Webquest: Our Odyssey Into Greek Mythology and the Greek Hero

WebQuest: Our Odyssey into Greek Mythology and the Greek Hero

Visit the links, websites, clips, articles, and other information listed below. Respond to each with Cornell notes in order to build background knowledge for your reading of Metamorphoses.

--The Mycenaeans vs. the Minoans: Check out http://history-world.org/aegean_civilization.htm in order to read about the history of ancient Greece and Greek mythology. Note what you learn about these 1. two groups of people and 2. the influence that each group had on the Greek mythology we study today.

--Who are the 12 Olympians? Visit YouTube or http://www.greek-gods.org/olympian-gods.php and search the “12 Olympian gods and goddesses.” 1. Write their names, 2. their Roman names, and 3. a sketch of them in their domain.

--Who was related to whom? Use Encyclopedia Mythica to figure out who belongs in a family tree of the Olympians. Include their parents, their spouses, and their offspring.

--What are the qualities that a Greek hero embodies? Visit mythweb.com/heroes/heroes.html and read the paragraph on Greek heroes. Then, create a list of the traits that make up a Greek hero.

--What is arête? What is hubris? Visit the ThinkQuest website at library.thinkquest.org/19300/data/homer.htm and click on “Homer’s Greece.” Scroll to the bottom of the page to read on this Greek term and write down what you think it has to do with the Greek heroes.

—Who was Ovid? Search his name and use a reputable source to tell me who he was. Cite your source.

—Go to the Art Institute website. Search art inspired by Greek mythology. What makes this artwork unique? Pick one piece, give the name of it and who made it, and describe what you see.

--Who is Pan? What is a centaur? ...a minotaur? …nymph? Do a Google images search for each of these mythological creatures, then write down who/what they are and draw a sketch of each one.

--An allusion is a literary term that means “a reference” to something outside of the text. Many pieces of literature allude to Greek or Roman mythology. Modern advertisements and companies also allude to Greek and Roman mythology. List 5 companies or products that allude to Greek or Roman mythology and explain what these allusions indicate about the company or product.

--Why do you believe it is important to study mythology today? Provide at least two reasons why it would be useful.

***For any source that you use, list the place where you found your information in your notes.