Literary Allusions - Mythology Flashcards
Achilles
Best Greek fighter in Trojan War; had only one vulnerable spot - his heel, Paris killed him by directing arrow at Achilles heel; represents place of weakness/vulnerability
Adonis
Handsome young man with whom Aphrodite fell in love; refers to an exceptionally handsome young man
Ares/Mars
God of war and battle, instigator of violence; represents a violent, temperamental, or merciless person
Athena/Minerva
Goddess of wisdom; known as protector/benefactor of heroes; represents a wise, protective person
Atlas
A Titan who Zeus condemned to bear the weight of the sky on his shoulders; name means “bearer”/”endurer”; someone who has to bear a heavy burden
Bacchus/Dionysus
God of vegetation (grapevine & wine), also leader of a mystery cult; represents the ecstatic, mystical, emotive side of life; represents ecstasy and personal delivery from the daily world through physical/spiritual intoxication
Cassandra
Granted power of prophecy but fated to never be believed; refers to someone who often speaks the truth or correctly predicts the future but is never listened to
chimera
Fire-breathing monster w/ lion head, she-goat body, and serpent tail; refers to a wild or implausible product of the imagination
Circe
Sorceress known for her ability to turn men into animals with her magic wand; refers to a dangerous temptress
Daedalus
Skilled craftsman who built the labyrinth that housed the Minotaur; known for intelligence and ingenuity; therefore, refers to a smart, skillful, ingenious person
Damocles (as in “a sword of”)
Refers to a looming threat or impending danger; Damocles commented on how fortunate the lives of rulers are, Dionysus invited him to banquet and showed him sword hanging above him by a single horsehair
Delphic oracle
Oracle of Apollo at Delphi, gave cryptic answers; therefore refers to something ambiguous/obscure in meaning
Electra (as in “Electra Complex”)
Refers to a daughter’s hatred or bitterness toward mother because of subconscious sexual to her father
Elysian Fields
Refers to heaven, paradise, or some other idyllic place; mythological heroes go to the Elysian Fields for eternal peace and happiness after death
faun and satyr
Wild forest deities with goat-like qualities; refers to a mischievous or sprightly person
Golden Fleece
A ram’s fleece of pure gold; refers to something of great value that is much sought after but very hard to obtain
Hades
The dark underworld or abode of the dead
Holy Grail
A final goal or destination achieved only with much difficulty; the object of a quest, especially one of a mystical or mythical character
Hector
To badger, bully, or intimidate others; Hector (greatest Trojan warrior) was killed by Achilles, then dragged behind his chariot
Hera/Juno
The archetype of a quarrelsome, vindictive, jealous wife; Hera was the wife of Zeus and was always seeking revenge for her husband’s love affairs
Hermes
A prankster and inventive genius; a cunning or shrewd person
the Judgment of Paris (also, a situation)
A difficult case or argument to decide, especially one where there is no solution that will satisfy all parties; Paris had to decide which of 3 goddesses was the most beautiful
Jupiter/Zeus
The king if the gods; therefore, a person who makes decisions or gives advice from a position of apparently unquestionable authority
Midas (“Midas touch”)
Someone who can turn virtually any project into a success; Midas=King of Phrygia who was granted ability to turn anything he touched into gold
