This study guide for Ovid's Metamorphoses was prepared by the
students of John Marshall High School Gifted, Highly Gifted, High
Ability Magnet during Spring 2006.
The Creation of the World
Cell 1
Before the Beginning
A lifeless lump,
unfashion’d, and
unfram’d,
Of jarring seeds; and
justly Chaos nam’d.
No sun was lighted
up, the world to view;
No moon did yet her
blunted horns renew:
Nor yet was Earth
suspended in the sky,
Nor pois’d, did on her
own foundations lye:
Nor seas about the
shores their arms had thrown;
But earth, and air, and water, were in one.
Summary
There was nothing to be seen, no sun, no moon, or water anywhere.
There wasn’t even an Earth in the in the sky.
1. After reading the passage what do you think the “lifeless lump” is?
What do you think it will turn into?
2. What do you think would have happened if everything were left the
way it was in the beginning?
3. “No moon did yet her blunted horns renew.” What does the word
blunted mean here?
a) great
b) dull
c) bright
d) sharp
4. According to the passage there really wasn’t anything to be seen, so
what do you think there was in the “Beginning of Time”?
5. What's a fancy word for a story about the beginning of the world?
a. eschatology
b. cosmetology
c. cosmology
d. stoichiometry
Cell 2
The Formation of the World
Thus when the God,
whatever God was he,
Had form’d the whole, and
made the parts agree,
That no unequal portions
might be found,
He moulded Earth into a
spacious round:
Then with a breath, he gave
the winds to blow;
And bad the congregated
waters flow.
He adds the running
springs, and standing lakes;
And bounding banks for winding rivers makes.
Some part, in Earth are swallow’d up, the most
In ample oceans, disembogu’d, are lost.
He shades the woods, the vallies he restrains
With rocky mountains, and extends the plains.
Summary
Whatever god it was that created everything, he had made things so
that they came together perfectly. He made the Earth round with
wind, water, and land with mountains and valleys.
1. How were the winds made?
2. What would’ve happened if things were left unequal?
3. “Some part, in Earth are swallow’d up, the most
In ample oceans, disembogu’d, are lost.” What does the word ample
mean here?
a) simple
b) raging
c) calm
d) large
4. How is this similar to the religious story of The Creation as
presented in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament/Torah?
Cell 3
Weather
The two beneath the
distant poles,
complain
Of endless winter,
and perpetual rain.
Betwixt th’ extreams,
two happier climates
hold
The temper that
partakes of hot, and
cold.
The fields of liquid air,
inclosing all,
Summary
Hot and cold weather are made in different parts of the world.
1. What type of weather do the “distant poles” experience?
2. What would happen if all weather were the opposite of what it
usually is?
3. “The temper that partakes of hot, and cold.” What does the word
partake mean here?
a) controls
b) take some
c) consist of
d) create
4. What would we do without any weather?
Cell 4
Up Above
High o’er the clouds,
and empty realms of
wind,
The God a clearer
space for Heav’n
design’d;
Here fields of light,
and liquid aether
flow;
Purg’d from the
pondrous dregs of
Earth below.
Summary
Over the clouds an area was designed away from the primitive world
below.
1. According to the passage what did the space above the clouds look
like?
2. Why would the god create another space above the Earth?
3. “Purg’d from the pondrous dregs of Earth below.” What is a dreg?
a) luxury
b) dirt
c) swamp
d) scum
4. Why would the god make two worlds? Why not combine the two, or
stay with just one?
Cell 5
Stars and Animals
The stars, no longer
overlaid with weight,
Exert their heads,
from underneath the
mass;
And upward shoot,
and kindle as they
pass,
And with diffusive
light adorn their
heav’nly place.
Then, every void of
Nature to supply,
With forms of Gods
he fills the vacant
sky:
New herds of beasts he sends, the plains to share:
New colonies of birds, to people air:
And to their oozy beds, the finny fish repair.
Summary
The God has hung stars in the sky and arranged them in different
figures. He has placed animals in the world like birds and fish.
1. What animals have “oozy beds”?
2. If you were this god who was creating everything, what might have
you done differently?
3. “And with diffusive light adorn their heav’nly place.” What does the
word diffusive mean here?
a) many
b) tiny
c) bright
d) scattered
4. If you compare the scientific explanations and the explanations that
this passage gives, what similarities do you find?
Cell 6
Another Creature
A creature of a more
exalted kind
Was wanting yet, and
then was Man
design’d:
Conscious of thought,
of more capacious
breast,
For empire form’d,
and fit to rule the
rest:
Whether with
particles of heav’nly
fire
The God of Nature did
his soul inspire,
Or Earth, but new divided from the sky,
And, pliant, still retain’d th’ aetherial energy:
Which wise Prometheus temper’d into paste,
And, mixt with living streams, the godlike image cast.
Summary
The god wanted to make another creature that was capable of thinking
on it’s own and for itself. He was inspired to make this creature and so
a human was made in his image.
1. Why did the god create humans?
2. What would have happened if the god hadn’t made humans?
3. “Conscious of thought, of more capacious breast,
For empire form’d, and fit to rule the rest:” what does the word
capacious mean here?
a) strong
b) spacious
c) caring
d) alert
4. How does this differ from the concept of evolution?
Cell 7
Man Walks on Earth
Thus, while the mute
creation downward
bend
Their sight, and to
their earthly mother
tend,
Man looks aloft; and
with erected eyes
Beholds his own
hereditary skies.
From such rude
principles our form
began;
And earth was
metamorphos’d into
Man.
Summary
The god’s first human was sent to Earth and from this early human the
world changed into what we know it to be today.
1. What are the “rude principles” in the passage?
2. If you were in this creation’s place what would have you been
thinking?
3. “Man looks aloft;” What does the word aloft mean here?
a) away
b) up
c) around
d) out
4. Without knowing about evolution and other scientific discoveries, do
you think that you would believe this and accept this as an explanation
for where we came from?
Europa’s Rape – Cell 1
Hermes ascends Towers
“When now the God his
fury had allay’d,
And taken vengeance of
the stubborn maid,
From where the bright
Athenian turrets rise
He mounts aloft, and
re-ascends the skies.”
The God’s rage had
become tranquil since
he gained revenge of a
somewhat resistant
young woman. Then,
where the vivid towers of Athens appear, he climbs the skies.
1. Where may the God, be headed after his ascension?
2. What is the meaning of aloft in the quote?
a) shelter for the homeless
b) above a bear
c) flying creature
d) high in the air
3. What is being implied concerning Athenian architecture in the
following passage, “… the bright Athenian turrets?”
4. How did the vengeance performed make the God feel?
Europa’s Rape – Cell 2
Hermes among the Gods
“And, as he mix’d
among the crowd of
Gods,
Beckoned him out,
and drew him from
the rest,
And in soft whispers
thus his will exprest.”
The God was called
upon among the rest
of the divine beings
and was given an
order.
1. Among all the Gods, who could have done the summoning?
2. In present day, how should exprest be spelled?
a) expressed
b) expreced
c) expressed
d) expresd
3. How could the behavior of the God who did the calling upon
Hermes be described?
4. What is the difference between the true meaning of mix’d from
the meaning used in the quote?
Europa’s Rape – Cell 3
Hermes with Zeus
“My trusty Hermes, …
There find a herd of
heifers wand’ring o’er
The neighboring hill,
and drive ‘em to the
shore.
Thus spoke the God,
concealing his intent.”
The God, who yields
to no one, secreted
his purpose under his
command. His
indications instructed
to come upon cows
roaming on a nearby hill and to lead them to the edge of the sea.
