Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Dear Mythology Kids,
If you missed class today, we reviewed by obtaining information concerning Aeneus and then completing a time-line that helped indicate what events took place within The Iliad or The Odyssey. For those of you on Drama Tour, I will post this information for you tomorrow. I am writing from home, at the moment, and the time-line information is at school.

Please note the quotes for Odysseus, Ajax (greater) and Ajax (lesser) below. I have also posted a brief "practice quest" regarding the quote section of your quest. The images are too large to load. Realize that you have THREE SECTIONS to your QUEST:
1. Quotes: #1-#29
2. Time-line of Events: #30-#55
3. Images: #56-60

Odysseus, King of Ithaca, "inventor" of the Trojan Horse
B1:1."When the moment came to stand by his sacred oath, Odysseus pretended to be mad, as it had been revealed to him in a prophecy that should he go to war, he would not return for twenty years. His duplicity was reveal when Palemedes placed Odysseus' son, Telemachus, in front of the plough. Odysseus avoided the child, proving he was of reasonable mind. He was compelled to join Menelaus' army.

2. "Once at war he proved to be a shrewd and wise general. In Greek myths the idea of the Wooden Horse, which defeated the Trojans and led to the destruction of the city, is Odysseus' idea."

B2:1. "Renowned for his eloquent and persuasive speaking, Odysseus was called upon many times to give advice. Although he fought bravely he preferred strategy to heroics."
2. "...if anything went wrong...the men inside the wooden horse would surely die. Odysseus, as can be readily believed, had not overlooked this fact....he was prepared."

B4:
1. same as b2
2. same as b2


AJAX, the Greater
B1
1. "So awe inspiring Ajax, a tower of strength for the Greeks, rose and went into battle."
2. "He spoke little and slowly, but he had a good heart and tremendous courage."
B2
same as B4
B4
1."He is not wounded in any of the battles described in The Iliad, and he is the only principal character on either side who does not receive personal assistance from any of the gods who take part in the battles. "As such, he embodies the virtues of hard work and perseverance."
2. "They were soon rallied by Ajax, who, next to matchless Achilles, was the best-looking and best fighter of all the Greeks. He charged through the front of the line, fierce as a wild boar in the mountains who easily scatters the hounds and lively young huntsmen as it turns at bay in the glades. So glorious Ajax charged and easily scattered the ranks of Trojans, who had gathered round Patroclus and made up their minds that they were going to win the glory and drag his body into the city."

AJAX, the Lesser (Sorry, I couldn't find an image of him that I liked)
B1
1. "Ajax, not the great Ajax, of course, who was dead, but a lesser chieftain of the same name--tore her from the altar and dragged her from the sanctuary."
2."Not one Greek protested against the sacrilege. Athena's wrath was deep. She to Poseidon and laid her wrongs before him. "Help me to vengeance," she said. "Give the Greeks a bitter homecoming. Stir up the waters with wild whirlwinds when they sail. Let dead men choke the bays and line the shores and reefs."
B2
Presentation will occur on Thursday.
B4
1."Athena herself threw a thunderbolt at Ajax's ship and sank it, but he swam ashore boasting that he had defied the anger of the gods and escaped with is life."
2. "Yet there you are mouthing off as usual, and there is absolutely no need for it. There are many better men here than you, Ajax."

PRACTICE QUIZ
IDENTIFY the character from the underlined pronoun. Some characters may be used more than once!

1. He carried his lame and aged father and led his son, Ascanius, by the hand as the battlements burned to the ground. __________________________
2. "Take my armor. I am a man dishonored. I will not fight for men who have disgraced me. " __________
3. "When the Greeks sacked the city of Troy, she was in Athena's temple clinging to her image." _________
4. "A man that cannot live nobly can die nobly.' He drew his sword and killed himself." _____________
5."Not even for Achilles sake could he stay longer away from the battle. ___________________
6."He was brave and bold, but he was most famous for his cunning tricks, not normally associated with heroes." __________________
7. "A haunting net. Death's weapon of attack! And she who hunts is she who shared his bed." ___________
8. "He must stay with the women, and die as a woman, or join the battle with him. __________________
9."She knew that she must die so that the men could battle, although deceived, she bravely went to the alter."________________
10. "The cause of all this agony and death, yet as they looked at her, they could not feel any blame." ____________
11. "He was arrogant, deceitful and incredibly hateful toward the gods, especially Athena." ______________
12. "He took the girl, from Achilles, and therefore caused the destruction of so many." ______________

Cheers,
Crampton

Iliad Character Monologue

Dear Mythology Kids,

Enjoy your LONG WEEKEND, cute kids, but work on your monologue assignment due on Thursday, Feb. 23rd!  

What did you miss today during class?

1. We completed the presentations for Achilles and Odysseus.
2. We read two sections from The Iliad. The first involving Hector's goodbye to Andromache and then the dialogue between Hector and Achilles.
3. I then explained your monologue assignment to you. Please see the information for the assignment below.
HOMEWORK:
1. Please read the second half of the epic poem found on pages 195-200.
2. Your test covering the poem will take place on Thursday, the 23rd. There are three parts to your test:
                a. Quotes where you will need to identify who is speaker or who is being alluded to in the text
                b. A timeline of Iliad or Odyssey events (we will review for this on Tuesday)
                c. Images pertaining to events within the epic poem

START PREPARING NOW, my young friends, AS THE QUEST IS THOROUGH!

MONOLOGUE ASSIGNMENT 

      
Explanation: The Iliad represents a literary work full of irony. In The Iliad, Homer uses dramatic irony particularly for the purpose of causing the reader to become sympathetic toward the characters. Your assignment involves writing a monologue for one of the Iliad's characters. Your piece needs to contain elements of irony associated with The Iliad and with mythological characters in general. Please see the following example.

CASSANDRA:
            Welcome to my party, everyone, I am so thrilled that you could attend. I must remind you that our theme for this evening is "See everything, believe nothing." Allow me to remind you of the following.......There is danger looming ahead. Athena, are you listening? I can see our bleak future. I am doomed to know all the catastrophes that will befall us; yet, no one believes me. Therefore, hark, Paris, Prince of Troy. Are you daft, brother? Do not drink that apple punch; it smells oddly like death. You would be far from the fairest after tasting that disgusting and damaging drink Love will not even be able to set you free from your pain. I would not even have a piece of cake. Why, you ask? Can you not see the "cake server?" She's holding an axe, standing in a bath tub, holding an umbrella with holes in it. That vision makes no sense. Can you not see the signs of doom surrounding us? Wait...Paris, did you invite everyone on my guest list? Doing so is in accordance with Discord. We wouldn't want to offend anyone. Look there, Hades is the Lord of the Dead, yet he's the life of the party. Sisyphus refuses to rock and roll. Prometheus the titan gave us the gift of fire, but he's banned smoking. Honestly, I would have taken the gift of fire over truth. Ares has made peace with the fact that his brother, Apollo, isn't too bright. Narcissus just broke up with himself. Dionysus is sober and Icarus is high. Atlas is on top of the world. Zeus knows everything except how to spell the word omniscient, and Thor---What is Thor doing here? I don't think he was on the guest list. Midas has the golden touch, but thanks to Aphrodite he was a touch of herpes. Medusa was just stoned. Antigone is agreeable, and her father, Oedipus, brought a date that looks old enough to be his mother. And what do all these foreboding signs forebode? We are all doomed to die. Wait, a gift for me, from Odysseus. You really shouldn't have. What is...oh my...I love it...a horse. How did you know? Back to our theme....The Greeks are preparing to attack. They will lay siege to our city and destroy everyone within these walls. Why do you mock me? Ajax, your napkin is on the floor. You clearly need to do a much better job of cleaning up after yourself. I refuse to relent. What do you mean the party is over? We've only been celebrating for ten years.

