Discovering References to Greek Mythology in Popular Expressions
Discovering References to
Greek Mythology in Popular Expressions
Assignment to hand in: Notes About Popular Expressions and Greek Myths
Step 1: Introduction - Look at the picture and read the text below:
Our popular expressions and art have been influenced by Greek mythology. For
example, you might of heard of the expression, "he has the weight of the
world on his shoulders." This comes from the story of Atlas in Greek
mythology.
Before the Greek Gods, seven giant
Titans ruled the
world. Titans were the sons and daughters of Heaven and Earth. The strongest
Titan was named Cronus, and
was the father of the Greek God Zeus.
Cronus was told by a prophet that is son, Zeus, would be more powerful than his
father, and so Cronus tried to devour Zeus. Zeus escaped to
Mount Olympus in Greece
and lived with the Olympian Gods there, plotting his revenge. When he grew up,
Zeus challenged Cronus and the other Titans to a war to see who should rule the
world. Atlas, the son of the Titan Eurymedon, agreed to the challenge. He
disliked Zeus and was eager for war. Zeus and the Olympian Gods prepared
themselves for a long and bloody battle. After fighting for 12 months straight,
they defeated all of the Titans, and Zeus declared himself King of the Olympian
Gods. he reorganized the world with the heavens above the earth and the oceans
and mountains below. In order to punish Atlas for fighting against him, Zeus
made Atlas stand with one foot in the oceans and one foot in the mountains and
hold the whole earth on his shoulders, forever.
Step 2: Note Chart - Complete the handout, Notes About Popular Expressions and Greek Myths, by looking at the pictures and information below. "Sketch of Artwork" column is your version of the corresponding picture given.
Expression: "Achilles' heel"
This is an oil painting of the Goddess Thetis dipping her son Achilles into the
River Styx, which runs through Hades. In the background, the ferryman Charon can
be seen taking the dead across the river in his boat. The scene was painted by
Peter Paul Reubens around 1625.
Expression: "beware of Greeks bearing gifts"
This is a drawing of the Greeks leaving their hiding place
inside the Trojan Horse in order to attack Troy. The drawing is based on an oil
painting by Henri Motte.
Expression: "caught between a rock and a hard place"
This is a painting of Odysseus's boat passing between the six-headed monster
Scylia and the whirlpool Charybdis. Scylla has plucked six of Odysseus's men
from the boat. The painting is an Italian fresco dating to 1560 C.E.
Expression: "the face that launched 1,000 ships"
This is a fresco of Paris abducting Helen by force. It is
painted on a wall inside a villa in Venice, Italy.
Expression: "Herculean effort"
This is an engraving of Hercules performing one of his
labors as he forces a bull to the ground. The engraving was created by B. Picart
in 1731.
Expression: "he's so full of himself"
This is a painting of Narcissus reaching out to touch his
reflection in a pool. His right arm encircles flowers resembling those we call
narcissus today. It is based on a painting by Will H. Low.
Expression: "if looks could kill"
This is an oil painting of Perseus holding Medusa's head
in his left hand. He is encouraging Andromeda to look at its reflection in a
well so that she will not be turned to stone by Medusa's gaze. The scene was
painted by Sir Edward Burne-Jones around 1887.
Expression: "opened up a Pandora's box"
This is an engraving of Pandora trying to close the box
that she had opened out of curiosity. At left, the evils of the world taunt her
as they escape. The engraving is based on a painting by F.S. Church.