Myth and Legend
Mythology Project
Learning Objectives:
I can synthesize multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats. [RI.11-CCR.7]
I can conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question. [W.11-CCR.7]
I can synthesize multiple sources on a subject and demonstrate an understanding of the subject under
investigation. [W.11-CCR.8]
I can use dictionaries and other reference materials to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify
its precise meaning, its part of speech, its etymology, or its standard usage. [L.11-12.4.c]
In many of the sections of this project, as responsible individuals, you are given the
opportunity to challenge yourselves by choosing to fulfill the requirements of either the “A”
grade or the “B” grade option. Of course, fulfilling these requirements does not
automatically guarantee that you will receive an “A” or “B,” but it does make these grades
obtainable for you if your work meets the standards discussed.
Section 1 (100 points) Due:__________ (no later than two weeks before the end of 3rd quarter—3/8; test
on the etymology and meaning of the words will be administered on Wednesday, March 13)
The words or phrases in Appendix A can all be traced back to Greek, Roman, or Norse mythology. You are
to address each item from the list in no more than four sentences. In 3-4 vivid, varied, and concise
sentences, explain the mythological origin of the word, the modern definition of the word, and the
connection between the two. In order to be eligible for an “A,” you must complete 18. Completing 15
makes you eligible for a “B,” and a minimum of 12 must be completed for any other passing grade. Because
you must be responsible and ethical as a researcher, your explanations of the words’ etymology must contain
internal citations for information found from outside sources and you must include a comprehensive and
accurate Works Cited page at the end of the assignment.
In addition to the explanations of the origins of the words, your completed assignment must contain 10
multiple choice and/or sentence completion questions based on the information you uncovered in your
research. Your test questions should go beyond simple recall questions and encourage critical thought.
Once all your group members have completed your individual Section 1 assignments, share your word
explanations with one another via Google Docs so that you can study explanations of all of the words in
order to be prepared to take a comprehensive test using a compilation of test questions from all the groups.
Section 2 (60 points) 4-6 summaries due:__________ (no later than one week before the end of 3rd quarter—3/16)
You will research some of the important figures listed in the text box on the next page and write a paragraph
of at least 100 words summarizing what you learned in your research, concentrating on using advanced
stylistic writing to illustrate the characteristics of each figure as well as explain what the stories associated
with each figure have to tell us about the culture which created them. Be sure to identify any similarities you
find between characters (i.e., Thor and Zeus are both sky gods who create thunder and lightning, etc.) and
discuss what these similarities show us about the various cultures and about humans in general.
This assignment should also be created in Google Docs and shared with me
.
Grade Requirements: A--6 summaries B--5 summaries
Minimum of 4 for any other grade
Use these for Section 2
SECTION 2 List: Deities and Heroes
Greek: Oedipus
Roman:
Cassandra
Prometheus
Sisyphus
Nike
Indian: Shiva
Vishnu
Chinese:
Kali
Parvati
Japanese:
Lakshmi
Rama
Hanuman
Ganesh
Norse:
Odin
Frigg
Thor
Loki
Baldur
Freya
Tyr
Romulus/ Remus
Dido
Aeneas
Numina
Lares
Sun-Wukong
Yi the Archer
Amaterasu
Izanagi
Sumerian:
Egyptian: Osiris
Isis
Set
Bastet
Horus
Nepthys
Celtic: Lugh
Cuchulainn
Gilgamesh
Finn McCool
Lilith
Danu
Marduk
Morrigan
Tiamat
Arawn
Aztec: Quetzalcoatl
Tezcatlipoca
Nanautzin
Native
American:
Inuit:
African:
Great Spirit
Nipinouke
Pipounouke
Thunderbird
Coyote
Raven
Sedna
Anansi
Legendary Figures:
British: King Arthur
Percival
Merlin
Nimue
Guinevere
Lady of the Lake
Launcelot
Gawain
Morgan Le Fay
Robin Hood
French:
Spanish:
Mexican:
German:
Norse:
Charlemagne
American:
El Cid
Zorro
Sigurd
Beowulf
(written in Anglo-Saxon)
Paul Bunyan
Johnny Appleseed
Davy Crockett
Pecos Bill
Sequence of Events:
1. Meet with small group to determine group due dates for sections 1 & 2 and to choose the words each
individual will research.
2. Meet as class in computer lab (date to be determined) to begin researching etymology of words/
mythological figures and to set up and share Sections 1 & 2 due dates with teacher.
3. Individually complete Sections 1 & 2 so that they are ready to be viewed and evaluated by teacher on
your chosen due date.