REQUIREMENTS: 
1. The monologue must "voice the thoughts" of a character from The Iliad.
2. The piece must reference or allude to a minimum of four mortal character from The Iliad.   
3. The piece needs to reference of allude to a minimum of two gods associated with the poem.
4. The monologue needs to reference a minimum of six mythological characters NOT associated with the epic poem.
5. A minimum of six aspects of irony and/or puns must also be incorporated into your monologue. You will select two of the six aspects and explain why each are ironic.
6. Please use MLA format for your monologue (double space).
7. Identification of two requirements for numbers 2-5 need to appear below your monologue.  You select the required aspects that you will justify. Please single space  your explanations. Please note the following examples:

The piece must reference or allude to a minimum of four mortal characters from The Iliad 
1. Paris is mentioned in association with choosing the "rotten" apple. This reference indicates the destruction that Paris causes due to selecting Aphrodite as the "fairest." It also indicates the havoc that Paris will cause himself due to giving the apple to Aphrodite. His demise occurs when he is hit with a hydra dipped arrow. His death is a slow and painful one, as his first wife, Oenone, had the ability to heal Paris of his wounds, but she refused to assist him due to his abandonment of her for Helen.
 2. Clytemnestra


The piece needs to reference or allude to a minimum of two gods associated with the poem.
1. Athena is alluded to and reference in the line, "There is danger looming ahead. Athena, are you listening?" The word looming indicates her connection to weaving. It is also a pun in the sense that she "weaves" much of the danger imposed upon the characters within The Iliad. For example, she disguises herself as Deiphobus, Hector's brother, during his battle with Achilles. This clearly leads to his death.
2. Eris, the goddess of contention and discord is alluded to in the line, "Paris, did you invite everyone on my guest list? Doing so is an accordance with Discord" This line indicates that Eris/Discordia felt offended that she was not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, which, of course, cuased the vents that lead up to the Trojan War.


The monologue must reference or allude to a minimum of six mythological characters NOT associated with the poem.
1. The line, "Sisyphus is ready to rock and roll," clearly references the king from Corinth who was placed in the underworld due to his inappropriate sexual behavior. He is punished with pushing a boulder up a hill, always to have it come crashing down on him. The boulder represents his lack of ability to control his sexual desires.
2. The line, "Oedipus brought a date that is old enough to be his mother." is quite funny because Oedipus unknowingly killed his father and actually married his mother. Oedipus was destined to kill his father and marry his mother, so his parents decided to abandon him, in the hopes that he would die from the elements. He was saved by a shepherd, and adopted by the king of Corinth, Polybus. He had a dream where he killed his father. Not realizing that Polybus was not his actual father, he leaves Corinth, and heads for Thebes, the location of his birth. He meets a man on the highway that accosts him. Oedipus in turn killed the man in order to protect himself. He does not realize that his particular individual was in actuality his father. When he arrives at Thebes, the city is besieged by a monster known as the Sphinx, who will not allow any traveler to enter the city unless her riddled his answered correctly. Oedipus solves the puzzle, and the monster kills herself. For this, the people reward Oedipus their queen and he accepts their "gift." He does not realize that he has just married his mother.

Dear Mythology Kids,
We completed the learning more about Cassandra, Ajax (the lesser), Ajax (the greater), Patroclus, Hector

HECTOR

B1

1. "His glancing helm was everywhere and one gallant warrior after another fell beneath his terrible bronze spear. When evening ended the battle, the Trojans had driven the Greeks back almost to their ships."

2. "Apollo forbade Hector to enter upon a contest with Achilles, but when the two heroes met, they were protected by Apollo and Athena. The Trojans fled, but Hector, although called back by his parents in the most imploring terms, remained and awaited Achilles."

B2

1."If I kill you, I will give you back to your friends and you do the same for me."

2. "My doom has come upon me; let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that may be told among men hereafter."

B4

1. Same as b2

2. Same as b1

Odysseus, King of Ithaca, "inventor" of the Trojan Horse

B1:1."When the moment came to stand by his sacred oath, Odysseus pretended to be mad, as it had been revealed to him in a prophecy that should he go to war, he would not return for twenty years. His duplicity was reveal when Palemedes placed Odysseus' son, Telemachus, in front of the plough. Odysseus avoided the child, proving he was of reasonable mind. He was compelled to join Menelaus' army.

2. "Once at war he proved to be a shrewd and wise general. In Greek myths the idea of the Wooden Horse, which defeated the Trojans and led to the destruction of the city, is Odysseus' idea."

B2:1. "Renowned for his eloquent and persuasive speaking, Odysseus was called upon many times to give advice. Although he fought bravely he preferred strategy to heroics."
2. "...if anything went wrong...the men inside the wooden horse would surely die. Odysseus, as can be readily believed, had not overlooked this fact....he was prepared."

Wednesday, February 8th and 10th, 2012

Dear Mythology Kids,

I thoroughly enjoy the moments in class when you read from The Iliad, as the story becomes genuine and you clearly make a connection with it. I valued listening to your performances....well done!


We discussed Menelaus, Agamemnon, Clytemnestra and Iphigenia today in class.


Menelaus, King of Sparta/Husband to Helen

B1:
1."Hear me also! This touches me most clearly. My mind is that the Acheans and the Trojans should now be reconciled. You have suffered enough this quarrel of mine and Paris. Call his grace, King Priam, as a witness, and we do not wish to violate this old man, he looks both before and behind, to see that the best is done for both sides."
2. " Paris struck first, but Menelaus caught the swift spear on his shield then hurled his own. It rent Paris' but did not wound him. Menelaus drew his sword, his only weapon now, but as he did so it fell from his hand broken. Undaunted though unarmed he leaped upon Paris and seizing him...he would have dragged him to the Greeks victoriously if it had not been for Aphrodite saving him. "

B2:
1. "Menelaus and Helen received him graciously as their guest. The ties between guest and host were strong. Each was bound to help and never harm the other. But Paris broke that bond. Menelaus trusting completely to it left Paris in his home and went off to Crete."
2. "Later after Paris' death, the Trojans gave Helen to his brother Deiphobus, in whose house, on the night of the fall of Troy, Menelaus found her. He had meant to kill her on the spot, but her beauty and Aphrodite's power deterred him."

B4:
1. "Menelaus saw who was making the challenge and was as glad as a lion coming on the carcass of a wild goat....He stood and looked at his rival with contempt."
2. Same as the second quote for B1..refer to the second quote for B1.

Burial mask discovered by Henrik Scheilmann. Scheilmann thought he had discovered the mask of Agamemnon. He was actually incorrect, as the funeral mask is several hundred years older than the Agamemnon of history.

