Theseus and the Minotaur By: Beth Cooper 10/11/12

Bell Ringer What makes a hero? What special qualities does a hero possess? Is killing someone who is bad heroic or a sin? Do heroes have to be good role models?

A Hero… Greek Mythology: divine parentage, extraordinary talent/strength, quest, immortality. Hero’s Today: celebrities, acts of courage, self- sacrifice.

Introductions Name What defines you? What do you want to be when you grow up?

Vocabulary 8 List Pretentious (Adj.) Procrastinate (V.) Prosaic (Adj.) Prosperity (N.) Provocative (Adj.) Prudent (Adj.) Querulous (Adj.) Rancorous (Adj.) Reclusive (Adj.) Reconciliation (N.)

Vocabulary 8 Definitions 1. pretentious – assumption of dignity or importance; snooty. 2. procrastinate – to put off until another day or time; delay; defer. 3. prosaic – commonplace or dull; mundane; unimaginative. 4. prosperity - successful, especially in financial matters; good fortune. 5. provocative – stimulating or irritating 6. prudent – wise; careful; practical

Vocabulary 8 Definitions (cont.) 7. querulous – characterized as being full of complaints; peevish. 8.rancorous – full of bitterness; resentment, hatred or ill will; malicious. 9. reclusive – characterized as living in seclusion or away from society. 10. reconciliation – agreeing, compromising, apologizing.

Vocabulary 8 Examples: Using lyrics such as “Swag swag swag, on you/ Chillin by the fire while we eatin' fondue,” Justin Bieber must be pretentious.

Procrastinate It makes the teacher sad when students procrastinate on their assignments.

Prosaic Some might argue that Columbus, GA is a rather prosaic place.

Prosperity Many people play the lottery hoping it will someday bring them prosperity.

Provocative Lady Gaga likes to dress provocatively.

Prudent The coach is known for making prudent decisions for his team.

Querulous My neighbor’s querulous ex-wife can’t find a new husband.

Rancorous The rancorous old witch tried to kill the fair maiden.

Reclusive People tend to become reclusive while on vacation.

Reconciliation After a messy breakup, the actors were reluctant to announce their reconciliation.

Theseus Great hero of Athens. City named for the goddess Athena. Theseus prides himself on his reason. Instead of relying on his supernatural strength to defeat enemies, he uses strategy and clever thinking to succeed. Went on several adventures, but best known for slaying the minotaur.

The Story Theseus was born to the Athenian King, Aegeus. Before Theseus is born, King Aegeus places his sword and sandals in a hollow under a huge stone. Theseus’ mother is instructed to tell her son to move the stone and retrieve the items before setting off to find his father.

Call to Adventure Over time, Theseus grew stronger and eventually was able to remove the stone and retrieve the sword and sandals. Before his journey, his mother urged him to travel by sea to avoid the many monsters. Determined to prove himself, a hero Theseus confidently chose to travel by land.

The Journey Theseus came across three bandits on his journey: Sinis, Sciron , and Procrustes. These monsters were mean and killed travelers in brutal ways. Theseus used the same methods on the bandits that were used on their victims.

Theseus Returns the Favor Sinis – Tied the legs of his victims to two bent pine trees and would then let the pines spring back into place. After beating Sinis, Theseus would do the same. Sciron - Required travelers to wash his feet and would then kick them into the sea below. Theseus hurls him into the ocean. Procrustes – Inviting guests into his home and his bed, if their legs were too long, they’d be chopped off. If too short, they’ be stretched to size. Can you guess what Theseus did?

Theseus the Hero For conquering the bandits, Theseus is greeted in Athens as a hero. Bewitched by the sorceress, Medea, King Aegeus did not recognize his own son. Medea wanted her son to inherit the thrown and attempted to poison Theseus. Aegeus recognizes his sword and sandals and happily excepts his son, exiling Medea.

The Minotaur King Minos wanted to avenge the death of his son. At the time, Athens was in a sickly state. Aegeus made the difficult decision to sacrifice 7 male youths and 7 male female youths to the Minotaur. The Minotaur was half man and half bull. He was the son of Pasiphae (Minos’ wife) and a bull. The home built for the minotaur was called the labyrinth, built by the great architect, Daedelus.

Theseus Pursues the Minotaur Saddened and angered by the events, Theseus sets out to slay the Minotaur. Theseus promises his father that upon his return, he would sail a white sail if he was returning alive or a black one should he die. While in Crete, Theseus meets Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, who provided him with a way out of the labyrinth.

The Labyrinth Theseus is given a ball of thread to drop as he walked so that he may find his way back. The minotaur is found and Theseus kills him with his bare hands. Dragging the beasts body, he leads the other survivors out of the labyrinth, taking Ariadne with him back to Athens. Theseus abandons Ariadne on the island of Naxos. Upon returning home to Athens, Theseus forgets to change the sails on his ship from black to orange.

Dead End Thinking his son has died, Aegeus leaps to his death from a high cliff and into the sea below. From that point on, the sea was referred to as the Aegean Sea. Once settled in Athens, Theseus learns of his father, and inherits the throne. He would later set up a democracy.

Remainder of Lesson Video Clip Crossword Work on Assignment