1. What kind of cow is a heifer?
a) young
b) old
c) middle-aged
d) near death
2. What literary device is used in the excerpt?
3. What may be the intention of this most divine God?
4. Where shall the herd be encountered?
Europa’s Rape – Cell 4
Heifers in the Hills
“The trusty Hermes,
on his message went,
And found the herd of
heifers wand’ring o’er
A neighboring hill, and
drove ‘em to the
shore;
Where the king’s
daughter, with a
lovely train
Of fellow-nymphs, was
sporting on the plain.”
Hermes executed the
design requested of
him, which was also the place where a royal and fair maiden enjoys
the companionship of her mythical friends.
1. Besides the maiden and the nymphs, who else were on the hills?
2. What does Hermes obedience demonstrate?
3. What is the implied meaning of train in the quote?
a) locomotive
b) a dress extension
c) a row of people
d) a toy
4. In what manner could the maiden be engaged in the scheme?
Europa’s Rape – Cell 5
Zeus’ Transformation
“The ruler of the skies, the thund’ring God,
… Among a herd of heifers ran,
Frisk’d in a bull, and bellow’d o’er the plain.”
Zeus changed from his divine shape. He quickly moved through the
crowd of young cows and roared as bulls do.
1. What is the suggested meaning of frisk’d?
a) searched a suspect b) leaped and played
c) danced mournfully
d) was sleeping playfully
2. Zeus’ change of form could be referred as what?
3. What could Zeus possibly do with his identity concealed?
4. Through our knowing Zeus is disguised, a literary device is used,
which is it?
Europa’s Rape – Cell 6
Playing Maiden
“Agenor’s royal
daughter, as she plaid
Among the fields, the
milk-white bull
survey’d
And view’d his
spotless body with
delight.”
The daughter of a
monarchal father was
having a decent time
in the midst of the
fields of her
homeland.
Meanwhile, a particular bull with an extraordinary pelt of white
watched her. The girl looked upon the creature’s apparel with
pleasure.
1. What is the name of the lady’s father?
2. What is the suggested significance of the word survey’d?
a) viewed
b) inspected a worm
c) measured land
d) detailed formal examination
3. The maiden becomes delighted. What literary device is
expressed?
4. What may the young girl do next, now that she has been
intrigued by the god in disguise?
Europa’s Rape – Cell 7
The Maiden feeds the Bull
“At length she pluck’d the rising flow’rs, and fed
The gentle beast, and fondly stroak’d his head.
He stood well-pleas’d to touch the charming fair,
But hardly could confine his pleasure there.
And now he wanton o’er the neighb’ring strand.”
The young maiden grasped the growing blossoms and fed the kind
creature and lovingly caressed his head. The mighty God was content
with having the fair lady near him, but his pleasure was not satiated.
His desires took him to a place where his attraction led the way.
1. What literary device do the words, gentle beast portray?
2. Which is the correct spelling of the word stroak’d?
a) strocke
b) stroke
c) stroake
d) stroak
3. According the Zeus’ emotions, what is most likely to follow the
current moment?
4. What couldn’t the ruler of the skies enclose?
Europa’s Rape – Cell 8
Zeus carries her off
“Not knowing that she prest the Thunderer,
She plac’d her self upon his back, and rode
O’er fields and meadows, seated on the God.”
The maiden was unaware of the truth, which was that her company
was not merely of an untamed animal, but the most divine of the
divine. She mounted the animal’s back and went over the land.
1.
2.
3.
4.
The bull has carried the maiden away, what can be expected?
What literary device is present in the passage provided?
What places did the youthful girl and the bull reach?
What meaning of prest is implied?
a) apply a plan b) squeaky mice
c) urge
d) embrace
Europa’s Rape – Cell 9
Ride into the Sea
“Left the dry
meadow, and
approach’d the
seas;
Where now he
dips his hoofs
and wets his
thighs,
Now plunges in,
and carries off
the prize.”
Zeus carries his
most welcome
guest on his
back, making his way from the meadow to the sea.
1. What does the prize refer to?
2. What intentions could the almighty God possibly have when
taking this fair maiden away with him?
3. This chapter is about a person, in this case a God, seducing
and capturing a woman. What other tale has the same
characteristics?
4. Which meaning of plunges is used?
a) thrusts forcibly b) falls into
c) steps into
d) rushes through
Europa’s Rape – Cell 10
The Dictaen Shore
“Through storms and tempests he the virgin bore,
And lands her safe on the Dictaen shore;
Where now, in his divinest form array’d
In his true shape he captivates the maid;”
The thundering God conveyed the prized girl safe from harm through
the raging seas to another edge of the ocean. Once there, he revealed
his true self to the fair maiden.
1. What meaning of shape is suggested?
a) physique
b) mold
c) arrange
d) develop
2. What possible reactions may the maiden have?
3. What reasons make Zeus’ actions not justifiable?
4. What are the differences between this story and Helen of Troy?
Book III: Cell 1
Quote: Cadmus salutes the soil, and gladly hails
The new-found mountains, and the nameless vales,
And thanks the Gods, and turns about his eye
To see his new dominions round him lye;
Summary:
Cadmus’ father had sent him to go and find his sister, Europa,
because Jove had taken her. But, Cadmus knew that he couldn’t find
her, so he asked Apollo where he could live because his father had
threatened him to exile if he didn’t bring her back. Apollo told him that
he would come across a cow, and that cow would lead him to found a
new city. Cadmus followed the cow everywhere, and he eventually
found new mountains that had no settlers there, so he thanked the
gods because he knew he had found his new city.
Multiple Choice:
What does Cadmus do to the new-found mountains?
a. Gladly hails
b. Runs away
c. Climbs the mountains
d. Waves to someone on the mountains
Vocabulary:
What part of speech is the word “lye”?
a. Noun
b. Verb
c. Adjective
d. Pronoun
Predictive:
What might have happened if Cadmus hadn’t followed the cow?
Ethical:
Was it ethically correct for Cadmus to follow the cow to found the new
city?
Associative: What would you do if a fortune teller told you to leave
your home and follow a cow?
Book III: Cell 2
Quote: In all its lustre, to the noon-day sky;
When, anxious for his friends, and fill'd with cares,
To search the woods th' impatient chief prepares.
A lion's hide around his loins he wore,
The well poiz'd javelin to the field he bore,
Inur'd to blood; the far-destroying dart;
And, the best weapon, an undaunted heart.
Summary:
Cadmus was searching for his men that he had sent to find
water for a sacrifice to Jove (Zeus). When they didn’t come back for a
long amount of time, he got worried, and went searching for them
because he was anxious to find his men.
Multiple Choice:
What word is used to describe the sky?
a. Gloomy
b. Cloudy
c. Noon-day
d. Cloudless
Vocabulary:
What part of speech is the word “javelin”?
a. verb
b. noun
c. adjective
d. pronoun
Predictive:
What might have happened if Cadmus hadn’t gone searching for his
men?
Ethical:
Was it ethically correct that Cadmus had decided to go search for his
men?
Book III: Cell 3
Quote: He sows the teeth at Pallas's command,
And flings the future people from his hand.
The clods grow warm, and crumble where he sows;
And now the pointed spears advance in rows;
Now nodding plumes appear, and shining crests,
Now the broad shoulders and the rising breasts;
O'er all the field the breathing harvest swarms,
A growing host, a crop of men and arms.
Summary:
After Cadmus had fought the dragon that was guarding the river
and had killed his men, Pallas (Athena), appeared and she told him
that if he sowed the dragon’s teeth into the ground, his new city would
arise. And that is how the city of Thebes was found.
