Mythology

Study Guide

(see the blog)

Introduction

 pp. 3-18

Vocabulary

aloof – standoffish

amorous – lustful

ardent – passionate

ascribed – credited

bestial – beast--like

clarity – clearness

colossus – giant

compendium – collection

contending – competing

decreed – judged; ruled

discomfit – thwart

disconcertingly – confusingly

divinities – gods

frivolous – silly

indisputable – without question

invariably – always; without fail

meed – reward

omnipotent – all--powerful

preposterous – absurd

prevailed – was uppermost

primeval – primitive

rhetorical – overblown

semblance – appearance

suppliant – one who prays; one who begs

surpassing – exceeding

voluminous – productive

Review Questions

1.What is the difference between primitive and classical mythology?

2.How are the Greek gods different from Egyptian or Mesopotamian gods?

3.What is "the miracle of Greek mythology " (9-10)?

4.What are the "dark spots " referred to by Edith Hamilton (11-12)?

5.How does she define mythology?

6.What is her explanation for differing views of the same gods?

abhorred – hated

aegis – majestic breastplate

ascended – rose to

august – majestic

beguiled – enchanted

beneficent – kind and generous

chaste – pure

diffused – scattered

epithet – characterizing word used in place of a name

firmament – sky; heavens

implacable – merciless

incarnate – made real; given physical substance

inexorable – inflexible

infidelity – unfaithfulness

malicious – spiteful

omniscient – all--knowing

oracle – shrine or person through which a deity is supposed to speak and advise

pinnacle – peak

pre-eminently – first and foremost

raiment – clothing

redoubtable – famed; dreaded

retaliation – revenge

rustic – rural

tranquil – calm

unerring – faultless

venerated – honored

wiles – charms

Review Questions/Topics

1.Identify the best-known writers of Greek and Roman mythology.

a. Ovid--

b. Homer--

c. Hesiod--

d. Pindar--

e. Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides--

f. Aristophanes--

g. Plato--

h. Virgil--

2.What is the best guide to Greek mythology?

3.Briefly identify the twelve gods of Olympus by both Greek and Roman names.

a. Zeus (Jupiter)--

b. Hera (Juno)--

c. Poseidon (Neptune)--

d. Hades (Pluto)--

e. Athena (Minerva)--

f. Phoebus Apollo (Apollo)--

g. Artemis (Diana)--

h. Aphrodite (Venus)--

i. Hermes (Mercury)--

j. Ares (Mars)--

k. Hephaestus (Vulcan)--

l. Hestia (Vesta)--

4.Identify some of the lesser Gods of Olympus.

a. Eros--

b. Hebe--

c. Iris--

d. The Graces--

e. The Muses--

5.Identify some of the Gods of the Waters.

a. Poseidon (Neptune)--

b. Ocean--

c. Triton--

d. Proteus--

e. Naiads--

6.Identify some of the Gods of the Underworld.

a. Charon--

b. Cerberus--

c. Acheron, Cocytus, Styx--

d. The Furies--

e. Sleep and Death--

7.Identify some of the lesser Gods of the Earth.

a. Demeter (Ceres)--

b. Dionysus (Bacchus)--

c. Pan (Faunus)--

d. Castor and Pollux--

e. The Satyrs--

f. Nymphs--

g. Boreas, Notus, Eurus, Zephyr--

h. The Centaurs--

i. The Gorgons--

j. The Sirens--

k. Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos--

8.Who are two well-known lesser Roman gods?

a. Saturn--

b. Janus--

assent – agreement

atrocious – awful

blithe – cheerful

capricious – inconstant

chasm – gap

ensnare – trap

fetter – shackle

hallowed – blessed

incorruptible – indestructible

manifest – straightforward

multitudinous – numerous

refuge – protection

strove – challenged; tried

timbrel – small drum or tambourine

Review Questions/Topics

1.What do Greeks believe are the two basic gifts that Earth gives to man?

2.How are Dionysus and Demeter different from the Twelve Gods of mythology?

3.How does the myth of Demeter explain the seasons of spring and winter?

4.According to myth, how is Dionysus born?  How is this related to Dionysus ’ association

with grapes and wine?

5.What is he known as, and what does he teach humans?

6.What are the two contrasting ideas associated with the worship of Dionysus?

7.Why is Dionysus considered so important to Greeks?

8.How does Dionysus become a symbol of resurrection?

9.What is the connection between Dionysus and the Greek theater?

abyss – hell; nothingness

adamantine – unbendable

aspect – appearance

boon – friend; assistant

confound – puzzle

delegated – assigned

deluge – flood

disgorge – cough up

innumerable – countless

melancholy – sad

precursors – ancestors

undisputed – unchallenged

unfathomable – immeasurable; inconceivable

Review Questions/Topics

1.What is Hesiod ’s version of the creation of man?

2.Who are Prometheus and Epimetheus?

