Midterm Review

Question 1

Rational

Answer 1

Gods were merely glorified men (i.e. Zeus was once Kin g of Crete and then later sky god)

Question 2

Allegorical

Answer 2

Myths contain hidden symbols/meaning that must be deciphered (i.e. Cupids physical burn=wound of betrayal)

Question 3

Aetiological

Answer 3

Myths explain the origins of natural phenomenon, beliefs, etc.

Question 4

Psychological

Answer 4

By Freud, myths may reveal our subconscious fears and desires (i.e. Oedipus complex)

Question 5

Anthropological/Sociological

Answer 5

mythic themes can be traced cross-culturally in search for mythic universals (i.e. the external soul motif is found in many cultures)

Question 6

Structural

Answer 6

myths can be broken down into basic units of narrative sequence (i.e.

Question 7

Greek author of Iliad and Odyssey

Answer 7

Homer

Question 8

Greek author of theogony and the Works and Days

Answer 8

Hesiod

Question 9

Lyrical poet known for his epinikia (victory odes written to celebrate athletes, festivals, etc.)

Answer 9

Pindar

Question 10

Roman writer of Aeneid, Eclogues

Answer 10

Vergil

Question 11

Roman writer of Metamorphoses

Answer 11

Ovid

Question 12

Roman writer of Golden Ass

Answer 12

Apuleius

Question 13

Prometheus’ MAJOR CRIMES

Answer 13

1- he stole fire for man (fire symbolizing civilization, passion, and knowledge)
2- he fashioned man to walk up right (like the gods)
3-he tricked Zeus into accepting the bones and fat of the sacrificial animal
4- he refused to reveal sea nymph’s identity
5- he saved mankind from the great flood

Question 14

Explain Prometheus’ punishments

Answer 14

Chained to a mountain crag in the Caucasus Mountains where an eagle attacks his liver daily (liver believed to be the seat of passion, so Prometheus’ liver was being attacked bc he loved mankind too much)

Question 15

Aetiological aspects of the Prometheus myth

Answer 15

it explains the origin of man, upright posture, fire, civilization, passion, intelligence, deceit, etc.

Question 16

The Pandora myth explains the origins of…

Answer 16

hope, curiosity, women, female accessories, female beauty, etc.

Question 17

Cupid means…

Answer 17

Love

Question 18

Psyche means…

Answer 18

soul

Question 19

Meaning of the fact that cupid is at first unseen but still loved…

Answer 19

“love is blind”

Question 20

Cupids physical burn means…

Answer 20

a wound of betrayal

Question 21

In cupid and psyche myth: The ants and reeds are forces of nature that promote…

Answer 21

love

Question 22

In cupid and psyche myth: the aid of the eagle indicates …

Answer 22

divine favor for love

Question 23

In cupid and psyche myth:

Answer 23

love (cupid) and soul (psyche) are eternally united

Question 24

Phoebus Apollo

Answer 24

means bright and shining; god of truth, enlightenment, prophecy

Question 25

delian apollo

Answer 25

born on the island of delos

Question 26

apollo citharoedus

Answer 26

lyre playing; god of music

Question 27

apollo delphinius

Answer 27

the dolphin god; god of sailors

Question 28

apollo loxias

Answer 28

the obscure one; ambiguous prophecy

Question 29

pacan apollo

Answer 29

“the healer”; he can bring and take away destruction/plagues

Question 30

Hermes 3 major lines of mythic development

Answer 30

1- rustic god of fertility- fertility of farm animals
2- trickster god- god of deceit/lying
3- god of boundings and the crossing of boundaries- messenger between heaven and earth (psychopompus- “conductor of souls” as guide between earth and the underworld) (greek kerux (herald) means expert sound maker)

Question 31

standard elements in the “heroic biography”

Answer 31

1-the heros mother is a royal maiden
2-his father is a king
3- at birth an attempt is made to kill him
4- his body is not burried
5- yet he has one or more holy tombs to honor him