Multiple Choice:
At whose command did Cadmus sow the teeth into the ground?
a. Jove
b. Juno
c. Pallas
d. Bacchus
Vocabulary:
What part of speech is the word “clod”?
a. Pronoun
b. Adjective
c. Verb
d. Noun
Predictive:
What might have not happened if Cadmus hadn’t sowed the dragon’s
teeth into the ground?
Ethical:
Was it ethically correct to take the dragon’s teeth and sow them into
the ground?
Book III: Cell 4
Quote: Now all undrest the shining Goddess stood,
When young Actaeon, wilder'd in the wood,
To the cool grott by his hard fate betray'd,
The fountains fill'd with naked nymphs survey'd.
The frighted virgins shriek'd at the surprize
(The forest echo'd with their piercing cries).
Then in a huddle round their Goddess prest:
She, proudly eminent above the rest,
With blushes glow'd; such blushes as adorn
The ruddy welkin, or the purple morn;
Summary:
Cadmus’ grandson, Actaeon, was hunting in the woods when he
stumbled upon Diana, who was a moon goddess, in her bathing pool
and accidentally saw her naked—but then he stood and stared. She
got really angry and turned him into a stag and his own hounds ripped
him apart. Only his death satisfied Diana’s fury.
Multiple Choice:
What word is used to describe the goddesses?
a. beautiful
b. delicate
c. shining
d. angry
Vocabulary:
What part of speech is the word “eminent”?
a. verb
b. noun
c. pronoun
d. adjective
Predictive:
What would have happened if Actaeon hadn’t seen Diana bathing?
Ethical:
Was it morally wrong for Actaeon to have seen Diana bathing?
Book III: Cell 5
Quote: Juno alone, of all that heard the news,
Nor would condemn the Goddess, nor excuse:
She heeded not the justice of the deed,
But joy'd to see the race of Cadmus bleed;
For still she kept Europa in her mind,
And, for her sake, detested all her kind.
Besides, to aggravate her hate, she heard
How Semele, to Jove's embrace preferr'd,
Was now grown big with an immortal load,
And carry'd in her womb a future God.
Thus terribly incens'd, the Goddess broke
To sudden fury, and abruptly spoke.
Summary:
Jove was having an affair with Semele and Juno was jealous and
mad about what Jove was doing. She then decided to get revenge so
she was excited about the fact that she would see one of Cadmus’
family members die because she still held a grudge against Europa and
anyone of Europa’s kind, she’d be happy to see them pass on.
Multiple Choice:
Who was Juno jealous of?
a. Jove
b.
c.
d.
e.
Europa
Semele
Cadmus' family
All of the above
Vocabulary:
What part of speech is the word “heeded”?
a. noun
b. verb
c. pronoun
d. adjective
Predictive:
What would have happened if Juno didn’t find out about Jove and
Semele?
Ethical:
Was it ethically correct for Juno to have wanted Semele dead?
Cell #1: Book the Fourth “The Story of Alcithoe and her Sisters”
Quote: “Their facy’d Gods! They know not who, or where; Let us,
whom Pallas taught her better arts, still working, cheer up with
mirthful chat our hearts, and to deceive the time, let me prevail with
each by turns to tell some antique tale.”
Summary: Mineus’ daughters work at the looms, but only Alcithoe has
been gifted with Pallas’ weaving talents, and to help pass her time old
stories were shared.
Question 1: Who is the author referring to when he speaks of “Pallas”?
Question 2: What are they doing to keep Alcithoe’s mind off her work?
Question 3: Was it fair that only Alcithoe was given Pallas’ weaving
talent out of all the sisters?
Question 4: In the context of the quote, what does “antique” mean?
a) elderly people
b) old fashioned items
c) ancient culture
d) prehistoric landmark
Book the Fourth “The Story of Leucothoe and the Sun”
Cell #2:
Quote: “The Sun, the course of light, by beauty’s power once am’rous
grew; then hear the Sun’s amour. Venus, and Mars, with his farpiercing eyes this god first spy’d; this god first all things spies.”
Summary: The Sun spied Mars and Venus having a love affair and
brought this to the attention of the other gods including Venus’
husband.
Question 1: What does “amour” mean based on how it is used in the
text?
Question 2: How do you think Venus’ husband will react to this
situation?
Question 3: Do you think it was right of the Sun to expose their secret
affair?
Question 4: What is another mythological name for Venus?
a) Athena
b) Persephone
c) Hera
d) Aphrodite
Cell #3: Book the Fourth “The Story of Leucothoe and the Sun”
Quote: “The Gods throng’d in, and saw in open day, where Mars, and
beauty’s queen, all naked lay.”
Summary: The Gods walked in on the pair and caught them in the act
of their passionate love affair.
Question 1: Who is “beauty’s queen”?
Question 2: What is meant by the phrase “in open day”?
Question 3: How do you think the Gods reacted to what they saw?
Question 4: What does “throng’d” mean?
a) Undergarments worn
b) Crowded in someplace
c) Moved like a snake
d) Waddled like a duck
Cell 4: Book the Fourth “The Story of Perseus”
Quote: “In Argos only proud Acrisius reign’d, who all the consecrated
rites profan’d. Audacious wretch! Thus Bacchus to deny, and the great
Thunderer’s great son defie!”
Summary: Acrisius is a malicious tyrant, and his daughter gave birth
to a son, Perseus, who was prophesied to ultimately cause the death
of the wretched king.
Question 1: What is Acrisius the ruler of?
Question 2: Who is the great Thunderer?
Question 3: After Acrisius found out he had this grandson, he locked
him and his mother in a chest and left them to die, so that the boy
would not kill him. Do you think these actions were justified by his
fear?
Question 4: In this quote, what does “audacious” mean?
a) unattractively smelly
b) recklessly rude
c) daintily picky
d) egotistically mean
Cell #5: Book the Fourth “The Story of Medusa’s Head”
Quote: "He the two daughters of old Phorcus found. Fate had one
common eye to both assign’d, each saw by turns, and each by turns
was blind. But while one strove to lend her sister sight, he stretch’d his
hand and stole their mutual light, and both eyeless, both involv’d in
night.”
Summary: Perseus stole the shared eye of the two daughters of old
Phorcus.
Question 1: What is meant by the sisters’ “shared light”?
Question 2: Do you think Perseus would have been able to defeat the
two daughters of old Phorcus if they had each had two eyes of their
own?
Question 2.5: Was it nice of him to keep the eye?
Question 3: Which word could replace “involv’d” in this phrase:
“And left both eyeless, both involv’d in night.”
a) enveloped
b) intricate
c) upset
d) confused
Question 4: What other mythological creature(s) is/are offspring of
Phorcus?
a) the cyclopses
b) Cerberus (the three-headed dog)
c) Medusa
d) Minotaur (Half man half bull)
Phineus Confronting Perseus / The Story of Perseus Con’t 1
“Behold, he said, an injur’d man advance, stung with
resentment for his ravish’d wife, nor shall your wings, o
Perseus save thy life…”
Phineus and his army have arrived at Cepheus’ palace to kill Perseus
for taking his wife away from him.
1. What does “resentment” mean?
a) Unfriendly feeling as a result of grievance
b) A white to yellowish powder made from Carbon, Hydrogen,
Nitrogen, and Oxygen
c) A formal decree or edict
d) A deep sadness caused by a loss
2. Was it wise for Phineus to arrive with an army to get back his wife?
Was he aware that Perseus possessed Medusa’s head?
3. What wings are Phineus referring to in the passage?
4. How are Phineus’ emotions like the emotions of enraged postal
workers today?