4. Once the group due date has passed, group members share their Section 1 assignments with each
other via Google Docs so that group members can study ALL the words in preparation for test
5. Take test on words of mythological origin on Wednesday, March 13
Appendix A:
Words with Mythological Origin (Use for SECTION 1)
Tantalize
Typhoon
Oceanic
Vulcanize
June
Museum
Chronology
Nemesis
Geology
Somnolent
Terminal
Psychology
Thursday
Volcano
Mentor
Hyacinth
Iris
Hygiene
Insomnia
Phaeton
Chaotic
Procrustean
Ambrosial
Venerate
Cereal
Morphine
Floral
Bacchic
Martial
Titanic
Jovial
Berserk
Panic
Solar
Narcissism
Zephyr
Protean
Rhadamanthine
Echo
January
Hypnotism
Mercurial
Friday
Atrophy
Aphrodisiac
Atlas
Berserk
Hermaphrodite
Helium
Hermetic
Labyrinthine
Chimeric
Odyssey
Herculean
Promethean
Lethargic
Hydrant
Phrases with Mythological Origin
The Midas touch
Rich as Croesus
Sirens’ Song
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts
Feeding on Ambrosia and Nectar
An Achilles’ heel
Saturnine character
Resting on your laurels
Pandora’s box
Between a rock and a hard place
Elektra complex
Oedipal complex
Appendix B:
Examples for Section 1 & 2
Sample Section 1 Word Explanations—Which do you think are best?
Example #1
Solar comes from the Latin word Sol and it means “of or relating to the sun” (Dictionary.com).
1. contemporary usage √
2. mythological origin X
3. connection between myth and usage X
4. proper MLA √
Example #2
Panic is a sudden overwhelming fear or terror. This word comes to us from the Greek Arcadian half man,
half goat god called Pan. Pan loved the woods and all wild places where he danced and played on his pipes
for the woodland nymphs.
1. contemporary usage √
2. mythological origin √
3. connection between myth and usage X
4. proper MLA X
Example #3
Nemesis was the “Greek goddess of divine retribution.” As Righteous Anger, a personified goddess, she
would visit man and deliver upon him his just punishment.
1. contemporary usage X
2. mythological origin √
3. connection between myth and usage X
4. proper MLA X
Example #4
Morphine, a “narcotic drug used to ease pain and induce sleep,” is typically used after surgeries to help
assuage a patient’s discomfort(Dictionary.com). This word comes to us through the Greek god of dreams,
Morpheus, who has the ability to take any human form and appear in dreams (Theoi.com). Because
morphine has powers similar to the sleep-inducing, hallucinogenic powers of the Greek god of dreams, we
have named it in honor of Morpheus.
1. contemporary usage √
2. mythological origin √
3. connection between myth and usage √
4. proper MLA √
Sample Section 2 Summaries:
Example #1:
Hermes was a mischievous god. His father was Zeus and his mother was Maia. He was the
messenger god. He wore winged sandals and carried a magic wand. He was also protector of traders and
thieves. He was the god of commerce also. And he guided the souls of the dead to the underworld.
Characteristics of Example #1:
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Weak syntax = Simple sentences which use few transitions and little subordination.
Poor variety = Repetitive sentence beginnings, lengths, structures.
Weak focus = Paragraphs which jump around from idea to idea.
Poor organization = Little or no evidence of putting ideas in any logical order.
No citations = there are no internal citations to let the reader know where the information came from.
Example # 2:
Son of Zeus and Maia, Hermes, called Mercury by the Romans, was the lightening-swift messenger
of the gods. His graceful way of moving, as well as his winged sandals and helmet, helped him to deliver his
father’s messages in the blink of an eye. His magic wand, the caduceus, also had wings and the snakeentwined wand is now a symbol for the American Medical Association. Hermes showed a tendency towards
mischievousness on the day he was born when he stole Apollo’s cattle and invented the lyre using a tortoise
shell. He was able to win Apollo’s forgiveness by giving him the new musical instrument. Perhaps this is
how he came to be known as patron of thieves and god of commerce and trade (Hamilton 30-31). Though
his many playful exploits reveal him to be a trickster god like Loki from Norse myths or Anansi from
African myths, Hermes did have a serious side which he showed when he would lead the souls of the dead to
the underworld.
Characteristics of Example #2:
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Syntax =Sentences are richer in details and more complex, using transitions to ease the reader from
one thought to another, and subordination to build in related details.
Variety = Varied sentence beginnings, lengths, structures.
Focus = The paragraph is unified by a topic sentence which identifies Hermes as the messenger of
the gods. The rest of the paragraph explains what that means by giving details about Hermes’
personality traits, and his responsibilities, as well as his similarities with gods from other cultures.
Organization = Each idea logically follows the next.
Citation = parenthetical citation lets the reader know that the information on Hermes came from
Edith Hamilton’s book.