Teaching Star Wars and Classical Mythology Tom Sienkewicz

Teaching “Star Wars” and Classical Mythology Tom Sienkewicz Monmouth College tjsienkewicz@monmouthcollege. edu http: //department. monm. edu/classics/swpaca. starwars. pptx

http: //department. monm. edu. classics/courses/CLAS 230/Star. Wars

http: //department. monm. edu/classics/Courses/Clas 230/Star. Wars/myththeme. htm

Required Text Henderson, Mary Star Wars. The Magic of Myth ISBN: 0553378104 Format: Paperback, 200 pp Pub. Date: November 1997 Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group

https: //airandspace. si. edu/exhibitions/star-wars/online/

https: //airandspace. si. edu/exhibitions/star-wars/online/guide. htm

http: //department. monm. edu/classics/Courses/Clas 230/Star. Wars/myth 2015 Schedule. htm

Course Introductions: What is Myth? Star Wars Scene: IV. 1 Opening Powerpoint: What is Myth? American Heritage Dictionary definition Cullen's "Yet Do I Marvel" Sisyphus: Odyssey 11. 593; Apollodorus Note 147; Pausanias 2. 5. 1; Diodorus Siculus 6. 6. 3; Hyginus: #60; Apollodorus 1. 9. 3 On Myths and Sisyphean Tasks Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, 1 -7 Star Wars V. 31 "There is No Try"; "Always with you it can't be done. "

Greek Myths and Star Wars in Popular Culture Greek Mythology Today Greek Mythology in Popular Culture Sisyphus in the Modern World Sisyphus in Popular Culture (Powerpoint) Cultural Impact of Star Wars Powerpoint: Star Wars and Popular Culture Beckman and Star Wars Gangsta Rap Star Wars Propaganda Posters Star Wars A Capella Star Wars According to a Three-Year-Old

The Intersection of Star Wars and Classical Mythology in Popular Culture http: //empirestripsback. deviantart. com/art/The-Laocoon-Group-325986849

http: //travisdurden. com/index. php/oeuvres

• http: //wac. 450 f. edgecastcdn. net/80450 F/planet 10 51. com/files/2015/02/Sacred-Drunken-Wookiee. Original 2. jpg http: //wac. 450 f. edgecastcdn. net/80450 F/planet 1051. com/f iles/2015/02/Sacred-Drunken-Wookiee-Original 2. jpg http: //ep. yimg. com/ay/wizardworld/intergalac tic-krewe-of-chewbacchus-2. jpg The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is a parade organization for the most revelrous of Star Wars Freaks, Trekkies, Whovians, Mega. Geeks, Circuit Benders, Cryptozooligists, UFO Conspiracy Theorists, and all the rest of Super Nerdom.

http: //panoplyclassicsandanimation. blogspot. com/2015/12/the-force-awakens-new-greek-vase -scenes. html

What is a Hero? Achilles, Anakin and Luke Some Definitions of "Hero" / The Hero Packet Trojan Cycle Summary of Events Apollodorus Note 111 (Achilles) Hyginus: #92, 96 and 107 (Achilles) Anakin Padme in Revenge of the Sith: “There's good in him“ Script 230; chapter 46 https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Lbjru 5 CQIW 4 “I am your father” script Chapter 46 Luke in Return of the Jedi: "I sense the good in you” Script 78, chapter 39 Star Wars IV. 48 A Hero's Welcome http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=hhdk 0 YOr. VCg Star Wars Scene: IV. 10 Lars Family Dinner (start at 4: 30) Torched Homestead IV. 17 Powerpoint: Achilles and Luke Skywalker

Folktale Themes in Greek Myths and Star Wars Powerpoint: Perseus Hyginus: 63 (Danae) Apollodorus 2. 4. 1 -2. 4. 5 “Labyrinth and Rescue of the Princess” in Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, pp. 47 -56 Star Wars Scenes: IV, 32 -34 Rescuing the Princess, Into the Garbage Chute, The Trash Compactor