B1:
1. "Artemis was so angry. One of her beloved wild creatures, a hare, had been slain by the Greeks, together with her young, and the only way to create the winds and ensure a safe voyage to Troy was to appease her by sacrificing to her a royal maiden, Iphigenia....He dared the deed, slaying his child to help a war."
2. "Agamemnon, in Greek Mythology, was King of Mycenae, and a commander of the Greek forces in the Trojan War. When the Greeks had assembled at Aulis for their voyage to Troy they were held back by adverse winds. Agamemnon had killed one of Artemis' sacred hares and the young; she was angry with Agamemnon's arrogance, so she caused the winds to blow unceasingly. To punish Agamemnon, she required the sacrifice of his eldest daughter Iphigenia. "
B2:
1. ""Agamemnon sent a letter to Clytemnestra and their child, Iphigenia, asking them to come and join them at Aulis, where Iphigenia he said was going to be married to the great Achilles."
2. "He insulted the goddess Artemis by bragging that he was a better hunter than she and by killing a sacred hare. As punishment, Artemis caused the winds to blow so hard that the Greek fleet could not set sail."

B4:
1. "Agamemnon had been forewarned about the danger of returning home with Cassandra, yet his pride blinded him and he thought himself invinsible. He was vulnerable because he refused to listen to Cassandra, so Clytemnestra killed him."
2. Same as the second quote for B2

Clytemnestra, Queen of Mycenae, wife to Agamemnon, mother to Iphigenia, sister to Helen of Sparta

B1:
1. " She saw no reason to explain her act or excuse it. She was not a murderer in her own eyes, she was an executioner. She had punished and murdered the murderer of his own child."
2. "Dark red stains were on her dress, her hands, her face, yet she herself looked unshaken, strongly sure of herself...It was his blood that stained her dress and face and she was glad."
B2:
1: Same quote as b1
2: Same quote as b1
B4:
1. Same quote as b1
2. "Here lies my husband dead, struck down justly by my hand."

Sacrifice of Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra

B1:
1. "When she came to her wedding she was carried to the alter to be killed by her father."
2. "She would only send a favorable wind if the king propitiated her by offering up Iphigenia, the most beautiful of his daughters, as a sacrifice to the goddess."

B2:
1. Same as B1
2. "Iphigenia was a tragic heroine. She was the first person to have her life flipped upside down because of the Trojan War and it was her death which allowed the Greek fleet to set sail for Troy. Iphigenia was extremely brave and she is the reason why the entire war was able to continue."

B4:

1. same as b1

Journal #9 "Clytemnestra's Defense"

Do you agree with Clytemnestra's defense that "She is not a murderer but an executioner." According to Clytemnestra, Agamemnon deserved to be removed from the world because he possessed no likeable traits. He killed Cytemnestra's first husband, Tantalus, and their child. Then he proceeded to sacrifice Iphigenia to Artemis.

Is Clytemnestra's act justified? Consider the following abstract regarding the Greek play,"Agamemnon," by Euripides.

"Without a hint of shame, the Queen describes how she killed Agamemnon with an ax, after using a heavy net to trap him in his bath. She tells the Chorus that he was evil and deserved to die. They declare that she will be driven out of Mycenae and shunned by all men for her crime. She rebuffs their reproach by pointing out their hypocrisy; none of them protested when Agamemnon killed her innocent daughter, Iphigenia. The murder of her husband is justified, she insists, because it avenges his crime. Now Agamemnon can lie dead alongside Cassandra, who shared his bed."

February 6th, 2012

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Introduction to PRIAM, PARIS and HELEN

First day of Iliad Character Presentations

Dear Mythology Kids,

For Monday, February 6th we discussed three characters. These included Priam, Helen, and Paris. I have included an image of each character below, and the quotes that were chosen by the groups for each class. I would review the quotes for EACH CLASS, as doing so will give you insights into each character, and the QUOTES will appear on your "Iliad Quest."

HOMEWORK:

Please read/annotate/notate the information entitled "The Iliad" for Wednesday. Please include 7-10 for the first page and 5-7 for the second. All the colors may be used for this assignment.

Priam, King of Troy, begging Achilles to relinquish the body of Hector

B1/B2:
1. "I have endured what no other mortal on the face of the earth has yet endured, to reach forth my hand to the face of him that has slain my sons."
2. " So accompanied the old man past the guards and came into the presence of the man who had killed and maltreated his son. He clasped his knees and kissed his hands and as he did so, Achilles felt awe and so did all the other there....."
B4:
1. "Priam was killed by Neopotolemus, the son of Achilles. Achilles had spared Priam, but Achilles' son struck him down before the eyes of his wife and daughters."
2. ""In Greek Mythology, Priam was the last king of Troy, a ruler who witnessed the destruction of his city in the Trojan War. His son Paris caused the war, while another son, Hector, became the greatest Trojan hero during the long struggle with the Greeks."

Paris, Prince of Troy

B1:
1. "Hera promised to make him Lord of Europe and Asia; Athena, that he would lead the Trojans to victory against the Greeks and lay Greece in ruins; Aphrodite, that the fairest woman in all the world would be his."
2. "Paris, a weakling and something of a coward, too, as later events showed, chose the last."
B2:
1. "Paris himself, who had not fought at all, except to throw his spear, she caught up in a cloud and took him back to Helen."
2. "His single combat with Menelaus, Helen's husband, was suppose to have settled the outcome of the whole war. Instead it revealed Paris as a coward, who only escaped through the intervention of Aphrodite."
B4:
1. "In Sparta, Menelaus, husband of Helen, treated Paris as a royal guest. However, when Menelaus left Sparta for a funeral, Paris abducted Helen and also carried off much of Menelaus' wealth."
2. "What men care for most was set before him. Hera promised to make him Lord of Europe and Asia; Athena, that he would lead the Trojans to victory against the Greeks and lay Greece in ruins; Aphrodite, that the fairest woman in all the world should be his. Paris, a weakling and something of a coward, too, as later events showed, chose the last. He gave Aphrodite the golden apple."

Helen, "the face that launched a thousand ships"

B1:

1. "Then Priam brought Hector home, mourned in Troy as never another, even Helen wept. 'The other Trojans upbraided me, ' she said, 'but always I had comfort from you through your gentleness of spirit and your kind words. You were only my friend."

2. "The most fascinating things about Helen was her story. It was far better than she was. We do not see any real character development in her and have to regard her as a a pawn of the gods. The larger story is involved with the people around her, their rise and fall. She herself seemed oblivious to the horrors that surrounded her."

B2

1. "If only death had pleased me then, grim death, that day I followed your son to Troy, forsaking my marriage bed, my kinsmen and my children."

2. "Never set food on Mt. Olympus ...never! ---suffer Paris, protect Paris, for eternity....until he makes you his wedded wife---that or his slave. Not I, I'll never go back again. It would be wrong, disgraceful to share that coward's bed once more."

B4

1. "Aphrodite led Paris to Sparta, the home of a Greek prince named Menelaus. Helen, his wife was considered the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris fell in love with Helen and carried her off to Troy."

2. "When Menelaus returned home and discovered Helen gone, he called on the leaders of Greece, who had sworn to support him if necessary. The Greeks organized a great expedition and set sail for Troy. Their arrival at Troy marked the beginning of the Trojan War."

