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 Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:20 pm
[imgleft]http://imgur.com/zwsqTpO.png[/imgleft][align=center][size=16][u][color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color]T H I R D[color=white]xxx[/color]Y E A R[color=white]xxx[/color]M Y T H O L O G Y[color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color][/u][/size]
[list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list][list]
[img]http://imgur.com/1VAMsAw.png.png[/img]
[size=10]Taught by [url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=23064589]Professor Amata Harlowe[/url]
Thursday :: Block 7 :: 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm[/size]
[img]https://imgur.com/wP255Ev.png[/img]
[size=11][u][color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color]The Lesson[color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color][/u][/size]
[align=justify][size=10]Mythology can refer either to the collected myths of a group of people—their body of stories which they tell to explain nature, history, and customs—or to the study of such myths. As a collection of such stories, mythology is an important feature of every culture. Various origins for myths have been proposed, ranging from personification of natural phenomena to truthful or hyperbolic accounts of historical events, to explanations of existing ritual. Although the term is complicated by its implicit condescension, mythologizing is not just an ancient or primitive practice, as shown by contemporary mythopoeia such as urban legends and the expansive fictional mythoi created by fantasy novels and Japanese manga. A culture's collective mythology helps convey belonging, shared and religious experience, behavioral models, and moral and practical lessons. As the study of myth, mythology dates back to antiquity. Mythology is taught as an elective subject from the third year on at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.[/size]
[align=center][img]https://imgur.com/wP255Ev.png[/img]
[size=11][u][color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color]The Classroom[color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color][/u][/size][/align]
[size=10]The Mythology classroom is a small, comfortable space, bathed in the soft purple and golden glow. The light emanates from the center of several large tiger and stargazer lillies, which float about the room's ceiling. There are no desks, but rather serveral low tables, covered in purple table cloths with silver and gold patterns. These are surrounded, not by chairs, but several large, soft satin pillows in tones matching the cloths. The walls are covered in various tapestries depicting scenes from both muggle and wizard myth, all in a monochromatic sepia tone with purple accents. Any space not covered in the tapestries is taken up by bookshelves. Two shelves closest to the back of the room have several copies of the various texts used in the class for students who chose to take it at the last minute. In front of these two shelves are a table, slightly higher than the others, with only one pillow directly behind it, which serves as Professor Harlowe's desk. The desk is covered in stacks of books and papers with various notes and lesson plans written across them. There is no manner of organization, the papers are simply stacked wherever she could find room. To the left of the desk is a small board, where any notes for the students to copy are written.[/size][/align]
[size=16][u][color=white]x[/color]× [b]×[/b] × Notice to Roleplayers × [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]x[/color][/u][/size]
[size=11]Classroom Interaction:
[b]×[/b] Each lesson has "discussion prompt" which poses a question or topic of debate for students [b]×[/b]
[b]×[/b] To "participate" in this class, you may post your character responding to either one of the prompts, or a fellow student who has already posted [b]×[/b]
[b]×[/b] Please specify in your post which lesson you are responding to [b]×[/b]
[b]×[/b] If you want professor input, tag [b]MJ Spooks[/b] [b]×[/b]
[b]×[/b] If the discussion in class gets heated/would require professor intervention, tag [b]MJ Spooks[/b] [b]×[/b]
[b]×[/b] Participation in lessons will earn house points; starting fights will lose them [b]×[/b]
[b]×[/b] You may also use this space as a "free roleplay" space to chat with friends, but be warned: [b]×[/b]
[b]×[/b] The professor may give you detention or take house points for failing to take the lesson seriously [b]×[/b]
[b]×[/b] Detentions will be served and homework should be turned in at Professor Harlowe's Office [b]×[/b]
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Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:37 pm
[align=center][size=16][u][color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color]THIRD [i]Y E A R[/i] LESSONS [i]A N D[/i] HOMEWORK[color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color][/u][/size]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson One [b]×[/b][/u]
Beedle the Bard[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]The Man:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Born in Yorkshire in the 15th century.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Author of many of the wizarding world’s most well-known and famous folktales.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Little is known of the man or his personal life.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Many of his tales sparked controversy due to his apparently high opinion of non-magical folk and treatment of wizards who valued pure bloodlines or ambitious designs.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] He mistrusted all forms of Dark Magic and believed that wizards were far from immune to the lure of those worst traits of humankind.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] His stories were unusual in that in them, the heroes were rarely those with the strongest magic, but rather those who possessed traits such as kindness, common sense, and ingenuity.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] There are various parallels between Beedle and the famous muggle playwright William Shakespeare, both of whom are referred to as ‘The Bard.’ Less informed readers are often of the incorrect belief that they were actually one and the same person.