4.What is the second version of creation, the five stages of man?

5.What does Prometheus do that angers Zeus?

6.How is Prometheus tortured?

7.Why is Pandora created?

8.Why does Zeus send a flood to earth?

9.Who are the only two survivors?

10.Who are the Stone People?

affectation – pose

austere – simple; severe

credulous – unsuspecting

diverted – drawn away

fast – secure

heifer – cow

laggard – dawdler

minx – flirt

monotonously – boringly

plenteously – plentifully

pliant – supple

ponderous – heavy

prow – front end of a ship

prudent – sensible

succored – helped; lifted

uncouth – bizarre

Review Questions/Topics

1.Summarize the story of each of these heroes:

a. Prometheus and Io--

b. Europa--

c. The Cyclops Polyphemus--

d. The Flower Myths, Narcissus, Hyacinth,Adonis--

consorting – "hanging out "

diligent – persistent

faltering – hesitating

homage – honor

inexplicable – unexplainable

juncture – critical point

lamentable – distressing

languor – stupor

solitary – alone

Review Questions/Topics

1.How doe Psyche compare in beauty with her sisters?

2.What plan does Venus have for Psyche?

3.What happens when Cupid meets Psyche?

4.How does "the mildest of winds " help Psyche??

5.When and why does Cupid appear to Psyche?

6.How do her sisters create doubts about Psyche ’s future husband?

7.How does this myth end?

animate/inanimate – alive/not alive

coiffure --hairdo

deficiencies – defects

diluted – made less strong

endure – bear

entice – seduce

insolently – arrogantly

passive – inactive

quavering – shaking

singular – exceptional; unusual

slake – quench

tarry – work; struggle

tryst – secret meeting

zeal – enthusiasm

Review Questions/Topics

3.How does the myth of Ceyx and Alcyone explain the idea of Halcyon days?

4.How does the myth of Pygmalion and Galatea illustrate the power of love?

a. Why does Pygmalion decide to remain a bachelor?

b. Under what circumstances does he fall in love?

c. How does Pygmalion act after this?

d. Who helps Pygmalion in his desire to have the woman he loves?

e. How does this story end?

5.How does the myth of Baucis and Philemon illustrate nature as a symbol of eternal love?

6.Explain the myth of Endymion.

7.How is the myth of Daphne related to the laurel leaf as a symbol of victory?

abashed – embarrassed

brazen – bold; shameless

defiled – made foul

implored – pleaded

libation – sacred offering

parched – dried

peerless – without equal

prowess – heroism

shod – shoed

sovereign – royal

usurper – thief; displacer

Review Questions/Topics

1.What is the Golden Fleece?

2.Who is Pelias?  Why is he worried about a "one-sandaled " stranger?

3.Why does Jason seek the Golden Fleece?  Who helps him in his quest?

4.What are three adventures he has along the way?

6.How does Medea figure in these events?

7.What happens to Pelias after Jason returns with the Golden Fleece?

What does Jason do to Medea at the end?

covet – desire

dissuade – persuade away from

hind – deer

pedestrian – dull

precipitous – hurried

supernal – heavenly

Review Questions/Topics

1.How does the myth of Phaëthon explain the poplar trees that grow along the bank of the

river Eridanus?

2.Pegasus and Bellerophon:

a. Why does Bellerophon believe that he can be equal to the gods?

b. What does Bellerophon forget?

c. What Greek beliefs does this story of Bellerophon illustrate?

3.How does the myth of Otus and Ephialtes also show the foolishness of trying to rise above

the gods?

4.How does the myth of Daedalus explain the expression "flying too close to the sun "?

reconciled – restored to harmony

scudding – rushing

servile – submissive

verbose – wordy

Questions/Topics for Review

1.How is Perseus ’ birth magical?

2.Compare events in Perseus ’ life to the following elements of a "Cinderella " story::

a. Cinderella ’s fairy godmother gives her a ball gown and a coach.

b. Cinderella has certain rules to follow, such as leaving the ball by midnight

c. Cinderella is rescued from a miserable life by her fairy godmother.

d. Cinderella gets the prince in the end.

banes – curses; troubles

beseeching – begging

novel – original

ominous – fateful

precipice – cliff

raze – burn

sanctuary – safe place

Questions/Topics for Review

2.Why is Theseus loved by the Greeks before he ever meets his father?

3.What two things does Theseus do to help the Athenians in their conflict with Minos?

4.What kind of ruler is Theseus when he becomes King of Athens?

appeased – calmed

atoning – making amends for

conspicuously – noticeably

disarming – insincere; obviously trying to gain favor

exonerate – acquit

expiating – making up for

ludicrous – ridiculous

penitence – remorse

pestilence – plague

pyre – heap of wood on which a body is burned

respite – delay

reticence --restraint

undaunted –courageously resolved

Questions/Topics for Review

1.What are four examples of Hercules great strength?