Monday, January 23, 2012

Dear Mythology Kids,
What did I miss today?

1. We reviewed the Heracles myth and discussed specific questions.
2. I then distributed the quizzes and each student recorded the particular questions that they are required to answer.
3. JOURNAL #9 "Disastrous Disney"
We watched the frist 15 minutes of Disney's Hercules and identitied errors in relationship to the Hercules myth and errors regarding mythology in general.
4. We began our discussion regarding TROY

Homework:

1. Your Quiz covering Heracles is due on WEDNESDAY If you missed class, please stop by my room so I can give you the particular questions you will be answering.
2. Your mythological allusions quiz that was not completed in class last week is also due on WEDNESDAY. I returned the quz to each student, as we did not have time durng class to complete it. Please make sure you finish it for WEDNESDAY!
3. You will have a quiz on FRIDAY covering the introductory material covering Troy!

In order to be prepared for Friday's quiz, please familiarize yourself with the following:
1.Did the Trojan War actually take place? If so, what was the cause?
2. Why is Henrik Scheilmann important to Troy?
3. Explain Scheilmann's archaeological approach? Why was it inappropriate?
4. How is the "Mound of Hissarlik" significant to Scheilmann?
5. Eris' golden apple....How is it relevant to The Iliad's plot line?
6. How does The Iliad begin?
7. Why are the events within The Iliad relevant to events within The Odyssey?
8. Make sure you can define the term "epic."


THIS IS THE HANDOUT used in our class discussion regarding Homer's Iliad. Please cut and paste it as a Word document and ten place it in your binder. We started working on this in class, but we did not complete it; we will do so on Wed.

Introduction:
What is an epic?

The Iliad is about:



Ilium:

Acheans:

The Odyssey is about:


Did the Trojan War actually take place and what was the cause?

Who discovered the ancient city of Troy?

“Road Map:”

“Schliemann's scar:”

Using a well read copy of The Iliad as his reference guide, he chose a spot on the Asian coast of Turkey called the Mound of Hissarlik, and began digging for the famous city of Troy. In the course of four years, he uncovered nine successive cities built on top of each other. The sixth city he declared the “City of Troy,” or as Schliemann called it the “Burnt City.” Later archaeologists through carbon dating and additional archaeological discoveries, proved that Schliemann's choice was accurate. What was once thought to be myth had been proven historically correct.


What we know about Homer.....

Many scholars have asked the question, “Were the epic poems of The Iliad and The Odyssey written by one poet or were they collective efforts on the part of several poets?” We will never know the answer to this question. Most scholars agree that “a Homer” existed, that he lived in the 8th or 9th century B.C., and that he was a well-known poet. Some references to Homer indicate that he was blind, which has been interpreted as a “sign of his greatness.” We know that Homer had a strong command of the written language, and that at one point he could see. His love for beauty and gory details are too advanced, especially for someone who might have been blind his entire life. He lived about 500 years after the events at Troy; therefore, the story he told was not original with him, but had been passed down in the oral tradition of the times.



Allow me to share two excerpts from The Iliad with you.

“...the spear of bronze went through

Below the brain and shattered the white bones,

Dashed out his teeth, and filled his eyes with blood;

And blood he spurted gaping through his mouth

And nose; and death's dark cloud encompassed him.”

Book XVI, lines 345-350



“Then answered Hector of the flashing helm,

His strength all gone: 'I beg thee by my life,

Thy knees, thy parents, leave me not for dogs

Of the Acheans by the ship to eat,

But rather take abundant stores of bronze and gold-

My king and queenly mother will give it thee-

And render back my body to my home,

So that the Trojans and the Trojans' wives

May give me due meed of fire in death.'



But scowling at him swift Achilles said,

“Do not entreat me, dog, by knees or parents ,

I only wish I had the heart and will

To hack the flesh off thee and eat it raw......”

Book XXII, lines 317-330

Posted by Crampton at 7:09 PM

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Dear Mythology Kids,
I appreciate you venerating our substitute while I was not well. I have included the information for your quiz covering Hercules or is it Heralces on Monday.

Dear Mythology Kids,
If you missed class, we accomplished the following in class:

Don't forget that you will have a QUIZ covering the irony found within the myth of "Heracles," and how those aspects of irony add to the pathos experienced by our hero on Friday!

"How do I prepare for the quiz, Crampton?"

"Make sure you have read the myth of Heracles found on page 166 in your textbook. In addition, review the storyboard that we worked on in class on Thursday.

"Will there be extra credit for this quiz?"

"Absolutely! I have listed the aspects of irony below. Respond to each one as if you were taking the actual quiz. Originally, I was going to have you complete one of the six questions, but I have changed my mind. You will answer two of the six listed. If you review this way, you will clearly be successful, as you will have two of the six included below, you just don't know which two. You are to discuss the irony found in each excerpt from the myth of “Heracles,” and how the irony adds to the pathos experienced by Heracles. Please be thorough in your response; assume that your audience has no schema on the character of Heracles. Cut and paste the questions into a Word document, and then respond to them on your computer.

1.) Athena “found” the infant Heracles outside the walls of Thebes, where Alcmene had abandoned him in fear of Hera’s jealousy. Athena showed the child to Hera and urged the goddess to pity the beautiful child so cruelly neglected.

2.) The goddess drove Heracles temporally mad, and he killed his children, Megara as well—thinking they were either wild beasts or enemies of Thebes. When his sanity returned, Heracles exiled himself from Thebes for his crime. He traveled to Delphi to ask the oracle how best to atone for his crime. The priestess of the oracle instructed Heracles to go to Tiryns and perform any 10 labors devised for him by King Eurystheus.

3.) Eurystheus directed Heracles to kill the Lernaean Hydra (water snake) as his second labor. Heracles slew the beast by chopping off its immortal head and burying the still-hissing head under a rock. Before returning to Tiryns, Heracles dipped his arrows in the poisonous blood of the Hydra. Thereafter, anyone wounded with one of these arrows would die.

4.) The goddess sent two poisonous serpents with flaming eyes to destroy both Heracles and his half-brother Iphicles. Yet the mighty infant seized one in each hand and easily strangled the serpents, thinking they were toys he found great glee in his kill of the snakes.

5.) The perfect host, Admetus entertained his guest while hiding the fact that he was mourning for his wife, Alcestis. When Heracles discovered his host’s secret, he rushed to Alcestis tomb. Upon bringing her back to Admetus, the host promptly died.

6) "He sent his servant home to Deianeira in order to obtain the special ceremonial shirt he wore on these religious occasions. When the servant mentioned to Deianeira that Iole was to accompany Heracles, Deianeira feared that her husband loved the beautiful princess.”

HOMEWORK:

1. Please read "Heracles" pages 166-179

2. Quiz covering Heracles will take place on Monday.

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

YOUR MOSAICS are BREATHTAKING! I am transfixed by your aesthetic abilities!

If you missed class on Tuesday, January 11th, 2012 you were introduced to the concepts of "Allusion" and "Reference," and the role of mythological allusions and references found in literary work. Please visit with a classmate in order to obtain this information.

I used Icarus as my focus for emphasizing how frequently references and allusions to mythology arise in literary work. This, of course, is due to the fact that universal themes are always prevalent within the myths; therefore, audiences of all types can connect with the themes that are used.