Cepheus Reasoning with Phineus / The Story of Perseus Con’t 2
“Hold, brother, hold; what brutal rage has made your frantick
mind so black a crime conceive? Are these the thanks that you
to Perseus give? This the reward that to his worth you pay,
whose timely valour sav’d Andromeda? Nor was it he, if you
would reason right, that forc’d her from you, but the jealous
spight of envious Nereids, and Jove’s high decree; and that
devouring monster of the sea, that ready with his jaws gaping
stood to eat my child, the fairest of my blood. You lost her
then, when she seem’d past relief, and wish’d perhaps her
death, to ease your grief”
Cepheus is trying to justify why Phineus’ fiance is now with Perseus by
showing him that it wasn’t the fault of Perseus that Andromeda was
taken from him, but the fault of sea nymphs, Zeus, and the sea
creature. Cepheus also points out that when Andromeda’s life seemed
past saving to him, that that was the moment when she was free of
him
1. What
a)
b)
c)
d)
does “spight” (spelled today spite) mean?
A small lump of wet paper
A lousy desire to hurt another person
A power that arises in moments of anger
A desire to do something one normally doesn’t do
2. What was in Cepheus’ mind that made him think he could reason
with an armed, irritated man in this subject?
3. What does Cepheus mean by “fairest of my blood”?
4. Should Phineus still feel angry at Perseus after hearing these
words?
Phineus making a decision / The Story of Perseus Con’t 3
“Phineus on him, and Perseus, roul’d about his eyes in silent
rage, and seem’d to doubt which to destroy; ‘till, resolute at
length, he threw his spear with the redoubled strength his fury
gave him, and at Perseus struck…”
Phineus is deciding who to attack; Cepheus, who is justifying why
Andromeda shouldn’t be with him, or Perseus, the man he thinks is the
blame for taking his wife. Phineus then decides to attack Perseus.
1. What
a)
b)
c)
d)
does “resolute” mean?
tired
bored
confused
determined
2. Who should’ve Phineus thrown the spear at?
3. What issues exist that could relate to Phineus’ quickness to
violence?
4. What does “silent rage” mean?
The Battle in Cepheus’ Palace / The Story of Perseus Con’t 4
“The crowds encreasing, and his friends distress’d, himself by
warring multitudes oppress’d: Since thus unequally you fight,
‘tis time, he cry’d, to punish your presumptuous crime; beware,
my friends; his friends were soon prepar’d their sight averting,
high the head he rear’d, and Gorgon on his foes severely star’d.
Vain shift! Says Thescelus, with aspect bold, thee, and thy
bugbear monster, I behold with scorn; he lifts his arm, but ere
he threw the dart, the heroe to a statue grew.”
Perseus realizes that he and his men are outmatched and decides to
even the factions by revealing Medusa’s head and turning his enemies
to stone. Thescelus doesn’t believe in the power held in Medusa’s head
and attempts to attack Perseus, but in the process, he turns into
stone.
1. What does “scorn” mean?
a) Cinderlike fragments of dark lava
b) Dislike felt towards a person to someone felt unworthy
c) Disbelief towards something considered highly unbelievable
d) Strong impoliteness
2. Should Perseus have used Medusa’s head earlier to save the lives of
his men?
3. How is Perseus using Medusa’s head like the U.S. using the atomic
bomb during World War II?
4. What is a “bugbear monster”?
Phineus Giving Up / The Story of Perseus Con’t 5
“Hence with the head, as far as winds and seas can bear thee;
hence, o quit the Cephen shore, and never curse us with
Medusa more, that horrid head, which stiffens into stone those
impious men who, daring death, look on. I warr’d not with thee
out of hate or strife, my honest cause was to defend my wife,
first pledg’d to me; what crime could I suppose, to arm my
friends, and vindicate my spouse?”
Phineus, after seeing both his and Perseus’ men die, is trying to reason
why he’s attacking Perseus, and save himself from Medusa’s head.
1. What does it mean to “vindicate”?
a) To clear of accusation
b) To clear of blame
c) To develop like a vine
d) to save from harm
e) both a) and b)
f) both c) and d)
2. Why did Phineus think that Perseus would spare his life just because
he made his reason for attacking him seem right?
3. Wasn’t Phineus fighting Perseus out of hate, because Cepheus
already cleared Perseus’ name off the list of “people to blame for
taking Phineus’ wife”?
4. What country(s) in the world have shown the same emotion that
Phineus has shown here?
5. Could or should Perseus tried to resolve the situation peacefully, or
if a single person is attacked with a whole army is it not wrong to
fight?
Cell 1
Chapter 7 - The Story of Medea and Jason
With Jason then they greater toils sustain,
And Phasis' slimy banks at last they gain,
Here boldly they demand the golden prize
Of Scythia's king, who sternly thus replies:
That mighty labours they must first o'ercome,
Or sail their Argo thence unfreighted home.
Jason and the Argonauts reach Phasis and ask for the gold prize,
where the King tells them that they must overcome some obstacles
first, or else they will go home without it.
1. Which slimy banks do they finally reach?
2. What does unfreighted most likely mean?
a) injured b) without colors c) poorly
d) without goods
3. How might this challenge compare to other competitions today?
4. Do you think that they are still going to try to get the gold medal
even thought they have to overcome mighty labours?
Cell 2
Chapter 7 - The Story of Medea and Jason
But when he spoke, and prest her trembling hand,
And did with tender words her aid demand,
With vows, and oaths to make her soon his bride,
She wept a flood of tears, and thus reply'd:
I see my error, yet to ruin move,
Nor owe my fate to ignorance, but love:
Your life I'll guard, and only crave of you
To swear once more- and to your oath be true.
Jason promises Medea that he will make her his bride if she helps him
win the golden prize. She tells him she will guard his life, but only if he
keeps his promise.
1. What does Jason want?
2. What literary device would “a flood of tears” be described by?
a) hyperbole
b) Irony
c) Metaphor
d) Imagery
3. What do you think would happen if she failed in guarding his life?
4. Do you think that this sort of proposal would be accepted by our
society today? "I'll marry you if I can have some of your family's
inheritance"
Cell 3
Chapter 7 – The Dragons Teeth transform’d to Men
One labour more remains, and, tho' the last,
In danger far surmounting all the past;
That enterprize by Fates in store was kept,
To make the dragon sleep that never slept,
Whose crest shoots dreadful lustre; from his jaws
A tripple tire of forked stings he draws,
With fangs, and wings of a prodigious size:
Such was the guardian of the golden prize.
A description of the last, most dangerous obstacle, a dragon guarding
the golden prize.
1. How do you get the prize?
2. What does “prodigious” most likely mean?
a) tiny and weak
b)hopefully stupid
c)enormously amazing
d) frighteningly stinky
3. How might this obstacle compare to the previous obstacles?
4. Do you think the dragon will be defeated?
Cell 4
Chapter 7 – Old Aeson restor'd to Youth
Congratulating bowls go briskly round,
Triumphant shouts in louder musick drown'd.
Amidst these revels, why that cloud of care
On Jason's brow? (to whom the largest share
Of mirth was due)- His father was not there.
Aeson was absent, once the young, and brave,
Now crush'd with years, and bending to the grave.
Back home, everyone is celebrating for Jason winning the golden
fleece. Jason, however, is unhappy, because his father is getting very
old, and could not come to celebrate.
1. Why was Jason so unhappy when he should have been celebrating?
2. The word “mirth” most likely means
a) Joy b) Money c) Sadness d) A kind of food
3. What do you think would have happened if his father had been
there? Do you think he would have found something else to be sad
about?
4. How does what Jason is feeling probably compare to what others
might have expected him to feel? Why?
Cell 5
Chapter 7 - Old Aeson restor'd to Youth
O patroness! preserver of my life!
