Transcript Mythology is All Around US

Greek and Roman Mythology
“Man is nothing
without the Gods”
The
Odyssey
Mythology
It was the ancient Greeks’ way to explain
the unexplainable in an unpredictable and
mysterious universe.
They believed that everything in their
everyday lives was impacted by the
gods/goddesses.
Homer
Blind minstrel
Lived 3000 years ago (700-800 B.C.)
Composed both epic poems, the Odyssey
and the Iliad
The Iliad
Written around 750 B.C., approximately 30 years
before the Odyssey
Deals with one episode of the Trojan War, the
celebrated conflict between the Greeks and the
inhabitants of Troy
At the end of the 10 year battle, Odysseus
proclaims his success without paying proper
homage to the gods and is punished by being sent
on a 10 year voyage
The Odyssey
The 10 year voyage of Odysseus, also known as
Ulysses, to get home to his island home, Ithaca
Written around 720 B.C.
The gods are not perfect, often argue, and play
important roles in the lives of the characters
Athena is particularly impressed by Odyssues and
is his protector throughout his journey
The majority of his journey is told as Odysseus
has nearly made it home and recounts the past
Epic Poem
Long narrative spanning many years
Complex in language, yet simple in
message
Follows a particular poetic pattern,
dactylic hexameter
It is the journey of an epic hero used to
teach a lesson or moral
Epic Hero
Embarks on a journey/adventure
Quest is marked by tests and trials
Faithful to country, family, and a god
Is brave, yet feels fear
Displays hubris (pride and arrogance)
which leads to challenges and obstacles
Intelligent, physically strong, and cunning
Foundations of Greek Life
What did the Greeks value as a society?
Family
Friends
Home/Hearth
Hospitality
Greek Terms
kleos = identity
oikos = community
nostos = return/going back
nostoi = coming home
hubris= pride/arrogance
Mythology is All Around US
Hermes and his winged shoes are in the FTD logo,
indicating speedy messages.
Atlas had to carry the world on his shoulders just
as an atlas carries maps of the world.
The iris in your eye allows you to see color as Iris
is the goddess of the rainbow.
Cupid is still used to make people fall in love.
What other examples can you find?
Why do we need to learn about
Mythology?
Knowing mythology and the origin of many
items found in your daily lives is a sign of
intelligence and literacy.
It is the foundation of our civilization and is
literally translated to mean community.
Our literary archetypes are based on mythology:
the hero, trickster, villain, fool, etc.
There are mythological references made
frequently in literature.
You might be able to answer the “million dollar”
question.
What is the difference between a myth,
fairy tale, legend, etc.?
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Fairy tale – a simple story that deals with
supernatural beings, told primarily for the
benefit of children; simple messages are used
such as “The good guy always wins.”
Fable – Usually a story in which animals act and
talk like human beings to get a message across;
for example the tortoise that shows that “the
slow, sure and steady can win a race.”
Parable – Objects and people are used in a story
to get across a message. For example, the
biblical story about the tiny mustard seed
growing into a giant, strong plant.
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Legend – a story that got its start from some
actual event in the past, but got exaggerated as
time went on.
Myth – a story that helps to explain some
unexplainable event; for example lightning, how
the earth was created, etc.
Science fiction – present day myths that deal
with the unknown such as space, ESP, mental
telepathy, etc.
Epic – a long story-poem about the adventures
of a hero such as Odysseus.
Folk Tale – a fictional story, usually told orally,
that tells a timeless story about traditions and
beliefs of a group of people.