Perseus & The Hero's Journey (Part 1)

Perseus & The Hero's Journey (Part 1)

by Russell Smith

​Sybil

​is synonymous with ORACLE. The priestess at Delphi was called both the Delphic Sybil and the Oracle at Delphi.

Open Ended

Identify the reference to Greek mythology in the name of the oracle in

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Multiple Choice

In order to prevent Sybill Trelawney's prophecy from happening,

Voldemort did what?

• Sent Harry to kill Ms. Trelawney, knowing he would most certainly be turned to stone

• Locked Harry in the Gryffindor tower

• Tried to zap Harry with his wand, leaving the lightning shaped scar

• Begged his friend Dumbledore to feed Harry improperly cleaned puffer fish

Multiple Choice

What did Zeus do when he heard a prophecy that Metis's child

would overthrow him?

• swallowed Metis

• ignored the prophecy

Multiple Choice

Perseus' grandfather is King _________

• Acrisius

• Danae

• Dictys

• Dodona

• Polydectes

Multiple Choice

Acrisius went to the Oracle at Delphi and was told that who would kill him?

• His daughter

• His son

• His grandson

• Medusa

• Theseus

Multiple Choice

In order to prevent this prophecy from happening, Acrisius did what?

• Sent Perseus to kill Medusa

• Locked his daughter in an room

• Left his grandson tied to a tree in the forest

• Begged his father Zeus to overrule the Fates

Multiple Choice

How did Zeus disguise himself in order to "bless" Danae?

• As a bull

• As a shower of gold

• As a swan

• As her husband

• With a covering of clouds

Multiple Choice

Why does King Acrisus place Danae and Perseus in the chest and place it in the ocean?

• He is searching for a new heir.

• He is punishing his daughter for disobedience.

• He is attempting to become the king of the island.

• He is trying to defy the gods and escape his destiny.

Open Ended

Darth Vader and the Emperor both feel "a grave disturbance in the Force" telling them that someone will overthrow them. Whom does Vader believe will overthrow him, and how does this prophecy echo the Greek myths of Zeus, Kronos and Ouranos?

​Respond to the assignment on Google Classroom:

"The Greek Origins of Sybil Trelawney"

Open Ended

Describe how Dictys treats Danae and Perseus. Is he primarily kind or selfish?

Cite evidence from the Perseus story in your answer.

Open Ended

Contrast Dictys with his brother, Polydectes. Which one has more power?

Which one is a better person?

Open Ended

Contrast Uncle Owen (from Star Wars) with his brother,

Anakin Skywalker, a/k/a Darth Vader.

Open Ended

Make an argument that Perseus's life with Danae and Dictys fits the drab and impoverished archetype that we've come to expect from the Ordinary World stage. Cite evidence and explain how that supports your claim. Pay particular attention to the paragraph that begins "Perseus flushed."

Open Ended

What is Perseus's Call to Adventure? Cite evidence from the text in your answer.

Open Ended

Discuss how Danae becomes a Threshold Guardian on the page that begins "You will go around to the palace..." Remember the definition of Threshold Guardian that we discussed earlier.

Open Ended

Which archetypal role does Dictys play in the paragraphs that begin "He took Perseus by boat to the mainland"? Support your claim with evidence from the Perseus story as well as by comparison to an analogous character in Star Wars.

Open Ended

Describe how Perseus "crosses the threshold."

Compare to Dorothy's threshold crossing in The Wizard of Oz.