Folktale Themes The process of METAMORPHOSIS The Unwanted Child who Survives The Wicked Step-mother/Step-envy The Wicked Uncle The Rival Brothers The Curse on a Family The Curse and the Vendetta The Son's Responsibilities to his Father The Son's Search for his Father The Acquisition of Maturity The Offense against a God or Goddess and its Consequences The Unavoidable Truth of the Oracle The recognition Sign or the Test of Identity The Gift of the Culture Hero The Hero's Quest The Test of the Hero through Perils or Temptation (of irresponsibility, sensuality, violence) The Search for Immortality/the Conquest of Death/ the Descent to the Underworld/ the Harrowing of Hell Finding what is lost Freeing the Oppressed The Man who Returns The Hero's Betrayal of the Princess Rescue by the Heroine (Women to the Rescue) A Woman's Web A Woman's Wit The Revenge of the Woman Scorned The Danger of the Feminine Civilization versus Chaos--Justice vs. Injustice--Love vs. Hate The Suitor Contest Theft of the Bride The Deathly Wedding or the Fatal Marriage The Foundation Legend The Symbol upon which a Life Depends (Life Token) The Symbol upon which a City's Safety Depends The Unwanted or Unlucky Gift The Magical garment The Fatal Choice The Never-ending Punishment The Impossible Task The "Happily-ever-after" Ending Divine hostility/ Divine favor The Magic Spell or Charm The Hero's Loss of favor with his People and/or the Gods Mysterious Death of the Hero Apotheosis of the Hero (Deification) Ingenious Device or Trick Disobedient Child or Spouse Harmful Curiosity The Solution of a riddle The breaking of a taboo/disobedience to divine instructions The skilled craftsman or possessor of a special talent Intelligence versus Brute Strength The Accidental Murder of a near relative

Mythology and Epic: Homer and Star Wars Homer and Epic (Genre Section) Also useful: Iliad (Malhanas) / Chronology / Trojan War / Chronology of Ancient Sources / Odyssey / Peter Struck's CLAS 200 Webpage at Upenn Powerpoint: Epic: Iliad and Star Wars "Funeral of Hector" Hyginus: 106 Iliad 24: 692 -804 (You can also read this electonically in Johnston’s 2006 translation or in Samuel Butler’s 19 th-century translation) Star Wars Scene: VI. 48 -49 (Funeral Pyre and Celebration)

Comparing Star Wars and the Iliad In what ways are the two similar? How are they different? Iliad Summary / Structure of the Iliad Star Wars: Lists of Scenes Star Wars Scripts: IV. A New Hope / V. Empire Strikes Back / VI. Return of the Jedi / I. Phantom Menace / II. Attack of the Clones / III. Revenge of the Sith Star Wars Personality Chart / Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator Iliad comparison book by book with Star Wars

Iliad comparison book by book with Star Wars http: //department. monm. edu/classics/Courses/Clas 230/Star. Wars/Iliadand. Star. Wars. pdf

Contests in Mythology and Star Wars Funeral Games of Patroclus in Homer's Iliad 23 (or Johnston or Butler) Summary of Funeral Games of Patroclus Star Wars Scene: I. 17 Pod Race Ben-Hur Chariot Race Powerpoints: Athletic contests in Homer Roman Circus and Amphitheatre Star Wars and Ben Hur

Katabasis in Star Wars? Vergil's Georgics IV. 453 -528 Homer's Odyssey 11 Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, pp. 106 -113 Star Wars Scenes: III. 43 -47 "Immolation", "The Emperor Arrives", "Secret Delivery", "Birth and Rebirth" and "Darth Vader Awakes“; V. 25 “Failure in the Cave” The Hero's Return and Homecomings in Myth and Star Wars, 91 -95 Powerpoint: Katabasis and Star Wars

