1a. Why does Hercules go to Tiryns to see King Eurystheus?
2a. What does Hercules do with his arrows after killing the hydra?
3a. What does Nessus swear on Mount Erymanthus?
4a. Whom does Hercules meet at the edge of the world? What does that person do for him?
5a. What happens when Hercules and Deianeira are at the river?
1b. Why does King Eurystheus give orders that are difficult to carry out?
2b. How does this act eventually harm Hercules himself?
3b. How does he fulfill this vow?
4b. How does Hercules trick this person?
5b. Why does Nessus offer his assistance?
6a. List the twelve labors of Hercules. Then order them according to what you think is the most to least difficult.
6b. How do you think Hercules feels after accomplishing the twelve labors? Why do you think Hercules chooses to live such an adventuresome and dangerous life? How do his actions in life work against him at the end of the story?
7a. Who do you think is responsible for Hercules' death—Nessus, Deianeira, Hercules, Hera, or Eurystheus? Or is his death a result of a combination of people's actions? Explain your answer.
7b. Describe in your own words what kind of mythological figure Hercules is. How would such a person fare in today's world?
Myth. Greek mythology creates a world in which the gods are as active and important in day-to-day experiences in the world as people are. Why do you think the Greeks created such a sophisticated web of mythology to explain events in the natural world and in their own history?
Chronological Order. Is the chronological order of the twelve labors of any real importance? Which events in the story must be presented in chronological order so that the story makes sense?
1. Imagine you are a director of a play about Hercules. Write a character description of Hercules for the costume designer, the makeup artist, and the actor playing the part.
2. If the story of Hercules' twelve labors were set in the modern era rather than in ancient Greece, what tasks might the hero be given? Write a list of twelve labors for a modern-day Hercules.
3. Write a speech that Hercules might have given before dying.
Antonyms. An antonym is a word of opposite meaning. Match each of the words on the left with the word that most closely resembles its antonym on the right. If you wish, you may use a dictionary or thesaurus.
1. assent click to select answer arid daft dissent dull focus giddy sink
2. cunning click to select answer arid daft dissent dull focus giddy sink
3. dank click to select answer arid daft dissent dull focus giddy sink
4. divert click to select answer arid daft dissent dull focus giddy sink
5. iridescent click to select answer arid daft dissent dull focus giddy sink
6. protrude click to select answer arid daft dissent dull focus giddy sink
7. serene click to select answer arid daft dissent dull focus giddy sink
Possessive Nouns and Pronouns. Review the Language Arts Survey 3.73, "Possessive Nouns and Pronouns." Then, in the spaces following sentences, write down the possessive noun or possessive pronoun and indicate which it is.
Example Drew dropped Mary's book. Mary's (possessive noun)
1. The cat chased its tail.
2. I took my medicine at noon.
3. Where is your helmet?
4. Beth's hair is getting long.
5. Our new house has a fence.
6. Please change Jonathan's diaper.
7. His small dog got lost in the crowd.
8. My shirt got dirty.
9. The tree lost all its leaves by October.
10. Is Kyle's bike new?
Investigating Greek Gods: With the help of a librarian, find resources that you can use to study the gods in Greek mythology. Choose a particular god or goddess to focus on. Find descriptions of the god's actions, physical appearance, and relationships to other gods. Look for pictures of the god. What stories did he or she play a part in? With what historic events was he or she involved? Prepare a report for your class, including pictures, descriptions, and stories. Research Log. Use this log to keep track of the sources you use, the information you find, and your reactions to what you learn.
Internet sources:
Books and other print sources:
Notes:
