Honors English II Unit II Study Mythology

Ino's plan for Phrixus

Ino plots to have Phrixus killed by causing a famine and manipulating his stepmother; she hopes to remove him as a rival and gain control of the kingdom.

Phrixus' salvation

Phrixus is saved by a flying golden ram sent by Hermes; the ram is later sacrificed to Zeus, and its fleece becomes the Golden Fleece.

Pelias

Pelias is Jason's uncle who seized the throne of Iolcus and fears Jason will reclaim it.

Tone of Jason's confrontation with Pelias

Jason's tone is earnest and determined; Pelias' tone is sarcastic and dismissive, showing cunning and fear.

Pelias' task for Jason

Pelias sends Jason to retrieve the Golden Fleece hoping Jason will be killed in the attempt.

Events at Lemnos

At Lemnos, the Argonauts are welcomed by women who have killed their men; the crew stays and celebrates before continuing their journey.

Hercules' inability to complete the adventure

Hercules is unable to complete part of the adventure because he leaves the Argo temporarily to pursue other labors.

Harpies

The Harpies are foul, winged creatures tormenting King Phineus by stealing his food.

Defeat of the Harpies

The Harpies are defeated by the Boreads, Zetes and Calais, who chase them away with their wings.

Passing the Crashing Rocks

The Argonauts pass the Crashing Rocks safely with the advice of Phineus and guidance from divine intervention, often via Athena.

Amazons

The Amazons are a tribe of warrior women who sometimes assist or challenge heroes in myths.

Aphrodite's assistance to Hera

Aphrodite causes Medea to fall in love with Jason, helping Hera ensure the hero succeeds.

Jason and the Argonauts' offer to King Æetes

Jason and the Argonauts offer to perform tasks and show courage in exchange for the Golden Fleece.

King Æetes' response to their offer

King Æetes is suspicious of their offer and sets nearly impossible tasks to guard the Fleece.

Medea's advice to Jason

Medea advises Jason to use cunning and magical aid; she feels conflicted because helping him means betraying her father and homeland.

Potion given to Jason by Medea

Medea gives Jason a potion to protect him from fire and death during the task with the bulls.

Medea's betrayal

Medea betrays her father, King Æetes, by helping Jason steal the Fleece.

Pelias' actions against Jason's family

While Jason was away, Pelias threatened Jason's family and refused to return the throne, maintaining his usurpation.

Medea's revenge on Pelias

Medea tricks Pelias' daughters into killing him by promising to rejuvenate him and then refusing to complete the spell.

Medea's exile

Medea is exiled because of her violent revenge against Pelias.

Medea's refusal of financial help

Medea refuses financial help from Jason to maintain independence and avoid appearing weak or dependent.

Medea's Punishment

Medea punishes Jason by killing their children, showing the destructive consequences of his ambition; whether he deserves it is debated, but it highlights the tragic cost of his quest.

King Acrisius's Prophecy

King Acrisius receives a prophecy that his grandson will kill him; he cannot kill Danaë without committing a grievous sin.

Acrisius's Guarantee

Acrisius locks Danaë in a bronze tower; Zeus impregnates her by sending golden rain.

Polydectes's Attempt on Perseus

Polydectes tries to kill Perseus by sending him on the dangerous mission to bring back Medusa's head.

The Gray Women

The Gray Women share one eye among them; Perseus needs their guidance to find the nymphs who give him magical items.

Perseus's Five Gifts

Perseus receives Hermes' sword, winged sandals, a reflective shield from Athena, a helmet of invisibility, and a magic bag; he uses the shield to view Medusa safely and the other gifts for travel and stealth.

Andromeda's Rescue

Andromeda is a princess chained to a rock as a sacrifice; Perseus rescues her by killing the sea monster Cetus.

Defeating Polydectes

Perseus reveals Medusa's head, turning Polydectes and his courtiers to stone.

Acrisius's Fate

The prophecy comes true when Perseus accidentally kills Acrisius with a discus during athletic games.

Moral of the Myth

A potential moral is that fate cannot be avoided, and cleverness and courage are essential to overcoming divine or human obstacles.

Theseus's Heroic Methods

Theseus becomes a hero by traveling to Athens and defeating dangerous bandits and monsters using his strength and intelligence.

Theseus's Philosophy of Justice

His philosophy of justice emphasizes fairness, courage, and protecting the weak while punishing wrongdoing.

Characterization of Theseus

Theseus is brave, clever, and resourceful, able to solve the Labyrinth and defeat the Minotaur.

Theseus's Leadership

Theseus' leadership is participatory and moral, focused on the welfare of citizens rather than mere power.

Growth of Theseus

He grows in wisdom and diplomacy as king but retains his heroic boldness and love of adventure.

Theseus's Regard for Women

He shows respect and care for women at times, as with Ariadne, but his judgment is flawed in some relationships.

Theseus's Tragic Flaw

Theseus' tragic flaw is impulsive desire or overconfidence, leading to poor decisions that cause suffering, such as abandoning Ariadne.