village of

Zotiko. The Acheron River flows into the

Ionian Sea in Ammoudia.

Biblical Significance

Acheron, Cocytus, Phlegethon, Lethe, and Styx are the five rivers of the ancient Greek underworld. This underworld, or the land of the dead, is ruled by the god Hades. These rivers represent the levels of hell in the Bible.

Stories and Myths The Suda say that the Acheron River is “a

place of healing, not a place of punishment, cleansing and purging the sins of humans.”

In ancient Greek mythology, Acheron is known as the river of pain. It is also one of five rivers in the Greek underworld.

Also, the ancient Greeks believed that Charon ferried souls across the Acheron river to hell.

Symbols In Greek mythology, the Acheron

River is used to carry souls to hell. The ferryman takes all of the souls

across the Acheron river.

Quote Original Text: “Get you gone, And at

the pit of Acheron, Meet me i' th' morning.

Modern Text: “Go away now and in the morning meet me in the pit by the river in hell.”

My InterpretationMy interpretation of the mentioning of Acheron in Macbeth is that Hecate wants the three witches to take Macbeth to the Acheron River, which is the river that leads to hell, so that he can learn his destiny and what he needs to do. Shakespeare is trying to say that Macbeth is going to go to hell for all of the sins that he has committed, such as killing King Duncan out of greed so that he could become king.

Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheron http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_underworld http://nfs.sparknotes.com/macbeth/

page_122.html http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Greece/

Epirus/Preveza/Fanari/photo271206.htm http://www.greeka.com/members/jondhaw/parga-

photos/76943.htm http://www.river-styx.net/greek-gods-hades.htm http://christohellenism.bravehost.com/Theology/

adonis2.html