Divine Machinery in Homer and Star Wars Greek Pantheon / The Major Gods /Genealogical Tables Apollodorus 1. 1. 1 -1. 4. 1 (the gods) Athena Restrains Achilles (Iliad 1. 187 -222) Athena Mentors Telemachus (Odyssey 1) Size Matters Not He's Quite Crafty For a Human They Think I am a God Powerpoint: Divine Machinery in Greek Myth and Star Wars

Gods and Humans in Mythology GODS: Extraordinary Immortals HEROES: Extraordinary Mortals HUMANS: Ordinary Mortals

Why is C-3 PO an Ewok god? C-3 PO: I do believe they think I am some kind of god. Han Solo: Well, why don't you use your divine influence and get us out of this? C-3 PO: I beg your pardon General Solo, but that just wouldn't be proper. Han Solo: Proper? C-3 PO: It's against my programming to impersonate a deity. Return of the Jedi (VI. 24)

“He’s quite clever, you know, for a human being. ” 3 CPO’s opinion of Luke in “Empire Strikes Back” V. 6 (Closing the Doors) 3 CPO’s statement about Luke juxtaposes humans with droids (machines) in a significant way which suggests important things about the Force and about Nature, especially when seen in conjunction with the Ewoks’ role in the fall of the Empire in “Return of the Jedi. ” EWOKS FORCE HUMANS DROIDS DARK SIDE

EWOKS HUMANS DROIDS simple complex nature technology FORCE DARK SIDE Nature Technology

Star Wars and The Hero Pattern Lord Raglan's Hero Pattern Other Hero Patterns Apollodorus 2. 4. 8 (Birth of Heracles) Livy 1 (Birth of Romulus and Remus) Birth of Luke Skywalker Powerpoint: Hero Pattern Powerpoint

How Many Points Does Luke Skywalker Fit? 1. Hero's mother is a royal virgin; 2. His father is a king, and 3. Often a near relative of his mother, but 4. The circumstances of his conception are unusual, and 5. He is also reputed to be the son of a god. 6. At birth an attempt is made, usually by his father or his maternal grand father to kill him, 7. but he is spirited away, and 8. Reared by foster -parents in a far country. 9. We are told nothing of his childhood, but 10. On reaching manhood he returns or goes to his future Kingdom. 11. After a victory over the king and/or a giant, dragon, or wild beast, 12. He marries a princess, often the daughter of his predecessor and 13. And becomes king. 14. For a time he reigns uneventfully and 15. Prescribes laws, 16. but later he loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects, and 17. Is driven from the throne and city, after which 18. He meets with a mysterious death, 19. Often at the top of a hill, 20. His children, if any do not succeed him. 21. His body is not buried, but nevertheless 22. He has one or more holy sepulchres.

How Many Points Does Anakin Fit? 1. Hero's mother is a royal virgin; 2. His father is a king, and 3. Often a near relative of his mother, but 4. The circumstances of his conception are unusual, and 5. He is also reputed to be the son of a god. 6. At birth an attempt is made, usually by his father or his maternal grand father to kill him, 7. but he is spirited away, and 8. Reared by foster -parents in a far country. 9. We are told nothing of his childhood, but 10. On reaching manhood he returns or goes to his future Kingdom. 11. After a victory over the king and/or a giant, dragon, or wild beast, 12. He marries a princess, often the daughter of his predecessor and 13. And becomes king. 14. For a time he reigns uneventfully and 15. Prescribes laws, 16. but later he loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects, and 17. Is driven from the throne and city, after which 18. He meets with a mysterious death, 19. Often at the top of a hill, 20. His children, if any do not succeed him. 21. His body is not buried, but nevertheless 22. He has one or more holy sepulchres.

