Thursday, March 19, 2015

Welcome to Norse Mythology/ O3/20/2015)

Dear Mythology Kids,
WELCOME TO NORSE MYTHOLOGY!

Dear Mythology Kids, 
STOP MISSING CLASS, and if you do miss class, then FIND OUT WHAT YOU MISSED. Focus on being PRO-ACTIVE!
1. Each student returned his/her Classical Mythology text and obtained a Norse Text, in addition to a packet of materials that will guide us through the first two weeks of Norse mythology!

This is what you missed today!



Norse Mythology are the stories of the Scandanavian people. The Norse were extremely skilled at sea faring; consequently, they were exposed to different cultures. The Norse came upon the Romans, who in turn, hired them as mercenaries. The Roman culture was extremely advanced; consequently, the Norseman adopted some of their belief system into their own culture. This is why when we start to read the myths you will note some strong similarities to Greek Mythology. Remember that the Romans stole their religion from the Greeks. Another important point that you need to know involves the conversion of the Romans to Christianity. The Norseman continued to be influenced by the Roman culture, and therefore they also adopted Christian influences into their mythology, as well.


Everyone of you should have a new textbook, and a "packet" of handouts that will be used during the next two weeks. Your homework assignments for TUESDAY. includes the following: 
 
1. Please make flashcards for the characters discussed today in class......the first 12...up to YGGDRASIL!
2. Anticipate a quiz covering the introductory information on Tuesday! 
2. "PERSONALIZED ITHACA" is due on APRIL 3rd!
3. Please read " " in your book up to page


Norse Mythology is difficult to fully explain in this forum, but I will do my best.......In the beginning, no formed matter exists. This enormous chasm of unorganized matter is called GUNNUNGAGAP! To the north of Gunnungagap is an immense area of frozen ice. This area is called NIFLHEIM.

To the south of Gunnungagap is an immense region of heat called MUSPELHEIM. Nothing exists but these two regions.
Suddenly these two regions begin to move closer together. The heat from Muspelheim causes the ice from Niflheim to melt and droplets of water land in Gunnungagap. Some how, and I don't know exactly how this happens, and neither did the Nordic people, so you just have to accept it, two important beings are created at the same time......an enormous man called Ymir, who is also called a "frost giant" and a cow whose name is Adumla. I know, it's a little unusual.

Ymir begins to suck on the teats of Audumla, so she is nourishing this evil frost giant, and then he begins to "give birth" to other frost giants. As he is sucking on the teats of the cow, Ymir begins to sweat and his sweat morphs into other giants. In the mean time, Audumla begins to lick some of the ice from Niflheim that did not melt when Muspelheim moved close to it. Every place her saliva touches a human form is created. You can see this depicted in the image above. The individual that is created from the saliva is known as BURI. He is entirely positive. He, in turn, gives birth to two individuals; their names are BOR and BESTLA. Bor is a male and Bestla is a famale. These two have three children whose names are Odin, Vili, and Ve. Odin becomes the king of the Norse Gods because he is recognized as the "first born."
Odin, Vili, and Ve recognize that Ymir is "birthing" evil frost giants, so they feel compelled to destory him. Upon his murder they take his body and use it to create the world of humans, giants, and dwarfs known as Midgard.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

March 5th, 2015

Dear Mythology Kids,

I have missed you. I  hope that I can be with you from now on, but at least you understand the circumstances behind why I have been absent!  As I mentioned in class, those of you that believe in the power of prayer, please pray for me, and those you that don't please send me good Karma!

I am posting the MOTIFS for you below, so that you can have the information necessary for your final exam.  Thank sweet Kaylee Anderson for her amazing note taking skills. If you missed class today, then I would recommend that you visit with someone that was present! We discussed a significant amount of information regarding THE ODYSSEY!



Female Power:
Penelope: “She could not marry until she had woven… pg 294
Athena: “Help me to vengeance” pg 292
Circe: every man who approached her turned into a beast pg 307
Female Power:
Penelope: Took control of the situation pg 212, 213
Circe: Took control of men by turning them into beasts pg 223
Sirens: Take control of men with song pg 223
Calypso: Odysseus’ slave pg 220
Appearance vs. Reality:
Trojan Horse: Looks good, but in reality holds an army pgs 281-282
Circe Animals: Turned men into pigs pg 307
Sirens:  Destroyed men with their alluring song pgs 223-224
Veneration of Guest and Host:
Phaesians and Odysseus: Very Hospitable pg 220
Menelaus and Telemachus: smell nice pg 215
Odysseus and Cyclops: bashed head on ground pg 86
Power of Cunning:
Trojan Horse: Came through with cunning pg 204
Penelope: weaved funeral quilt for father then took it out each night pg 213
Cyclops: Left cave after the stabbing of the eye, outsmarted him with his name pg 87

HOMEWORK:
1. Please locate two additional motifs for each listed above from today's class discussion! 


Your FINAL exam!

Dear Mythology Kids, It's nice to "see" you again. Let me offer some "study guidance" for your final exam. Please ...