*Some of the myths below are very compressed and may not work as well as
other versions you discover, however, they are all correctly cited.
Perseus and Medusa
In Greek mythology Perseus was the young hero who slew Medusa, one of the fearful Gorgons who turned to
stone anyone who dared to look at them. Perseus was the son of Zeus, king of the gods, and Dana, the beautiful
daughter of Acrisius, king of Argos. Acrisius had banished mother and son because an oracle had said Dana's son
would one day kill him. Polydectes was king of the island where Dana and Perseus had been carried under Zeus's
guidance. The king wooed Dana, but knew that he would have to get rid of Perseus before he could win Dana's
hand. So he sent the youth to bring back the head of Medusa, thinking Perseus would be killed.
Medusa was one of three terrible sisters called Gorgons. They had leathery wings, brazen claws, and writhing
poisonous snakes in place of hair. Anyone who looked at them turned to stone. But Perseus was helped by the
gods. Athena lent him her brightly polished shield, and Hermes gave him a magic sword. Perseus came to the land
of night where the three Gray Sisters (the Graeae) lived. They had only one eye and one tooth among them. They
refused to help Perseus, but he stole their eye and returned it only when they told him where to find the Gorgons.
With winged sandals that enabled him to fly, the helmet of Hades that made him invisible, and a bag in which to
conceal the head, he set out again and finally found the three Gorgons asleep. He put on his cap of darkness and
flew nearer. Alighting, he looked into his shining shield, thus avoiding a direct look at the Gorgons. With one
stroke of his sword he cut off Medusa's head. On his way home Perseus came across the beautiful maiden
Andromeda, who was chained to a rock and left to be devoured by a sea monster. Perseus waited beside her and
when the monster appeared he cut off its head. Her rejoicing parents, Cepheus and Cassiopeia, gave Andromeda
to Perseus as his bride. Perseus continued home and rescued his mother by turning Polydectes and his supporters
to stone at the sight of Medusa's head.
Perseus gave the Gorgon's head to Athena, who placed it on her shield, and he accompanied his mother back to
Argos. Later, as Perseus threw the discus in a great athletic contest, it swerved and fell among the spectators,
accidentally killing his grandfather Acrisius and thus fulfilling the prophecy. After his own death Perseus was taken
into the sky by his father Zeus, as were also Andromeda, Cassiopeia, and Cepheus. There they became
constellations, all according to the old Greek myths.
"Perseus (1)." Compton's by Britannica, v 6.0. 2009. eLibrary. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Odysseus and the Sirens
In Greek mythology, a creature, half bird and half woman, who lures sailors to their doom with her sweet singing.
Homer placed Sirens near the rocks of Scylla; in the Odyssey, Odysseus has his men plug their ears with wax and
has himself tied to his ship's mast so he can hear the Sirens' singing without endangering the ship. In one tale of
Jason and the Argonauts, Orpheus sings so sweetly that the crew do not listen to the Sirens. According to later
legend, the Sirens committed suicide after one or the other of those failures.
"Siren." Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. 2011. eLibrary. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Pandora
In Greek mythology Pandora was the first woman on Earth. When it came time to populate Earth, the gods
delegated the task to Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus. Epimetheus (whose name means “afterthought”
or “hindsight”) began with the animals, to whom he gave all the best gifts—strength and speed, cunning, and the
protection of fur and feathers. Too late, he realized there was no quality left to make humankind a match for the
beasts. After Prometheus (“foresight”) had stolen fire from heaven and given it to mortals, an angry Zeus
determined to counteract this blessing. Zeus ordered Hephaestus to fashion a woman out of clay and adorned her
with gifts from all the gods. Aphrodite gave her beauty, Hermes persuasion, and Athena skill in needlework. She
was named Pandora (“all-gifts”).
The ancient Greek poet Hesiod, in his Works and Days, said that Zeus sent her to Earth. There Epimetheus married
her despite a warning from his brother Prometheus to accept no gifts from Zeus. Pandora either found or brought
with her a mysterious jar. Epimetheus ordered Pandora never to open it. Secretly, however, she removed the lid.
All human ills and evils flew out and covered the world. Hope alone was caught inside the jar. According to some
modern versions of the myth, Pandora was given a box, not a jar, but these resulted from either a mistranslation
of the Greek or confusion with a different myth.
