Narcissus, Echo, Cyclops, Medusa, & Arachne Flashcards
Define: Metamorphosis
The change of the form or nature of ta thing or person into a completely different one by natural or supernatural forces
What did Narcissus’ mother want to know from Tiresias?
What is his response?
his mother wanted to know if Narcissus would have a long life
yes, as long as he never knows himself
What is Ovid’s Metamorphoses about?
the epic poem explains how different species of plants, animals, and other natural stuff came to be through stories of transformation
Who is Echo?
A nymph known for her talkativeness
Why does Hera punish Echo? How does she do it?
Because Echo unknowingly delayed Hera when Kera was trying to catch Zeus cheating.
Echo can only repeat what someone says to her
Narcissus
A beautiful man who falls in love with his own reflection, wastes away, and dies
What is the Konon version of the Narcissus story?
A man fell in love with Narcissus and shoots his shot. Narcissus says no, and if you can’t live in a world without me, kill yourself. The man asks Eros to avenge him before he kills himself. Narcissus falls in love with his reflection and eventually kills himself because he can’t have the person he loves.
What are two tales from Ovid that we read this week?
Narcissus and Echo & Arachne
What is the significance of the Cyclops in the Titanochomy?
The cyclopes gave Zeus his thunderbolt, Hades his helmet, and Poseidon his trident
What is one explanation for the existence of the Cyclops in mythology?
They were a clan of blacksmiths who had concentric circle tattoos on their foreheads.
Blacksmiths also often wore patches to protect one eye from ash.
Where are the ghosts of the first generation of Cyclopes?
in the volcano Aetna
Who is the most famous Cyclops?
Polyphemus
How do the story of Apollo and the story of the Cyclops give people three Ancient Greek values?
Apollo kills the Cyclopes and is punished by Zeus. When he is given a second chance he repeats “Know thyself” and “Nothing in excess”
Odysseus’ arrogance with the Cyclopes demonstrates the downfalls of hubris
What does the Arachne myth explain?
The Arachne myth provides an explanation for spiders’ web-spinning and is a cautionary tale about hubris.
hubris
excessive pride
Why is Athena mad at Arachne?
Arachne is an amazing weaver who Athena challenges to a contest. When Athena notices that Arachne’s web is perfect, Athena beats her and Arachne hangs herself then she turns into a spider
Why is Athena mad at Medusa?
Medusa’s beautiful hair caught the eye of Poseidon, who then raped her in the temple of Athena. Athena is a virgin goddess who becomes upset with the sex act in her temple and punishes Medusa.
What kind of beings are Medusa and her sisters?
Gorgons. Medusa herself is not initially a monster, she is mortal with beautiful hair, but she is turned into one by Athena
Some say Medusa’s hair was always snakes…
Who beheads Medusa?
Perseus
Where do we see a depiction of Medusa today?
the flag of Sicily
How has the image of Medusa been appropriated for modern culture?
Her image has been used in the #MeToo movement. This is highly controversial
Who are Medusa’s sisters?
Stheno and Euryale. Medusa is the youngest sister
Who are Medusa’s offspring?
They were the famous winged horse, Pegasus, and the lesser-known giant, Chrysaor who come out of her decapitated body
