What is mythology? Is it, quite simply, tales which have arisen from earlier cultures about the lives both. In addition to the abiding love we have had over the centuries for the original tales of Greek and Roman mythology, it is important to remember that the original tales refer to a time far distant from our own. The nature of life, and even the topography of the earth, was very different from what we know today. The stories ascribe human characteristics to larger-than-life characters and their deeds and actions often destroy all sense of time and place. Yet above all, the tales were planned for enjoyment, instruction, and wonder.
Topics to be covered in the Mythology unit:
The Creation of the World
The Rule of Cronus
The War between the Titans and the Olympians
The Rule of Zeus
The Major Olympians
Roman versus Greek Gods
The Trojan War
The Odyssey
The Epic and the Epic Hero
Myths that will be read in class:
Persephone
Orpheus and Eurydice
The Fall of Icarus
Cadmus and the Sown Men
The Golden Touch
Atlantis
King Midas's Ears
The Gift of Fire
The Winged Horse
The Gorgon's Head
Pandora's Box
Orpheus in the Underworld
Prometheus and Hercules
The Labors of Hercules
The Achilles Heel
The Odyssey
Videotapes used during the Mythology unit:
Jason and the Argonauts (Ray Harryhausen)
The Odyssey (NBC mini series)
Writing assignment during the Mythology unit
In this creative writing assignment the student will be asked to create a NEW ADVENTURE for Odysseus as he once again ventures out to sea and meets up with Jason and the Argonauts.
The students may use characters presented in The Odyssey/Jason and the Argonauts or create their own. The students should incorporate some of the Greek gods into their myth. They must also create their own original monster. In the student's myth they should make a point of revelaing one of Odysseus's/Jason's character traits in the adventure (courage, bravery, perseverance, loyalty, love, etc.)
Student Learnings
Understand and interpret literature written from a variety of cultural perspectives
Respond to literature both critically and personally
Links:
http://www.pantheon.org/mythica/
www.webcom.com/shownet/medea/bulfinch/welcome.html
http://pubpages.unh.edu/~cbsiren/myth.html
http://www.princeton.edu/~rhwebb/myth.html