Hymn to Demeter & Orpheus/Eurydice

Question 1

The Hymn to Demeter is a special myth because it explains what natural phenomenon?

Answer 1

The turning of the seasons

Question 2

Patrilocal

Answer 2

relating to a pattern of marriage in which the couple settles in the husband’s home or community

Question 3

Define: epikleros

Answer 3

an heiress in ancient Athens and other ancient Greek city states, specifically a daughter of a man who had no sons. She marries the closest male relative

Question 4

Do Olympians cross over into the underworld?

Answer 4

No, they either can’t or won’t. The only ones who do are Zeus and Hermes

Question 5

In Greek literature there is often a symbolic connection between…

Answer 5

marriage and death

Question 6

Who arranges marriages? In what way does it reflect something we do today?

Answer 6

The husband and the bride’s father. The match is meant to be beneficial to both families, not because of love. Today, traditionally the father walks a bride down the aisle and gives her away.

Question 7

Demeter follows in two of her ancestors footsteps. Who and why?

Answer 7

Demeter follows Gaia and Rhea in trying to get infant sons to fight against oppressive adult fathers.

Question 8

Is Hades actually a villian?

Answer 8

No, he simply drew the short stick and was assigned the underworld. He is not inherently bad.

Question 9

Why does Zeus want Demeter to lift the famine she placed on humanity? What does that say about him?

Answer 9

It isn’t that he loves mortals and does not want to see them starve, it’s that he is upset about not having sacrifices made to him due to the lack of resources.

Question 10

How does Demeter almost commit the “crime” that was committed against her?

Answer 10

She almost takes Demophoon away from his mother the way Persephone was taken from her.

Question 11

In what ways does this myth show the gods attitudes toward mortals.

Answer 11

• humans are objects
• Demeter does not consider the impact of her choices
  on the human mother.
• Demeter no longer cares about Demophoon when he
  is not made immortal.
• Zeus is selfish in his wanting the famine to be lifted

Question 12

What was Persephone doing when she was abducted?

Answer 12

Picking wildflowers

Question 13

Who tells Demeter what happened to Persephone?

Answer 13

Hecate and Helios

Question 14

Who gave Persephone to Hades?

Answer 14

Zeus, though some say that when Hades asked for her he said he could neither allow it or stop it, thus allowing Hades to do what he wanted without upsetting Demeter.

Question 15

Orpheus

Answer 15

• Son the muse Caliope
• poet
• given a golden lyre by Apollo

Question 16

the Muses

Answer 16

• nine goddesses who ruled over the arts and sciences and offered inspiration in those subjects.
• the daughters of Zeus
• Caliope is Orpheus’ mom AND the muse responsible for The Odyssey

Question 17

lyre

Answer 17

a stringed instrument like a small U-shaped harp

Question 18

How does Orpheus get to the underworld

Answer 18

by singing. His beautiful voice causes Charon to allow him passage across Styx

Question 19

What is Hades’ condition for allowing Orpheus to have Eurydice on Earth again?

Answer 19

Orpheus must not look behind him while they travel back to Earth. He can only look when Eurydice is in the sunshine.

Question 20

Who kills Orpheus? Why?

Answer 20

The Maenads. Either because Dionysus is mad at Orpheus for not worshipping him OR because they wanted him to love one of them and he won’t.

Question 21

How does Eurydice die?

Answer 21

she is bitten by a snake

Question 22

What does Orpheus do in the underworld?

Answer 22

He sings, temporarily stopping the tortures of the damned, making the furies cry, and charming Persephone and Hades

Question 23

What became of Orpheus’ lyre when he died?

Answer 23

It went to a temple of Apollo then became a constellation.