| A | B |
|---|
| decree | an order having the force of law |
| caprice | impulsive action |
| foreboding | a prediction of evil |
| sentry | a soldier |
| portal | an entranceway |
| oracle | a fortune-teller |
| asbestos | fireproof material |
| assuage | to make milder or less severe |
| nullify | to cancel or declare void |
| precedent | a case that serves as an example for others in the future |
| dour | severe, stern, gloomy |
| repute | reputation |
| implacable | not to be calmed or pacified |
| scepter | wand representing regal power |
| cudgel | to beat with a short stick |
| fickle | casually changeable |
| vexation | annoyance, frustration |
| upstart | one who moves up in class or wealth |
| revel | to make merry, delight in |
| anoint | to put oil on |
| prophecy | to predict or fortell |
| minstrel | singer, musician, poet |
| immortal | can not die |
| reverence | respect |
| allusion | a brief, indirect reference to something |
| values | what a society thinks is important |
| customs | the traditions of a society |
| epic | a long narrative |
| mortal | will eventually die |
| invulnerable | can not be hurt |
| arrogance | too much self importance |
| Pandora | let human evils out into the world |
| Orpheus | enchanted all with music |
| Cerebus | three-headed dog |
| Prometheus | steals fire to give to humans |
| Charon | drives riverboat to the underworld |
| Hercules | rescues Prometheus from death |
| Eurydice | stolen by Hades |
| Narcissus | punished with unrequited love |
| Aphrodite | Pandora is made to look like her |
| Eros | knicks himself with arrows while carrying out Aphrodite's plan |
| Phaeton | loses control of the chariot of the sun |
| Arion | saved by dolphins |
| Muses | goddesses who provide artistic inspiration |
| Nymphs | goddesses of the woods |
| Hades | God of the underworld |
| Psyche | left alone and lonely for many days in a castle |
| Echo | made to disappear |
| Explain earthquakes | Hades opening up of the earth to steal Persephone |
| Explain crop failure | Demeter, goddess of the harvest, was angry because Hades stole her daughter; punished manking with famine to get her daughter back |
| creation myths | explain the beginning of the world and the creation of people |
| explanatory myth | explains natural events, such as the change of the seasons |
| explain comets & meteorites | Phaeton was struck from the sky by Zeus's thunderbolt when he lost control of the chariot of the sun |
| Name aspects of Western Civilization that originated with the Greeks | 1. classic drama [dialog & genre]; 2. monetary system [coins]; 3. athletic competitions [the Olympics]; 4. idea of democracy & the vote by the common man; 5. modern medicine [examine symptoms & Hippocratic Oath]; 6. alphabetical order; 7. Modern Mathematics [led to blueprints & architecture; 8. philosophy [study of thought, logic & reason] |
| Irony in "Prometheus" | Man did not want fire at first; he needed to be convinced it would make life better |
| Irony in "Pandora" | the gods gave Pandora a beautiful gift, told her not to open it, then gave her unbearable curiosity |
| Irony in "Orpheus" | Orpheus makes Charon cry, even though Charon is tough & works for Hades |
| Irony in "Orpheus" | Orpheus tells Hades that giving Eurydice back will make kindness from cruelty |
| Irony & foreshadowing in "Narcissus & Echo" | Narcissus claimed he would only marry someone as beautiful as himself; then fell in love with his reflection |
| Foreshadowing in "Arion" | The captain & crew are described as dangerous; The prophecy says Arion will not get back to land on a boat |
| Foreshadowing in "Phaeton" | Before the disasterous chariot ride, Apollo says of his son, "he will bring the world to ruin" & has to tie the reins around Phaethon's waist |
| Foreshadowing in "Pandora" | The gift of unbearable curiosity ensured her failure |
| Morals of "Prometheus" | Don't be arrogant; Don't steal; Obey authority |
| Moral of "Pandora" | Mankind always has hope; Also, always listen to the gods |
| Morals of "Orpheus" | Don't disobey a god; The best plans can fail; Be patient |
| Morals of "Narcissus & Echo" | Don't be vain, [extreme self love]; Accept others for their inner selves - don't judge by looks; Don't lie |
| Morals of "Phaeton" | Don't brag or lie; Too much pride leads to a downfall; If you disobey you're parents you will be punished |
| Morals of "Eros &Psyche" | Don't be jealous or you'll be punished; Don't disobey the gods; Don't question something good |
| Moral of "Arion" | Evil will be punished; Trust your instincts |
| moral | the lesson that the myth tries to teach |
| foreshadowing | hint or clue the author gives about events to come |
| tragic flaw | hubris; a weakness in character |
| simile | two or more things not in the same category are compared using "like" or "as" Ex. There houses were like dog kennels |
| oxymoron | Opposites used in an expression Ex. treacherously kind; icy hot; gigantic shrimp; |
| symbolism | an object or person represents something beyond itself. Ex. Phaethon represents rebellion to authority; Eros represents love |
| Natural Phenomenon in Prometheus | How man got fire |
| Natural Phenomenon in Pandora | All the evils that plague mankind: death, illness, old age, famine, plagues, etc.; Also the existence of HOPE |
| Natural Phenomenon in Phaethon | comets, meteorites; ice caps; volcanoes; rising/setting of sun; forest fires; floods; drought |
| Natural Phenomenon in Eros & Psyche | west wind |
| Natural Phenomenon in Orpheus | the permanence of death |
| Natural Phenomenon in Arion | constellations; animal communication |
| Natural Phenomenon in Narcissus & Echo | the Narcissus flower; the echo |
| irony | the unexpected ; difference between what is expected & what really is |