[color=#c16a6d]Detractors:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Many people at the time believed that the Bard's tales were dangerous.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Some saw them as pro-muggle, anti-wizard propaganda, that was meant to teach magical children that muggles were better than them.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] In reality, the purpose of the stories was to teach children to place value, not on their magical heritage or prowess, but on how good of a person they were.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Interestingly, there was one notable opponent to Beedle the Bard who was not offended by his stories themselves, but rather the 'violent' and 'unsettling' way they were presented.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Beatrix Bloxam adapted his stories into the infamous 'Toadstool Tales', a series meant to make the stories more appropriate and palatable for young children. Instead, it made them vomit.
[color=#c16a6d]The Stories:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Fountain of Fair Fortune: Enclosed in a magical garden lays The Fountain of Fair Fortune, a magical fountain whose waters are believed to cure the aliment of any bathe in its waters. Three witches, suffering from poverty, illness and heartbreak, travel with an unfortunate knight to seek its blessing.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Wizard and the Hopping Pot: A kindly old wizard, who uses his magic to help the non-magical folk of a nearby village, passes away, leaving his blood purist son as their only assistance in times of trouble. The son, however, has little interest in helping the muggles. He is punished for his hard headedness by a magical pot, which his father enchanted to become afflicted with anything those in the village are afflicted with.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Warlock's Hairy Heart: A warlock becomes convinced that love is a true weakness, and seeking to become powerful and without any weaknesses, locks his heart away so that he can never fall in love.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] One of the most important things to know about the Bard is that he was a controversial figure in his time, and is still considered to be one by some. His views were ahead of their time, radical for the period. Can anyone tell me why, or offer up any interesting information on the Bard? Or, if you have a question, feel free to ask.
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color]Write a short essay on Beedle and how public opinion of muggles during his lifetime may have led to controversy concerning his stories. Offer your opinion on the perspectives of both the Bard and his peers.[/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Two [b]×[/b][/u]
The Fountain of Fair Fortune[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Summary:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Enclosed in a magical garden lays The Fountain of Fair Fortune, a magical fountain whose waters are believed to cure the aliment of any bathe in its waters. Three witches, suffering from poverty, illness and heartbreak, travel with an unfortunate knight to seek its blessing. As they travel, each witch faced a trial which helped her to overcome her woes, so that when they came across the fountain, each forsook the right to bathe in its waters, offering it instead to the knight.
[color=#c16a6d]Controversy:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] This tale has long been discounted and discredited by blood purists, who attack it for its depiction of romance between a witch and a muggle. Over the years, there have been many petitions started to have it removed from the library of Hogwarts and to cease its inclusion in publications of the Bard’s tales.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] This story has all the makings of your classic fairy tale. It had trials and tribulations, characters with tragic backstories rising above their troubles, romance, and an ending meant to inspire. In spite of being by and large a positive story, it has often been attacked by certain subsets of the magical community. Can anyone guess why?
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Write a short essay on the idea of the Fountain and why you think it worked, despite the fact that its waters held no true enchantment.
[/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Three [b]×[/b][/u]
The Wizard and the Hopping Pot[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Summary:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] A kindly old wizard, who uses his magic to help the non-magical folk of a nearby village, passes away, leaving his blood purist son as their only assistance in times of trouble. The son, however, has little interest in helping the muggles. He is punished for his hard headedness by a magical pot, which his father enchanted to become afflicted with anything those in the village are afflicted with.
[color=#c16a6d]Controversy:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] This particular tale has been subject to two rewrites, for different reasons. Beatrix Bloxam rewrote the tale to make it more appropriate for children, believing that the depiction of the pot was too gruesome for children. On the other hand, blood purists rewrote the tale to completely change the depictions of the father and son. In the original tale, the father is depicted as a kindly old man, and much cleverer than his son. The son, a blood purist, is shown to be cruel and selfish. In the Bard’s tale, the Hopping Pot is a device created by the father, meant to force the son out of his selfish ways and teach him to help the muggles who live in the nearby village as he had in his life. But, in the revised version, the Pot instead is meant to protect the son from the muggles, who attack him for practicing magic. In this version, the Pot gulps most of the villagers, and the wizard tells the muggles that if they leave him alone, they will be safe. Copies of the original story were destroyed to such an extent that it was considered a miracle that any child has heard it. Many wizard children still grow up hearing only the revised edition.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] The controversial nature of this particular story abounds; it has been written and rewritten time and time again by people who did not agree with its message and wished to bastardize it for their own gains. Can anyone tell me what about this story offended so many people?
