Mythology: What is it?-Lesson # 1
1. Take the pre-test to see how much you
know about Mythology (#1 in Unit)
2. We will discuss the answers as a class.
3. Take notes on mythology (#2 in your
Mythology Unit)
4. Answer questions in your journal about
Mythology
Why do we have myths?
1. Some were created to answer questions
(such as: Who made the world? Why
does it rain?)
2. Some were created to meet the religious
needs of people
3. Others were created to justify a social
system or a custom of people.
• Mythology extends from Greek and Roman
times up to today
• Folklore, fairy tales, myths, legends are
sometimes used interchangeably BUT the
difference in myths is that they:
• Refer to early humanity’s seeking for
explanations of the phenomena of nature (the
sun is a chariot, a volcano shows God’s anger)
• Sometimes myths are used to explain customs
or rituals (before you hunt buffalo you need to
dance-then you will be successful).
Journal Questions:
1. How would you define Mythology?
2. Why do people feel as though they need to
create myths (a need within themselves)?
3. Are there any myths that mean something
to you? What are they?
~Once you are finished, begin reading the
Introduction, pages 3-15 in the Edith
Hamilton book
Mythology: Lesson # 2
Take notes on the following origin of the myth
theories: (#2 in Unit)
Euhemerus’ Theory
Muller’s Theory
Tylor’s Theory
Malinowski’s Theory
Frazer’s Theory
Theories-Notes #2
• Euphemerus-All myths are based on historical facts
(once supernatural elements are stripped away)
• Muller’s Theory-All gods and mythical creatures are
representations of nature divinities, and heroes were
originally a symbol for the sun in one of its phases
• Tylor’s Theory-Myths began through man’s efforts to
account for unexplainable occurrences in
dreams.(Your soul wanders freely in the night)
• Malinowski’s Theory-Pyschological conditions led
man to create myths
• Frazer’s Theory- Myths began in the great cycle of
nature-birth, growth, decay, death, and rebirth.
Mythology: Lesson # 2
• Now, you are going to be reading pages
__3-15_______ in Edith Hamilton
• Complete the Questions on your own
paper (#3 in Unit)
• We will discuss when you are finished
Mythology: Lesson # 3
The Twelve Olympian Gods:
Read pages 21-37
Complete the Chart on the 12 Gods (#4 in Unit)
Then we will discuss the “Why” of each
symbol; you can add as notes to your chart
Mythology: Lesson # 4
Other Versions of Creation
*As a class, we will read page 77 in EH
• Then the handout on the other versions of
creation & complete the columns on
worksheet (# 5 in unit)
• We will also read Edith Hamilton page
312-Norse version of creation
• Once the handout is completed you will
compare & contrast one version of
creation
“Creation” Journal Questions
• First, finish your Venn Diagram
• Then answer the following journal Q’s:
• What similarities & differences occur in
myths?
• What does each myth say about the
people who told it?
• Why are there so many different versions
of creation?
The Greek Origin of Humans & Evil
• Read the following sections in the Edith
Hamilton book and answer the questions
on your worksheet:
• 85-87
• 87-93
• 93-94
The Greek Underworld
• Answer questions after you read the
following pages in Edith Hamilton in your
journal:
• 42-44
• Describe the Greek Underworld in a at
least 3-5 bullet points
• How do you view the “after-life?” (What
will happen to people, what is the role of
good/evil)
The Journey Beneath the Earth
• Follow the squares on the gameboard and take
notes about what each of them means
• Then answer the following questions in your
journal
Journal Questions
• Regarding the description of Hades, which
ideas seem most understandable to you?
Which ideas seem most difficult for you?
• How do your ideas of the afterlife compare
to boundaries/sections, concept of soul,
judgment & punishment?
Game Board Review-Journal
Questions
1. Where did the Greeks believe the Abode of the
Dead was located?
2. Name the five rivers & characterize each.
3. Who was the official ferry operator of the
underworld & what did their job entitle?
4. Why was the soul called a shade?
5. Who were the three judges?
6. Name some of the inhabitants of the
underworld.
7. Who were the King and Queen of Hades?
Dante’s View of the Inferno
• You have a diagram of Dante’s inferno
(Handout 25)
• Write down notes on each of the lines
about what kind of sinners each of the
people were as Ms. Peterson reads you
the information
Create/Outline Hell
• Take a list @ the list of sins
• Decide what your value system is-what
sinners are greater than others?
• Outline who you think should go in each
Circle of hell
• Once you have completed your outline,
copy the sinners for your final version of
hell
Analyze Hell
(Your Value System)
• Study your diagram well. Look for patterns.
Any patterns that you recognize?
• Are sins more physical (violence) or mental
(envy, jealousy)?
• Describe your hell in general terms (what
would it look like? Would anything else live
there?), dwelling on the type of evil you find
most abhorrent
(These are the vices you find most hateful in
other people-and sometimes the ones you
detest most in yourself)