HOMEWORK:

1. Your Mythological Allusions assignment is due on Tuesday., Jan. 17th. If you missed class, please visit with a friend and then stop by and chat with me, so that I can give you the explanation sheets for your assignment.

We had a history lesson today concerning Theseus and the Minotaur!

We had a history lesson today concerning Theseus and the Minotaur!

Dear Mythology Kids,

If you missed class, this is what we did:
1. You had a history lesson on the Minoan culture and their connection to the myth of "Theseus and the Minotaur." Please visit with someone in class, concerning this information.
2. You saw several different images associated with the Minoan culture and how certain practices relate to the myth.
3. Journal #5 "Minoan Culture:Points of Interest"
We viewed a video clip concerning the Minoan culture and recorded a minimum of 10 points that we found engaging.

HOMEWORK:
1. Please read "Theseus and the Minotaur" pgs. 155-165 for FRIDAY.
2. Please read "Daedalus" pgs. 144-145 for FRIDAY, as well.
3. YOUR QUIZ WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY. You will "be caught in the labyrinth" of T.H.S. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Welcome to your Mosaic assignment....

Dear Mythology Kids,

If you missed class, we completed the following:

1. I introduced the mosaic assignment to each class today.

What is a mosaic? A piece of artwork that is comprised of many different pieces. Please see the examples of mosaics below.

Why were they so important to the ancient Greeks? They took the subjects from their mythology and literally cemented them into mosaic artwork.

Nemean Lion



Demeter

Medusa

I look forward to seeing the subjects you have chosen for your mosaics. For those of you that missed class on today (December 8th), we completed the following:

1. Introduction of your "Mosaic Assignment"

•Your mosaic must be at least 11 x 17 in size

•The subject may be any aspect associated with our study of Classical Mythology (gods, lesser gods, heroes, monsters, and specific myths and their characters)

•You need to be passionate about your selection.

•If you elect to draw the subject, extra-credit will be given

•If your mosaic is larger than the required size, extra-credit will be given

YOUR SUBJECT MUST BE TRACED BY MONDAY, DECEMBER 12th. WHY? Well, I have to return the projectors to the library on Friday afternoon. PLEASE! PLEASE! Have your mosaic traced for Monday!

ANY and ALL supplies you want to use for the mosaic need to be with you on Monday!

Remember that your "Let's Go to the Movies" essay is due on Friday, December 16th!

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Dear Mythology Kids,

"What did I miss, Crampton?"
"EVERYTHING!"

1. We reviewed the archetypal traits and any questions students had regarding interview between Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers. Students then submitted their archetypal traits handout and interview to me. I, in turn, gave them their take-home quiz.

2. JOURNAL #4: The Archetypal Hero in Spiderman
Student viewed two clips from the film SPIDERMAN. I asked that students identify the aspects depicted in the film that are valid examples regarding the archetype.

3. Students then started on their quiz regarding Perseus and Bellerophon. We did not complete the quiz in class, so time will be given on Thursday.

•Choose a subject for your mosaic and have an overhead transparency prepared of the subject for WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8th. This is an assignment! Your transparency is due at the beginning of class on Wednesday. I gave every student a transparency. I suggest google images for a valid location to look for strong images. Mrs. Gull will make your transparency for you in the copy center, PRIOR to WED. SHE CAN NOT MAKE THE TRANSPARENCY FOR YOU ON WEDNESDAY!


•50 points will be given for each day you come prepared to work on your mosaic. You will be given Friday, Dec. 10th, Tuesday, December 14th and Thursday, December 16th to work on your mosaic in class.

2. We took the quiz concerning "Perseus" in class.

HOMEWORK:
1. Take-home quiz concerning the nine traits of the hero and the interview between Joseph Cambell (mythology expert) and Bill Moyers (NBC corespondent) is due on MONDAY!
2. Mosaic subject on a transparency is due on WED., DEC. 8th.
3. Create a "works cited" page for you mosaic source. If you located your subject from any other source than your mind, then you must reference the source. This is also due on WED.

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

Dear Mythology Kids,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:

1. We reviewed the practice quiz for Perseus, Achilles, Bellerophone and Theseus. We then tool the actual quiz.

2. We discussed the archetypal Greek hero and the qualities possessed by the hero.

Heroes in ancient Greek were given this title because they experienced what is known as PATHOS, or in other words, they suffered more than other individuals. Through their suffering they became stronger.


•1. They are flawed.

•2. They experience PATHOS, or they suffer more than the average person

•3. They are "Born" : There are two types of "births"

•a. They are conceived in an unusual manner

•b. The hero is "born" when they realize that they possess

•4. They are always assisted by a "goddess" (female character)

•5. They marry/associated with someone that causes them great pain and anguish

•6. They experience what is known as an "IGNITION EVENT." This event is usually, but not always, tragic. It causes them to "ignite" into action.

•7. They are faced with physical and emotional challenges.

•8. Through these challenges they become enlightened (more knowledgeable/physically and emotionally stronger)

•9. Their deaths are usually violent.

•NOTE: Heroes experience at least 6 out of the 9 qualities

ARCHETYPE: This term is important, as you will hear it frequently in Mythology. An archetype is a pattern of traits that characters possess that qualify them as certain character types. For example, characters that possess the traits included above would be qualified as an archetypal hero.

HOMEWORK:
1. Please read "Perseus" pages 146-154 and Bellerophon pages 139-146
2. You will have a quiz covering "Perseus" and Bellerophon on Thursday.
3. Please review the nine character traits, as you will have a "take-home" quiz given to you on Thursday. The quiz is due on Monday. You will submit your nine-trait sheet and your interview prior to taking the quiz.
4. Please read the article entitled "The Hero's Adventure." Annotate/ Notate 7-10/ 1st page/5-7 back page/using ALL your colors for Thursday. I have placed several copies of the article outside my room on the bulletin board. This article will be part of your "take-home" quiz.

DON'T MISS CLASS NEXT WEEK! IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE GONE, THEN PLEASE VISIT WITH ME BEFORE YOUR ABSENCE!

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

 Dear Mythology Kids,

Your presentations were so well done. I appreciate your attention to detail in sharing the information about your particular characters with us! Your practice quiz for Friday's quiz is located below...good luck!

