classical greek mythology literature mrs. schultz

Classical Greek Classical Greek MythologyMythology

LiteratureLiterature

Mrs. SchultzMrs. Schultz

MythologyMythology

• Oral tradition

• Rewritten many times over

• Many discrepancies

Purpose of MythsPurpose of Myths

• Explain events in nature

• Teach a lesson or moral: explain how things were supposed to be or how humans were supposed to act

• To entertain

Classical MythologyClassical Mythology

• “Coming of the Immortals” p. 2

• “Zeus and His Family” p. 6

• “Hephaestus and the Birth of Hermes” p. 21

Coming of the ImmortalsComing of the Immortals

• By Roger Lancelyn Green

• Known for entertaining retellings

GreeceGreece• Origin of mythology lies in Greece

• Mountains of Greece and their beauty inspired the immortals that are believed to have lived there.

• Gods and Goddesses lived on Mount Olympus

Stories were told, and told, and Stories were told, and told, and told…told…

• There are many discrepancies between names and actual events for different stories because humans retold the stories and changed “facts”.

Questions to ConsiderQuestions to Consider

• Who are the immortals?

• The immortals were gods and goddesses believed to have powers greater than humans.


• Why did the Greeks tell stories about them?

– The purpose was to explain events in nature– to explain how things were supposed to be or

how humans should act – to entertain


• What is the tone of “Coming of the Immortals” and what does it suggest about the author’s approach to mythology?

– Humorous tone– The approach is informal and fun

““Zeus and His Family”Zeus and His Family”

• Who were the first gods?

– Gaea, Mother Earth– Uranus, God of the Sky– Cronus, Son of Gaea and Uranus

• See family tree chart handout

CronusCronus

– Son of Gaea and Uranus

– Married his sister Rhea and had six children:• Demeter, Hestia, Hera, Zeus, Poseidon, & Hades

– Swallowed his children whole because of the prophecy that they would kill him.

CronusCronus

• Rhea had Cronus swallow a rock wrapped in a blanket so that she could save Zeus.

• Zeus fulfilled the prophecy and killed Cronus.

ZeusZeus

• King of the Gods

• God of the Sky

• More powerful than the other gods

• Children of Zeus:– Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Heracles, Dionysus,

Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes, & Persephone

Zeus Shared PowersZeus Shared Powers

• Shared powers with brothers and sisters– Hades, God of the Underworld– Poseidon, God of the Sea– Aphrodite, Goddess of Love– Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest– Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth– Hera, Queen of the Gods

Zeus Shared PowersZeus Shared Powers

• Shared powers with children– Ares, God of War– Hermes, Messenger God– Athena, Goddess of Wisdom– Apollo, God of the Sun– Artemis, Goddess of the Moon– Dionysus, God of the Vine


• Who were Zeus’s allies against Cronus?

– His allies were Metis who helped make the potion for Cronus to throw up his children and then they too helped Zeus.

– Prometheus and Epimetheus (former Titans)


• Who are the twelve gods and goddesses of the Olympiad?

– Zeus’s five brothers and sisters, six children, and Aphrodite.


• What makes Zeus so much more powerful than the other gods?

– Zeus had his thunderbolts, and he was stronger than all of the gods put together.

““Hephaestus and Hephaestus and the Birth of Hermes”the Birth of Hermes”

• Hephaestus– Son of Zeus and Hera

– Hera was not happy when he was born because he was so ugly.

– She threw him over a cliff to die.

– Raised by Thetis

HephaestusHephaestus

• He was a great craftsman

• God of Smithing

• Made the thunderbolts, trident, and most of the palaces

• Married Aphrodite

HermesHermes

• Son of Zeus and Maia

• Messenger God (winged feet)

• Grew to age 4 in one day

• Worked for Hades, great inventor


• Why is it that no one celebrated the birth of Hephaestus?

– He was small and ugly– His mother, Hera, threw him off a cliff


• Do you feel sorry for Hephaestus? Why or why not?

– Yes, he should not have been treated that way. He is constantly used for his talents.


• What is the importance of the trade between Hermes and Apollo?

– This set up a relationship between the two and Hermes is seen as a good negotiator. He is really slick.


• Which of Hermes inventions are most important?

– The alphabet and arithmetic because these are used for anything and everything today.


• “Aphrodite” p. 25

• “Demeter and Persephone” p. 98

• “Midas” p. 183

AphroditeAphrodite

• Goddess of Love

• Most beautiful woman in the world

• Magic girdle—all men were under her spell

• Born from the dismembered body of Uranus in the foam of the ocean


• How was Aphrodite born?

– Aphrodite was born out of the dismembered parts of Uranus floating in the foam of the ocean.


• Why do you think that Hera insisted she be married right away?

– Aphrodite was so beautiful that Hera thought there would be problems. She also wanted her for her son Hephaestus.


• What did each of the gods offer her to become her husband?

– Poseidon offered gifts from the sea– Apollo offered a golden chariot and the Muses as her

maids– Hermes offered to make her queen of the crossways– Hephaestus offered nothing but said he would make a

good husband


• Why did she choose Hephaestus?– He was good at making beautiful things and

he acted like he would give her space.

