Hero Myths
Why does Acrisios worry about Perseus's birth?
A prophecy stated that Acrisios's grandson would kill him.
Which of the following describes 1st person point of view?
A. Uses he, she, they
B. Uses I, we, me
C. Uses you
B. Uses I, we, me
Who does Echo love, and why doesn't it work out?
She loves Narcissus, but he only loves himself.
In the beginning, there was nothing but...
Chaos
Where does King Minos rule?
Crete
Why is Perseus pressured to get Medusa's head?
Polydectes is asking Perseus to obtain it for him as repayment for giving him a good life. It will prove he is a hero.
Lena gripped the edges of her notebook, her heart pounding as the teacher scanned the room for a volunteer. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, her mind racing through possible answers, but none seemed good enough. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to speak, unaware that no one else could hear the storm of doubt swirling inside her.
- What is the point of view of this paragraph?
3rd Limited
According to the cartoon version of the myth, why is Daedalus both loved and hated by Athenians?
He is loved for his inventions, but he brought the wrath of the gods by being too prideful.
True or False: The greek gods are known to be intentionally imperfect.
True
Who is known as the strongest hero?
Heracles
Which of the following characters is NOT considered a hero:
A. Theseus
B. Perseus
C. Prometheus
D. Heracles
E. Aegeus
F. Achilles
G. All of the above
E. Aegeus
They both feel differently about humans. Prometheus wants to help, but Zeus doesn't want them to be able to have any kind of power.
Name three examples of myths explaining how the world works.
Answers will vary.
What are these three gods/goddesses known for? (Demeter, Ares, Apollo)
Demeter - goddess of fertility (growing crops, etc.)
Ares - god of war
Apollo - god of sun, music, art, etc.
Name 3 places in Greece that our myths have mentioned.
Athens
Crete
Argos
List five character traits of a hero:
2. Wits
3. Glory
4. Weakness
5. Bravery
Story: Cassandra’s Curse
Cassandra stood at the gates of Troy, her breath ragged as she pleaded with the people gathered before her. The wooden horse loomed behind them, its surface gleaming under the dying light of day. “You must listen to me!” she cried. “It is not a gift—it is a trap! The Greeks are inside, waiting to strike!” But the Trojans only exchanged weary glances, their faces shadowed with doubt. They had long since dismissed her prophecies as madness. Even now, as fear tightened in her chest, she saw the smirks, the rolling eyes. To them, she was nothing more than a cursed girl, doomed to speak the truth and never be believed.
From the palace steps, King Priam sighed, his gaze heavy with pity. He did not enjoy watching his daughter suffer, but he had heard her warnings too many times before. Always, she spoke of disasters, of betrayals, of looming death. Yet the gods had never granted Troy’s people the proof they needed to trust her. “Cassandra,” he said gently, “the war is over. The gods have blessed us with peace. Why do you still insist on spreading fear?” The people murmured in agreement, their relief too sweet to surrender to another one of her visions. Priam turned away, signaling for the horse to be brought inside.
As the great wooden beast was dragged through the gates, Cassandra fell silent. There was nothing more she could do. The future unspooled in her mind like a thread already woven into fate—fires consuming the city, swords striking down the innocent, the screams of her people as the Greeks emerged from the belly of the beast. She clenched her fists, her voice stolen not by choice, but by certainty. The gods had willed her to see the truth, but what good was sight if no one else would open their eyes?
How might the story change if it were told from Priam’s first-person perspective?
a) The reader might see Cassandra as a tragic figure rather than a nuisance.
b) The reader would likely sympathize more with Priam’s desire for peace.
c) The warnings about the Trojan Horse would be taken more seriously.
d) The gods would intervene directly in the narrative.
b) The reader would likely sympathize more with Priam’s desire for peace.
Name Perseus's father, grandfather, mother, (almost) step father, and the girl he falls for.
Zeus, Acrisios, Danae, Polydectes, Andromeda
Rhea - Zeus's mother. She tricked Cronus by giving him a rock to eat instead of Zeus.
Cronus - Ruled over earth for a bit, ate his children, was defeated by the gods.
Atlas - Must hold up the heavens as punishment.
Prometheus - Gives fire to humans.
What was different about the water in both versions of echo and narcissus?
Play: the water is a pond.
Story: the water is a fountain.
Give an overview of the hero's journey. Correct answers will vary.
Answers will vary.
Story: Cassandra’s Curse
Cassandra stood at the gates of Troy, her breath ragged as she pleaded with the people gathered before her. The wooden horse loomed behind them, its surface gleaming under the dying light of day. “You must listen to me!” she cried. “It is not a gift—it is a trap! The Greeks are inside, waiting to strike!” But the Trojans only exchanged weary glances, their faces shadowed with doubt. They had long since dismissed her prophecies as madness. Even now, as fear tightened in her chest, she saw the smirks, the rolling eyes. To them, she was nothing more than a cursed girl, doomed to speak the truth and never be believed.
From the palace steps, King Priam sighed, his gaze heavy with pity. He did not enjoy watching his daughter suffer, but he had heard her warnings too many times before. Always, she spoke of disasters, of betrayals, of looming death. Yet the gods had never granted Troy’s people the proof they needed to trust her. “Cassandra,” he said gently, “the war is over. The gods have blessed us with peace. Why do you still insist on spreading fear?” The people murmured in agreement, their relief too sweet to surrender to another one of her visions. Priam turned away, signaling for the horse to be brought inside.
As the great wooden beast was dragged through the gates, Cassandra fell silent. There was nothing more she could do. The future unspooled in her mind like a thread already woven into fate—fires consuming the city, swords striking down the innocent, the screams of her people as the Greeks emerged from the belly of the beast. She clenched her fists, her voice stolen not by choice, but by certainty. The gods had willed her to see the truth, but what good was sight if no one else would open their eyes?
What effect does the final paragraph have on the reader’s understanding of Cassandra’s fate?
a) It emphasizes the tragedy of knowing the truth but being powerless to change it.
b) It suggests that Cassandra might be mistaken after all.
c) It shifts to an omniscient perspective to reveal what happens next.
d) It removes any emotional connection between Cassandra and her people.
a) It emphasizes the tragedy of knowing the truth but being powerless to change it.
"A feeling of pain crept over him as he thought of the desecration that was in store for the fair face on the canvas. Once, in boyish mockery of Narcissus, he had kissed, or feigned to kiss, those painted lips that smiled so cruelly at him."
What does desecration and feigned mean as it is used in this passage?
desecration: mess up / treat badly / destroy / etc.
feigned: fake or pretend
Name five monsters mentioned in your notes. Explain what kind of monster they are.
1. Medusa - a gorgon with snakes for hair. Turns people to stone.
2. Chimera - a firebreathing lion, goat, serpent hybrid.
3. Cerberus - 3 headed dog that guards the underworld
4. Minotaur - half man / half bull creature that eats people in the labyrinth
5. Hydra - Serpent with multiple heads, defeated by Heracles
6. Cyclops - one-eyed giant
What are the titles of the songs about Daedalus and Icarus? Name both titles and identify the point of view.
The Melting Point of Wax: Icarus
Daedalus: Daedalus