"Pandora." Compton's by Britannica, v 6.0. 2009. eLibrary. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
King Midas
The story of King Midas is a myth about the tragedy of avarice and narrates what happens when true happiness is
not recognized. Midas was a man who wished that everything he touched would turn into gold. However, he had
not thought that this wish was not actually a blessing, but a curse. His greed invites us to think and realize the
consequences that may lead us to become slaves of our own desires. The phrase the Midas touch comes from this
myth and is used to say that somebody has a good fortune. The wish Midas was a king of great fortune who ruled
the country of Phrygia, in Asia Minor. He had everything a king could wish for. He lived in luxury in a great castle.
He shared his life of abundance with his beautiful daughter. Even though he was very rich, Midas thought that his
greatest happiness was provided by gold. His avarice was such that he used to spend his days counting his golden
coins! Occasionally he used to cover his body with gold objects, as if he wanted to bath in them. Money was his
obsession. One day, Dionyssus, the god of wine and revelry, passed through the kingdom of Midas. One of his
companions, a satyr named Silenus, got delayed along the way. Silenus got tired and decided to take a nap in the
famous rose gardens surrounding the palace of king Midas. There, he was found by the king, who recognized him
instantly and invited him to spend a few days at his palace. After that, Midas took him to Dionyssus. The god of
celebration, very grateful to Midas for his kindness, promised Midas to satisfy any wish of him. Midas though for a
while and then he said: I hope that everything I tough becomes gold. Dionyssus warned the king to think well
about his wish, but Midas was positive. Dionyssus could do nothing else and promised the king that from that
following day everything he touched would turn into gold. The curse The next day, Midas, woke up eager to see if
his wish would become true. He extended his arm touching a small table that immediately turned into gold. Midas
jumped with happiness! He then touched a chair, the carpet, the door, his bathtub, a table and so he kept on
running in his madness all over his palace until he got exhausted and happy at the same time! He sat at the table
to have breakfast and took a rose between his hands to smell its fragrance. When he touched it, the rose became
gold. I will have to absorb the fragrance without touching the roses, I suppose, he thought in disappointment.
Without even thinking, he ate a grape but it also turned into gold! The same happened with a slice of bread and a
glass of water. Suddenly, he started to sense fear. Tears filled his eyes and that moment, his beloved daughter
entered the room. When Midas hag her, she turned into a golden statue! Despaired and fearful, he raised his
arms and prayed to Dionyssus to take this curse from him. The atonement The god heard Midas and felt sorry for
him. He told Midas to go to river Pactolus and wash his hands. Midas did so: he ran to the river and was
astonished to see gold flowing from his hands. The ancient Greeks said they had found gold on the banks of the
river Pactolus. When he turned home, everything Midas had touched had become normal again. Midas hang his
daughter in full happiness and decided to share his great fortune with his people. From now on, Midas became a
better person, generous and grateful for all goods of his life. His people led a prosperous life and when he died,
they all moored for his beloved king.
"King Midas and His Touch." Greeka. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Echo & Narcissus
In Greek mythology Echo was a wood nymph who loved a youth by the name of Narcissus. He was a beautiful
creature loved by many but Narcissus loved no one. He enjoyed attention, praise and envy. In Narcissus' eyes
nobody matched him and as such he considered none were worthy of him.
Echo's passion for Narcissus was equaled only by her passion for talking as she always had to have the last word.
One day she enabled the escape of the goddess Juno's adulterous husband by engaging Juno in conversation. On
finding out Echo's treachery Juno cursed Echo by removing her voice with the exception that she could only speak
that which was spoken to her.
Echo often waited in the woods to see Narcissus hoping for a chance to be noticed. One day as she lingered in the
bushes he heard her footsteps and called out “Who's here?” Echo replied “Here!” Narcissus called again "Come",
Echo replied "Come!". Narcissus called once more “Why do you shun me?... Let us join one another.” Echo was
overjoyed that Narcissus had asked her to join him. She longed to tell him who she was and of all the love she had
for him in her heart but she could not speak. She ran towards him and threw herself upon him.
Narcissus became angry “Hands off! I would rather die than you should have me!” and threw Echo to the ground.
Echo left the woods a ruin, her heart broken. Ashamed she ran away to live in the mountains yearning for a love
that would never be returned. The grief killed her. Her body became one with the mountain stone. All that
remained was her voice which replied in kind when others spoke.
Narcissus continued to attract many nymphs all of whom he briefly entertained before scorning and refusing
them. The gods grew tired of his behavior and cursed Narcissus. They wanted him to know what it felt like to love
and never be loved. They made it so there was only one whom he would love, someone who was not real and
could never love him back.
