Gorgon's head on a silver coin of Naples permission to use image granted

S12: CLA215, Mythology:   Review for Exam 3

The god Apollo on a gold coin of Syracuse image courtesy of Edgar L. Owen, #3803

Theories of Myth Interpretation: (Powell, Ch 24 in 6th edit; Ch 25 in 7th edit.)

• Key Names & Terms: ritual theory, Frazer, charter theory, Malinowski, structuralism, Claude Levi-Strauss,
  
• go to Powell's web site: click here (pay attention to the terms at the back of the chapters)

Heroic Myths:

• Intro & Gilgamesh: Powell, Chapter 13 (12 in 4th-6th edit):
• Key Names & Terms: hero, Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Utnapishtim, Ishtar, Siduri
  
• sample questions at his web site: click here

• Perseus: Powell, Chapter 14 (13 in ...):
  
• Key Names & Terms: Perseus, Danaus, Danaids, Acrisius, Danae, Polydectes, Gorgons, Medusa, Andromeda
• web site for script (click here)

• Heracles: Powell, Chapter 15 (14 in ...):
• Key Names & Terms: Heracles, Alcmena, Eurystheus, Amphitryon, Megara, Nemean lion, Hydra, Ceryneian deer, Erymanthian boar, Chiron, Augeas, Cretan bull, horses of Diomedes, Admetus, Alcestis, Hippolyta, Geryon, apples of the Hesperides, Antaeus, Cerberus, Omphale, Deianira, Nessus, Philoctetes
  
• sample questions at his 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)
  

• Greek Heroes & the Underworld: Powell, Chapter 12 (11 in ..):
• Key Names and terms: Hades, Pluto, Erinyes, Psychopompos, Tiresias, Tantalus, Sisyphus, Elysium, Orpheus, Eurydice, Acheron, Charon, Ixion
• web site for script (click here)

• Oedipus: Powell, Chapter 18 (17 in ...):
• Key Names & Terms: Cadmus, Europa, Harmonia, Sparti, Laius, Jocasta, Oedipus, Creon, Polynices, Haemon, Antigone, Eteocles, Ismene,
  
• sample questions at his web site: click here

• Jason: Powell, Chapter 19 (18 in ...):
• Key Names & Terms: Pelias, Jason, Chiron, Argo, Lemnos, Phineus, Aeëtes, Medea, Apsyrtus, Creon
  
• sample questions at his web site: click here

Possible Essay Question:

• In transforming the Greek myth of Heracles into an American myth, Disney transformed the role of the 'leading lady.' Examine how and why Disney changed the role from that in Greek mythology--restrict your evidence base for Greek mythology to the women in the Perseus chapter (14 in the 7th edition) and to Medea (chapter 19 in the 7th edition). Make sure you include in your discussion the impact the differing audiences for the myths--Greek and American--had.

• In transforming the Greek myth of Heracles into an American myth, Disney transformed the religious underpinings of the myth, especially the depiction of the underworld. Examine how and why Disney changed the depiction of the underworld from that found in Greek mythology (restrict your evidence base for Greek mythology to the section of Chapter 12 (7th edit) that deals with Odysseus', Orpheus', and Aeneas' journeys to the underworld and the part of Chapter 19 (7th edit) that deals with Heracles' trip to the underworld--NB. a good essay will make good use of the primary sources for all four supplied in Powell's text). Make sure you include in your discussion the impact the differing audiences for the myths--Greek and American--had.