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Write a short essay on the differences between the original story and either of the revised versions. Discuss your opinions on the validity of these alterations. [/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Four [b]×[/b][/u]
The Warlock's Hairy Heart[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Summary:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] A warlock becomes convinced that love is a true weakness, and seeking to become powerful and without any weaknesses, locks his heart away so that he can never fall in love. After overhearing his servants mocking him for failing to attract a wife despite all his wealth and power, he resolves to find the perfect witch to be his bride. He finds such a witch and attempts to court her, but she is able to sense his coldness, and says she would marry him, if only he had a heart. He takes her to the deepest dungeon of his castle and shows her his heart, which has grown hairy and shriveled through years of remaining untouched. He attempts to place it back in his chest, but the years of seclusion have perverted it and made it dark. He kills the witch and take her heart in an attempt to replace the one in his chest with it, but the heart is too powerful, and the warlock and witch are both found dead.
[color=#c16a6d]Controversy:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Unlike many of the Bard’s tales, this particular story has never been subject to criticism for pro-muggle sentiments, as there are none to be found. However, it is the darkest and most disturbing of the stories, making it an interesting fact that, of all the Bard’s stories, it is the most prevalent and well known, at least in regards to the original story. Professor Albus Dumbledore believed that this is because the tale speaks to the darkest parts of the human soul and as such was regarded as an important lesson for young witches and wizards, teaching them not to seek power by meddling in the dark arts. Parallels have been drawn between the warlock’s act of removing his heart and the creation of a Horcrux. The story has had such an impact that the phrase 'To have a hairy heart' was often heard in years past to describe a person who was unfeeling.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] This story is, in a word, horrifying. It was meant to evoke feelings of fear and shock. This is a far cry from the Bard's other stories, which are typically considered to be much more light-hearted. It has been suggested that the rather graphic nature of the story was intentional; the Bard meant to shock his readers so that they would always remember the story, to ensure that the lesson it held stuck with them. Can anyone tell me what the purpose of this particular story is?
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Write a short essay on the phrase 'to have a hairy heart' and why you believe the heart became so cold and twisted in its years of seclusion. [/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2022 3:22 am
[align=center][size=16][u][color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color]FOURTH [i]Y E A R[/i] LESSONS [i]A N D[/i] HOMEWORK[color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color][/u][/size]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson One [b]×[/b][/u]
The Difference Between History and Mythology[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Definition of History:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] A branch of knowledge that records and explains past events.
[color=#c16a6d]Definition of Mythology:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] An allegorical narrative
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] A body of myths, IE
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] The myths dealing with the gods, demigods and legendary heroes of a particular people
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] A pattern of beliefs expressing, often symbolically, the characteristic or prevalent attitudes of a group or culture
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] A branch of knowledge that deals with myth
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] A popular belief or assumption that has grown upa nd around someone or something
[color=#c16a6d]Explaining the Difference:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] 'History' at its core is accepted as fact. That which is 'historical' is assumed to have happened in the past, with little room for argument. Events are recorded as they occur, or evidence of past events are discovered, and the findings are recorded and taken as a factual account of an event or era or culture.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Mythology, on the other hand, is widely believed to be a story, having either been disproved by science and historical fact, or belief in the truth of it having been forgotten or let go of as time progressed.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] The difference between Mythology and Fiction is that a myth was, at some point, taken as fact, and fiction has more or less always been known to be untrue. Myths are works of fiction, but they were believed to be truth at some point.
