Download Part one: The gods, the Creation and the Earliest Heroes

Summer assignment for Seniors
Book: Mythology, by Edith Hamilton
Part one: The gods, the Creation and the Earliest Heroes
(Start in page 21)
I. Each student should make 25 flashcards. Each one of them should be about a different mythological
character. One side of the flashcard should have the name and picture of the character and the other
side will have all pertinent information about him or her. Example:
Side 1
Side 2
Zeus (Jupiter)
One of the 12 Olympians. His power was greater
than of all the other divinities together. He was
the supreme ruler. He was Lord of the Sky, the
Rain-god, and the Cloud-gatherer, who wielded
the awful thunderbolt.
He dethroned his father, Cronus, and seized the
power for himself.
He was not omnipotent nor omniscient. He could
be opposed and deceived.
Zeus
He is represented as falling in love with one
woman after another.
You will make flashcards for the following characters:
Titans
(Elder gods)
1 Cronus
2 Ocean
[Look at part
one]
The 12 Olympians
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Zeus (Jupiter)
Hera (Juno)
Poseidon (Neptune)
Hades (Pluto)
Pallas Athena (Minerva)
Phoebus Apollo
Artemis (Diana)
Aphrodite (Venus)
Hermes (Mercury)
Other gods and heroes
Demeter (Ceres)
Dionisus (Bacchus) [pages 5675]
Perseus, Theseus, Hercules,
Atlanta. [see part three, start on
page 191]
10. Ares (Mars)
11. Hephaestus (Vulcan and Mulciber)
12. Hestia (Vesta)
[Look part one]
How the world and mankind were created
(Start on page 76)
II. Answer the following questions in your own words.
The creation of the world
According to Greek Mythology, who was born from darkness and death? What happened
right after?
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How were the Giants and the Erinyes created?
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Who rebelled against, and defeated, Cronus?
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What was Atlas’ punishment?
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Who was Typhon?
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When the Giants revolted against Zeus, who helped Zeus win?
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The creation of mankind
1) Tell me in your own words the story of the creation of mankind by Prometheus and
Epimetheus
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a) Are you more like Prometheus or like Epimetheus? Why?
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b) Tell me in your own words the story of the “five ages” of the creation of mankind:
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c) How do you think these stories are different from, or alike to, the Christian myth of
creation?
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The earliest heroes
(Start in page 94)
III: Answer the following questions:
a) Prometheus and Io
1) What happened to Io? Who is the cause of her misfortune?
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b) Europa
Tell in your own words, in at least one paragraph, the story of Europa.
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c) The Cyclops Polyphemus
1) How is the story of Polyphemus and Galatea different from the fairy tale “The beauty
and the beast?” Explain your answer
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d) Flower myths: Narcissus, Hyacint, Adonis:
1) Tell me which one of the Flower Myths is your favorite and why.
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Stories of love and adventure
(Starts in page 120)
III - Answer the following questions about the Stories of love and adventure
a) Cupid and Psyche
1. - Do you believe that Cupid did the right thing when he flew away, after Psyche saw him
sleeping? Is it true that “love cannot live where there is no thrust”? Why do you think so?
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2.- What do you think about Psyche’s sisters? Why?
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3.- What do you think about Venus? Is she humble? Why?
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4.-In Greek mythology, Love (Cupid) is the son of Beauty (Venus). Do you believe that love is
only the result of the appreciation of beauty? Is beauty only physical? Explain your answer.
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b) Pyramus and Thisbe
1.- How does this story explain the color of the mulberries? Do you believe that some myths
served as explanations of the natural world? Why do you think so?
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2. Many critics have said that the Pryamus and Thisbe are the original Romeo and Juliet. Do you
agree? How are their similar stories, and how are they different? Why?
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c) Orpheus and Eurydice (Aka, Dr. Iris’ Favorite)
1) Since he makes the lyrics for his own songs, Orpheus is both a musician and a poet. He is so
good at what he does that he is almost a god. His power is to charm and to enchant with his
music. He persuades with beauty. Now, do you believe that the work of the artists
nowadays still has the intention of using beauty to persuade or convince? Why?
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2) Why was Orpheus not able to rescue his wife?
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d) Ceyx and Alcione
1) Tell me how, in the end, Ceyx and Alcione were able to be together? Did you like the ending of
this story? Why?
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e) Pygmalion and Galatea
1. Do you think that an artist can fall in love with his own creation?
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2. The gods created man, and man (if he is an artist like Pygmalion or Orpheus) created art. Seeing
this relationship, do you believe that art and artist were important for the ancient Greeks? Why?
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f) Baucis and Philemon
1. In this particular Myth the lovers are not young, nor beautiful. They don’t even have a wonderful
story of adventures or luxuries. Do you think that their story is a good love story? Why?
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g) Endymion
1. Tell me, in your own words, the story of Endymion and Selene
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h) Make a drawing of the transformation of Daphne
I)
1.
Alpheus and Arethusa
Do you think that the story of Alpheus and Arethusa is a good love story? Why?
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