(Dear when my mistress, and much dearer wife)
Your favours to so vast a sum amount,
'Tis past the pow'r of numbers to recount;
Or cou'd they be to computation brought,
The history would a romance be thought:
And yet, unless you add one favour more,
Greater than all that you conferr'd before,
But not too hard for love and magick skill,
Your past are thrown away, and Jason's wretched still.
The morning of my life is just begun,
But my declining father's race is run;
From my large stock retrench the long arrears,
And add 'em to expiring Aeson's years.
Jason tells Medea, his new wife, that unless she finds a way to take
away some of his life and give it to his old father, Aeson, she will no
longer be his wife.
1. What does Jason want Medea to do?
2. What do you think Medea is going to do? What would you do?
3. How is this similar to the request he asks of Medea the first time?
What does this tell you about Jason?
4. Do you think it is right for Jason to demand such a thing? Why or
why not?
5. Do you think Jason will be nicer to her in the future?
#6
The Story of Meleager and Atlanta
Quote:
“His force too near, and by presuming dy’d:
He said, and while he spake his javelin threw,
Hissing in air th’ unerring weapon flew;
But on an arm of oak, that stood betwixt
The marks-man and the mark, his lance he fixt.”
Summary:
Perithous is fighting a boar. While at that he is proving that he is a
solid, strong fighter.
Questions:
1) Why does Perithous hit the oak tree?
2) What might have happened if he missed the oak tree?
3) What does “The marks-man and the mark” mean?
4) Which word do we not use in present time?
a) fixt
b) spake
c) dy’d
d) unerring
#7
The Story of Meleager and Atlanta
Quote:
“Once more bold Jason threw, but fil’d to wound
The boar, and slew an undeserving hound,
And thro the dog the dart was nail’d to ground.”
Summary:
Wielding a spear, Jason fights a boar. He throws a spear at the boar
but he misses and hits an innocent dog.
Questions:
1) What did Jason kill instead of the boar?
2) Why do you think they spell “fil’d” instead of “failed”?
3) Why was the dog “nailed to the ground”?
4) What does “slew” mean?
a) bounce off
b) smashed
c) killed
d) hit softly
5) Do you know another story where someone is nailed to the ground?
#8
The Story of Meleager and Atalanta
Quote:
“Two spears from Meleager’s hand were sent,
With equal force, but various in th’ event:
The first was fix’d in earth, the second stood
On the boar’s bristled back, and deeply drank his blood.”
Summary:
Meleager continues to fight a boar and this time, he casts a spear on
its back to kill it and end the fight—after Atlanta embarrassed all the
boys by running higher and jumping faster than they could.
Questions:
1) What “deeply drank” the boar’s blood?
2) What does “With equal force, but various in th’ event” mean about
the spears?
3) What might have happened if Meleager wasn’t successful in hitting
the boar?
4) In the quote, what does “bristled” mean?
a) stiff and hairy
b) rough and bumpy
c) small and rough
d) smooth and hard
#9
The Story of Meleager and Atalanta
Quote:
“The wound’s great author close at hand provokes
His rage, and plies him with redoubled strokes;
Wheels, as he wheels; and with his pointed dart
Explores the nearest passage to his heart.
Quick, and more quick he spins in giddy gires,
Then falls, and in much foam his soul expires.
Summary:
Meleager shoves a spear into the boar, deeper and deeper until it
reaches the boar’s heart.
Questions:
1) Why was Meleager enraged?
2) What “plies him with redoubled strokes” mean?
3) Who or What “Explores the nearest passage to his heart”?
4) What does “giddy gires” mean? (Use context clues in the quote.)
a) tired coughing
b) sleepy vomiting
c) dizzy spinning
d) hurtful biting
#10 The Description of Famine
Quote:
“The task dispatch’d, away the Fury flies
From plenteous regions, and from rip’ning skies;
To her old barren north she wings her speed,
And cottages distress’d with pinching need.”
Summary:
A nymph commands a serpent to kill and get rid of Erisichthon. The
serpent bites Erisichthon in the middle of his sleep and devours him.
Questions:
1) Where do you think the “Fury flies” next?
2) What did the task do?
3) Why did they say “she wings her speed” instead of “she sped her
wings”?
4) What does “plenteous” mean?
a) filled with
b) pinched by
c) emptied of
d) dried out
#1
The Labyrinth
Quote:
“Now Minos, landed on the Cretan shore,
Performs his vows to Jove’s protecting pow’r;
A hundred bullocks of the largest breed,
With flowers crown’d, before his altar bleed:
While trophies of the vanquish’d, brought from far
Adorn the palace with the spoils of war.”
Summary:
Minos now landed on the shores and prays and sacrifices to his god,
Zeus, for luck on his trip.
Questions:
1) What did he sacrifice to Zeus?
2) Why didn’t he sacrifice to Zeus before the trip instead of after the
trip?
3) What do you think may happen to him if he entered the Labyrinth?
4) What does the word “Adorn” mean?
a) filled with
b) decorated with
c) lost
d) forgot
#2
The Labyrinth
Quote:
“Mean-while the monster of a human-beast,
His family’s reproach, and strain, increas’d.
His double kind the rumour swiftly spread,
And evidenc’d the mother’s beastly deed.
When Minos, willing to conceal the shame
That sprung from the reports of tatling Fame,
Resolves a dark inclosure to provide,
And, far from sight, the two-form’d creature hide.”
Summary:
The Monster is dwelling in the maze of King Minos and is ready to hunt
and kill anything it finds in its labyrinth.
Questions:
1) What part is human and what part is beast?
2) What does it mean when it says “That sprung from the reports of
tattling Fame”?
3) Is it right to lock up a monster in a maze? If you were a half
human, half beast creature, would you rather be locked up in a maze
and fed or hated and hunted around the country?
4) How is the word “inclosure” modernly to be spelled?
a) in closure
b) incloser
c) enclosure
d) encloser
#3
The Labyrinth
Quote:
“Now floating to the sea with downward course,
Now pointing upward to its ancient source,
Such was the work, so intricate the place,
That scarce the workman all its turns cou’d trace;
And Daedalus was puzzled how to find
The secret ways of what himself design’d.”
Summary:
Daedalus has designed wings for him and his son to fly away, though
they are complicated and confusing.
Questions:
1) What do you suppose Daedalus’ design was?
2) What will Daedalus’ design help him gain?
3) Is it right for Daedalus to build something that would, in the future,
lead to the death of his son?
4) What does “intricate” mean?
a) complex
b) easy to solve
c) unsolvable
d) none of the above
#4
The Story of Daedalus and Icarus
Quote:
“The final master-stroke at last impos’d,
And now, the neat machine completely clos’d;
Fitting his pinions on, a flight he tries,
And hung self-ballanc’d in the beaten skies.
Then thus instructs his child: my boy, take care
To wing your course along the middle air;”
Summary:
Daedalus is putting the wings onto his son and telling him to be careful
in the air, and not to fly too high.
Questions:
1) What does “hung self-ballanc’d in the beaten skies” mean?
2) In the quote, it says “a flight he tries,” who is “he”?
3) What might happen next?
4) What are pinions?
a) a segment of the wings
b) a segment of the wall
c) a segment of the legs
d) none of the above
#5
The Story of Meleager and Atalanta
Quote:
“This chaf’d the boar, his nostrils flames expire,
And his red eye-balls roul with living fire.
Whirl’d from a sling, or from an engine thrown,
Amid the foes, so flies a mighty stone,
As flew the beast: the left wing put to flight,
The chiefs o’er-born, he rushes on the right.
Eupalamos and Pelagon he laid
In dust, and next to death, but for their fellows’ aid.”
Summary:
A mad, wild boar attacked Dian and he had to defend himself.