One day whilst out enjoying the sunshine Narcissus came upon a pool of water. As he gazed into it he caught a
glimpse of what he thought was a beautiful water spirit. He did not recognise his own reflection and was
immediately enamoured. Narcissus bent down his head to kiss the vision. As he did so the reflection mimicked his
actions. Taking this as a sign of reciprocation Narcissus reached into the pool to draw the water spirit to him. The
water displaced and the vision was gone. He panicked, where had his love gone? When the water became calm
the water spirit returned. “Why, beautiful being, do you shun me? Surely my face is not one to repel you. The
nymphs love me, and you yourself look not indifferent upon me. When I stretch forth my arms you do the same;
and you smile upon me and answer my beckonings with the like.” Again he reached out and again his love
disappeared. Frightened to touch the water Narcissus lay still by the pool gazing in to the eyes of his vision.
He cried in frustration. As he did so Echo also cried. He did not move, he did not eat or drink, he only suffered. As
he pined he became gaunt loosing his beauty. The nymphs that loved him pleaded with him to come away from
the pool. As they did so Echo also pleaded with him. He was transfixed; he wanted to stay there forever. Narcissus
like Echo died with grief. His body disappeared and where his body once lay a flower grew in it's place. The
nymphs mourned his death and as they mourned Echo also mourned.
"LEGEND." Legend of Echo and Narcissus. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Daedalus & Icarus
Beating his wings harder and harder, Icarus soared up into the sky and out over the Aegean Sea. It was hard to
believe it but the plan had worked. For here he was now, flying alongside his father, Daedalus, as they left the
island of Crete behind them and travelled on towards their freedom. Icarus glanced over at his father and grinned.
"Come along, Father," he shouted over the sound of the wind rushing past them. "Smile, we’ve done it, we’ve
escaped and we’re free."
“When my feet are back on solid ground and that island is many, many miles behind us, then you will see me
smile,” Daedalus yelled back. “Now, keep your mind on what we have to do and remember, not too high, not too
close to the sun.”
Daedalus thought back to the moment, a few days before, when he had thought up the plan that would help
them escape - not only from the labyrinth but from the kingdom of King Minos as well. He cast his mind back even
further, to the day when he realised that his own life and that of his son were in great danger. How had they come
to this moment?
Only a short time ago Daedalus was being hailed as the great architect, the skilled inventor, the master craftsman.
His incredible inventions and constructions were known and admired throughout many lands and when he arrived
in Crete, many years earlier, King Minos was happy to welcome him to his land and quickly began to make use of
his talents.
One of his first tasks was to construct a huge labyrinth, a vast underground maze of tunnels which twisted and
turned in every possible direction, so that, on entering the labyrinth, a person would very quickly become lost and
would be unable to find their way out again.
This giant maze served one simple purpose. It was to contain the Minotaur, a huge beast, half man, half bull.
Standing twice as high as any man, the Minotaur had horns, as long as a man’s arm, with sharp points, on which it
skewered its victims. It had almost unbelievable strength and was constantly hungry – hungry for the flesh of
humans.
King Minos had come up with his own special way of satisfying the Minotaur’s hunger. Every year, he demanded
that Athens send him a tribute of seven young men and seven young women and these would be sacrificed to
satisfy the creature’s hunger.
One by one they would be forced to enter the labyrinth. They would then wander, sometimes only for hours but
sometimes for many days before, somewhere in the pitch black tunnels, they would encounter the Minotaur.
It goes without saying that none of them was ever seen again. Well, that’s not quite true actually, as one of the
young men, not only found and killed the Minotaur, but also found his way out again.
This superhuman was Theseus, the son of King Aegeus of Athens. He had forced his father to agree to let him be
sent as one of the seven young men, swearing that he would somehow kill the Minotaur and return home safely.
As their ship docked in the harbour below the mighty palace of Knossos, and the youths were dragged from the
ship, Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, was watching.
She saw Theseus and found herself falling in love with him there and then. She vowed to herself that somehow
she would help him when it was his turn to enter the maze. And this was the moment when Daedalus found
himself involved, in a way which he knew would not end well for him and his young son. Ariadne went to him and
asked him to help her save Theseus from the jaws of the Minotaur. He gave her a great ball of flaxen thread.
