Please bring a blue book !!
The exam will consist of 4 sections:
1. Image identifications (20 points). Four or five images that have been shown in class. You will be asked to identify specific figures, myths etc. seen in the images and relating to them.
2. Short answers and ids (30 points). Characters and attributes associated with the heroes and sagas; names, terms and places from the word lists.
3. Passages (20 points). From the original-text readings for this segment of the class. You should be able to identify the play/hymn/poem, its author, characters and attributes associated with the gods and heroes, as well as details of the plot. These will be fill-in-the-blank!
4. Long identifications or essays (30 points). To be written in the blue
book. In a minimum of 4-5 sentences define the who,
what,
where, when and especially why of
terms, characters, places or things. You will choose five out of
eight possible. N.B. There is usually more to these than just
the obvious answer - explore that possibility. Don't simply re-tell a story. Use
material from the readings to "beef up" your answer.
The images will be shown first, so please be on time! You will have the full class period to complete the exam, but you may not need it. You are responsible for all material presented in class and in the relevant readings.
For Review:
You will need to know names and relationships that are
significant to the mythological cycles connected to the various
cities/families/heroes.....so, review the geneological
charts!
Dionysus: his characteristics and attributes, his companions - the maenads and satyrs, know the circumstances of his birth and how he acquired his cult, story of King Midas, D's wife Ariadne, the story we learn from the Hymn to Dionysus, the details of his cult ritual and to whom it was most attractive, why? Review the Bacchae and what it tells us about Dionysus's cult and of the later Athenian feelings towards it. Know the origins of the theatre and how it relates to the god and his festival/s.
Heroes: know the elements of the "heroic pattern" and review in
each instance below whether or not the heroes discussed fit the
pattern or not, and how they divert from the typical account. Review
the ideas of honor ('time') and fame ('kleos')
Women in myth - know the pattern/ categories in which women appear
in myth and be able to cite an example: wives/mothers;
helper-maidens; hero-impersonators; brides of death; and victorious
heroines; review the Alcestis
and think about the "roles" of women in Greek society and who designs
the roles
The House of Cadmus: where does he come from and why?, how does he
establish the city of Thebes? Pay special attention to the use of the
Oracle of Delphi through many generations of this family - how
important a plot device is it? Oedipus: the circumstances of his
birth, adoption and especially return to Thebes. Review the plays Oedipus the King and Antigone. Also be familiar with
the basic story in between, especially the "7 against Thebes."
The House of Aeolus: the descent from the "Flood couple", details of the foreign land and family - Aeetes and Medea, return of Jason to Iolkos and his relationship with Pelias, The Argonauts and the search for the golden fleece - know the basic story, geography and participants (The Argonautica). For the post voyage years - know the details of Jason and Medea's lives in Iolkos and then in Corinth. Review the Medea and how it tells the female perspective.
Calydonian Boar Hunt: know the story and the characters
The House of Danaus: its origins and early years outside Greece,
the circumstances of Perseus's conception, birth and youth, the
details of his quest - who helped him, what objects did he acquire
and use, his return and the acquisition of Andromeda.
Herakles: relation to Perseus, circumstances of his conception, birth
and youth, the 12 labors and what they entailed (know geography as
well). What did he go on to do and how did his life end?
Theseus and myths of Crete: how does Theseus' story repeat/copy that of Herakles? Why? Know his origins and labors and most importantly his connections to Crete - the Minotaur and the stories of his origin (is it fact or fiction?).