________________________________________ MYTHOLOGY UNIT

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Monomyth, Archetypes & Major Themes

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Directions: Complete the following chart using details and/or quotations from the myth in terms of
how the myth follows basic elements of the monomyth pattern and what archetypes it incorporates.

Myth Title: Theseus and the Minotaur

Call to Adventure (The Birth) Refusal/Acceptance
● Explain the hero’s “normal” life before ● How does the hero react to his news that he
this calling (setting, personality, etc.) is the “chosen one”?
● Why does the hero leave the familiar?

Theseus lived with his mother Aethra. She told Theseus volunteers himself to go to Crete and kill
him that if could move the large rock nearby, the minotaur. He is sick and tired of innocent
she would tell him who is father is. Theseus has civilians giving up their lives and decides to put an
never seen his father because he has lived with end to this matter. On the other hand, his father
his mother his whole life. He managed to move wished that
the rock and finds out from his mom that his
father is the King of Athens Ageus. He goes to
visit his father and promises to come back.

Supernatural Aid Crossing the Threshold/Belly of the Whale

● Who helps the hero prepare for his ● Identify the point of no return.
journey? ● Identify the zone of danger.
● What does the hero gain/acquire before The point of no return is when Theseus goes on
h/she leaves on the journey? the boat to Crete. He will not come back if he is not
successful. The zone of danger is inside the
Ariadnne helps Theseus when she gives me a labyrinth as may get killed by the minotaur.
roll with string on it, so that he could follow his
way back out.

Tests & Trials (otherwise known as “Initiation”)

● What struggles/tests/trials/obstacles does the hero encounter? (Describe three)
● What does he/she gain after each test?
● Who/what helps the hero?
● Identify the hero’s apotheosis.

Theseus first had to move the rock and gain possession of the sword so that he could learn more
about where his father is. Theseus had to pass through Curse Road in order to get to Athens where
his father resides. Curse Road was full of monsters and giants. In order to pass by, he had to
successfully kill all the beasts. The final obstacle that was left was to find and kill the minotaur.
Ariadnne helped Theseus kill the minotaur as she gave him a ball of string to find his way out. After
each task, Theseus becomes physically and mentally stronger. Fighting the beasts gave him the
ability and power to fight the minotaur. The apotheosis of Theseus was when he successfully killed
the Minotaur. This was the biggest problem that needed an end. He did not fight any other major
beast after.

The Supreme Ordeal Crossing the Return-Threshold (and Rebirth)

● What is it? How is it overcome, if it is at ● How does the journey/quest end?
all? ● What does the hero bring back to his
● What reward does the hero receive? familiar surroundings?
● How has he changed?
Theseus stabs the minotaur and cuts his head off.
Theseus reaches the center of the labyrinth and He brings the minotaur’s head with him on the way
sees the minotaur. They battle and soon back from Crete. Theseus promised his father, that
Theseus gains the upper hand. He successfully if he killed the minotaur, he would raise the white
slays the minotaur. Theseus receives a great sails. Theseus forgot to switch the black sail to the
deal of honor and respect. white sail and his father jumps into the sea, from
looking at the ship from afar. He also promised
Ariadnne, that if he slays the minotaur, he would
take her with him as well. Unfortunately, he leaves
her stranded on an island.

Identify and Explain Major Plot Archetypes Identify and Explain Major Setting and Symbol
Theseus and the Minotaur involves hero vs Archetypes
villain plot line. This is because the minotaur at The cursed road that Theseus follows to Athens
first seemed unstoppable. He was effortlessly signifies his growth. In this road he is able to
killing innocent boys and girls until Theseus combat and successfully kill many monsters. The
decided to step in. For the first few moments of darkness in the labyrinth shows how mysterious
the battle the minotaur seemed to gain the and evil the minotaur is.
upper-hand. He knew all of Theseus’s “moves
before he reacted”. Theseus, like other Greek
heroes was wearing white robes while the
Minotaur was living in a black dungeon just like
other villains.
Identify and Explain Major Character Identify and Explain Major Thematic
Archetypes Archetypes
In this myth, Theseus was seen as a hero, at This myth also involves the theme fulfilment of
least sort of. Theseus was able to move a large one’s destiny. Theseus learns that his father is the
rock and gain access to a prestigious sword just King of Athens and sets on a journey to meet him.
like Arthur, who pulled out Excalibur from the During this journey Theseus faces several giants
stone in the Legend of King Arthur. Theseus and other monsters. He comes close to death in
like other mythical heroes had the ability to kill several situations. He also sacrifices and
the monster. The colour white is often jeopardizes his life in order to kill the minotaur and
associated with heroes, good deeds and purity. save the innocent boys and girls.
Theseus was wearing white robes when he
killed the minotaur as well. Theseus may seem
like a hero but leaving Ariadnne was a cowardly
move. He promised her, that he would bring her
with him, once the minotaur was slain but he
did not follow through on his actions. His
actions towards her leave him looking like a
fake hero.

Identify and discuss the Role of Women in Identify and Explain the Lessons Learned From
the Myth the myth/Reasons for the Myth and
Explanations
The role of women in ancient Greek life, was
considered to be insignificant compared to that
of Greek men. regular mortal women of Ancient
Greece were nothing special, really. They were
looked at to cook, clean, take care of the
children, and cater to their husbands. In
Theseus and the Minotaur, Theseus’s mom Acting without all of the facts often results in
was only present for the beginning of the story. mistakes being made. King Ageus jumped to his
Ariadnne who helped Theseus kill the Minotaur death, without hearing the details of the battle. He
was deceived by Theseus. He left her stranded saw the black sails from far, and decided to take
on a barren island. Women are also seen as matters in his own hands. King Ageus wasted his
evil characters. Agesus’s wife Medea placed “a life as a result.
curse on Ageus, a curse on your son”. This
means Medea was also an evil witch.
Therefore, women do not generally play an
heroic or important roles in Greek myths.
Identify and Explain the Qualities that the Ancient Civilizations Admire
Ancient Civilizations admired courage/bravery, strength, intelligence and family. The qualities that
people possess can dictate the amount of respect they receive and their status in their society.