Cheers,

Crampton

PRACTICE QUIZ:

1. We have never known the benefits of youth. _____________ (we) ____________(hero)
2. I "own" a cement company. ____________ (I) ________________ (hero)
3. "Do you need some thread for your shoe?" _______________(character) ___________ (hero)
4. Because you abandoned my wife, I will make you forget the colors of black and white _____________ (my wife) _____________ (hero)
5. "My love for it is so full of bull." ___________ (associated monster) __________(hero)
6. My son and I are imprisoned in a labyrinth. ________________ (I) _______________ (hero)
7. I excel at creating decoy cows, mazes, and wings. __________( I) ___________(hero)
8. My mother is the guilty party. I am innocent of arrogance towards the gods. __________ (I) _____________ (hero)
9. I taught Achilles the art of warfare. ____________(I) ____________(hero)
10. I helped my true love collect the beauty of Persephone. _____________ (I)
11. I love roller-coasters because I value hanging upside down. __________(I) ____________ (hero)
12. "Nurse" of Contention _____________(nurse) ____________(hero)

Thursday, Nove,ber 17th, 2011

Dear Mythology Kids,

If you missed class, we completed the following characters:
1. Aeolus
2. Circe
3. Tieresis
4. Sirens
5. We started on Scylla and Charybdis
6. We did not complete Calpyso


In order to stay on track, you still need to anticipate a quiz covering the characters associated with Odysseus. Each of you have a copy of the handout, so you have access to the information. I have included a practice quiz for you below.
PRACTICE QUIZ:


1. "Drugs! Enjoy them while they last." ______________
2. "Let's eat human kabobs for dinner. "______________
3. Odysseus and his crew helped themselves to my stores of cheese and milk.____________
4. "Do not eat the cattle of the sun god, Helios." _________________
5. God of the winds. _______________
6. We are "dying" to hear their song. __________________
7. My friend and I have a habit of not keeping our boyfriends for long. I've had six in the last few days, and she's had so many that I've lost count (any order).
7. ________________________ 8. _____________________
9. "You will set him free, or your little island will find itself at the bottom of Poseidon's sea. " ___________________
1o. "Let's see...what animal does your male psyche resemble the most." _____________
11. Comes to her island after the destruction of Odysseus' men. ______________

Take care and enjoy your weekend. I hope to see you on Monday; however, so much depend upon what happens with my mother.

Cheers,
Crampton

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

Dear Mythology Kids,

1.We completed the characters associated with Heracles/Hercules today in class! Your QUIZ covering the characters will take place on THURSDAY, November 17th!

2. We started the characters associated with Odysseus (Lotus-eaters, Polyphemus and the Laestragonias). I would anticipate a quiz covering Odysseus on Monday the 21st!

3. Each student received their peer review concerning their nature myth. Students were asked to revise the myth based upon the suggestions given to them from peers. THE REVISION for their nature myth is due on MONDAY, November 21st!

Practice Quiz covering "Characters associated with Heracles"

1."Stop acting so juvenile." _____________/_____________ (she has a Roman name)
2. "My car was stuck in the snow." _______________
3. We hate the sound of baby rattles. _______________
4. French, German, Latin, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Turkish, Arabic...the list could reach 100. __________________
5. While at the beach, a crab bit my heel (labor). ______________
6. "Hey, boss, you taste like chicken." ______________
7. Apollo is our master . ______________
8. Golden horns and bronze hooves _____________
9. Apples are a precious gift that must always be guarded ______________
10. "What a beautiful fur coat you have."
"Thank-you, it's made of steal." _________________
11."I would have gladly given him my belt." __________________
12. "Love Potion" ____________
13. Foul Fowls ________________
14. Third and immortal wife of Heracles_____________/_____________
15. My blood is toxic _____________
16. I am suffering from cancer (labor) _______________.

Dear Mythology Students,
We submitted our power points and handouts regarding your research topics. The presentations commenced and we obtained information for the characters up to the Amazons!

This is the order of the presentations:
Heracles/Hercules

1. Eurystheus/Nemean Lion
Nemean Lion






2. Hydra/Boar

3. Cerynian Hind and Stymphalian Birds



4. Man-eating mares of Diomedes/Amazons
5. Hesperides/Ladon
6. Geryon/Nessus
7. Hebe/Muses

Odysseus:
8. Lotus-eaters/Laestragonians
9. Polyphemus/Aeolus
10. Circe/Tieresies
11. Scylla/Charybdis
12. Sirens/Calypso

Theseus
13. Minotaur/Daedalus
14. Ariadne/Dionysus
15. Pan/Midas

Perseus
16. Medusa/Grey Witches
17. Andromeda/Casseopeia

Achilles
18. Chiron/Eris
19. Iris/Ganymede
20. Cupid/Chimera

Have a wonderful weekend! You have no homework!
Cheers,
Crampton

November 3rd, 2011

Dear Mythology Kids,

We hung out in the library today. Each individual from the different groups obtain textual sources for their presentations. If you missed class, PLEASE stop by so you can pick up the handout you will need for our homework assignment. You will need to visit the library on your own.

HOMEWORK:
1. Please annotate/notate the information you photocopy today in the library. You should locate to textual sources from the library, make a photocopy of each, and then annotate/notate using ORANGE/ 5-7!

2. Please complete the "PowerPoint Organizational Format" sheet for the monster that you are specifically working on for your group. The completion needs to include all the works cited information for your textual sources, and the slides that will encompass your particular character.

Have a great weekend,
Crampton

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

Dear Mythology Kids-HAPPY NOVEMBER 1st, cute kids!

If you missed class......YIKES! "What did I miss, Crampton.'
"Oh, let's see...EVERYTHING!"

Introduction to the monsters, lesser gods and heroes of Mythology

Dear Mythology Students,

1. You were introduced to a research assignment regarding the lesser gods and monsters of Mythology.


Note: Each student selected TWO-FOUR characters that are their research subjects.

Homework:

. 1.Depending on your chosen characters, each student will locate information at home via the Internet. Please DO NOT USE Wikipedia as a source. I would suggest ENCYCLOPEDIA MYTHICA as a stronger option. Some students elected to work with a partner, while others wanted to work independently. Which ever choice was made, two-four characters are the focus for the research. PLEASE PRINT OFF the INTERNET sources that you found useful in providing information about your characters. YOU NEED TO ANNOTATE and NOTATE each source with a total of 5-7/page using ORANGE! I will look at your Internet sources THURSDAY.

2. Compile a list of the points you found interesting in association with your characters. Please type the list using MLA format.

3. Please include a works cited page indicating your Internet source(s).

Your assignment is due at the beginning of class on Thursday. We will go to the library so that you can extend your research.

ERICA- You are working with Cameron and Becky and your characters are the Hesperides/Draco Ladon and Nessus

AUTSIN-You are working Sydney and your characters are the Eurymanthian Boar, Cerynian Hind and the Stymphalian Birds

Cheers,
Crampton

Monday, October 24th, 2011

Welcome back, Mythology kids! I hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday. If you missed class we completed the following:

1. I explained the structure of the Final Exam, which will occur on Friday, October 28th.
I have included a copy of the review below. Please read the instructions!

2. Each student submitted their assignments: Revision for Modern Day God paper and Hades Annotations/Notations

REVIEW #1

Mythology Exam

I ask that you complete the following review, as doing so will give you insight regarding areas where you need to spend additional time concerning your review. In essence, you can use the review as a pre-test. Answer the questions without using your handouts or book. If you need assistance with certain questions, then you know that those particular questions need greater review. PLEASE USE A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER, as you don’t have adequate space for your responses below. You will submit your review prior to the exam on THURSDAY!

You will see 55 different pieces of artwork. Each drawing, painting, sketch, statue, etc. pertains to the areas of mythology we have discussed this term. I will ask you specific questions about each overhead. For example, you may be asked to “identify the myth illustrated” or “identify the god,” or “explain what is taking place in the image, “ etc. The best way to completely prepare for your exam, is to go through each question below, as some aspect will appear on the test.

I ask that you use ONE SIDE of a 3x5 card to assist you with some aspects that you might find difficult to recall. Yes, this is compulsory, my young friends. It’s call “insurance.” You may not need to use the card, but if you do, then it is available to you. IF YOU DO NOT USE THE CARD, then I will add five points of extra-credit to your exam score. If you use the card then no penalty will apply.

