Heroic Myths:

• Intro & Gilgamesh: Powell, Chapter 13 (12 in 4th-6th edit) & Class nots:
  • Key Names & Terms
    • Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Utnapishtim, Ishtar, Siduri (Powell)
    • heroic code: kleos, aretê, timê, role of gifts (class notes)
    • xenia: who protected, steps, gifts (class notes)
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here


• Perseus: Powell, Chapter 14 (13 in ...):
  • Key Names & Terms:
    • Prior to Perseus: Io, Zeus, Hera, Danaüs, Danaïds
    • Perseus' myths: Acrisius, Danaë, Perseus, Zeus, Polydectes, Gorgons, Medusa, Andromeda, Tiryns, Argos, Mycenae
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here


• Heracles: Powell, Chapter 15 (14 in ...):
  • Key Names & Terms:
    • background & early life: Zeus, Hera, Heracles, Alcmena, Eurystheus, Amphitryon, Megara, Delphi
    • Labors: Nemean lion, Lernean Hydra, Stables of Augeas, Cretan bull, Cerberus
    • side deeds: Chiron, Admetus, Alcestis, Cacus (Rome)
    • later & end of life: Acheloüs, Deianira, Nessus, Philoctetes
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here


• Hercules, the movie:
  • Key names & terms: Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Hades, Pain, Panic, the fates, Hercules, Alcmene, Amphitryon, Phil, Pegasus, Meg, the titans, the cyclops, Thebes, "go the distance", "true hero"
  • web site for script: click here


• Theseus: Powell, Chapters 16 & part of 17:
  • Key Names and terms:
    • Prior to Theseus: Cephalus, Procris, Procnê, Philomela, Tereus, Itys
    • Theseus' myths: Delphi, Aegeus, Troezen, Theseus, Poseidon, Procrustes, Bull of Marathon, Minotaur, Ariadnê, Hippolytus, Phaedra, Pirithoüs
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here


• Greek Heroes & the Underworld: Powell, Chapter 12 (11 in ..):
  • Key Names and terms: Hades, Pluto, Erinyes, Tiresias, Tantalus, Sisyphus, Ixion, Elysium, Orpheus, Eurydicê, Charon
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here


• Oedipus: Powell, Chapter 18 (17 in ...):
  • Key Names & Terms:
    • Prior to Oedipus: Zeus, Cadmus, Europa, Harmonia, Sparti, Delphi
    • Oedipus' myths: Delphi, Laius, Jocasta, Oedipus, Creon, Polynices, Eteocles, Haemon, Antigonê, Ismenê
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here

Possible Essay Questions:

• "People always do crazy things... when they are in love" (Clements, "Hercules Script"). In your essay contrast and/or compare Meg & Hercules' actions while "in love" with that of two or three of the following: Procris, Tereus, Procnê, Phaedra, and Ariadnê (Ch 16-17). Use only the movie and the primary source material in Powell as your evidence.


• "Your mother and I loved you with all our hearts" (Clements, "Hercules Script"). Care/treatment of children plays an important role in different societies. Compare/contrast the treatment of children in the movie Hercules with that of two or three of the Greek myths covered in this unit. Wherever possible use examples from the primary sources in Powell as evidence, but don't forget to only use the movie and the appropriate chapters in Powell for your evidence.


• "Indoor plumbing—it's gonna be big" (Clements, "Hercules Script"). In your essay compare the role of fate (and/or free will) in the movie with that in the myth of Oedipus (from Cadmus through to Antigonê) or in the myth of Heracles. Use only the material in Powell and the movie as evidence.