Name: _____________________________ Block: ____
Ms. Baulch
English 9 H
Questions for Edith Hamilton’s Mythology
“The Mythology of the Greeks” (p. 14-21) – due Weds., 10/6
1. How were the Greek gods different from gods of previous cultures?
2. What was the effect on the Greek people of having these types of gods?
3. How are Greek myths different from religion?
“The Trojan War” (p. 185-200) – due Thurs., 10/14
1. What is the “Judgment of Paris” and how did it lead to the Trojan War?
2. What does Helen’s father, King Tyndareus, do to ensure that he could safely chose a
husband for Helen?
3. Which two Greek chieftains do not respond to Menelaus’ call to find Helen? Why?
4. How does Odysseus attempt to avoid joining Menelaus? How does Odysseus then trick
Achilles into joining? What does this tell us about Odysseus?
5. The Greeks have a difficult time getting to Troy; what do they do in order to appease the
anger of Artemis?
6. What quarrel arises between Agamemnon and Achilles and why? How is this quarrel
resolved?
7. Which gods support the Greeks? Which support the Trojans?
8. What does Achilles do that offends all of the gods (except Hera, Athena, and Poseidon)?
“The Fall of Troy” (p. 201-210) – due Thurs., 10/14
1. How does Achilles die?
2. What plan does Odysseus devise to gain entry into Troy?
“The House of Atreus” (p. 247-265) (or, “And you thought your family was messed up”)
– due Mon., 10/18
1. What is the “wicked deed” done by Tantalus and what is his punishment for that deed?
2. Who is Niobe, what “sin” does she commit, and what is her punishment?
3. What does Atreus do that will cause suffering for his descendants?
4. How does Agamemnon die? (Follow this story carefully! It will reappear several times
in the Odyssey when Agamemnon and his wife Clytemnestra will be compared to
Odysseus and his wife Penelope)
5. What “two hideous wrongs” must Agamemnon’s son Orestes choose between? What
does he do?
6. How is the curse on the House of Atreus ended?