Perseus
Why was Perseus sent on a dangerous quest to obtain the head of Medusa?
King Polydectes wanted to get Perseus out of the way, partly because he wanted to marry Perseus’s mother, Danaë. He thought Perseus would die.
Why was Heracles required to complete a series of labors?
Heracles was required to serve King Eurystheus as punishment for killing his wife and children.
Why did Atalanta agree to participate in a foot race against her suitors?
Atalanta didn't want to marry. She agreed to marry only a man who could defeat her in a race.
Why did Meleager organize a hunt, and who participated?
To hunt and kill the boar.
Warriors and nobles.
What was Ginnungagap, and what existed there before the world was created?
The void that existed before the world took shape.
The realms of fire and ice lay on opposite sides of it.
What sacrifice did Odin make to gain wisdom from Mimir’s well?
Odin sacrificed one of his eyes
Who was Utgard-Loki?
Utgard-Loki was the ruler of the giants
What gifts did Perseus receive from the gods?
Winged sandals to fly, a special bag to carry Medusa’s head, a helmet of invisibility, and a reflective shield.
What role did Hera play in Heracles’s suffering and challenges?
Hera resented Heracles because he was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman.
How did Melanion attempt to overcome Atalanta’s speed?
Throwing golden apples.
Why was Atalanta’s participation in the hunt controversial to some of the male hunters?
They believed that a woman should not compete.
Who or what was Ymir?
The primordial giant and the ancestor of the race of frost giants
What does Odin’s sacrifice reveal about his priorities and character
He values wisdom above all else
What challenges or contests did Thor and his companions face in Utgard?
An eating contest, drinking from a horn, lifting a cat, and wrestling an old woman.
What made Medusa dangerous, and how did Perseus defeat her without looking directly at her?
Medusa could turn people to stone by looking at them. He used the shield to look at her.
Why did Heracles need intelligence and strategy in addition to strength?
He solved problems, used tools, planned, and found alternatives to direct combat.
Who provided Melanion with the golden apples, and why were they significant?
Aphrodite; they helped him win the race.
How did the disagreement over the boar’s hide lead to violence within Meleager’s family?
The uncles did not want to award her the prize. Meleager killed them in anger.
How did Odin and his brothers create the world from Ymir’s body?
Odin and his brothers killed Ymir and used his body to shape the world.
Why did Odin hang himself on Yggdrasil, and what did he gain from this experience?
To gain knowledge of the runes.
Sacrifice and suffering in pursuit of wisdom.
How did Utgard-Loki use illusions or deception to make Thor and his companions appear weak?
He disguised the true nature (and difficulty) of their opponents and the challenges they faced.
How did Perseus use intelligence and strategy rather than relying solely on physical strength?
He gathered special equipment, followed the gods’ instructions, and used reflection to avoid Medusa’s gaze
How did Heracles demonstrate persistence when faced with seemingly impossible tasks?
He continued working despite dangerous enemies, difficult conditions, and repeated obstacles.
What does Atalanta’s reaction to the golden apples reveal about her strengths and weaknesses?
She's strong and fast but easily distracted and tempted.
How does Meleager die?
His mother burned the log that was mentioned in the prophecy about him.
How were the first humans, Ask and Embla, created?
Odin and his brothers found two pieces of wood or trees and fashioned the first humans, Ask and Embla.
What are runes, and why were they significant in Odin’s quest?
The ancient Germanic writing systems.
Gaining knowledge of the runes gave Odin access to powerful forms of wisdom and magic.
What did Thor learn about his own strength and limitations through the journey?
Thor learned that even his great strength has limits and that appearances can be deceptive.
How did Perseus rescue Andromeda, and what does this reveal about his character?
Perseus defeated the sea monster. He was brave and resourceful.
What do Heracles’s labors reveal about suffering, responsibility, and heroism?
Heroism involves enduring hardship, accepting responsibility, and persisting through challenges.
How does Atalanta challenge traditional expectations of women in Greek mythology?
What does the tragedy reveal about the consequences of anger and unchecked pride?
Pride, jealousy, and impulsive anger can destroy relationships and lead to irreversible consequences
What does this myth reveal about how the Norse people understood the origins of life, order, and nature?
Creation involved struggle and transformation, and that the natural world was deeply connected to the gods
How does Odin’s pursuit of knowledge differ from a hero’s pursuit of physical strength or glory?
He focused on knowledge and wisdom rather than power.
How does this story challenge the assumption that physical strength and confidence always lead to victory?
Strength alone cannot overcome every challenge