Greek Myths

Students, our next unit of study will examine Greek mythology.

In particular, we'll use Greek myths to explore questions and themes that help us understand the world around us and our role in it.

Our work begins next week with an introduction to primary characters of Greek mythology and the complex world of the Olympian gods.

Indeed, we'll learn about the Prometheus myth, considering whether or not humans deserved fire and Prometheus deserved to be punished for providing it.

We'll also read Odysseus’s description of meeting the Cyclops Polyphemus, considering how these two tricksters treat one another.

What's more, we'll read a retelling of the Arachne myth, focusing on the different ways in which this tale has been told by separate authors.

Lastly, at the end of our Greek myth exploration, we'll write an essay comparing how two myths of your choice present and comment on the theme of human pride.

Digital Materials

Amplify

• Access with student e-mail and password
• Today's Goal: get to know the Amplify software
• A link to Amplify is available on Google Classroom

Expecations

• Follow instructions and visit only directed websites.

Greek Mythology

Think, Pair, Share

• What characters from Greek myths do you know?

Greek myths were originally told thousands of years ago by the ancient Greeks. Back then these stories were their religion. They really believed that these stories were true.

Today, most people don’t believe in the Greek gods, but we still read these stories because they are interesting and help us think about our world.

What if I don't know anything about Greek Myths?

That's alright because we’re going to use an interactive quest to build our body of knowledge of Greek Myths!

Quest?

Myth World Quest

• This is an activity on Amplify
• In this activity, we'll climb Mount Olympus, cross the sea to Crete, or descend into the underworld.

Myth World Plot

• As we explore, we'll find characters who have been turned into stone by a rampaging Medusa-- a monster with snakes for hair.
• Our job is to crack them out of their stony prisons and defeat Medusa.

In order to defeat Medusa, we'll need four items:

1) Winged sandals to reach her

2) A helmet of invisibility to sneak up on her

3) A polished shield to reflect her petrifying gaze

4) And an adamantine sword to cut off her head

How?

First

• We'll need to complete a series of stories on top of Olympus to obtain the winged sandals

These sandals will allow us to descend Mount Olympus and take on another challenge.

At This Point

• You'll choose a path in persuit of the sword, the shield, or the helmet.
• Then you'll choose another path until all items are gathered.

Starting the Quest

Navigation Bar

• To start the quest you'll need to open the Myth World App
• To do this, click on the navigation bar in the top left corner

Untitled Slide

Myth World App

• Clicking the navigation bar opens a side window
• Then to start the quest, click on Myth World app
• The app has a picture of Zeus

Untitled Slide

Wait for Instructions

• After opening the app, wait for further instructions
• We will continue together as a class once everyone is at the same place.

Wait here!

Discussion Questions

Students, you will explore Myth World for the majority of today's class.

Similar to yesterday, we will periodically take a break to engage with discussion questions

Discussion Decorum

• Lower computer screens
• face your partner
• Take Turns
• Only return to reading when instructed

1) What god are you reading about right now? What does he or she represent? What is he or she in charge of?

2) What is the personality of this god? What is he or she like?

3) Would you describe this god as good or bad? Moral or immoral? Or maybe something in between?

4) How do gods interact with one another and with other immortal beings?

5) How do gods interact with mortals?

What is a Greek God?

Students, after two days of reading you may have notice Greek gods have common characteristics.

Greek Gods are immortal.

Greek Gods are not necessarily good or evil.

Greek Gods usually have a domain, something they represent or are in charge of.

Additionally, you may have noticed other similarities between Greek Gods.

For instance, many gods have children, albiet they have very different relationships with them.

Gods and their Children

• Zeus spoils Artemis.
• Hera rejects Hephaestus (until he proves himself useful).
• Cronos eats his own children.
• Apollo loves Phaethon and grants him his wish.

Secondly, you may also have noticed Gods often compete or fight with each other.

Gods vs Gods

• Hermes steals Apollo’s cattle.
• Hera leads a rebellion against Zeus.
• The male gods compete to marry Aphrodite.

Lastly, you may have noticed Gods often do horrible things to mortals.

Gods and Mortals

• Zeus destroys Phaethon with a lightning bolt.
• Artemis destroys a whole town with her bow.
• Aphrodite makes men lose their minds.

To be sure, you've gained a huge body of knowledge concerning Greek Gods...

...but now that you are off Mount Olympus we are going to learn about heroes of Greek myths.

What is a Greek Hero?

Greek Heroes

• Mortal who faces extraordinary obstacles
• Accomplishes extraordinary deeds
• Defined as being better than most people

Athene/Daedalus

• Greek hero of invention. He invented the plow, the loom, and the wheel.

Hades/Orpheus

• Greek hero who can create such beautiful music that it can affect the natural world around him.