Questions:
1) Who was fighting the boar?
2) What does “his nostrils flames expire” mean?
3) What might have happened if he didn’t throw the stone?
4) Which word was not used in the quote?
a) Sling
b) Creature
c) Eupalamos
d) Engine
Book nine
Cell 1
“ Vanquish in words, be mine the prize in fight. Bold he rushed on. my
honor to maintain , I fling my verdant garments on the plain, my arms
stretch forth, my pliant limbs prepare and with bent arms expect a
furious war.”
Achelous and Hercules get into a fight over Deianira and Achelous
changed himself several times (into snake and a bull) to try to win, but
still failed.
1)
2)
3)
4)
Who did Hercules fight?
Do you think it was right for them to fight?
What would you think what will happen if Achelous died?
Which is spelled correctly?
a. honr b. pliant
c. perpare d. furius
Book nine
Cell 2
“ Swift as his words the fatal arrow flew: The centaur’s back admits
the feather’d wood, and thro’ his breast the barbed weapon stood;
Which when, in anguish, thro’ the flesh he tore, from both the wounds
gush’d forth the spumy gore. “
Nessus, a centaur, tries to kidnap Hercules' gal but is shot with poison
arrow. Nessus dies because an arrow hit his chest .
1)
2)
3)
4)
Who killed Nessus?
Do you think it was the right thing to do?
What do you think would happen if Nessus didn't die?
Can you find any metaphors from the quotes?
Book nine
Cell 3
“ Transform’d to stone, in ancient days the craggy flint was known;
Still in the Eubaean waves his front he rears, still the small rock in
human form appears, and still the name of hapless Lychas bears.”
Lychas gets transformed into a rock.
1) Why did Lychas turn into a rock?
2) What do you think what had happen if he turned into something
else?
3) What do you think the rock stands for?
3.5) If you were to be turned into some thing, would you choose rock,
paper, scissors, tree, ugly monster, p.e. teacher, or fountain?
4) Is this word spelled correctly? craggy
Book nine
Cell 4
“ The son of Paean lights the lofty pyre, high round the structure
climbs the greedy fire; Plac’d on top, thy careless head rais’d on knotty
club, with look divine, here thou, dread hero, of celestial line, Wert
stretch’d at ease ; as when a chearful guest, wine crown’d thy bowls,
and flow’rs thy temples drest. “
Deianira hears Hercules is with another girl, so she gives Hercules
Nessus' shirt (which Nessus, dying, said was soaked with a love
potion—his blood—but is really poisonous). It's the funeral of Hercules.
1)
2)
3)
4)
Why do you think they burn the body in the funeral?
Do you think it's right to burn the body?
What's the difference between the funerals now and then?
Are there any metaphors in the quote?
Book nine
Cell 5
“ Here she pours forth her grief, recounts the spoils her son had
bravely reap’d in glorious toils. This Iole, by Hercules’ commands,
Hyllus had lov’d, and joyn’d in nuptial bands.”
Hyllus gets married.
1) Who got married ?
2) Who made them get married?
3) Do you think it was right for them to listen to Hercules and get
married?
4) What's the difference between the weddings then and now in our
time?
The Story of Cinyras and Myrrha - Book 10
Passage:
For while she spoke, the ground began to rise, And gather'd round her
feet, her legs, and thighs; Her toes in roots descend, and spreading
wide, A firm foundation for the trunk provide: Her solid bones convert
to solid wood, To pith her marrow, and to sap her blood: Her arms are
boughs, her fingers change their kind, Her tender skin is harden'd into
rind.
Summary:
Myrrha prays to the gods to turn her into something between life and
death, and so she is turned into a tree.
Questions:
1) What is happening to Myrrha in the above passage?
2) What literary device is used in this passage, “For while she
spoke, the ground began to rise and gather'd round her
feet…
A.) Personification
B.) Metaphor
C.) Simile
D.) Rhyming Pattern
3) In modern times, what would make someone wish to neither be
alive nor die?
4) The reason that Myrrha asks to be made into something neither
alive nor dead is that she slept with her father (she kept her
identity a secret) and got pregnant. Do you think that this reaction
is appropriate?
Yacinthus Transform'd Into a Flower – Book 10
Passage:
A well-pois'd disk first hasty Phoebus threw, It cleft the air, and
whistled as it flew;
It reach'd the mark, a most surprizing length;
Which spoke an equal share of art, and strength.
Scarce was it fall'n, when with too eager hand
Young Yacinthus ran to snatch it from the sand;
But the curst orb, which met a stony soil,
Flew in his face with violent recoil.
Summary:
Apollo is playing with his favorite boy, Yacinthus, who eagerly chases
after the discuss he threw. The discuss bounces off the stony ground,
and hits Yacinthus in the face, killing him.
Questions:
1) Which part of the text explains that Yacinthus was injured on his
face?
2) Which literary device is used throughout this passage?
A) Rhyming pattern B) Blazon
C) Astesmus
C) Antimetabole
3) In the passage “cleft the air, and whistled as it flew” what does
cleft mean?
A) chop/hack
B)Fly through
C) Bounce off of
D) Float on top of
4) Whose fault do you think it was that Yacinthus died? Apollo’s
fault for being careless? Yacinthus’s for being too eager?
The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice – Book 10
Passage:
Now, from a troop of shades that last arriv'd,
Eurydice was call'd, and stood reviv'd:
Slow she advanc'd, and halting seem to feel
The fatal wound, yet painful in her heel.
Thus he obtains the suit so much desir'd,
On strict observance of the terms requir'd:
For if, before he reach the realms of air,
He backward cast his eyes to view the fair,
The forfeit grant, that instant, void is made,
And she for ever left a lifeless shade.
Summary:
After Orpheus begs to have Eurydice revived, his wish is granted and
she emerges from the groups of spirits. As part of his deal, Orpheus
cannot look back on Eurydice until they leave the underworld.
Questions:
1) What does the word “void” mean in the passage “The forfeit
grant, that instant, void is made, and she for ever left a lifeless
shade”?
A) Invalid B) Unfulfilled
C) Empty C) unoccupied
2) From the information provided in the above passage, do you
think that Orpheus will look back at Eurydice? Why?
3) What message do you think this story is trying to convey? (In
the end, Orpheus looks back on Eurydice, and loses her.)
4) What message would this story have if Orpheus didn’t look back
on Eurydice?
The Story of Venus and Adonis – Book 10
Passage:
Then of the shining fruit the last he drew,
And with his full-collected vigour threw:
The virgin still the longer to detain,
Threw not directly, but a-cross the plain.
She seem'd a-while perplex'd in dubious thought,
If the far-distant apple should be sought:
It lur'd her backward mind to seize the bait,
And to the massive gold gave double weight.
Summary:
Atlanta, a woman who had been warned not to marry, allowed men
to race her in order to become her husband. If they lost, they
would be killed, but her beauty caused them to take that chance.
One man, named Hippomenes, raced her, but had the help of
Venus. Venus gave him three shinning apple to distract
Atlanta during the race.
Questions:
1) What does dubious mean (She seem'd a-while perplex'd in
dubious thought)
A) Uncertain
B) Careful
C) Sad
D) Happy
2) What is being referred to in the passage “And to the massive
gold gave double weight.”
3) What poetic device is used in the phrase “And to the massive
gold gave double weight.
4) Do you think that it was foolish of Hippomenes to race against
Atlanta even though if he lost he would die? (keep in mind that he
had Venus’s help)
5) If there was a race today, and the prize for winning was to marry
a prince or princess (winner's choice), but the penalty for losing
was decapitation, how many contestants would apply?
