1. Is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. Although we now view these stories as fiction, the Greeks believed them to be true.

2.  Stories that use fantasy to express ideas about life that cannot be easily expressed in realistic terms.  At heart, they are religious stories that explore the relationship between humans and the spiritual world.  They were once believed to be true.

3. PURPOSE OF MYTHS 1.Scientific- explain nature 2.Literary-entertain 3.Religious-give meaning to things in life

4. Open your notebook to the next blank page (after the library notes). Respond to the following question: What qualities make a hero? You can freewrite, write bullets, do a word map. You choose. When you are done draw a line across the page.

5. Identify someone in your life who you consider a hero (either real or fictional-people you know to superhero’s). Who is it? Why are they a hero? What are some of the qualities and characteristics that make them a hero?

6. WHY DO WE STUDY MYTHS?  They depict and reveal problems and behaviors common to all humans  Remind us that human nature is the same across time and culture  Reveal that many social, ethical, and religious attitudes continue through time  Reflect attitudes, priorities, and values of the cultures in which they were produced

7. EPIC POETRY Epic = Drama + Narrative They switch around from scene to scene and there is dialogue, like a play. Action centers on the epic (s)hero Purpose is to entertain, to teach, and to inspire with examples of how people can succeed against great odds.

8. EPIC POETRY 5 Characteristics of an Epic 1.The hero is a great leader who identifies strongly with a particular people 2.The setting is broad and often includes supernatural realm 3.The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an extraordinary journey/quest 4.Sometimes gods or other supernatural beings take part in the action 5.Story is told in heightened language

9. ARCHETYPE A thing, person, or pattern of circumstances that appears repeatedly in literature. Common archetypal characters include:  Hero  Evil Villain  Love Sick Suitor  The Fool Can also be themes:  Hidden treasure  Rite of passage

11. EPIC HERO “LARGER THAN LIFE PERSON” Embodies the highest ideals of his/her culture Undertakes a quest to achieve something of great value to themselves or society Achieve immortality through memory Regular human, sometimes part god