Heroines in Greek Mythology and Star Wars

Heroines and the Hero Pattern The Hero Pattern applied to Women in Myth, History, and Literature Hero Cycle of Marie de Medici Leia and Lord Raglan Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, pp. 65 -67; 158 -159 "Penelope to Ulysses" in Ovid's Heroides Star Wars Scenes: VI, 11 -12 On the Sail Barge and The Sarlacc Pit Powerpoint: Heroines in Greek Myth and Star Wars

The Hero Quest in Classical Mythology and Star Wars The Hero Quest Stages in the Heroic Quest Variations on the Theme of the Heroic Quest Star Wars: Magic of Myth Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, pp. 15 -46 Star War Scenes: IV/17 -18 Torched Homestead and Luke's Decision Powerpoint: Hero Quest and Star Wars

Five Stages of the Hero Quest • Call to Adventure • Struggle or Crossing the Threshold • Tests of Will, Endurance and Ability • The Ordeal and Its Reward • The Return

Joseph Campbell and Star Wars "The Power of Myth" (video) "Joseph Campbell--A Scholar's Life" "Joseph Campbell's Mythic Journey" by Jonathan Young

George Lucas and Star Wars Mythology of Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, pp. 7 -14 "George Lucas on Joseph Campbell" "George Lucas Interview" "How did George Lucas Create Star Wars? George Lucas bio "George Lucas in Love" Mythic Map of Lucas' Life George Lucas and Frank Coppola Heinrich Zimmer

The Feel of the Past in Greek Mythology and Star Wars Cultural and Historical Influences on Star Wars and Greek Mythology Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, pp. 160 -202 Power. Point Star Wars Pp. 123 -157 Myths: 1. ) Plutarch on Theseus; 2. ) Herodotus on Europa ; 3. Thucydides on and the Trojan War; 4. )Vergil on Anchises and Aeneas; 5. ) Vergil on Aeneas and Rome Did Theseus Slay the Minotaur? Hyginus: 40 -43 Theseus and Minotaur Myth and History

Feel of the Past in Homer • Boar Tooth Helmet • Homeric Shields • Nestor’s Cup

The Feel of the Past in Star Wars • Military Costumes, Weapons and Aviation • Touches of Art Deco • Hitler’s Germany • Far Eastern Influences • Luke’s Transformations • Mythic Settings Japanese Kabuko Helmet Female robot from Fritz Lang’s film “Metropolis” (1927) Restoration Trailer

The Feel of the Past . . . while on his head He put a helmet made of hide, stiffened With numerous taut leather thongs inside And faced outside with gleaming white teeth Of a tusker boar set thick in alternate rows Cunningly and well. It was lined with felt. (Iliad 10. 261 -65, Stanly Lombardo trans. ) Tamtel Skreej was the alias taken by Lando Calrissian during his stay a t. Jabba's Palace, as he attempted to rescue his friend Han Solo, who had been frozen in carbonite. An essential part of the resulting disguise was a mask of gondar tusks to hide his face.

Writing Assignments • Compare the use of Greek Mythology and Star Wars in Popular Culture. • Compare and contrast the use of folktales themes in Greek Mythology and Star Wars. • Explain the epic features of Star Wars • Compare and contrast a scene from Star Wars and a scene from the Iliad. • Compare and contrast chariot races in the Iliad and in Star Wars. • Compare and contrast divine machinery in the Iliad and in Star Wars. • Compare and Contrast how Anakin or Luke Skywalker and a Greek hero of your choice, fit Raglan's and one other hero pattern. • Compare and Contrast how Leia or Padme and a Greek heroine of your choice, fit Raglan's and one other hero pattern. • Respond to Joseph Campbell's interpretation of Star Wars. Do you agree or disagree?

The Force Awakens • • Rey vs. Leia: heroines Fin vs. Luke: I am no hero Kylo Ren vs. Han Solo: father-son conflict Kylo Ren vs. Darth Vader

Teaching “Star Wars” and Classical Mythology Tom Sienkewicz Monmouth College tjsienkewicz@monmouthcollege. edu http: //department. monm. edu/classics/swpaca. starwars. pptx