One of my goals as your teacher is for you to apply what we have learned in class to the “real world.” So, if you are watching a film, listening to music spending time in a museum, reading a book, etc, and you see/hear references to mythology, you can identify them without hesitation. All of your exams will be application in nature.

Identify the Roman name, symbol(s) and domain(s) for the following Greek gods:

1. Aphrodite 5. Poseidon 9. Zeus 13. Apollo

2 Demeter 6. Hestia 10. Hephaestus 14. Hades

3. Artemis 7. Hermes 11. Athena

4.Ares 8. Dionysus 12. Hera

NOTE: You need to have strong familiarity regarding the parents of each Olympian, and specifics concerning their births. In addition, you must be aware of relationships that the gods have with each other, and the result(s) of these associations. (Example: Poseidon is disrespectful towards Athena because her gift was chosen over his. Consequently, Medusa as we know her is created. (This, of course, is the abbreviated version).

Please respond using complete sentences:
15. Who are the Furies? Describe their roll, “birth,” and appearance.
16. Who are the rulers of the underworld? (Greek and Roman names, please)
(p.s. please be familiar with the Greek underworld, specifically the sinners associated with Tartarus)
17. Identify the areas of the Greek stage.
18. Identify the importance regarding the Greek chorus.

NOTE: for19= 30. you will need to be familiar with ALL the characters with
in each myth.
19. Plotline for “Pandora’s Box”
20. “Arachne”
21. “Prometheus”
22. “Demeter and Persephone”
23. “Daphne”
24. “Echo and Narcissus” 25. “Orpheus and Eurydice”
26. “Oedipus”
27. “Antigone”
28. “Io and Prometheus”
29. Creation myth (Aphrodite, Crone, Uranus, Rhea,)
30. “Danaids”
31. Tantalus
32. Sisyphus
33. Ixion

HOMEWORK:
1. Please read "Orpheus and Euydice" in your book
2. Please read "Sisyphus" in your book
3. Please read "Danaids" in your book
4. The review for your final exam (above) is due on Friday prior to the test. You will have Wednesday to work on it in class.
5. You can create the 3x5 card after you have a greater understanding concerning your areas of weakness
NOTE: ALL HOMEWORK COUPONS are due on WEDNESDAY!

Tursday, October 18th, 2011

YOUR NATURE MYTH WAS DUE TODAY! I will not accept the assignment, as you have known about it for two weeks. You may only submit it with your homework coupon! SUBMIT your assignments on the appropriate due date, cute kids!

Dear Mythology Kids,

WELCOME TO HADES!

If I were to ask you to envision Hades, especially now that we have discussed its varying aspects, how would you describe it? This picture is an artist's concept of the entrance to Hades. He clearly DOES NOT know Hades as well as he should. Remember that only a part of Hades was Saturnine, and that of course was Tartarus.

If you missed class on Tuesday, October 18th, we discussed the Greek underworld of Hades. Each student received a red handout, which we completed together. I HAVE INCLUDED A COPY OF THE HANDOUT FOR YOU AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST! Several images were shared with you in relationship to the areas we discussed. I have attempted to include some of the images for you below. We did not complete the handout, but we will do so on MONDAY the 24th!


HOMEWORK:


1. Please read the grey handout given to you during class/7-10 annotation/notations/page/Due on Monday the 24th

2. Revise your "Modern Day God" paper for Monday, October 24th

The following pictures should give you greater insights into some of the aspects we discussed on Tuesday. Please make sure you obtain the information from someone else in class BEFORE you return.



This is the character known as Sisyphus. He was destroyed by Zeus due to his inappropriate sexual behavior. His pushes a boulder up a large mountain in Hades, with the one purpose of pushing it over the top. He is never successful in doing so, as the boulder always comes crashing down on him. This punishment is highly symbolic of the crime, as the rock represents Sisyphus' sexual desires. He hopes to overcome them, but he he is unsuccessful in doing so.

These women are known as the Danaids. There are fifty of them, and on their wedding night, all but one, murdered her husband by stabbing him in his heart. Their punishment in Hades is to obtain water from the River Styx with the hope of filling Hades' garden pond; however, their jars have holes in the bottom. They were never able to complete the mundane task of filling the pond. This is symbolic of the fact that they took the trivial and mundane away from their husbands; consequently, they are forever cursed with it.


This is Ixion. He attempted to rape Hera. Zeus had him strapped to a wheel of burning fire. This is symbolic of the fact that a rapist will continue to rape unless caught...hence the wheel. The fire on either side is symbolic of the pain the victim feels. Ixion was constantly burned, but never burned away. OUCH!

Tantalus is another sinner in Hades. He murdered his nephew, and then fed his flesh to the gods in the form of a stew. The Olympians were so appalled by Tantalus' behavior that they cemented him within Styx, being cursed with perpetual hunger and thirst. Each time he attempted to drink from Styx the water would move away from him. There are fruit trees hanging above his head, and yet each time he attempted to grab some of the fruit it, too, would move away from him. He is perpetually hungry and thirty. Can you recognize that each punishment is symbolic of its crime!

THE GREEK UNDERWORLD (handout given on Friday, Oct. 20th)

1. The rulers of the underworld are _________ and his queen _________.
2. The ferryman is called __________________ and he must receive an _________ in order for the dead to cross the River Styx. The coin is placed under the _________ of the deceased.
3. The three most significant rivers in Hades are:
a. The River ______ is the river of the “unbreakable oaths.”
b. The River ________ is the river of the “forgetfulness.”
c. The river Mnemosyne is the “pool of ____________.”
4. The dog __________ guards the gates, and its most distinctive physical feature is ____________________.
5. When ghosts first arrive in Hades, they are taken to the judges of the dead to be tried according to the deeds during life. They are called __________________, ____________________ and _______________.
6. ________________ is the goddess of justice. She determines if the punishments are fair.
7. There are three areas of the underworld:
a. ____________ where people are sent who ______________________________ ________________________________________________________________
b. _____________ for those who lived ___________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
c. _______________ for those who could not _______________________________ __________________________________________________________________
8. A significant motif of mythological stories is justice: defining what is right and wrong and deciding how sinners should be punished. The Greeks were extremely imaginative in punishing those they considered guilty. There are four individuals who have eternal punishment due to their actions on earth.
a. The Danaids:


b. Sisyphus:


c. Tantalus:


d. Ixion:


9. From the surface of the earth, how does one find the entrance to Hades?

10. The FATES determine the length of one’s life. _________________ weaves the thread; the “disposer of lots,” ____________ gives each man their destiny; the most feared is ____________, as she cuts the thread and your life along with it.

11. The god of sleep, ___________________ and the god of dreams, ______________ belong to the retinue of Hades.
12. _____________ is the Greek goddess of Justice.

October 12th and 14th, 2011

Dear Mythology Kids,

Hang in there, cute kids! Your first quarter is almost over. Please let me know what I can do to assist you.

What did I miss today, Crampton?

ANTIGONE, the courageous daughter of OEDIPUS, was introduced to you today!