“Somehow you must get this thread to Theseus. Tell him to tie one end to the door of the labyrinth and hang on
to the other end. He can then use it to find his way back out again. But you must be ready to flee the moment he
escapes, for, when your father finds out what you have done, your life will be in great danger.”
And so will mine, he thought to himself, so will mine.
Their plan worked well. Theseus found the Minotaur and, after a long battle in the dark passages of the maze, he
killed the beast. Using the thread, he made his way back to the door and to Ariadne. Making their way quickly to
his ship, they set sail for Athens.
Daedalus was left behind to face the consequences and it took very little time for Minos to find him. The King was
angrier than anyone could remember (and this was a man who was noted for his evil temper). He blamed
Daedalus for the whole thing and dragged both him and Icarus to the door of the labyrinth.
“This is where you two will end your days,” he screamed. “In there, in the dark, along with the rats.” With that the
guards threw them inside and swung the heavy door shut.
Immediately they were plunged into total darkness. They could not see their hands in front of their faces, let
alone the tunnels and passages in which they now found themselves. But all was not lost, for, of all the people
who had ever entered the labyrinth, these two were the only ones who knew its secrets.
They had designed it, they had taken charge of its construction and Daedalus knew the layout of the labyrinth like
the back of his hand. It took them little or no time to find their way out of the labyrinth but that was only the first
hurdle. They still needed to escape from Crete, if they wanted to survive for more than a few days.
Daedalus knew there was no way to escape by sea, as Minos controlled all the seas around the island. So
Daedalus, the great inventor, the master craftsmen, drew on all his skills and made, for each of them, a pair of
huge wings. These wings were made from hundreds of feathers they collected from the birds around the island
and were held together with a strong wax.
“These wings will take us away from this place and to freedom,” he told his son. “However, there is one thing you
must not forget. These wings are held together by wax. If it gets too hot, it will melt and the wings will fall apart.
So do not fly too close to the sun. Stay low and we will be safe.”
So here they were now, gliding across the brilliant blue sky, the sun shining above them and the Aegean sea
glinting beautifully far below them. Daedalus glanced back nervously over his shoulder again, to see the island of
Crete getting smaller and smaller as they flew away from their prison. But Icarus could not contain his excitement
a moment longer. “We’re free,” he yelled to the empty sky around him. “Free and we’re flying, we’re flying with
the birds.”
With a whoop of excitement, he soared up and up, gliding around the sky, zooming back down towards his father
and then up again, up, up, up towards the dazzling sun.
“Icarus, not too high, not too close to the sun,” his father screamed in desperation. “The wax on your wings will
melt. Stay close to me and stay low.”
But his words fell on deaf ears. The boy continued to soar up into the bright blue sky, edging nearer and nearer to
the sun and, as Daedalus flew along below him, he saw a bright white feather flutter through the sky and, looking
up, watched in horror as more and more feathers detached themselves from his son’s wings.
He watched in despair as his son began to lose height and his despair turned to total anguish as he heard the
terrified cry from his son, as he tumbled and spun past him towards the sea below.
It took only seconds, but it seemed like a lifetime, as Daedalus saw his son plummet through the sky with
increasing speed to hit the waters below with a resounding splash.
Daedalus flew low in the hope of seeing the boy appear on the surface of the churning waters but he knew that
nobody could have survived such a fall and that all hope was lost.
With a heavy heart, and almost exhausted, Daedalus regained the height he needed and, without looking back,
set his course for the island of Sicily. There he hoped that he would be welcomed and be allowed to live a troublefree life for the rest of his days.
But however long he lived, he would never be able to forget the sound of his son’s final cry as he sped towards
the water. It was only the briefest of sounds but he heard it clearly, even above the sound of the foaming waves
and crying gulls – “Father, help me”.
"Myths and Legends." Text Only Version of Daedalus and Icarus. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Odysseus and the Cylops (Polyphemus)—as a play
CHARACTERS
NARRATOR
ODYSSEUS: king of Ithaca, an island off the mainland of Greece
POLITES: one of Odysseus' bravest captains
EURYLOCHUS: a trusted follower of Odysseus
POLYPHEMUS: a Cyclops
ELPINOR: one of the youngest of Odysseus' followers
NEIGHBORING CYCLOPS
INTRODUCTION
The 10-year war with Troy has ended with the city in flames. Agamemnon, the leader of the victorious Greeks,
ordered his troops to board their ships and sail home. But for many, the journey is neither swift nor uneventful.
