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Echo and Narcissus (pg 89-92)

Please read the tale of Echo and Narcissus and respond to the following questions:

1. Identify the two aspects of nature that are explained with the tale of Echo and Narcissus?

2. List a few of the character traits belonging to the following characters from this myth: Hera, Zeus, Echo, Narcissus, Nemesis. Also, provide a quote that supports your selection for each.

3. Explain the connection between this flower myth and another myth?

4. Explain any cultural revelations about the Greeks and their likes/dislikes and/or beliefs are revealed in this story. *Hint, the narcissus was the most beautiful flower in all of Greece.

Pyramus and Thisbe (pg 105-107)

Please compare the tale of Pyramus and Thisbe to the story of Romeo and Juliet. Give at least three examples of how the two are similar. If you are not familiar with the tale of Romeo and Juliet, please ask for the paragraph summary to refresh your memory.

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2.

3.

Identify quotes or sentences from the story that reveal Pyramus and Thisbe’s personality traits: love, loyalty, compassion, tragedy, heroism.

Why did the Greeks create the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe? Find a quote from Hamilton to support your statement.

Orpheus and Eurydice (pg 107-110)

Orpheus possesses a musical gift that is rivaled only by the gods, and his power has no limits when he plays and sings. The premature death of his wife, Eurydice, prompts Orpheus to travel to the underworld in an attempt to recover her. With imploring lyrics, Orpheus sings to his audience in Hades:

“O Gods who rule the dark and silent world,

To you all born of a woman needs must come.

All lovely things at last go down to you.

You are the debtor who is always paid.

A little while we tarry up on earth.

Then we are yours forever and forever.

But I seek one who came to you too soon.

The bud was plucked before the flower bloomed.

I tried to bear my loss. I could not bear it.

Love was too strong a god. O King, you know

If that old tale men tell is true, how once

The flowers saw the rape of Proserpine.

Then weave again for sweet Eurydice

Life’s pattern that was taken from the loom

Too quickly. See, I ask a little thing,

Only that you will lend, not give, her to me.

She shall be yours when her years’ span is full.” (Pg. 109)

Explain the three bolded lines above in your own words. Consider the following questions to help formulate your answer.

1-3) How is Hades a debtor that is always paid? What does he mean when he says, “The bud was plucked before the flower bloomed,” and that, “Love was too strong a god”?

4) Complete the following phrase: Though Orpheus was more talented than most mortals, this story illustrates that he was _____________________________________________________________.

5) In the Bible, in the Book of Genesis, Lot was one of the last righteous inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. As a reward for his piety, he was told by God to leave the city with his family, but not look back. His wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. To this day, there is a geographical formation believed to be the pillar that was once Lot’s wife.

Compare/Contrast this story with that of Orpheus and Eurydice, finding AND explaining at least three similarities/differences.

Pygmalion and Galatea (pg 112-115)

Greek myths provide the foundation for a multitude of works of art, music, and literature. An example is the musical My Fair Lady, based on a play called Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, who based his work on the Greek myth of Pygmalion and Galatea. My Fair Lady is a story about Henry Higgins, a professor of linguistics and a confirmed bachelor, and Eliza Doolittle, a common flower girl with ambitions of becoming a proper lady. Professor Higgins takes on the challenge of transforming Miss Doolittle, whom he perceives as a lowly creature hardly worth his attention, into a gentlewoman. Eliza, in return, despises the professor because of the harsh treatment he bestows upon her. Ironically, after months of working together, a mutual appreciation and deep love forms between them.

In your groups, answer the following questions:

A. Why does Pygmalion, who is a woman-hater, decide to construct a statue of a

woman? ______________________________________________________________

B. What reasons lead Pygmalion to fall in love with his creation? __________________

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C. Is the love Pygmalion feels for the statue Galatea complete? Why or why not?

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D. Why does Venus show mercy on Pygmalion instead of seeking retribution for his

earlier hatred of women?

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E. Has Pygmalion’s viewpoint on women as a whole changed, or is he only

enamored with Galatea?

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F. What similarities exist between the story of Pygmalion and Galatea and My FairLady? What are the differences?

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