Introduction
Folktales are stories made up by the common people, who tell them over and over again until they become well known. They were told as entertainment when the day's work was over. "Rip Van Winkle" was a Dutch folktale long before Washington Irving wrote it.
Legends are similar to folktales, but they are based on historical events or real characters. Davy Crockett and Johnny Appleseed are two American legendary characters.
Myths are people's attempt to understand the universe as they see it. Now we understand much of our universe, but we continue to study mythology because the ancients have given us so many fascinating stories whose characters have enriched our language and our imagination.
Legends are similar to folktales, but they are based on historical events or real characters. Davy Crockett and Johnny Appleseed are two American legendary characters.
Myths are people's attempt to understand the universe as they see it. Now we understand much of our universe, but we continue to study mythology because the ancients have given us so many fascinating stories whose characters have enriched our language and our imagination.
Major Gods and Goddesses
Realm - Greek name (Roman name) - Symbol(s)
King of gods and ruler of mankind - Zeus (Jupiter) - Thunderbolt/Eagle
God of sea, horses, and earthquakes - Poseidon (Neptune) - Trident/Horse/Bull
God of underworld - Hades (Pluto) - Helmet of invisibility
Goddess of hearth and home - Hestia (Vesta) - Fireplace/Home
Queen of gods and wife of Zeus - Hera (Juno) - Peacock/Cow
God of war - Ares (Mars) - Vulture
Goddess of wisdom, war, and weaving - Athena (Minerva) - Owl/Olive Tree
God of sun, music, poetry, and medicine - Apollo (Apollo) - Lyre/Laurel/Dolphin
God of love and beauty - Aphrodite (Venus) - Dove/Swan
Messenger god; God of commerce, travelers, and thieves - Hermes (Mercury) - Winged Sandals
Goddess of moon and hunting; Patroness of maidens - Artemis (Diana) - Bow & arrow/Deer/Cypress
God of fire; Forger of armor - Hephaestus (Vulcan) - Fire/Volcano
King of gods and ruler of mankind - Zeus (Jupiter) - Thunderbolt/Eagle
God of sea, horses, and earthquakes - Poseidon (Neptune) - Trident/Horse/Bull
God of underworld - Hades (Pluto) - Helmet of invisibility
Goddess of hearth and home - Hestia (Vesta) - Fireplace/Home
Queen of gods and wife of Zeus - Hera (Juno) - Peacock/Cow
God of war - Ares (Mars) - Vulture
Goddess of wisdom, war, and weaving - Athena (Minerva) - Owl/Olive Tree
God of sun, music, poetry, and medicine - Apollo (Apollo) - Lyre/Laurel/Dolphin
God of love and beauty - Aphrodite (Venus) - Dove/Swan
Messenger god; God of commerce, travelers, and thieves - Hermes (Mercury) - Winged Sandals
Goddess of moon and hunting; Patroness of maidens - Artemis (Diana) - Bow & arrow/Deer/Cypress
God of fire; Forger of armor - Hephaestus (Vulcan) - Fire/Volcano
MYTHOLOGY WEBQUEST
Heroes
Stories we read include the following:
Perseus - With help from the gods, Perseus is able to defeat the Gorgon Medusa. Be careful - there are many movies about this myth, you will be tested on what we READ in class not the movie's interpretation.
Theseus - To free his kingdom from a horrible penitence, Theseus volunteers to be a sacrifice. He instead gets help through the labyrinth in order to battle the Minotaur.
Jason and the Argonauts - Jason is sent on a quest to find the golden fleece in order to regain control of his kingdom from his usurper cousin Pelias. With the help of a sorceress, Medea, and the goddess Hera, Jason is able to complete impossible tasks and return victorious with the golden fleece.
Hercules - Many people are familiar with the Disney version of this story. Be aware however that the Disney version is drastically changed from the version we read. Hercules is extremely strong physically, but he also impulsively responds to his emotions. He is always very apologetic for his actions. In order to make up for a wrong he would seek out punishment. The Twelve Labors of Hercules are a result of this.