““Demeter and Persephone”Demeter and Persephone”

• Demeter– Goddess of Crops and Agriculture– Happy—fields are green, grasses grow– Sad—fields and grass suffer– Mother of Persephone– Myth explains seasonal changes


• What can you infer about the speaker of this poem?– The speaker is angry and upset. At times it

seems as if Demeter is the speaker.


• Why does Demeter disguise herself before she goes to the village of the mortals?

– She does not want the mortals to know that she is Demeter. The goddess that has been in control of their crops and harvest.


• Why does Demeter grow angry with Metaneira?

– Metaneira does not realize that Demeter is a goddess and she thinks that Demeter will hurt her son. Demeter is angry when she takes her son back.


• What do you think is the purpose of this myth?

– This myth was told to explain a natural event, the changing of the seasons.


• “Midas” p. 183

• “Prometheus” p. 185

• “Pandora” p. 190

MidasMidas

• King Midas was given a reward from Bacchus (Dionysus)

• He asked that all that he touches turn to gold

• He wanted to get rid of the power

• He went to the River Factolus and plunged in to get rid of the “curse”


• At what point does Midas realize that his wish was foolish?

– When he can’t even eat bread he realizes that his wish is foolish.


• Why is Bacchus sorry that Midas had not made a better choice?

– Bacchus sees things and their consequences and knows that this is not a good choice.


• What would be your wish if you could have anything that you asked for?

PrometheusPrometheus

• Titan thought to create humankind

• Defies Zeus and brings fire back to humans

• Was chained to a rock for years by Zeus as a punishment


• Why does Zeus take fire from the mortals?

– He thinks that they are not thinking about the gods as they should. The mortals are only concerned about finding riches.


• Why do the gods and goddesses want it returned?

– They are tired of looking down on a world so cold and black.


• In what ways is Prometheus a champion of the “little people”?

– He is trying to do the right thing and help them get something back that they truly need for survival.


• In your opinion, was Prometheus wise or foolish? Explain.

““Pandora”Pandora”

• Zeus’s revenge on Prometheus and humans for stealing back fire was Pandora.

• Hephaestus molded her out of clay and Zeus was said to have breathed life into her. Modeled after Aphrodite.


• A wedding gift of a beautiful box was given to Pandora, but she was told not to open it.

• Hera gave her curiosity. HMMM…


• Pandora’s curiosity got the better of her and she opened the box.

• Disease, famine, insanity, and all other foul kin were released into the world.

• Foreboding did not get released.


• “The Trojan War: Paris and Helen” p. 234

• “The Trojan War: Odysseus” p. 239

The Trojan War: Paris and HelenThe Trojan War: Paris and Helen

• Eris was not invited to a wedding so she caused problems with a golden apple that signified being the fairest between Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera.

• Zeus decided that Paris would choose which goddess was the most beautiful.

The Trojan War: Paris and HelenThe Trojan War: Paris and Helen

• Aphrodite was chosen because she promised him the most beautiful woman he wanted.

• He chose Helen and this started the Trojan War because she was married to King Menalaus, King of Sparta.


• Why did Aphrodite help Paris?

– He chose her as the most beautiful.


• Is Paris a likeable person? Explain.

• Whom do you think is most responsible for causing the Trojan War?

The Trojan War: OdysseusThe Trojan War: Odysseus

• Odysseus is the Greek hero that devised the plan for the Trojan Horse.

• His plan helped the Spartans take the city of Troy.


• Why are the Greek soldiers so desperate for the war to end?

– It had been 10 long years. They miss their homes and families. They are tired.


• What is the purpose of the Trojan Horse?

– It allows them to get into the city. This is what has been holding them back for ten years.


• Why is the inscription from Athena so important?

– This is what will convince the soldiers that it is a gift and they will have to take it into their city. It “proves” that it is not a trick.


• “Arachne the Spinner” p. 331

• “The End of the Olympians” p. 366

““Arachne the Spinner”Arachne the Spinner”

• Arachne was a mortal girl.

• She committed the sin of arrogance which was felt to be the worst sin according to the gods.

• Athena disguised as an old woman heard Arachne’s arrogant remarks.

““Arachne the Spinner”Arachne the Spinner”

• Athena challenged her to a weaving contest.

• Athena won and turned Arachne into a spider.


• What is Arachne’s greatest fault, and how does it contribute to her downfall?

– She is conceited and it is her downfall because she had bragged too much and the wrong people heard.

• Why do you think Athena first disguises herself as an old lady?

– Athena disguises herself so that she can hear what the mortals truly think and believe.

““The End of the Olympians”The End of the Olympians”

• Map of Greece


• 1. According to Graves, what religion followed the worship of the Olympians?

– Christianity


• 2. Why did the rule of the gods and goddesses have to end?

– The last king that believed in them was killed.


• 3. What remains of the Olympiad today?

– Constellations– Greek mythology inspired many things


• Which god or goddess did you enjoy the most?


• Would you say Athena’s punishment fit the crime?

classical greek mythology literature mrs. schultz

Documents

helped zeus

fun zeus

godschildren of zeus

maiamessenger god

god of warhermes

goddess of wisdomapollo

goddess of lovedemeter

actual events