As Odysseus and his countrymen make their way home in their 12 ships, they meet the Cicones, a people who had
sided with the Trojans, and lose six men in each ship to them. When the . Lotus-eaters in north Africa give them
food, they accept, not knowing it has the power to make them want to stay there forever. Odysseus brings them
back to the ships forcefully. The third of several stops is the land of the Cyclops, a wild tribe of simple giant fo'k
who live in caves and raise sheep, goats, and cattle.
SCENE 1
An island inhabited by wild goats, just off the mainland, home of the Cyclops
NARRATOR: The mists of the night have lifted, and Odysseus and his men awake to see the land of the Cyclops.
After resting from their journey, they feast on several goats.
ODYSSEUS: had no idea we were so close to the land of the Cyclops when we landed here last night.
POLITES can see large flocks of fat sheep and cattle grazing in the fields. I see smoke from the fires.
EURYLOCHUS Tomorrow, I will explore the mainland. Perhaps it is inhabited by friendly folk who will welcome us
after all our days at sea.
SCENE 2
The home of the Cyclops
NARRATOR: The next morning, Odysseus and his men sail to the mainland and pull their ship onto the shore.
Rising above them is a rocky cliff covered with shrubs and beautiful wildflowers. A path zigzags along the cliff to
the opening of a cave, partially hidden by bushes and surrounded by a wall of large stones.
ODDYSEUS: That cave looks like someone's home. Let me choose 12 of my best men to explore it. And, I'll bring a
skin of the best wine I have onboard as a gift for whoever might live there.
NARRATOR: Odysseus and his men climb the cliff and enter a courtyard. Farther in, they find another courtyard,
this one with pens for sheep and goats. But, the pens are empty as the flocks are grazing in the pasture with their
shepherd, the inhabitant of the cave.
ODYSSEUS: Since there is no one here, let's enter the cave and wait for the owner.
NARRATOR: In the dim light, they see pens with lambs and baby goats, large pails of milk, and cheeses stacked in
baskets.
POLITES:This does not seem a friendly place. Let's take some cheese and tender lambs and return to our ship.
ODYSSEUS: We should not rob a stranger in his absence. After all, when he returns, he may give us many cheeses,
goats, and lambs.
EURYLOCHUS:
"Here, taste our wine," says Odysseus to the monster who is holding his crew captive.
NARRATOR: The men wait in the cave until evening, when the shepherd returns with his flocks. He is a fearsome
giant with one eye in his forehead. Upon seeing him, Odysseus and his men know they have been unwise to wait
and hide in the dark corners of the cave. The giant flings down the huge fire logs he has collected and puts the
male sheep and goats into their pens. He brings the ewes and she-goats in the cave for milking and closes the
entrance with a large boulder. After the milking is done, the Cyclops lights a fire and soon sees the frightened men
huddling in the shadows.
POLYPHEMUS (in a thunderousvoice): Who are you?
NARRATOR: Odysseus (steps forward and boldly) answers.
ODYSSEUS: We are Greeks on our way home to Ithaca after winning our war with the Trojans. Winds carried us off
course. We landed here, hoping that you will welcome us until we can sail again.
POLYPHEMUS: I am Polyphemus the Cyclops, and I only entertain those who please me. Where is your ship
beached?
NARRATOR: Fearing that the giant may harm his ship and men, Odysseus does not answer truthfully.
ODYSSEUS: Our ship was wrecked on the rocks, and only I and these 12 men survived.
POLYPHEMUS: I have no sympathy for you.
NARRATOR: Polyphemus seizes a sailor in each hand, dashes out their brains against the hard floor, then eats
them for supper with several pails of milk. He soon falls asleep by the fire, leaving Odysseus and his men
wondering how to outwit this cruel giant. giant.
SCENE 3
Polyphemus' cave, the next day
NARRATOR: The Cyclops rekindles the fire and milks his animals. He then grabs two more men and eats them.
After rolling the boulder away from the cave entrance, he drives out his flock, replaces the stone, and heads for
the mountain pastures.
Meanwhile, Odysseus and his eight remaining men huddle by the fire.
ODYSSEUS: We must find a way to leave this cave. (looking around the cave) Ah! See that long pole of green olive
wood. It's drying for the giant to use as a staff. I will cut it and sharpen one end.
ELPINOR: I will harden the point in the fire for you, my lord.
