Midterm Study Guide

Classical Mythology Midterm Study Guide

I. Hesiod’s Theogony

• Overview: The Theogony is a foundational mythological text that explains the origins of the gods and the universe.

• Key Themes:

  • Creation of the cosmos: Chaos, Gaia, Tartarus, and Eros.

  • Generations of gods: Ouranos and Gaia, Kronos and Rhea, Zeus and the Olympians.

  • Titanomachy: The war between the Titans and Olympians.

  • Succession myth: Zeus as the ultimate ruler.

  • The role of Prometheus: The theft of fire and the punishment of humanity.

• Important Figures:

  • Zeus (King of the Gods)

  • Kronos (Titan overthrown by Zeus)

  • Gaia (Earth mother, progenitor of gods)

  • Ouranos (Sky god, overthrown by Kronos)

  • Prometheus (Trickster who defied Zeus)

II. Homer’s Odyssey

• Overview: The Odyssey follows Odysseus’s journey home from the Trojan War and explores themes of heroism, cunning, and divine intervention.

• Key Themes:

  • Nostos (Homecoming)

  • Xenia (Hospitality)

  • Kleos (Glory)

  • Fate vs. Free Will

  • The role of the gods and divine intervention

• Structure:

  • Books 1-4: Telemachos’s search for news of Odysseus.

  • Books 5-12: Odysseus’s journey and trials (Kyklops, Kirke, Underworld, Sirens, Skylla and Charybdis, Kalypso).

  • Books 13-24: Return to Ithaka, revenge against the suitors, and reunion with Penelope.

• Important Figures:

  • Odysseus (Hero, known for cunning and endurance)

  • Penelope (Faithful wife of Odysseus)

  • Telemachos (Son of Odysseus, coming-of-age story)

  • Athena (Goddess of wisdom, Odysseus’s divine protector)

  • Poseidon (God of the sea, Odysseus’s antagonist)

  • Polyphemos (Kyklops, blinded by Odysseus)

  • Kirke & Kalypso (Figures who delay Odysseus’s return)

III. Aeschylus’s Libation Bearers

• Overview: The second play in the Oresteia trilogy, focused on Orestes’s return and revenge for Agamemnon’s murder.

• Key Themes:

  • Cycle of vengeance and justice

  • Divine will vs. human action

  • Role of fate and the gods

  • The concept of miasma (ritual pollution)

• Plot Summary:

  • Orestes returns to Argos and reunites with his sister, Elektra.

  • They plot revenge against their mother, Klytaimestra, for murdering their father, Agamemnon.

  • With the help of the god Apollon, Orestes kills Klytaimestra and her lover Aigisthos.

  • The Erinyes begin to pursue Orestes for matricide.

• Important Figures:

  • Orestes (Son of Agamemnon, avenger of his father)

  • Elektra (Daughter of Agamemnon, helps Orestes)

  • Klytaimestra (Mother of Orestes and Elektra, murderer of Agamemnon)

  • Aigisthos (Klytaimestra’s lover, co-conspirator in Agamemnon’s murder)

  • The Erinyes (Ancient deities of vengeance, punishers of familial bloodshed)

IV. Summary of Eumenides

• Overview: The final play of the Oresteia trilogy, focusing on the trial of Orestes and the transition from vengeance to legal justice.

• Key Themes:

  • The establishment of the court system

  • Transformation of divine justice

  • The power struggle between old and new gods

  • The role of persuasion and democracy

• Plot Summary:

  • Orestes seeks refuge at Apollon’s temple after being pursued by the Erinyes.

  • Apollon defends Orestes and sends him to Athens for trial.

  • Athena establishes the Areopagos (court of law) to judge Orestes’s case.

  • The trial is held, with Apollon speaking for Orestes and the Erinyes demanding retribution.

  • Athena casts the deciding vote, acquitting Orestes and transforming the Erinyes into the Eumenides (Kindly Ones).

• Important Figures:

  • Orestes (On trial for matricide)

  • Apollon (Defends Orestes, represents new divine order)

  • Athena (Judge, symbolizes wisdom and justice)

  • The Erinyes (Oppose Orestes, later reformed into Eumenides)

  • Areopagos (Court established to settle blood feuds)

Study Tips

• Review primary texts and summarize key passages.

• Create character maps to understand relationships.

• Practice explaining key themes and their significance.

• Compare and contrast the works (e.g., themes of justice in Hesiod vs. Aeschylus).

• Identify how divine intervention influences human fate.

Good luck on your midterm!