The Story of Pygmalion and the Statue – Book 10
Passage:
Twas flesh, but flesh so firm, it rose against the dint: The pleasing task
he fails not to renew; Soft, and more soft at ev'ry touch it grew; Like
pliant wax, when chasing hands reduce The former mass to form, and
frame for use. He would believe, but yet is still in pain, And tries his
argument of sense again, Presses the pulse, and feels the leaping vein.
Summary:
Pygmalion, a sculptor, fell in love with one of his statues. He prays to
the gods to make his statue come to life, and his wish is granted.
Questions:
1) Do you think that it was a reasonable request for Pygmalion to
have his statue brought to life?
2) What poetic devise is used in the phrase “and more soft at ev'ry
touch it grew; Like pliant wax”
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Rhyming Pattern D) Astesmus
3) What do you think Pygmalion would have done if his statue
hadn’t been brought to life?
4) Why is the statue's feel related to pliant wax?
The death of Orpheus: Cell 1
Quote: “The female Bacchanals, devoutly mad,
In shaggy skins, like savage creatures, clad,
Warbling in air perceiv'd his lovely lay,
And from a rising ground beheld him play.
When one, the wildest, with dishevel'd hair,
That loosely stream'd, and ruffled in the air;
Soon as her frantick eye the lyrist spy'd,
See, see! the hater of our sex, she cry'd.
Then at his face her missive javelin sent,
Which whiz'd along, and brusht him as it went;
But the soft wreathes of ivy twisted round,
Prevent a deep impression of the wound.
Another, for a weapon, hurls a stone,
Which, by the sound subdu'd as soon as thrown,
Falls at his feet, and with a seeming sense
Implores his pardon for its late offence.”
Summary: In this cell the poet Orpheus is being attacked by a mob of
women.
1. Why are the women mad at the poet Orpheus?
2. Do you think that it is morally right for the women to start attacking
Orpheus?
3. Name one literary device that is used in the quote.
4. In the quote above, what does “Bacchanals” most likely mean?
A. A mythical creature
B. A women military group
C. A worshiper of Bacchus
D. A small river
The death of Orpheus: Cell 2
Quote: “Ah Gods! how moving was the mournful sight!
To see the fleeting soul now take its flight.
Thee the soft warblers of the feather'd kind
Bewail'd; for thee thy savage audience pin'd;
Those rocks and woods that oft thy strain had led,
Mourn for their charmer, and lament him dead;
And drooping trees their leafy glories shed.
Naids and Dryads with dishevel'd hair
Promiscuous weep, and scarfs of sable wear;
Nor cou'd the river-Gods conceal their moan,
But with new floods of tears augment their own.
His mangled limbs lay scatter'd all around,
His head, and harp a better fortune found;
In Hebrus' streams they gently roul'd along,
And sooth'd the waters with a mournful song.”
Summary: The poet Orpheus has been killed by the mob and the river
gods and nymphs mourn over his death.
1. What type of literary device is the quote using in “To see the
fleeting soul now take its flight,” and what does it mean.
2. What was Orpheus’ head and his harp doing after he died?
3. In the quote above what does the word “augment” mean?
A. kill
B. strengthen
C. mourn
D. punish
4. What do you think will happen to the women that killed Orpheus?
The Thracian Women transform'd to Trees: Cell 3
Quote: “Bacchus, resolving to revenge the wrong,
Of Orpheus murder'd, on the madding throng,
Decreed that each accomplice dame should stand
Fix'd by the roots along the conscious land.
Their wicked feet, that late so nimbly ran
To wreak their malice on the guiltless man,
Sudden with twisted ligatures were bound,
Like trees, deep planted in the turfy ground.
In vain their toes and feet they look to find,
For ev'n their shapely legs are cloath'd with rind.
One smites her thighs with a lamenting stroke,
And finds the flesh transform'd to solid oak;
Another, with surprize, and grief distrest,
Lays on above, but beats a wooden breast.”
Summary: As punished for the killing of Orpheus the women were
turned into oak trees.
1. How did the god Bacchus punish the women?
2. Do you think that the women were rightfully punished for what they
did?
3. What type of literary device was used in order to show the women’s
transformation?
4. What is Bacchus a god of?
A. The god of nature
B. the god of justice
C. The god of wine and revelry D. the god of the wind
The fable of Midas: Cell 4
Quote: “Midas from Orpheus had been taught his lore,
And knew the rites of Bacchus long before.
He, when he saw his venerable guest,
In honour of the God ordain'd a feast.
But name his wish, and swears to grant the boon.
A glorious offer! yet but ill bestow'd
On him whose choice so little judgment show'd.
Give me, says he (nor thought he ask'd too much),
That with my body whatsoe'er I touch,
Chang'd from the nature which it held of old,
May be converted into yellow gold.
He had his wish; but yet the God repin'd,
To think the fool no better wish could find.
But the brave king departed from the place,
With smiles of gladness sparkling in his face:
Nor could contain, but, as he took his way,
Impatient longs to make the first essay.
Down from a lowly branch a twig he drew,
The twig strait glitter'd with a golden hue:
He takes a stone, the stone was turn'd to gold;
Summary: King Midas was granted the ability to turn anything he
touched to gold from Bacchus.
1. Why did Bacchus grant King Midas his wish?
2. Name one literary device that was used in the quote above?
3. Do you think it was selfish of the King to ask for this ability?
4. Do you think that in the future King Midas will regret his wish?
The Fable of Midas: Cell 5
Quote: “The hungry wretch, his folly thus confest,
Touch'd the kind deity's good-natur'd breast;
The gentle God annull'd his first decree,
And from the cruel compact set him free.
To plunge his body in, and wash away the stain.
The king instructed to the fount retires,
But with the golden charm the stream inspires:
For while this quality the man forsakes,
An equal pow'r the limpid water takes;
Informs with veins of gold the neighb'ring land,
And glides along a bed of golden sand.
Now loathing wealth, th' occasion of his woes,
Far in the woods he sought a calm repose;
In caves and grottos, where the nymphs resort,
And keep with mountain Pan their sylvan court.
Ah! had he left his stupid soul behind!
But his condition alter'd not his mind.”
Summary: After Midas regretted his wish Bacchus told him to go to a
stream to wash away his curse, but Midas started to desire gold again
after he saw the river take his power and bring wealth to the villages.
1. Where did Midas go after he lost his power?
2. State a literary device that was used in the quote above?
3. In the quote above, what does the word “limpid” mean?
A. strong
B. clear
C. wealthy
D. weak
4. What do you think will happen to King Midas?
What The Fable of Midas: Cell 6
Quote: “The venerable judge was seated high
On his own hill, that seem'd to touch the sky.
All, with applause, the rightful sentence heard,
Midas alone dissatisfy'd appear'd;
To him unjustly giv'n the judgment seems,
For Pan's barbarick notes he most esteems.
The lyrick God, who thought his untun'd ear
Deserv'd but ill a human form to wear,
Of that deprives him, and supplies the place
With some more fit, and of an ampler space:
Fix'd on his noddle an unseemly pair,
Flagging, and large, and full of whitish hair;
Without a total change from what he was,
Still in the man preserves the simple ass.”
Summary: In this quote King Midas receives his sentence from the
gods for being greedy and not learning a lesson.
1. What was the punishment that King Midas received?
2. What literary device is used in the quote above that helps to
understand the “punishment” better?
3. Do you think that the punishment that king Midas was fair?
4. What if all people who made a foolish mistake grew donkey ears?
5. Do you think that King Midas will now be less greedy and appreciate
what he now has?