Heracles

• Greek hero whose natural strength is both a blessing and a curse.

Discussion Questions

Discussion Decorum

• Lower computer screens
• face your partner
• Take Turns
• Only return to reading when instructed

What hero are you reading about?

What is his or her personality like? Do you like him or her? Do you think he or she is a good person?

What challenges does he or she face? What does he or she want?

What makes him or her special? In what way is he or she not like a normal person?

What is a Greek Hero?

In your daily life, what do you consider heroic? What makes a hero?

Greek Heroes

Greek heroes are not necessarily good or brave

Examples

• Heracles kills his family.
• Daedalus tried to kill his nephew.
• Phaethon and Icarus are selfish.
• Psyche is cowardly.

Greek heroes are often exceptionally gifted

Examples

• Heracles is overwhelmingly strong.
• Psyche is overwhelmingly beautiful.
• Daedalus is an unparalleled inventor.
• Asclepius is a master healer.

Greek heroes often have a specific connection to a god or goddess

Examples

• Heracles is the favorite of Zeus and is hated by Hera.
• Daedalus is the favorite of Athene.
• Phaethon is the son of Apollo.
• Psyche becomes a rival to Aphrodite.

The Point: The Greeks had their own idea of what a hero is

Greek Hero Didn't

• have to be good or bad
• have to make a sacrifice
• even have to be brave

To the Greeks...

• What made someone a hero is being better than everyone else at something.

If you were the best in the world in some way, the Greeks would call you a hero, and even worship you!

The Greatest Greek Hero

Yesterday's Challenge

• Find a quote from your myth world readings that describes or shows how extraordinary the hero you chose is, thus making him/her the greatest Greek hero of all time.

Orpheus

• "And as he grew and practiced, he played more and more beautifully, so that now not only animals but trees followed him as he walked, wrenching themselves out of the earth and hobbling after him on their twisted roots. "

Theseus

• "The giant launched a mighty kick. Theseus was ready. When the giant kicked, Theseus pulled, dodging swiftly out of the way as the enormous body hurtled over him, over and down, splashing the water cliff-high as it hit. Theseus saw the turtle swim toward the splash. He arose, dusted off his knees, and proceeded on his journey."

Heracles

• The three dog’s heads gnashed and tore at Heracles, while the serpent that was its tail wound round his limbs...For all the pain, Heracles hung on, throttling harder, till the snarling died away into the muffled growls and the jaws relaxed. Then he heaved the animal over his shoulder and carried him up, the three hideous heads lying limply by his own."

Non-example

• Heracles strode out to Cerberus and grasped him as he lay crouched in the shadow of the gate. At that the monster let out a deadly howl such as the underworld had never heard before, and the three dog’s heads gnashed and tore at Heracles, while the serpent that was its tail wound round his limbs. But Heracles held him so tightly that the heads were half strangled and could not get a grip except on the lionskin which partly protected him. For all the pain, Heracles hung on, throttling harder, till the snarling died away into the muffled growls and the jaws relaxed. Then he heaved the animal over his shoulder and carried him up, the three hideous heads lying limply by his own, and the huge length trailing behind him on the rocky ground.

Theseus

• He exercised constantly by running up and down the cliffs, swimming in the roughest seas, lifting logs and rocks, bending young trees; and indeed he grew much stronger.

Asclepius

• Be that as it may, he did snatch several patients from the very gates of Tartarus, and Hades was enraged.

Asclepius

• His fame reached Apollo, who decided to test him. He appeared at Asclepius’ door in the guise of a feeble old man afflicted with every loathsome disease known to medicine—and a pauper besides. Asclepius tended him with his own hands, and was so gentle and skillful that Apollo was amazed.

Strong Evidence

• Descriptive
• Evocative--bringing strong images or feelings to mind.
• Relevant
• Thoughtfully reduced

Keep this in mind...

• Choose a quote that demonstrates why you would or would not worship a god or goddess.
• Choose a quote that shows a hero accomplishing an extraordinary deed or facing an extraordinary obstacle

Monsters of Myth World

For every chapter you read, choose a quote—at least one full sentence—that describes a monster or describes where a monster lives. Choose a quote that shows why the monster or its environment would make you afraid.

Do I have to go in a particular order?

Athene/Shield: Minotaur--half-man, half-bull.

Hades/Helmet: Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guards the gates of the underworld.

Heracles/Sword: the Hydra, a serpent who grows stronger each time you cut off one of its heads.

Strong Evidence: Frightening

• Descriptive
• Evocative--bringing strong images or feelings to mind.
• Relevant
• Thoughtfully reduced

Google Classroom

• Gods of Myth World
• Heroes of Myth World
• Monsters of Myth World