Download Name: Hercules Date: English 12/12H Directions

Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Hercules
English 12/12H
Directions: Complete the items below. Use your text as directed.
Before beginning, check to see that the paragraphs in this chapter are numbered. There should be 66 total. If they are
not, take a few minutes and number them NEATLY in PENCIL!
1. Hercules is a famous hero in Greek mythology. Actually, “Hercules” is the Roman name for this demigod. His Greek
name was “Heracles,” but we tend to refer to him as Hercules most often. He is labeled as a hero or demigod because
one of his parents is a god or goddess and the other parent is mortal.
Think about the word “hero” and what it means to you. Name one characteristic you think a hero MUST possess. Then,
think of another characteristic you think a hero SHOULD NOT possess. Write them below:
A HERO MUST BE…
A HERO SHOULD NOT BE…
Is there someone you consider to be a hero? If there is, explain who this is and why he or she deserves the label “hero.”
If there is not anyone you consider to be a hero, explain why.
2. Paragraph 6—The story of Hercules’ life begins here. Read this paragraph. Pull out the ONE main detail and write this
statement below. Add approximately 3 important supporting details below it.
Hercules is the son of Zeus and Alcmena
Zeus appeared to Alcmena in the form of her husband
Hercules has a twin brother, Iphicles (Amphitryon is Iphicles’ father)
Hera was jealous of Hercules
3. Paragraph 7—Main Idea (1) and Important Details (3)
Hercules strangles two snakes as a baby
Hera sends the snakes
Iphicles screams
Snakes are dead when Alcmena and Amphitryon rush in
4. Paragraph 8—Main Idea (1) and Important Details (2)
Hercules’ great strength emerges in various ways during his childhood
He accidentally kills his music teacher because he is frustrated
By the time he is 18, he has killed the Thespian lion, whose skin he wears as a cloak
5. Paragraphs 9-12—Main Idea (1) and Important Details (3)
Hercules kills his wife and children
Princess Megara was a reward from the Thebans for conquering the Minyans
Hera sends a fit of madness
Hercules feels he should die for his crime
6. Paragraphs 13-21—Main Idea (1) and Important Details (1)
Theseus persuades Hercules to resist committing suicide
Theseus invites Hercules to share his home in Athens
7. Paragraph 22—Main Idea (1) and Important Details (2)
Hercules feels the need to be purified
Hercules consults the oracle at Delphi
Priestess at Delphi sends Hercules to his cousin Eurystheus
8. Paragraph 23—Main Idea (1) and Important Details (2)
Eurystheus gives Hercules 12 tasks to accomplish
Called the 12 Labors
All are very difficult or almost impossible
9. Paragraphs 24-35—Fill out the table below, listing Hercules’ 12 labors
1
2
3
4
5
6
Brief Description
Kill Nemean lion
Kill the Hydra
Brief Description
7
8
9
10
11
12