Introduction to Western Literature and Arts
Lecture Note-5: Heroes & Monsters
Ovis's Metamorphoses, Books  4, 5, 6 (Perseus Cycle)
                                       Books 7, 8, (Theseus Cycle)
                                       Books 9 (Hercules Cycle)
Quiz 5




Table of Contents

  1. Heroic Pattern
  2. Monsters in  Greek Mythology
  3. Children of Io: Cadmus, Mino, Perseus, Hercules
  4. Webpages and Image Resources of Hercules

Heroic Pattern

1. Describe briefly "the heroic pattern" with about 100 words.
2. Use any of the following stories to illustrate "the heroic pattern."(150 words)

Ovid's Metamorphoses:
     Books  4, 5, 6 (Perseus Cycle)
     Books 7, 8, (Theseus Cycle)
     Books 9 (Hercules Cycle)
The Epic of Gilgamesh

References:
What is a hero (by Laurel Bowman)
Heroic Pattern (by Laurel Bowman) 
A diagram of "heroic cycle"

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Monsters in Greek Mythology

Fill in the blanks: What is (are) the attributes of the monster? Who is its related hero? How did the hero deal with the monster?

Name Attributes Related Heroes
Serpent

 

 
Centaur

 

 
Minotaur    
Medusa    

References:
Monsters Pages in GGGM
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Children of Io
 
1. Write down the names of Io's children (at least five names).
2. What is the common significance in the stories about the families of Io and those of her children?

References:
1. The family trees in Lecture Note-5
2. Lecture Note-4: the Theban Cycle (Ovid, Books 3,4)
   Books  4, 5, 6 (Perseus Cycle)
   Books 9 (Hercules Cycle)

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Stories about Hercules:
Look at the following illustration by Baur. Briefly decribe what this picture is about. You may make use of the following list of Hercules' 12 labors.

Herculesb9p83_small.jpg (50236 bytes)

1. Nemean Lion (1st Labour). 
2. Hydra (2nd Labour) 
3. Cerynitian Hind (3rd Labour) 
4. Erymanthian Boar (4th Labour). 
5. Augeas' Stables (5th Labour). 
6. The Stymphalian Birds (6th Labour). 
7. The Cretan Bull (7th Labour). 
8. MARES OF DIOMEDES 1 (8th Labour). 
9. The Belt of Hippolyte 2 (9th Labour). 
10. The Cattle of Geryon (10th Labour) 
11. Apples of the HESPERIDES (11th Labour). 
12. The Hound of Hades (12th Labour). 


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Lecture Note-5

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Chen Chi-szu
Latest Revision: 1998-11-05.