If you missed class on Friday, October 14th we accomplished the following:



1. I introduced the myth of "ANTIGONE" (pg. 273). MAKE SURE YOU READ THE MYTH! "Antigone" is the companion piece to "Oedipus." It is the myth of what happens to Oedipus after he blinds himself and is banished from Thebes. Antigone is the oldest female child of Oedipus and Jocata. We read the myth in class, and then started reading the play "Anitgone" by Sophocles together. We did not finish reading in class, so make sure you have read the blue copy of the play by Tuesday. It was originally written as a myth, and then retold as a drama by Sophocles. It is a story about doing what is honorable and just, even when you are the only individual who has the courage to behave with such fortitude. Please make sure you are familiar with the characters of Creon, Haemon, Antigone, Etoecles, Polynieces, and Ismene for your upcoming exam.

2. We viewed a clip from Oedipus performed by the London Shakespeare Company. I shared this with everyone as a review.

3. We then proceeded to read the "Antigone" myth, followed by the dramatic version of the myth.

4. Everyone submitted their take-home quizzes for "Oedipus."

HOMEWORK:
5. I gave everyone a copy of their "Greek Theater" quiz which is due on Tuesday.

6. Please remember to have a TWO COPIES of your nature myth for TUESDAY. In addition, you need to have a copy of your rough draft which should contain corrections and the signature of your "editor."

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

Dear Mythology Kids,

I hope you had a positive experience attending "College Days!"

GREEK DRAMA for today, October 6th, 2010!

Dear Mythology Kids,


IF YOU MISSED CLASS TODAY....


If you missed class today, please make sure you read the myth of "Oedipus" located on pages. 268-273 in your textbook. You will have a QUIZ over the myth and Greek drama on Tuesday, October 11th! PLEASE READ THE MYTH! What we do in class on Friday is important concerning your schema regarding "Oedipus." This is a valuable piece of literature, as it was originally written as a narrative, and then transformed to a play by Sophocles. It also contains the literary element of IRONY, which adds to the plot line.

This image depicts a theater troupe performing "Oedipus Rex. " Oedipus is in the middle, and the Greek chorus is surrounding him.

We reviewed the three different types of IRONY today in class.
1. Dramatic Irony: This occurs when the audience is aware of specific information that characters are not.
2. Irony of Situation or Situational Irony: This occurs when the outcome of a literary work turns out differently than what the audience originally anticipated.
3. Verbal Irony: This occurs when a characters means the opposite of what they say.

We completed your handout regarding Greek Theater. Please visit with someone in class.





Ancient Greek theater mask. The Greeks used masks to help indicated emotion and the type of drama being performed. This image depicts a TRAGIC mask.

HOMEWORK:

1. Please read "Oedipus" on pages 268-272
Plan on a quiz covering "Oedipus." PLEASE NOTE THE QUESTIONS BELOW!
2. Your NATURE MYTH assignment is due on Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

I think your THRONES are so clever and I look forward to interviewing you about your design choices. PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR INTERVIEW TIMES.

.

I introduced the myth of "Oedipus" to you today (Monday, October 4th) as a catalyst for understanding Greek Drama. I have included some additional images below from those I shared with you class. This myth is extremely significant, as it illustrates the ancient Greeks desire and ability to take their myths and transfer them to the genre of drama.


1. We started our discussion regarding GREEK DRAMA. You can obtain a copy of the handout when you return to class.



WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:The literary tool of irony is significant to the plot of "Oedipus." As part of your quiz on Thursday, you will respond to ONE of FOUR quotes. I will ask that you explain the irony of the chosen question in relationship to the plot of Oedipus. Your response must be thorough. Responding with, "This section is ironic because Oedipus does not realize Laius is his father," is not detailed enough. You will need to explain ALL the circumstances behind the quote that you "pull from the bag." You will not be able to use your textbook or notes for the quiz. This is why you must READ YOUR MYTH, my fine young friends! You do have access to the questions, as they are below, and you can consider a strong response for each one.

1. "He left his home, Corinth, where he was held to be the son of the king, Polybus, and the reason for his self exile was another Delphic oracle. Apollo had declared that he was fated to kill his father."

2. "...whoever had murdered King Laius must be punished. Oedipus was relieved. Surely the man or men could be found after all these years, and they should know well how to punish him."

3. He spoke to his people..."Let no one of this land give him shelter. Bar him from your homes, as one defiled, companioned by pollution. And solemnly I pray, may he who killed wear out his life in evil, being evil."

4. "No one suffered more than Oedipus. He regard himself as the father of the whole state; the people in it were his children; the misery of each one was his too."

You are to annotate the myth entitled "Dionysus and Semele" using particular colors: WHAT DOES ANNOTATE MEAN, Crampton? "ANNOTATE" means to underline text in order to strengthen understanding. "NOTATE" means to record information netx to text in order to strengthen understanding.

So.........Your first annotated myth is due on Monday, October 10th, 2011!

• If you  find a section of text confusing then you would underline it using BROWN.
• If you are able to make a connection ot your own life then you would underline that section of text using your PURPLE.
• Another way to annotate is by asking QUESTIONS about the text. RED is the color you will use for this annotation.
• If you come across a VOCABULARY word that you don't know use YELLOW!
• If a piece of text touches you emotionally, then BLUE is the color for that annotation.
• If a piece of writing is poetic to you, then use BLACK!
• If text gives you a different perspective then GREEN is your annotation color.
• ORANGE is the color you will use if you come across text that you find interesting.

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Quiz, "Melody Time," and "Why Birds Molt".......

Dear Mythology Kids,

We completed the following:

1. Submitted our "take-home" quizzes.
2. Took the quiz covering the following nature myths: "Daphne," "Narcissus," "Prometheus and Io," and "Arachne"
3. We then completed Journal #2 entitled "Melody Time." Students watched a cartoon regarding the legendary character Pecos Bill and then identify several nature myth aspects found within the clip.
4. We then reviewed a strong example of a nature myth...."Why birds molt!" Your plotmap assignment was introduced to you, as well. PLEASE STOP BY DURING FLEX, or visit with a friend regarding this part of your assignment.

HOMEWORK:
1. Your throne is due on Thursday.
2. Nature Myth Part 1 is also due on Friday!

Wed., September 26th, 2011

We completed the following:

1. Submitted our "take-home" quizzes.
2. Took the quiz covering the following nature myths: "Daphne," "Narcissus," "Prometheus and Io," and "Arachne"
3. We then reviewed poor examples of previous nature myths. Students then worked in groups and evaluated the myths that their group reviewed.
4. Nature Myth Part 1 was explained to each student. Please visit with me about this if you missed class.

HOMEWORK:
1. Your throne is due Thursday, October 6th.
2. Nature Myth Part 1 is also due on Friday!

Cheers,
Crampton

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Dear Mythology kids,

1. Students submitted their "Modern Day God" assignment.
2. Journal #1 was introduced. Please see the previous post.
3. We review the three nature myths that were read for homework, and then students were given a copy of their "take-home" quiz. The quiz is due on WEDNESDAY, September 28th!
2. We read another nature myth entitled "Arachne." I gave each student a copy of the myth.
4. THRONE is due on THURSDAY, October 6th.


HOMEWORK:
1. Take-home quiz is due on Wednesday, September 28th
2. In-class quiz covering "Daphne," "Arachne," "Narcissus" and "Prometheus and Io"