A Greek Mythology - Prometheus Standards and benchmarks

RI1. Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. RI3. Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas. RI6. Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others. RI10. By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. Objectives: 1) Recognize the reason behind the creation of the Greek mythology. 2) Find out the theme. 3) Analyze the characters’ actions through events and actions

Essential questions:

1) What do myths teach? 2) What is the theme of Prometheus 3) How many conflicts are there in the myth? What are their types? 4) What role does the theme of "consequences" play in the myth?

Greek mythology (Part 1)

Prometheus What is a Myth?

� Short stories that have been revolving around for thousands of years ago. � When there were no microscopes, or even books, people tried to explain

why the world exists through Myths. � Stories that have passed around through a word of mouth.

Reading a Myth

• Myths reveal and teach consequences of human errors.

• Although Myths from different cultures share basic features, but they often differ in detail, purpose, and even style.

� According to Myths, they try to explain how things have come to be. � They often demonstrate

magic and mystic events.

Characteristic of Greek Myths

� They usually have religious sense. � They are early man’s desire to explain

the universe from their point of view.

� They involve nature and adventure of gods and heroes.

� The gods, goddesses, and heroes are super human in nature. � Human emotions are

experienced by the gods.

� A metamorphosis could take place. (transformation or change)

Myths Usages

� To explain natural phenomena or occurrence.

� To explain the creation of the world.

� To teach people moral lessons. � To explain religious practices.

Symbolism

� What is a “Symbol”? A person, place, or things that stand for something. EX: A sunset can represent that the day has ended. An Egyptian flag represents Egypt. A marriage represents a bond. A school represents education. Electronics represent the evolving technology.

� The technique of using symbols in writing is called Symbolism. The white bird represents “Peace”.

Identifying Symbolism

� A mark, sign or a word that indicates or reveals an idea, object or a

relationship that the author is trying to explain.

� It could be a place, action or even an event.

Prometheus

� The Greek gods are not all equal in power and status, Prometheus was a part of a family of giants, the Titans.

� He is best known for the creation of mankind or god of mankind.

� He is sympathetic, friend to mankind � He disobeyed Zeus –

god of the sky, and he was punished, for he granted mankind with a spark (fire) stolen from Mount Olympus.

Zeus

• He is known in Greek myths as god of the sky. • He is king of gods of Mount

Olympus. • Also known as

“the father of gods”. • The most imposing god figure

in Greek myths. • He is cruel, selfish

Literary Analysis - Prometheus Do you think before you act?

� Theme: Consequences. � At the beginning of the selection, it introduces the main characters: Zeus

and Prometheus. � There is disagreement that is going on between Prometheus and Zeus,

when Prometheus is trying to understand, why Zeus is not enlightening the people with knowledge and leaving them living in the darkness.

� Prometheus is symbolizing darkness to knowledge, and questioning the reason behind such ignorance.

� Zeus believes that: (Symbolism) (a) Ignorance is innocence. (b) Darkness is the shadow of law and order. (c) Mankind is happy that way. (d) Mankind is happy, unless they are told otherwise.

� “Look at him. Look below. He crouches in caves. He is at the mercy

beast and weather”, in those lines, Prometheus is advocating the idea of leading mankind to knowledge, awareness, information and recognition.

� In the quote “tell me why, you refuse to give them fire”, he symbolizes fire to knowledge.

� In lines (12 – 15) the author is trying to show what he will explain along the myth, which is how mankind came to fire.

� Zeus is trying to explain his reasons for not giving people fire, because he believes that mankind are created to worship the gods, and that was obvious when he said “He has another quality, the capacity to worship, and the aptitude of admiring power.” (Elements of Greek Myth - Religion)

� Zeus disagrees with Prometheus’s insistence on giving people fire, he also mentioned that if people are given fire, it would not be interesting for them, but rather dangerous, for they will forget who they really are, they will become arrogant and behave like gods themselves. He also fears that people might as well attack the home of gods by storming Olympus.

� The climax rose after Prometheus went up to Mount Olympus, and thrusting into the sunlight, he produced a spark of smoke, when he generated fire, then he went down and gave it to the people.

� As soon as people started cooking food, carrying torches in the light way, creating swords, sailing ships, and riding chariots for battles, this is when Prometheus felt like he saved mankind from ignorance and gave them what they have needed.

� Upon giving mankind fire (symbolism), he gave them advice on using it carefully, for it could ruin their lives and make them greedy for more.

� He asked mankind to use water (symbolism) as its own magic to put it down; otherwise it could eat everything around.

� As soon as Zeus looks down on the people, he decided to punish the people for disobeying him, and above all punish Prometheus for turning

the world upside down against the father of gods.

� Prometheus had to bear the consequences of what he had done (theme), for Zeus ordered his guards to chain and tie him up on the mountains, and he would send vultures to eat his body, as a punishment for ignoring Zeus’s command and giving the spark (symbolism) to the people.

Possible Questions

� Based on the conversation between the two gods, what aspect of the natural world do you think the myth will explain?

� According to Zeus, how are people happy? � What kind of gift does Prometheus believe that people need? Explain.

(Symbolism)

� According to Zeus, why he believes that people should not be granted fire?

� What does Zeus think would be the consequence of giving people fire? � “It is an ill-natured spirit, a little brother of the sun, but if you handle it

carefully, it can change your while life”, what is Prometheus trying to do by saying this? Explain.