ODYSSEUS: Tonight, while the Cyclops sleeps, we will heat the shaft until it is red- hot and then put out the
monster's eye!
SCENE 4
Evening comes, and Polyphemus returns to the cave.
NARRATOR: After penning his livestock, Polyphemus milks the animals, then seizes two more men and eats them.
Meanwhile, Odysseus pours wine into a huge bowl and offers it to the giant.
ODYSSEUS: We saved this wine from our wrecked ship. Tell me if you think it is good.
NARRATOR: drinks the wine. Taking the bowl, the Cyclops
POLYPHEMUS: More!
NARRATOR: Odysseus refills the bowl, and the giant drinks it all.
POLYPHEMUS: If you give me more wine and tell me your name, I may give you a gift.
NARRATOR: Odysseus again fills the bowl, and again the giant empties it.
ODYSSEUS: what's my gift? My name is No-one. Now,
POLYPHEMUS: I will eat you last of all!
NARRATOR: With a laugh, the giant lies down by the fire, and, drowsy from all the wine, falls asleep. Odysseus
heats the stake in the fire's red-hot embers and then, with four of his men, thrusts it deep into the Cyclops' eye.
Screaming in pain, Polyphemus pulls the stake from his eye-socket. He then stumbles around the cave trying to
catch Odysseus and his men. The Cyclops living in nearby caves hear his cries.
NEIGHBORING CYCLOPS: Why are you screaming, Polyphemus? Has someone stolen your sheep or tried to kill
you? POLYPHEMUS:
No-one has blinded me! NEIGHBORING
CYCLOPS: ______________ No-one! You must be sick, and since sickness comes from the gods, we cannot help
you. We hope you'll be better by morning. NARRATOR: Making
his way to the cave's entrance, Polyphemus pushes away the boulder and waits to catch anyone who tries to
escape. But Odysseus has a plan. He and his companions take reeds from the giant's bed and bend them together
to makes ropes to tie themselves to the rams' underbellies. SCENE 5
The following morning NARRATOR: As the sheep leave the cave for the pastures, Polyphemus feels the back of
each, but never the belly. But, as the last ram leaves the cave, Polyphemus speaks to it.
POLYPHEMUS: You are the one who always leads the flock to the grazing ground, Why are you last today? Do you
grieve for your master, blind now because of No-one? Go! Join your companions.
NARRATOR: Once outside, Odysseus frees himself and then unties the others. Once on their ship, they set sail for
the island where the rest of the fleet is moored, and Odysseus shouts to the giant.
ODYSSEUS: Wicked giant, your misfortune is the result of your cruel ways!
NARRATOR: Hearing him, Polyphemus comes out of his cave and flings a huge rock in the direction of Odysseus'
voice. The rock misses. Odysseus shouts again to the giant.
ODYSSEUS: Polyphemus, if anyone asks how you lost your eyesight, tell him it was Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who
blinded you.
POLYPHEMUS (in a loud voice): It was foretold to me that the king of Ithaca would cause me great grief, but I
thought he would be a worthy enemy for me, not a little weakling like you. Still, evil will come to you from this, for
Poseidon, the god of the sea and my father, will avenge me. NARRATOR: Polyphemus holds his hands out over the
sea and prays.
POLYPHEMUS: Great Poseidon, grant me this request. May Odysseus and his companions never reach their
homeland. But, if it is the will of the gods that he should reach Ithaca, let him be alone, without friends. And, may
he find unhappiness waiting for him at home. NARRATOR: Rejoicing, Odysseus continues on his journey home. But
Poseidon has listened to his son-a fact Odysseus will soon realize.
Baker, F, Charles.. "THE CURSE OF THE CYCLOPS." Calliope. 01 Nov. 2011: 24. eLibrary. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
The Minotaur
In classical mythology, a monster, half man and half bull. The Minotaur was born to the queen of Crete, Pasiphaë,
after she mated with a sacred bull. The king Minos, to hide his shame, had Daedalus construct the Labyrinth in
which to hide the monster. Minos then forced the Athenians to send as tribute fourteen of their young people,
seven men and seven women, to be locked in the Labyrinth for the Minotaur to eat. To stop the slaughter, the
hero Theseus volunteered to enter the Labyrinth and fight the Minotaur. On the instructions of the king's
daughter, Theseus brought in a ball of thread, which he unwound as he went through. He found the Minotaur,
killed it, and then used the thread to find his way out of the maze.
"Minotaur." The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. 2002. eLibrary. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.