Unit 4: Changes in Perspective /

Discovering Allusion

Unit Focus and Questions

Analyzing and evaluating mythological
allusions in our world helps us to create
connections among ideas and develop an
interpretive understanding of hidden meanings
both in and out of texts.
What life lessons can be learned from the
heroes and villains of ancient Greek mythology?
How does an understanding of ancient
mythology and allusion enhance a persons
ability to analyze, evaluate, and critique?

Introducing the Greek Gods!

Zeus
King of Gods, men, law and
order, weather

Symbols: Thunderbolt,
throne or crown,
eagle, shield
Married to Hera
Father of many halfhuman/ half-gods
Lord of gods and men
Ruled from Mount
Olympus

Hera
Goddess of women,
childbirth
Symbol: Peacock
Wife of Zeus
Often portrayed as
angry with Zeus.
Often portrayed as
seeking revenge
against her stepchildren.

Athena
Wisdom, fine arts

Symbol: Owl
The city of
Athens is
named in her
honor.

Ares
God of War
Symbols: spear,
burning torch,
vultures
Often not
popular among
other gods.

Apollo

God of the sun,

song,
music, prophecy

Symbols:
The sun, the
bow, the
lyre

HestiaGoddess of hearth and

family

Symbols:
The hearth,
flame,
home, the
circle

Poseidon
Lord of the Sea, horses, and
earthquakes

Symbol:
Trident
(Threepronged
spear)

Hades
God of the Underworld
Symbols: Two-pronged
spear, scepter, chariot
pulled by black, firesnorting horses
Kidnapped Demeters
daughter, Persephone, to
make her his queen.
Often portrayed as a
villain in modern texts,
but was not seen that
way in ancient Greece.

Hephaestus
God of fire, blacksmiths

Symbols: Hammer
and anvil
Usually depicted as
disfigured.
In some versions,
married to Aphrodite,
the goddess of beauty.
Creates weapons for
the gods.

Artemis
Goddess of the moon, hunting,
purity, and the wilderness

Symbols:
The sun, a
golden
shield

Demeter
Goddess of Agriculture

Symbols: Wheat,
cornucopia
After her daughter,
Persephone, was
stolen by Hades,
Demeter refused to
allow food to grow
until an agreement
was made to return
Persephone to the
land of the living
for 6 months of the
year.

Aphrodite
Goddess of love and
beauty

Symbols: Scallop
shell, dolphin,
swan, golden
apple
In some versions,
she is said to
have been born
from sea-foam.

Hermes
God of travel, trade, and
thievery

Symbols:
Caduceus
(Heralds staff),
winged sandals
The messenger
of the gods.

Dionysus
God of the grape harvest, wine, and drama

Symbols:
Grapes, wine
glass

How is Greek Myth important in

modern times?

Good
readers are
expected to
know about
Greek
mythology.

How is Greek Myth important in

modern times?
Many words we
use today can
trace their
origins back to
Greek myth.
Why does the
word arachnid
usually mean
spider? A Greek
myth will tell
you.

How is Greek Myth important in

modern times?

Businesses often make use of

references to Greek mythology,
such as

this soda

How is Greek Myth important in

modern times?

this ad for
a flower
delivery
service

How is Greek Myth important in

modern times?

this ad for
a
childrens
mask

How is Greek Myth important in

modern times?

the
name of
this hair
salon

How is Greek Myth important in

modern times?

or this dog
costume.

Greek myth also

appears in

How is Greek Myth important in

modern times?

comic
books,
television
shows,
songs, and
movies.

End of Class Mythology

Pretest

Have
your
answers
changed
?

Return to Ending of Class Question

#1

Why is
understandin
g Greek
mythology
important to
us today?

End of Class Question #2

Is Nike a good
name for an athletic
shoe? Explain by
referencing the
meaning for the
word using your
packet of
information about
the Greek Gods.