Worksheets for Mythology Questions and Answers

Worksheets for Mythology Questions and Answers What makes the Greek word mythos difficult to define? Because there is a shift in meaning with that word. Depending on who is using the word it can mean a lot of different things. Mythos is also connected to folktails. How is myth different from history? Myth is a narrative telling of things, while history at its beginnings is different. Historia is an examination. Examined account looking at other stories and giving an account to decide whether what is true and what is false. Give an account between the war of the Greeks and the persians. A myth is just an account not an examination of anything. When a myth is told it is just told. Brainpower Read More How is myth different from religion? Myth is not religion, it may have religious things but it is not religion.Religion is a body of rituals that people do to approach god, you don't use mythological stories to approach god. Give two reasons why the modern distinction between myth/legend/folktale is not always helpful when discussing Greek myth? The categories overlap, they are anachronistic (the greeks cannot decide which category their stories fall into), and they are artificial (up to the writer and the audience to determine which category they fall into) Why are there different spellings for the names of Greek gods and heroes? Both Latin and Greek are declined languages. In a declined language, every time a noun is used it is spelled with a root and an ending. The root stays the same in all spellings. The ending varies, based on the part of speech played by that noun in a particular sentence. What are the names and dates of the three time periods of Greek myth- telling (see Buxton p. 8)? The Archaic period: 700-500 BC The Classical period: 500-323 BC The Hellenistic period: 323-31 BC What are the potential origins of Greek myths that Buxton discusses (pp.16-19 1. Indo-European Societies 2. Near Eastern/West Asiatic Civilization (Assyria, Babylonia, Israel) 3. Africa - Especially Egypt What is the main point of Buxton's explanation of Where was Greece? (pp. 19-21) Greek myths fluctuate over a wide area - geographical reach becoming more extensive; even when Greeks were taken over, the myths lasted, taking on new guises with undiminished capacity for adaptation. Based on your reading in Buxton (pp. 22-26), list the different types of evidence and consider what each can reveal about the use of Greek myths. Vase Painting - depict specific scenes from Greek myth Coins - Politico-religious image which encapsulates the identity of the community who made it. Mirrors - conjure up an ideal/heroized world to complement the role of Based on your reading in Buxton (pp. 31-38), give the three ways in which myths were 'performed' in ancient Greek societies. What makes each Different? 1. Epic Poetry 2. Choral Song 3. Drama- tragedy, satyr play, or comedy. what are you call when you are immortal in the greek world? bread/ambrosia Based on your reading in Buxton (pp. 38-39), list the different examples of what Buxton refers to as "written myths." What makes each different? 1. Texts-to-be-read: Argonavtica 2. New genre of written myth narrative: Metamorphoses and Library of Mythology 3. Reveal location: - 'history' and 'philosophy' Give an example of a reception theory approach to 'The Rape of Persephone. Dante Rossetti took the Rape of Persephone and compared it to his own life. He painted his mistress (Jane Morris) as Persephone since she was married to a man that she didn't want to be with and could only find moments of happiness with Rossetti ( aka Demeter). Give an example of a euhemeristic approach to 'The Rape of Persephone.' In the rape of Persephone, Demeter's search for Persephone represents the anguish ancient women felt when they 'lost' their daughter to an arranged marriage. Give an example of an allegorical approach to 'The Rape of Persephone.' Allegory about seed going into the ground and producing more seeds and there is a cycle. Demeter - god mother (not really the meaning but that is what he interpreted it as). Persephone is satiety/Eleusis = Oulai which is barley seeds. Persephone enters the Earth (underworld) and sprouts back up thanks to her mother's nourishment. .Give an example of an etiological approach to 'The Rape of Persephone.' that when Persephone w Hades, Demeter takes away grain (growing seasons) 5.Give an example of a charter approach to 'The Rape of Persephone.' It validates how daughters are something to be bartered with rather than be treated like human beings with rights. Since Hades goes straight to Zeus for his permission to take Persephone and Zeus hands her over without consulting Demeter. 6.Give an example of a ritual approach to 'The Rape of Persephone.' Sir James Frazer, The Golden Bough (1922)- Many people have the idea of a corn maiden/corn mother ritual - Persephone and Demeter can explain the ritual. The other one is the Dying God and the King of the Wood, the idea is that they interpret different Greek myths as stories about a sacrificial king. 8.Give an example of a psychological approach to 'The Rape of Persephone.' symbolizes mothers fantasies of daughters returned to them (Freud) and the archetype of mother, maiden, crone Hesiod Wrote "The Theogony" Theogony origin of the gods Zeus' Rise to Power He became the absolute ruler of the universe after overthrowing his father and by battling the Titans. First Gods (Protogenoi The primordial gods or "Protogenoi" of Greek mythology were the most basic components of the universe which emerged fully-formed at creation. They included Earth, Air, Sea, Sky, Fresh Water, Underworld, Darkness, Night, Light, Day, Procreation and Time. Birth of Aphrodite, -Born when Cronus cuts off the genital of Uranus and throws them into the sea. This occurs as the Titans overthrow Uranus and Cronus to become kings of the world.The Greek poet Hesiod recounts in his epic Theogony that Aphrodite was born from the white foam produced by the severed genitals of Uranus Why does Hesiod tell the story about himself and the Muses He says that the Muses inspired/told him the story of the generations of the Gods, shows his authority and also connects him to the audience Why does Hesiod include so many long lists of genealogies? What is their effect? It acts as a bridge between Theogony and Hesiod's audience- many aristocratic families and even cities trace their lineage back to these genealogies. How does Hesiod characterize Zeus? He became the 'first born' via over-throw of his father Cronos. Zeus is the central figure of Theogony. Forceful and all powerful. He is the one who controls the power of the universe either the progenitor of the gods that come after him or the one who dispenses to them their privileges and functions. What role does the succession of the generation of gods play? Succession plays a large role in those of power throughout Theogony. Ouranos to Cronos to Zeus. The progress of the different generations of Gods does not change much, but we do see a larger role of power come into play when Zeus takes the crown. Also, they are so obsessed with power that we see the obsession over their power play a larger role in their actions further down the road. What role do the female deities play? How do their roles differ from those of the male deities? Recurring trend of mother and son over-throwing father of son. Women had some power over sons. But at the same time, women are being exploited for children and the King's to expand their empire. To what extent does Hesiod cast moral judgment on the gods? Why or why not? There is not much of a judgemental tone coming from Hesiod. If there is one, it is when he describes the women being used solely for children and nothing much past that- Hesiod expresses that the Gods are using them to expand their power What do you think is the significance of the long digression on Aphrodite? OnHecate? She has a lot of power, god of magic. Hesiod made her as a major god, many other historians are making her more minor. People worship her, and Zeus privileges her, and involved in sacrifices 9. How does Eros fit into Hesiod's cosmogony? He explains love, and the attraction force between the God's whom when they sleep together, they create phenomena 10. What is the significance of Zeus' involvement and actions in the Titanomachy? 10 year war- Zeus defeats his father; Titans were captured and imprisoned- the Titans were a strong force that ruled the universe; Zeus involvement was very important because since all the gods were immortal the battle was not able to end until the Olympians received aid from monsters. Zeus freed the three cyclopes and the three hundred-handers from Tartaros. The Cyclopes gave lighting and thunder to Zeus. Zeus' thunderbolts defeated the Titans. What is the significance of Zeus' defeat of Typoios? Give examples. Zeus defeats this monstrosity of a child and it signifies his superiority; he uses thunderbolts. It also shows that if you don't have Olympians backing you up in war, you have strength