Classic Literature: Greek Mythology Unit Test 100%

What must a hero undergo before being deemed a worthy leader?

A hero must accept a call to adventure, experience challenges, be transformed, and return having achieved the goals of the adventure.

What is the singular version of criteria, and why is it irregular?

Criterion is the singular version, and it is irregular because it is a Greek word in which the -on is changed to -a in its plural form.

Read the excerpt below from the myth of Pandora and answer the question that follows. Woman was not yet made. The story (absurd enough!) is that Jupiter made her, and sent her to Prometheus and his brother, to punish them for their presumption in stealing fire from heaven; and man, for accepting the gift. The first woman was named Pandora. She was made in heaven, every god contributing something to perfect her. Venus gave her beauty, Mercury persuasion, Apollo music, etc. Thus equipped, she was conveyed to earth, and presented to Epimetheus, who gladly accepted her, though cautioned by his brother to beware of Jupiter and his gifts. Epimetheus had in his house a jar, in which were kept certain noxious articles, for which, in fitting man for his new abode, he had had no occasion. Pandora was seized with an eager curiosity to know what this jar contained; and one day she slipped off the cover and looked in. Forthwith there escaped a multitude of plagues for hapless man,—such as gout, rheumatism, and colic for his body, and envy, spite, and revenge for his mind,—and scattered themselves far and wide. Pandora hastened to replace the lid! but, alas! the whole contents of the jar had escaped, one thing only excepted, which lay at the bottom, and that was hope. So we see at this day, whatever evils are abroad, hope never entirely leaves us; and while we have that, no amount of other ills can make us completely wretched. Source: Bulfinch, Thomas. "Prometheus and Pandora." Bartleby.com. Bartleby.com, 2011. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. Which theme can a reader derive from the story of Pandora?

Even though life may be hard, we can still have hope for something better.

Why is it that English borrows so many loanwords in dance and fashion from France?

France has both social renown and economic power in the fashion and dance worlds, so English borrows many French words for these areas.

Which country has loaned English many words related to fashion, cooking, and dance?

French

English is in the same family as German, Dutch, Swedish, and Norwegian. What is the name for this family of languages?

Germanic language

Which Greek god is being referenced when a flower company uses the image of a man wearing a winged hat and winged sandals for its logo?

Hermes/Mercury

From what language does the phrase non sequitur originate, and what does it mean?

It comes from Latin, and in English it refers to something that feels out of place or illogical in a certain context.

From which language does the word haiku originate?

Japanese

What is not one of the purposes of mythology?

Mythology was an ancient ritual initiating a boy into manhood.

Homer's The Odyssey is an ancient Greek poem about a man who goes on an epic journey home after years in captivity. This classic work most likely influenced the film

O Brother, Where Art Thou?, about a man who escapes prison to find a treasure and reunite with his family.

Which character is a modern example of the Antihero archetype as discussed in the lecture?

Silver Surfer

William Shakespeare's Hamlet is a play about a prince who must take the throne from his evil uncle, who killed the prince's father. This classic play most likely influenced the animated film

The Lion King, about a cub who fights his father's brother to gain control of the animal kingdom his father once controlled.

Some nouns that end in -um are made plural by changing the -um to -a. Which of the following BEST explains this change?

They have Latin origins and therefore have irregular plural forms.

Which phrase defines "archetype" best?

a universal element such as a character or situation that recurs across cultures

Which field illustrates the influence of Greek mythology and symbolism?

all of these

Which loanword trend(s) originate(s) from Algonquin?

