Heroic Myths:
- Intro: Class notes/pdf in Moodle
- Key Names & Terms
- Honor/Shame & the heroic code: kleos, aretê, timê, role of gifts
- xenia: who protected, steps, gifts
- Heracles: Powell, Chapter 15 (14 in ...):
- Key Names & Terms:
- background & early life: Zeus, Hera, Heracles, Alcmena, Eurystheus, Amphitryon, Megara, Delphi
- Labors: Nemean lion, Lernean Hydra, Stables of Augeas, Cretan bull, Cerberus
- side deeds: Chiron, Admetus, Alcestis, Cacus (Rome)
- later & end of life: Acheloüs, Deianira, Nessus, Philoctetes
- Hercules, the movie:
- Key names & terms: Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Hades, Pain, Panic, the fates, Hercules, Alcmene, Amphitryon, Phil, Pegasus, Meg, the titans, the cyclops, Thebes, "go the distance", "true hero"
- web site for script: click here
- Theseus: Powell, Chapters 16:
- Key Names and terms:
- Prior to Theseus: Cephalus, Procris, Procnê, Philomela, Tereus, Itys
- Theseus' myths: Delphi, Aegeus, Troezen, Theseus, Poseidon, Procrustes, Bull of Marathon, Hippolytus, Phaedra, Pirithoüs
- Myths of Crete: Powell, Chapters 17:
- Key Names and terms:
- Europa, Minos, Pasiphaë, Daedalus, Minotaur, Labyrinth, Scylla, Icarus, Theseus, Ariadnê
- Oedipus: Powell, Chapter 18 (17 in ...):
- Key Names & Terms:
- Prior to Oedipus: Zeus, Cadmus, Europa, Harmonia, Sparti, Delphi
- Oedipus' myths: Delphi, Laius, Jocasta, Oedipus, Creon, Polynices, Eteocles, Haemon, Antigonê, Ismenê
- Optional: Ian Johnston's translation of Oedipus the King (click here)
Possible Essay Questions:
- Source material: Powell, Ch 15; Disney's movie Hercules
- Prompt: In transforming the Greek myth of Heracles into an American myth, Disney transformed the role of the 'leading lady.' Examine how and why Disney changed the role of the 'leading lady' from that found in Greek myths related to Heracles. Make sure you include in your discussion the impact the differing audiences for the myths — Greek adult males and American children & parents — had.
NB: Greek "leading ladies:" Megara & Deianira (for sure); may also include Alcmene, Alcestis, Iole, Omphale.
Role: mother, wife, temptress, villain, helper, trainer, lover, main character, minor character, supporting character & what type of mother, lover, ...]
- Source material: Powell, Ch 18; Disney's movie Hercules. Optional: Ian Johnston's translation of Oedipus the King (click here)
- Prompt: At the beginning of the movie, Hades received the following prophecy:
In 18 years precisely
The planets will align ever so nicely
. . .
A word of caution to this tale
Should Hercules fight, you will fail. (Clements, Musker, & Johnson "Hercules script")
A theme in Greek literature is that individuals, in their responses to a "fated" outcome, often bring about what they are trying to avoid — one's nature/character traits creates one's "fate." In your essay examine how this — their nature/character traits create their fate — is true for Hades in the movie Hercules, and for Laius and his descendants (Oedipus, Antigone, Eteocles & Polynices) in the Greek myths. Conclusions?
