GREEK MYTHOLOGY IN MODERN LANGUAGE Many modern words

GREEK MYTHOLOGY IN MODERN LANGUAGE

Many modern words and phrases make reference to people or events in Greek mythology.

Make a “Herculean effort” • Example: Climbing to the summit of Mt. Everest is a Herculean effort. • Based on this sentence, what can you infer about Hercules? • Can you think of another example of a Herculean effort?

Herculean effort: mythology connection • Heracles (Hercules) was the son of Zeus. • Had immense strength and courage • Ordered to complete twelve labors (very difficult tasks) and completed them all

Make a “Herculean effort” Definition: requiring an enormous amount of strength work ________, courage or _______

Titanic • Example: The blue whale is a titanic sea creature compared to the tiny seahorse. • Based on this sentence, what can you infer about the Titans? • Can you think of another example of something that can be described as titanic?

Titanic Mythology Connection • Titans were a family of giants, who wanted to rule heaven, but were overthrown by Zeus. • Atlas was a Titan who was condemned to carry the sky on his shoulders.

Titanic • Definition: an adjective meaning strength enormous ____, size ____, or power _______

To have an “Achilles’ heel” • Example: His love for fast food will someday be his Achilles’ heel because his health will suffer. • Based on this sentence, what can you infer about Achilles? • Can you think of something else that could be considered an Achilles heel?

Achilles’ heel mythology connection • Achilles- Greek warrior • Hero of the Trojan War • It was predicted that he would die young, so his mother dipped him in the River Styx to make him immortal. • She held him by the heel, so that became a weak area. • He died by a poisoned arrow to the heel.

To have an “Achilles’ heel” • Modern definition: a _____ that can weakness lead to your downfall ________

Narcissistic • Nar-si-sis-tick • Narcissus- white flower in the daffodil family • Example: The narcissistic princess did not think any prince in the kingdom was good enough to marry. • Based on this sentence, what can you infer about Narcissus? • • Can you think of another example of someone being narcissistic?

Narcissistic mythology connection • Narcissus was the son of a river god. • He was very good-looking. • He was told that he would live a long life if he never looked at himself. • He rejected the love of Echo, which angered the gods. • He looked into the water, saw his reflection, and fell in love with himself. He gazed at himself until he died. • The flower that grew on that spot is called a narcissus.

Narcissistic • Modern definition: vanity, fascination ______with self yourself, _____-centered

To have the “Midas touch” • Example: Justin Bieber seems to have the Midas touch in the music Industry. • Based on this sentence, what can you infer about King Midas? • Can you think of another example of someone with the Midas touch ?

Midas touch mythology connection • King Midas was very greedy. • One day an old friend of the god Dionysus came to King Midas’ castle. • Dionysus was pleased and in return, offered to grant King Midas one wish. • The king wished that all he touched would turn to gold. • This turned into a problem when he tried to eat or drink. • Midas wanted rid of the spell. Dionysus told him the only way to do this was to wash in the river Pactolus. • The “golden touch” was gone, and now the soil along the riverbank has a golden gleam.

To have the “Midas touch” • Modern definition: refers to someone who money makes _______ easily or has a luck lot of _______

To open Pandora’s box • Example: The boy had no idea of the Pandora’s box he opened by bringing a weapon to school. • Based on this sentence, what can you infer about Pandora? • Can you think of another example of opening Pandora’s box?

• Zeus gave Pandora a little box with a big heavy lock on it. • He made her promise never to open the box. • One day, Pandora stole the key and opened the box. • Out flew every kind of disease and sickness, hate and envy, and all the bad things that people had never experienced before. • Pandora slammed the lid closed, but it was too late. • All the bad things were already out of the box. • They flew away, out into the world.

To open Pandora’s box Modern definition: to do something that may have unforeseen and unpleasant _________ consequences

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN! • You will see allusions in music, poetry, and literature. • If you are familiar with the allusions, you will better understand what you are hearing and reading.