animals

Read the retelling of the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe and answer the question that follows. Pyramus and Thisbe were two lovers who had been forbidden to marry by their parents, but like Romeo and Juliet, they continued to meet and planned to run away to be together. Thisbe arrived a little bit early at the designated place—under a mulberry full of white berries and near a cool spring. Thisbe arrived first and while she waited, a fierce lion appeared, jaws bloodied from a recent kill, and she ran to safety, dropping her cloak in her rush. When Pyramus arrived, he found only her cloak trampled and bloody from the lion who had found her scent and torn the cloak with his mighty jaws. Pyramus' despair was great. He blamed himself for not being there to protect his love. In his sorrow, he picked up the bloody cloak and kissed it again and again. Despairing, he drew his sword and plunged it into his side, his blood staining the white mulberries a deep red. Thisbe, though still fearful of the lion, got up her courage and returned minutes later to find her love dead. She kissed him, and finding his sword by his side, took it and killed herself. The gods, pitying them, made the berries of the mulberry tree red forever in their honor. Which purpose of mythology is illustrated by the story of Pyramus and Thisbe?

explanation of natural phenomena

Read the Roman version of the story of Arachne and answer the question that follows. In another contest, a mortal dared to come in competition with Minerva. That mortal was Arachne, a maiden who had attained such skill in the arts of weaving and embroidery that the nymphs themselves would leave their groves and fountains to come and gaze upon her work. It was not only beautiful when it was done, but beautiful also in the doing. To watch her, as she took the wool in its rude state and formed it into rolls, or separated it with her fingers and carded it till it looked as light and soft as a cloud, or twirled the spindle with skillful touch, or wove the web, or, when woven, adorned it with her needle, one would have said that Minerva herself had taught her. But this she denied, and could not bear to be thought a pupil even of a goddess. "Let Minerva try her skill with mine," said she; "if beaten, I will pay the penalty." Minerva heard this and was displeased. Assuming the form of an old woman, she went and gave Arachne some friendly advice. "I have had much experience, said she, "and I hope you will not despise my counsel. Challenge your fellow-mortals as you will, but do not compete with a goddess. On the contrary, I advise you to ask her forgiveness for what you have said, and, as she is merciful, perhaps she will pardon you." Arachne stopped her spinning, and looked at the old dame with anger in her countenance. "Keep your counsel," said she, "for your daughters or handmaids; for my part, I know what I say, and I stand to it. I am not afraid of the goddess; let her try her skill, if she dare venture." "She comes," said Minerva; and dropping her disguise, stood confessed. The nymphs bent low in homage, and all the bystanders paid reverence. Arachne alone was unterrified. She blushed, indeed; a sudden color dyed her cheek, and then she grew pale. But she stood to her resolve, and with a foolish conceit of her own skill rushed on her fate. Minerva forbore no longer, nor interposed any further advice. They proceed to the contest. Each takes her station and attaches the web to the beam. Then the slender shuttle is passed in and out among the threads. The reed with its fine teeth strikes up the woof into its place and compacts the web. Both work with speed; their skillful hands move rapidly, and the excitement of the contest makes the labor light. Wool of Tyrian dye is contrasted with that of other colors, shaded off into one another so adroitly that the joining deceives the eye. Like the bow, whose long arch tinges the heavens, formed by sunbeams reflected from the shower [this description of the rainbow is literally translated rom Ovid], in which, where the colors meet they seem as one, but at a little distance from the point of contact are wholly different. Minerva wrought on her web the scene of her contest with Neptune. Twelve of the heavenly powers are represented, Jupiter, with August gravity, sitting in the midst. Neptune, the ruler of the sea, holds his trident, and appears to have just smitten the earth, from which a horse has leaped forth. Minerva depicted herself with helmed head, her Aegis covering her breast. Such was the central circle; and in the four corners were represented incidents illustrating the displeasure of the gods at such presumptuous mortals as had dared to contend with them. These were meant as warnings to her rival to give up the contest before it was too late. Arachne filled her web with subjects designedly chosen to exhibit the failings and errors of the gods. One scene represented Leda caressing the swan, under which form Jupiter had disguised himself; and another, Danae, in the brazen tower in which her father had imprisoned her, but where the god effected his entrance in the form of a shower of gold. Still another depicted Europa deceived by Jupiter under the disguise of a bull. Encouraged by the tameness of the animal, Europa ventured to mount his back, whereupon Jupiter advanced into the sea, and swam with her to Crete. You would have thought it was a real bull so naturally was it wrought, and so natural was the water in which it swam. She seemed to look with longing eyes back upon the shore she was leaving, and to call to her companions for help. She appeared to shudder with terror at the sight of the heaving waves, and to draw back her feet from the water. Arachne filled her canvas with these and like subjects, wonderfully well done, but strongly marking her presumption and impiety. Minerva could not forbear to admire, yet felt indignant at the insult. She struck the web with her shuttle, and rent it in pieces; she then touched the forehead of Arachne, and made her feel her guilt and shame. She could not endure it, and went and hanged herself. Minerva pitied her as she saw her hanging by a rope. "Live, guilty woman," said she; "and that you may preserve the memory of this lesson, continue to hang, you and your descendants, to all future times." She sprinkled her with the juices of aconite, and immediately her hair came off, and her nose and ears likewise. Her form shrank up, and her head grew smaller yet; her fingers grew to her side, and served for legs. All the rest of her is body, out of which she spins her thread, often hanging suspended by it, in the same attitude as when Minerva touched her and transformed her into a spider. Source: Ovid. "Arachne." Project Gutenberg. Project Gutenberg, 2 Apr. 2001. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. Which purpose of mythology is not illustrated by the story of Arachne?