3.What happens to Hercules when Hera sends madness to possess him?

4.Is he considered guilty of his crimes?

5.How does Hercules become involved in battling Death?

6.What happens after Hercules completes the twelve labors?

7.How does he die and why is he allowed onto Mount Olympus?

affront – offense; insult

arduous – difficult

picturesque – art--like

Questions/Topics for Review

1.What are the circumstances of Atalanta's birth?

2.List three adventures Atalanta has.

3.What declaration does Atalanta make about marriage?

4.How does Melanion (Hippomenes) win her as his bride?

5.What becomes of Atalanta and her husband?

balances – scales

circumvent – gets around; go around

covenants – sacred agreements

dispatched – sent out

dissension – disagreement

dubious – doubtful

heed – obey

helm – helmet

ranged – pitted

rout – disorganized retreat

upbraid – scold

Questions/Topics for Review

1.What does Edith Hamilton think is "one of the world ’s greatest poems"?

2.What causes the Trojan War?

3.How did Helen of Troy become involved in this myth?

4.How does Odysseus (Ulysses) feel about the war?

5.What happens to Achilles?

6.What sacrifice is Agamemnon required to make?

7.What happens at the end of nine years of fighting with neither side victorious?

8.What happens during a pause in the war?

9.What happens to Patroclus?

10.What does Achilles do as a result?

11.What happens to Achilles?

martial – warlike

plausible – believable

primed – prepared

votive – devotional

wily – crafty

Questions/Topics for Review

1.Who becomes the leader of the Greek efforts after Paris is killed?

2.What famous subterfuge do the Greeks use to overthrow Troy?

avert – turn away; avoid

destitute – extremely poor

ewer – pitcher

filial – family--related

limpid – clear; calm

moldering – decaying

profusion – plenty

provisions – food

revoked – taken back

roistering – carousing

sumptuously – lavishly

vexed – troubled

Question for Review

foliage – leaves

formidable – impressive and terrifying

forsook --gave up

fortified – strengthened

illumined – lit up

intervened – stepped in

mariners – sailors

mollified – appeased

oblivion – lack of remembrance

pallor – paleness

retinue – group of attendants

squalid – filthy

succumbed – surrendered

Question for Review

1.What is the purpose of this story?

absolved – redeemed

atrociously – terribly

consecrate – make sacred

inadvertently – unknowingly

Questions/Topics for Review

1.How does Agamemnon die?

2.How does Agamemnon return from the Trojan War?

3.Who are Electra and Orestes?

4.How does the oracle at Delphi affect Orestes?

5.How does he manage to get into his mother ’s palace?

6.How does Orestes ’ death differ from that of others in the House of Atreus?

acquiesce – submit

bier – stand on which a coffin or corpse is placed

edict – proclamation; order

enmity – ill will

futile – useless

grotto – cave

Questions/Topics for Review

1.What are the important circumstances surrounding the birth of Oedipus?

2.How does Oedipus become King of Thebes?

3.What instruction does Apollo give to rid Thebes of a plague that has fallen on the city?

4.What does Oedipus do when he learns the truth of his past?  What does Jocasta do?

5.After Oedipus leaves the throne, who becomes king?  What happens to Oedipus?

6.What declaration does Creon make after the battle for control of Thebes?

audacity – nerve

baleful – sinister

grafting – joining together into one

guise – costume

maladies – illnesses

procure – obtain

promontory – high point of land projecting into a body of water

Questions for Review

2.What other story shows the foolishness of Midas?

resolute – determined

divination --seeing the future

industrious – hard--working

emulate – imitate

Questions for Review

1.What curse is put on the Danaïds because they killed their husbands?

2.Who are the Amazons?

3.How does the myth of Arachne explain the weaving skill of the spider?

4.How do two well-known constellations come into being, according to the myth of Callisto?

5.What unusual situation exists in the story of Clytie?  What is the result?

7.Who is Epimenides?

8.What is the myth of Hero and Leander?

9.What is the source of Melampus as a great soothsayer?

10.How does the constellation Orion come about?

11.Why does Zeus place stars in the heavens?

unsullied – untainted

Questions/Topics for Review

1.How is fate in Norse mythology different from fate in Greek and Roman mythology?

2.Why is courage so important in Norse mythology?

3.How do the following relate to Norse myths?

a.Elder Edda--

b.Asgard--

c.Valhalla--

d.Beowulf--

e.Younger Edda--

1.How does the story of Signy show her qualities of great patience and determination?

2.How does the story of Sigurd illustrate the Norse mythology of fate?

festal – festive

sustenance – something that gives support, strength, or endurance

Questions for Review

1.How does Norse mythology explain the Creation?

2.How are Norse gods responsible for the names of several of our days of the week?

3.How do Norse gods compare to Greek gods in mythology?

4.What is the function of the gods of Asgard?