The Building of Troy: Cell 7
Quote: “Phoebus, with full revenge, from Tmolus flies,
Darts thro' the air, and cleaves the liquid skies;
Near Hellespont he lights, and treads the plains
Where great Laomedon sole monarch reigns;
Where, built between the two projecting strands,
To Panomphaean Jove an altar stands.
Here first aspiring thoughts the king employ,
To found the lofty tow'rs of future Troy.
The work, from schemes magnificent begun,
At vast expence was slowly carry'd on:
Which Phoebus seeing, with the trident God
Who rules the swelling surges with his nod,
Assuming each a mortal shape, combine
At a set price to finish his design.”
Summary: After King Midas’ punishment Phoebus left Tmolus and he,
along with Jupiter, agrees to help Laomedon built his future city of
Troy, for a price.
1. Which god is the quote referring to as the trident God?
2. If you were Laomedon would you have agreed to let Phoebus and
Neptune built your city or do you think it would be wrong?
3. What is Neptune god of?
A. God of the planets
B. God of weapons
C. God of building
D. God of the ocean
4. What do you predict will happen next?
The Building of Troy: Cell 8
Quote: “The work was built; the king their price denies,
And his injustice backs with perjuries.
This Neptune cou'd not brook, but drove the main,
A mighty deluge, o'er the Phrygian plain:
'Twas all a sea; the waters of the deep
From ev'ry vale the copious harvest sweep;
The briny billows overflow the soil,
Ravage the fields, and mock the plowman's toil.
Nor this appeas'd the God's revengeful mind,
For still a greater plague remains behind;
A huge sea-monster lodges on the sands,
And the king's daughter for his prey demands.
To him that sav'd the damsel, was decreed
A set of horses of the Sun's fine breed:
But when Alcides from the rock unty'd
The trembling fair, the ransom was deny'd.
He, in revenge, the new-built walls attack'd,
And the twice-perjur'd city bravely sack'd.”
Summary: Although the city was built, King Laomedon refused to give
them the price so the two gods attacked his city in revenge?
1. What where some of the things that the Gods did to the city.
2. Do you think that the king deserved having his city rampaged?
3. If you helped people build a city, and they refused to reward you,
would you send a sea monster to eat them?
4. What literary device is used in the story?
5. In the quote above, what does “perjuries” most likely mean?
A. Repetitive attacks
B. Anger
C. The breaking of any oath
D. the act of being afraid
Book 12 The Trojan War
Cell 1 The Cenotaph of Hector
“Priam, to whom the story was unknown, as dead, deplored his
metamorphosed son: A cenotaph his name, and title kept,
And Hector round the tomb, with all his brothers, wept. This pious
office Paris did not share; absent alone; and author of the war,”
Which, for the Spartan queen, the Grecians drew T' avenge the rape;
and Asia to subdue.”
The family of Hector is mourning around his tomb. Paris was not there
for the mourning.
Why was Paris not there for the mourning of his brother Hector?
What does this mean: “Priam, to whom the story was unknown, as
dead, deplored his metamorphosed son?
A cenotaph is a memorial for soldiers. Which of these synonyms is
spelled incorrectly?
A. comemoration
B. magnum opus
C. obelisk
D. pillar
The House of Fame
Cell 2
“The Goddess gives the' alarm; and soon is known
The Grecian fleet descending on the town. Fix'd on defense, the
Trojans are not slow to guard their shore, from an expected foe.
They meet in fight: by Hector's fatal hand Protesilaus falls, and bites
the strand: Which with expense of blood the Grecians won;
and proved the strength unknown of Priam's son.
And to their cost the Trojan leaders felt The Grecian heroes; and what
deaths they dealt.”
The Greeks invaded Troy but the Trojans were ready for them and
didn’t hesitate on defense. Protesilaus was the first Greek to die in the
Trojan War and also the first victim of Hector. But by the end of the
day, the Trojan leaders felt the mass amount of destruction the Greek
heroes inflicted on them.
Were the Trojans ready for the Grecian attack?
Were the Greeks right to invade Troy?
“And to their cost the Trojan leaders felt The Grecian heroes; and what
deaths they dealt.”
What does the quote above mean?
Cell 3 The Story of Cygnus
“From these first onsets, the Sigaean shore was strewed with
carcasses, and stained with gore: Neptunian Cygnus troops of Greeks
had slain; Achilles in his car had scoured the plain, And cleared the
Trojan ranks: where-ever he fought, Cygnus, or Hector, through the
fields he sought: Cygnus he found; on him his force essayed: For
Hector was to the tenth year delayed.”
The beach is littered of Grecian and Trojan carcasses. Achilles laid
waste to all Trojans he met on the battlefield.
What does this quote mean: “Achilles in his car had scoured the plain,
and cleared the Trojan ranks: where-ever he fought”
Who was Achilles most likely looking for in the battlefield?
What is the definition of strew?
A. to spread
B. to clean
C. to avenge
D. to break
Cell 4 The Skirmish between the Centaurs and the Lapithites
“Demoleon could not bear this hateful sight, Or the long fortune of
the' Athenian knight: But pulled with all his force, to disengage
From Earth a pine, the product of an age: The root stuck fast: the
broken trunk he sent At Theseus; Theseus frustrates his intent,
And leaps aside; by Pallas warned, the blow
To shun (for so he said; and we believed it so).”
Demoleon and Theseus are fighting. Pallas warns Theseus to dodge
the broken trunk.
Who warned Theseus?
Who do you think will win the fight?
Which of these synonyms of shun is spelled incorrectly?
A. elude
B. aschew
C. evade
D. disdain
The Story of Cyllarus and Hylonome
Cell 5
“Joined face to face, his lips with hers she closed. Stifled with kisses, a
sweet death he dies; she fills the fields with undistinguished cries;
At least her words were in her clamor drowned; for my stunned ears
received no vocal sound. In madness of her grief, she seized the dart
New-drawn, and reeking from her lover's heart; To her bare bosom
the sharp point applied; And wounded fell; and falling by his side,
Embraced him in her arms; and thus embracing died.”
A spear killed Cyllarus. Hylonome then took her own life.
Why did Hylonome kill herself?
Was killing herself the right thing to do?
“Stifled with kisses, a sweet death he dies” What form of the word
“stifle” is used.
1. To feel smothered or suffocated by or as if by close confinement
in a stuffy room.
2. To interrupt or cut off (the voice, for example).
3. To be in love
Caeneus transformed to an Eagle
Cell 6
While thus the boaster exercised his pride,
The fatal spear of Caeneus reached his side:
Just in the mixture of the kinds it ran;
Betwixt the nether beast, and upper man:
The monster mad with rage, and stung with smart,
His lance directed at the hero's heart:
It struck; but bounded from his hardened breast,
Like hail from tiles, which the safe house invest.
Caeneus boasted and was invulnerable enough for a centaur to kill
him.
What mistake did Caeneus make?
Did Caenues’ sex change made him cocky because of the
empowerment?
Will the Lapithites win the war with the Centaurs without Caeneus?
The Fate of Periclymenos
Cell 7
This tale, by Nestor told, did much displease
Tlepolemus, the seed of Hercules:
For, often he had heard his father say,
that he himself was present at the fray;
and more than shared the glories of the day.
What is a fray?
Why do you think Nestor’s tale was “displeasing”?
What are the “glories of the day” to Nestor?
The Death of Achilles
Cell 8
Thus fell the foremost of the Grecian name;
and he, the base adulterer, boasts the fame.
A spectacle to glad the Trojan train;
And please old Priam, after Hector slain.
If by a female hand he had foreseen
He was to die, his wish had rather been
The lance, and double ax of the fair warrior queen.
Why would the death of Achilles please Priam?
What does it mean to be a “base adulterer”?
Would the Trojan’s destiny change with the death of Achilles?