Perseus - With help from the gods, Perseus is able to defeat the Gorgon Medusa. Be careful - there are many movies about this myth, you will be tested on what we READ in class not the movie's interpretation.
Theseus - To free his kingdom from a horrible penitence, Theseus volunteers to be a sacrifice. He instead gets help through the labyrinth in order to battle the Minotaur.
Jason and the Argonauts - Jason is sent on a quest to find the golden fleece in order to regain control of his kingdom from his usurper cousin Pelias. With the help of a sorceress, Medea, and the goddess Hera, Jason is able to complete impossible tasks and return victorious with the golden fleece.
Hercules - Many people are familiar with the Disney version of this story. Be aware however that the Disney version is drastically changed from the version we read. Hercules is extremely strong physically, but he also impulsively responds to his emotions. He is always very apologetic for his actions. In order to make up for a wrong he would seek out punishment. The Twelve Labors of Hercules are a result of this.
Assignments
- Mythology Webquest
- Gods/Goddesses Chart
- Perseus Reading Questions
- Theseus Reading Questions
- Perseus & Theseus Review
- Jason Reading Questions
- Hercules Reading Questions
- Jason & Hercules Review
Vocabulary List 1
1. abhor (v) 11. pined (v)
2. ambition (n) 12. piteous (adj)
3. desolation (n) 13. quest (n)
4. elixir (n) 14. ravished (v)
5. exile (n) 15. reconciled (v)
6. expedition (n) 16. semblance (n)
7. frenzied (adj) 17. solitude (n)
8. futile (adj) 18. usurper (n)
9. invincible (adj) 19. vengeance (n)
10. oracle (n) 20. wretched (adj)
2. ambition (n) 12. piteous (adj)
3. desolation (n) 13. quest (n)
4. elixir (n) 14. ravished (v)
5. exile (n) 15. reconciled (v)
6. expedition (n) 16. semblance (n)
7. frenzied (adj) 17. solitude (n)
8. futile (adj) 18. usurper (n)
9. invincible (adj) 19. vengeance (n)
10. oracle (n) 20. wretched (adj)
Vocabulary List 2
- astonish (v) 11. impulse (n)
- conspicuously (adv) 12. ingenious (adj)
- covert (adj) 13. intervene (v)
- deliberate (adj) 14. ludicrous (adj)
- devise (v) 15. penitence (n)
- devoted (adj) 16. pestilence (n)
- divert (v) 17. plunder (v)
- embody (v) 18. respite (n)
- exonerate (v) 19. subdue (v)
- expiate (v) 20. undaunted (adj)
The Odyssey
Part One: The Wanderings of Odysseus
Book 1: A Goddess Intervenes
Part Two: The Homecoming
Book 16: Father and Son
Book 1: A Goddess Intervenes
- The poet introduces Odysseus, a successful warrior who, after conquering the city of Troy, has wandered the seas for many years. Now he wants only to return safely to his home and family.
- Odysseus has met King Alcinous and begins telling him of his adventures since leaving Troy. He relates the tale of the Lotus Eaters and his encounter with the brutal Cyclops, a son of the sea-god Poseidon. Odysseus continues to tell his tales in Books 10-12.
- Odysseus and his crew travel to the underworld, where Tiresias warns Odysseus against stealing the cattle of Helios, god of the sun. According to the prophecy, if Odysseus raids the cattle, he will lose his ship and crew and return home only after many years alone at sea.
- Odysseus and his men return to Circe's island, where she advises him on how to get past the bewitching Sirens and the horrible sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis. He successfully evades the Sirens but does not escape the monsters without losing some of his men.
Part Two: The Homecoming
Book 16: Father and Son
- Sent safely on his way by King Alcinous, Odysseus reaches Ithaca. The goddess Athena disguises him as an old man so that he may surprise the evil suitors who are courting his wife, Penelope. Odysseus greets Eumaeus, his faithful swineherd, and Telemacus, his own son, returned home after many years abroad.
- Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus returns to his home.
- Not recognizing the beggar as her husband, and weary from grief and waiting, Penelope proposes an archery contest to the suitors, with marriage to her as the prize. Still disguised as an old man, Odysseus beats them all in the contest.
- With Telemachus and Eumaeus at his side, Odysseus sheds his disguise and does battle with the suitors, showing them no mercy.
- Hardened by years of waiting, Penelope is not convinced that this man is really her husband. She tests him, playing a trick that only Odysseus would recognize. Odysseus passes the test, and husband and wife are reunited.
Assignments
- Trojan War Webquest
- Reading Questions in book
The Odyssey Interactive Timeline:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline_2/
- Type your first and last name
- Type Odyssey Timeline for the title
- Click Events
Vocabulary List 1
- adversary (n) 11. indifferent (adj)
- appalled (v) 12. insidious (adj)
- ardor (n) 13. muster (v)
- assuage (v) 14. prodigious (adj)
- bereft (v - past tense) 15. profusion (n)
- consultation (n) 16. squall (n)
- dispatch (v) 17. surpass (v)
- embark (v) 18. teeming (adj)
- fathomless (adj) 19. valor (n)
- guile (n) 20. whim (n)
Vocabulary List 2
- anguish (n) 11. implacable (adj)
- bemusing (adj) 12. incredulity (n)
- contempt (n) 13. lithe (adj)
- contending (v) 14. maudlin (adj)
- dissemble (v) 15. renowned (adj)
- embossed (adj) 16. restitution (n)
- equity (n) 17. revulsion (n)
- folly (n) 18. shrouding (v or n)
- glowering (v) 19. suffice (v)
- impudent (adj) 20. tremulous (adj)
Vocabulary List 3
- abject (adj) 11. demeanor (n)
- abominably (adv) 12. dilapidated (adj)
- abysmal (adj) 13. disconcerting (adj)
- adversity (n) 14. foreboding (adj)
- aloof (adj) 15. harried (adj)
- archaic (adj) 16. inquisitive (adj)
- arduous (adj) 17. intuitive (adj)
- cavort (v) 18. ponderous (adj)
- condescending (adj) 19. revelry (n)
- contrition (n) 20. travail (n)
Vocabulary List 4
- adept (adj) 11. intricate (adj)
- aspire (v) 12. inundate (v)
- assimilate (v) 13. lucid (adj)
- chide (v) 14. meander (v)
- despicable (adj) 15. posthumous (adj)
- escalate (v) 16. repugnant (adj)
- exorbitant (adj) 17. sardonic (adj)
- expedient (n) 18. superfluous (adj)
- feign (v) 19. surly (adj)
- grievous (adj) 20. tenacious (adj)
The Epic
epic - long narrative poem
epic hero - a larger-than-life figure who undertakes great journeys and performs deeds requiring remarkable strength and cunning
epic setting - includes fantastic or exotic lands
archetypes - all epics include archetypes - characters, situations and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures. Examples: buried treasure, loyal servant
epic themes - reflect universal concerns. Examples: courage, homecoming, loyalty
epic hero - a larger-than-life figure who undertakes great journeys and performs deeds requiring remarkable strength and cunning
- helped and harmed by gods
- embodies ideals and values that culture considers admirable
- victorious
epic setting - includes fantastic or exotic lands
archetypes - all epics include archetypes - characters, situations and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures. Examples: buried treasure, loyal servant
epic themes - reflect universal concerns. Examples: courage, homecoming, loyalty
The Language of Homer
epic simile - a long simile (compare using like or as) - goes on for several lines
epithet - a brief descriptive phrase used to characterize a particular person or thing. Example: Odysseus is often called "raider of cities"
allusion - reference to a famous person, place, or event
epithet - a brief descriptive phrase used to characterize a particular person or thing. Example: Odysseus is often called "raider of cities"
allusion - reference to a famous person, place, or event