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

1. Understand and interpret literature written from a variety of cultural perspectives

2. 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