If you are looking for the beginning of the study for Tales of the Greek Heroes then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. Enjoy!
Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)
According to this story, what was man like when he was first made? (pg. 31)
What kind of things did Prometheus teach man how to do? (pg. 32)
How was Epimetheus different from Prometheus? (pg. 32)
What did Prometheus decide that Man needed to have in order to live a better life? (pg. 32-33)
How did Zeus trick his wife, Metis? (pg. 34)
Where did Athena come from? (pg. 34)
From what did Athena make her cloak? (pg. 35)
Who helped Prometheus reach the “summit of Olympus” undiscovered? (pg. 35)
What did foolish Silenus try to do when he first saw fire? (pg. 36)
How did fire improve the lives of man? (pg. 36)
Why does Zeus not take back the fire and destroy the race of men? (pg. 37)
What did Hephaestus do at Zeus’ command? (pg. 37-38)
What secret does Prometheus know that he will not tell Zeus? (pg. 38)
What punishment does Zeus doom Prometheus to relive each day? (pg. 38)
How did men lose the nectar of the gods? (pg. 39-40)
What was the “surer punishment” which Zeus gave to man? (pg. 40)
What did Pandora accidentally release into the world? (pg. 41)
Logic Questions: (The Interpretation/Comparison of the Text)
Seeing as how the ancient city-state of Athens is named after Athena, what might the Athenians have treasured above all else?
Finish the syllogism following the rules of validity:
No immortal beings are beings who can die.
Some Titans are beings who can die.
Therefore, …
Why might it be the case that “no Immortal may take away the gift an immortal has once given”? (pg. 37) What does this say about Zeus’ limitations?
Create a valid syllogism with this conclusion: “Therefore Zeus will not destroy mankind.” Use the information on pg. 37 to help.
Why doesn’t Prometheus spare himself the torture and simply tell Zeus how to “avert his doom”? (pg. 38)
Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)
Of the gifts which Prometheus is said to have given to man, fire is supposed to be the greatest. Do you agree or disagree that this is the most valuable? Why or why not?
Was Prometheus right to defy Zeus’ command? Why or why not?
Why do you think Zeus wanted to keep Fire out of the hands of men?
Is technological advancement inherently good? Why or why not?
What is similar in this particular story to that of the story of Gilgamesh? What should we make of this striking similarity? How do we account for it?
Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)
Read Genesis 3 and Matthew 10:16. What common idea about serpents seems to be shared by Scripture and this story?
What does the Serpent steal away in this story which he also steals in Genesis 3?
This story ends with “hope.” What does hope mean biblically and what is our one great hope as Christians? Consider 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (among many other passages which address Christian hope) when giving your answer.
Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)
Self-sacrifice, Love, Deception, Arrogance, Immortality, Ignorance, Unbelief