Works and Days

Duality is a recurring motif in “Works and Days.” It is introduced at the poem’s outset through Hesiod’s concept of Strife as doubly manifested, with both productive and destructive aspects. Hesiod’s characterization of woman as both pleasure and punishment is another manifestation of the motif, as is his insistence that despite the fifth tribe of men’s many “harsh troubles,” they will still “have good mixed with ill” (42). In addition, Hesiod’s concept of Hope as humanity’s consolation in the face of their many “grim cares” (39) demonstrates the coexistence of negative and positive aspects.

Hesiod describes the third tribe of men, the bronze men, as “a terrible and fierce race” preoccupied with violence and war, and “no eaters of corn” (41). Corn here functions as a symbol for agriculture, which in Hesiod’s time was associated with civilization. That the bronze men are “no eaters of corn” further illustrates their ferocity and destructive tendencies. Their time is spent making war rather than engaging and labor through the building of agricultural communities.