Mythology Study Guide

World Cultures

 

This study guide is designed to help you with your reading.  It is NOT required that you complete it; however, we will have a test on the plot of the myths during the first week of school.  You have to have read the myths to fully participate in class discussion.

 

The readings are not difficult if you leave yourself time.  I wouldn’t suggest reading more than one myth a day.  Mythology is a really fun subject to study and is very interesting.  Just give it a chance.  Happy reading!

Cupid and Psyche (Rome)

 

  1. Why is Venus upset with Psyche?  Why is Psyche not happy with her life although she is beautiful?  What does this say about the role of women in Roman culture?
  2. Why do her sisters plot to ruin her?  How?
  3. What is her internal conflict?  Where is this found in the story (pg. #)?
  4. What lesson does Cupid give her?
  5. What are Psyche’s trials?
  6. What second lesson about love is given in the story?
  7. What is united at the end of the story?  How might this translate to modern day terminology?

 

Hercules (Greece) 

  1. How are Hercules and Theseus different?  What do their differences and the people who worship them say about Greek culture?
  2. Why does Hera hate Hercules?
  3. How does his mother know he will be great?
  4. How does Hercules show both his temper and his stupidity?  (3 examples)
  5. Why must he go on trials?  Describe four of them.
  6. What other two incidents help to illustrate his character?
  7. How does Hercules finally die?  Why must he in this manner?
  8. What do we learn about Greek hospitality from this story?
  9. What is the definition of a mythological hero and how does Hercules fit into this role?  Can Psyche?

 

 Atalanta (Greece)

 

  1. What does Atalanta’s father do when she is born?  What might this show about the value of sons and the value of daughters in Greece?
  2. How does her childhood influence her life?
  3. How does she prove herself equal to men?  Why might she be an important mythological figure?
  4. How does Meleager “pay” for his crush? What does this say about the general view of women in Greece?
  5. Why do you think she wants to avoid marriage?  How is she tricked into it?

 

Perseus (Greece)

 

  1. Why does Acrisius send them away?  What is ironic about the ending?
  2. Who was Perseus’ father?  How does this help?
  3. What trial does Polydectes give him?  Why?
  4. Which two gods help him throughout the trial?  How?
  5. How does he get the information from the Gray Women?
  6. What three items do the nymphs provide for Perseus?
  7. How does he use materials to defeat Medusa?  Why Medusa?
  8. How does he later hook up with Andromeda?
  9. Compare / contrast this story with the Quest of the Golden Fleece.

 

Theseus (Greece)

 

  1. Why does Theseus choose the road and not the sea?  How does he prove himself a just hero?
  2. How has Medea changed?  Why?
  3. Why must Aegeus’ people offer a tribute to Minos?  What is the chosen’s fate?
  4. How does Theseus defeat the Minotaur?  How is this different from Jason’s story?
  5. What brings about the name of the Aegean Sea?
  6. How is the government Theseus designed similar to our own?
  7. How does Theseus show compassion and friendship?
  8. How is Hyppolytus like Atalanta?  How does he pay for it?
  9. Does Theseus’ death seem right?