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

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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

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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

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?

Greek Heroes

What makes a hero? What do you consider to be heroic?

Greek Heroes

• Mortals who are considered more powerful/skilled than regular humans
• not necessarily good or evil

Greek Heroes...

• are often exceptionally gifted
• are often exceptionally ambitious

Greek Heroes

• Always have a personal connection in some way to a god or goddess

Quick Write:

Describe a hero you have read about in Myth World. Why do they qualify as a Greek Hero? Do you think they are a good person?

"Prometheus"

Why does Zeus create humans?

How might fire have helped humans with:
-caves
-weather
-wild animals
-food

According to Zeus, what will humans think about themselves if they get fire?

Why would fire make humans more interesting?

Why would fire make humans more dangerous?

Prometheus:
Helpful or Hurtful?

Do you think humans are happier with fire? Why/Why not?

Do you think Prometheus should be considered a "friend" to man?
Why/Why not?

Do you think Zeus should be considered a friend to man?
Why/Why not?

What reason does Odysseus give to explain why the Cyclops should welcome the Achaeans?

Why does the Cyclops reject this reason?

List the things the Cyclops does when he discovers Odysseus and his men.

What does this chapter tell us about the cyclops's character? What about Odysseus' character?

Did your predictions come true?

The Odyssey

How do Odysseus’s men feel about his decision to taunt Polyphemus?

How do Odysseus’s men feel about his decision to taunt Polyphemus?

Why does Odysseus tell Polyphemus his real name?

What does Odysseus’s choice to tell Polyphemus who he really is reveal about his character?

After the men escape, they give Odysseus the big ram. What does this suggest about their feelings for Odysseus?

What does Odysseus do with the ram, and what does this suggest about his character?

ODYSSEUS: the Man, the Myth, the Hero?

What kind of character does he have? How do his actions reveal his character?

You and your partners do not need to agree on your answers to these questions. If you disagree, take turns giving a reason that supports your answer

1. Shorter person starts
2. Share the quote you highlighted yesterday that describes Odysseus' character

Who wins the weaving contest? Who do you think is the judge?

The poem says that Arachne “refused to live / With the injustice” (210–211). What was the injustice?

What does Arachne do at the end of the competition, after Minerva destroys the tapestry?

What does Minerva do when she sees Arachne hanging herself?

Does Arachne deserve to become a spider? Why or why not?

Does Arachne deserve to become a spider? Why or why not?

Pride

(a group of lions)

a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements

a feeling that you like and respect yourself and that you deserve to be respected by other people

a belief that you are better than other people and do not need their help or support

In Greek Mythology, are humans destroyed by their pride? Why/Why not?

Myth Review:

Zeus v. Prometheus

The Odyssey

Arachne

Religion

devout/devoted

Culturally religious v. Spiritual?

sacred v. secular?

Agnostic?

Athiest?

Religion can be complicated to talk about, because it's personal.

How does Religion show up in YOUR life?

How does Religion show up in American Society?

How is Religious Belief related to fact? To fiction?

"One similarity between fiction and religious belief is that religious beliefs can be not true for some people and true for other people, because people have different opinions." - Gracie

"A similarity of fiction and religious belief is that there is not real evidence for either - but there's not usually actual evidence against many religious beliefs either" - Aaron

"A similarity between fact and religious belief is that some people and things people believe in may actually be real events that may have happened." - Tristan

"A similarity between fact and religious belief is that a lot of religion is based off what people know for sure." - Rae

"One similarity between fiction and religious belief is that both contain inexplicable happenings." - Kate

"A difference between fact and religious belief is that something that could have been seen as an act of God could have been a natural occurrence." - Evan

What have you learned about Judaism?

What have you learned about Christianity?

How are Christianity and Judaism similar?

How are Judaism and Christianity different?

How do Judaism/Christianity differ from Ancient Egyptian Religion?

How can religion be used as a tool?

(Why) Is it important to learn about religion?

Why do you think people follow religion?

Have your thoughts about religion changed in the past few weeks?

What other questions should we be asking?

What is religion?