history

Read the following sentence. It used to be considered a faux pas for women to wear pants. What is the origin of faux pas, and what is its meaning?

origin - French meaning - a social mistake or slip

According to the lecture, which types of English vocabulary contributions are most often descended from Latin?

political, medical, military, and Christian religious vocabulary

Which of the following in NOT a loanword trend from French?

ranching

Which phrase defines "atonement" best?

satisfaction or compensation for a wrong

Read the retelling of the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe and answer the question that follows. Pyramus and Thisbe were two lovers who had been forbidden to marry by their parents, but like Romeo and Juliet, they continued to meet and planned to run away to be together. Thisbe arrived a little bit early at the designated place—under a mulberry full of white berries and near a cool spring. Thisbe arrived first and while she waited, a fierce lion appeared, jaws bloodied from a recent kill, and she ran to safety, dropping her cloak in her rush. When Pyramus arrived, he found only her cloak trampled and bloody from the lion who had found her scent and torn the cloak with his mighty jaws. Pyramus' despair was great. He blamed himself for not being there to protect his love. In his sorrow, he picked up the bloody cloak and kissed it again and again. Despairing, he drew his sword and plunged it into his side, his blood staining the white mulberries a deep red. Thisbe, though still fearful of the lion, got up her courage and returned minutes later to find her love dead. She kissed him, and finding his sword by his side, took it and killed herself. The gods, pitying them, made the berries of the mulberry tree red forever in their honor. Which archetype does this short myth represent?

the Star-Crossed Lovers

Read the story below and answer the question that follows. "Hansel and Gretel" by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife: "What is to become of us? How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves?" "I'll tell you what, husband," answered the woman, "early tomorrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest; there we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them." "No, wife," said the man, "I will not do that; how can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest?—the wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces." "O, you fool!" said she, "then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins," and she left him no peace until he consented. "But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same," said the man. The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their stepmother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel: "Now all is over with us." "Be quiet, Gretel," said Hansel, "do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us." And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel: "Be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us," and he lay down again in his bed. When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying: "Get up, you sluggards! we are going into the forest to fetch wood." She gave each a little piece of bread, and said: "There is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else." Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said: "Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for? Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs." "Ah, father," said Hansel, "I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say goodbye to me." The wife said: "Fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys." Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road. When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said: "Now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold." Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said: "Now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away." Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said: "How are we to get out of the forest now?" But Hansel comforted her and said: "Just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way." And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way. Source: Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. "Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm." Project Gutenberg. Project Gutenberg, 14 Dec. 2008. Web. 24 Feb. 2011. What archetype fits the wife of this story best?

the Wicked Stepmother