Is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance.

Greek Mythology

Is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices.Although we now view these stories as fiction, the Greeks believed them to be true.

Myths Stories that use fantasy to

express ideas about life that cannot be easily expressed in realistic terms.

At heart, they are religious stories that explore the relationship between humans and the spiritual world.

They were once believed to be true.

PURPOSE OF MYTHS1.Scientific- explain

nature

2.Literary-entertain3.Religious-give

meaning to things in life

Hero Quickwrite

Open your notebook to the next blank page (after the library notes). Respond to the following question: What qualities make a hero? You can freewrite, write bullets, do a word map. You choose.

When you are done draw a line across the page.

A Personal Hero

Identify someone in your life who you consider a hero (either real or fictional-people you know to superhero’s). Who is it? Why are they a hero? What are some of the qualities and characteristics that make them a hero?

WHY DO WE STUDY MYTHS?

They depict and reveal problems and behaviors common to all humans

Remind us that human nature is the same across time and culture

Reveal that many social, ethical, and religious attitudes continue through time

Reflect attitudes, priorities, and values of the cultures in which they were produced

EPIC POETRY

Epic = Drama + Narrative

• They switch around from scene to scene and there is dialogue, like a play.• Action centers on the epic (s)hero• Purpose is to entertain, to teach,

and to inspire with examples of how people can succeed against great odds.

EPIC POETRY

5 Characteristics of an Epic 1. The hero is a great leader who

identifies strongly with a particular people

2. The setting is broad and often includes supernatural realm

3. The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey/quest

4. Sometimes gods or other supernatural beings take part in the action

5. Story is told in heightened language

ARCHETYPEA thing, person, or pattern of circumstances that appears repeatedly in literature.Common archetypal characters include: Hero Evil Villain Love Sick Suitor The Fool

Can also be themes: Hidden treasure Rite of passage

EPIC HERO

• “LARGER THAN LIFE PERSON”

• Embodies the highest ideals of his/her culture

• Undertakes a quest to achieve something of great value to themselves or society

• Achieve immortality through memory

• Regular human, sometimes part god