Name:
Date:
Icarus and Daedalus
Directions: Read “Literary Analysis: Myth” on page 913 to answer the following.
1. Define a myth.
2. Describe two common characteristics of myths.
Directions: Read “Background for the Myth” on page 915 to answer the following.
3. Describe the relationship between Zeus and other gods and goddesses.
Directions: As you read “Icarus and Daedalus” on page 916, answer the following.
4. How does the first sentence in the story indicate that the text is a myth?
5. Predict what will happen in the story based on the picture on page 917.
6. Why does Daedalus make wings out of feathers?
7. What lesson does Daedalus try to teach Icarus?
8. Describe the mood conveyed by the image on page 919.
9. What is a possible theme of this myth? Explain.
On a separate sheet of paper, answer the ‘Critical Thinking’ questions from page 920 and the
‘After You Read’ from 921.
Directions: As you read the myth, answer the following:
1. Pluto is the roman name for who? (Page 925)
2. Why does Aphrodite tell her son to shoot Pluto with an arrow? (Page 926)
3. What more common name does Eros go by?
4. Who is Persephone?
5. What does the river nymph give to Demeter? (Page 927)
6. Who/what does Demeter wrongfully blame for her daughter’s kidnapping? (Page 927)
7. What was the result of Demeter’s actions? (Page 927)
8. What role does Zeus play in this conflict? (Pages 927-928)
9. What is the result of Persephone eating the pomegranate seeds? (Page 930)
Directions: After reading the myth, answer the following:
1. Connect: How does the myth relate to the seasons we have?
2. Analyze: What does Pluto’s nickname “the grim King” suggest about his character?
3. Cause and Effect: Do you think Persephone deserves to spend one third of the year in the
Underworld? Why or why not?
On a separate sheet of paper, answer the ‘Critical Thinking’ questions from page 930 and the
‘After You Read’ from 931.