[color=#c16a6d]Blurring the Lines:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Myths of ancient cultures typically stemmed from a desire to explain that which ancient peoples lacked the ability to understand.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] As time progressed, many have either been disproved through study, or the cultures that believed in them have lost touch with that belief.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] For instance, it is technically impossible to prove the existence of one set of ancient gods over the other, or to prove that any particular set of deities does or does not exist at all, but most modern people accept that the gods of their ancestors are myths, not fact.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] Likewise, muggle study of science has proven, to the best of its ability, that certain myths are simply not true.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] There was a time when all so-called myths were taken as fact; therefore, it can be assumed that, in the future, that which we consider history now may be proven myth as well.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] However, history is recorded and written by man, and is therefore subject to subjective interpretations and, in some cases, heavy editing via exaggeration and omission. History is accepted as fact, but it can often be just as unreliable as mythology is.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] Share your personal favorite mythological story with the class. Discuss why our ancestors may have believed it, and what contributed to loss of belief in it.
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color]Put yourself in the position of an ancient scholar, and write a short 'myth' regarding a common, everyday occurrence, such as the phases of the moon or a thunderstorm.[/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Two [b]×[/b][/u]
The Quintaped[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]The Creature:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Quintaped is a carnivorous five legged beast, covered in hair, also known as a Hairy MacBoon. They are indigenous to the Isle of Drear. It is classified as extremely dangerous by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. They are believed to have, at one time, been wizards. This cannot be verified, however, as they have resisted all attempts to be Untransfigured. Due to their dangerous nature, the Isle of Drear has been made Unplottable to prevent people from going to the island and being harmed.
[color=#c16a6d]The Myth:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Long ago, the Isle of Drear was home to two warring clans, the MacBoons and McCliverts. One night, the two family heads engaged in a drunken wizards duel, and McClivert died. In retaliation, the McClivert clan transfigured the entire MacBoon clan into Quintapeds. However, they soon realized that this was an awful idea. The MacBoons were famous for being wholly inept at casting magic. But, as the Quintaped, they became powerful, and quite dangerous to their McClivert rivals. In their attempts to rectify the situation and return them to their natural state, the entire McClivert clan met their doom.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] Do you believe it is possible for the Quintaped to be a family of Transfigured wizards? Provide evidence to support your opinion.
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Mythology is often intended as a cautionary tale. Write a short essay describing what lesson the originator of this myth might have intended the listener to learn.[/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Three [b]×[/b][/u]
Unicorn Blood[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]The Creature:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Unicorn is one of the most famous magical creatures in the world, being so prevalent that there are still muggles who believe in their existence, despite efforts on the part of wizards to hide their existence. Unicorns are often mistaken for horses, being indistinguishable from them except for the single horn in the middle of their head. As a foul, they are a perfect golden color, their hides turning silver, and then white as they age, with golden hooves. They prefer the presence of women over men, and inhabit forests across the whole of the UK.
[color=#c16a6d]The Myth:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Unicorns are said to possess many magical qualities, and have long been sought out for their various parts, as each hold magical qualities. Their hair is often used in the making of wands, and their horns are ground for potions ingredients. However, the most mysterious and perhaps disturbing use for a Unicorn is to drink its blood. The Unicorn, being one of the most beautiful and purest creatures in the magical world, is considered almost sacred, and to slay one is a vicious crime. Legend holds that a witch or wizard who is at the brink of death may slay and drink its blood to prolong their life, but because they have committed such an egregious act, their life shall be cursed from the moment it touches their lips. The exact details of the curse are unknown.
[color=#c16a6d]Historical Evidence:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The most notable occurrence of the slaying and drinking of a unicorn’s blood was committed by Professor Quirinus Quirrell on behalf of the Dark Lord Voldemort, who, lacking a body of his own, was sharing Quirrell’s at the time. Shortly after committing the act, Quirrell died, although it is impossible to say whether or not this is the effect of the curse.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] Discuss whether or not you believe in the curse of the blood and what you believe the ill effects of drinking said blood might be.
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Mythology is often intended as a cautionary tale. Write a short essay describing what lesson the originator of this myth might have intended the listener to learn.[/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Four [b]×[/b][/u]
The Sorting Hat[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]The Hat:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The sorting hat is an enchanted hat which is used to determine which house every Hogwarts student belongs to. It does so by reading the child's mind and determining which house best suits their personality and needs.
[color=#c16a6d]The Myth:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Legend had it that the Sorting Hat was sewn roughly one thousand years ago and began as a normal hat belonging to Godric Gryffindor. When the founders wondered how they would continue to sort the students when the four were dead, Gryffindor pulled his hat from his head and, along with the other founders, enchanted it with their combined intelligence. All four founders wanted to ensure that students would be sorted into their eponymous houses, which would be selected according to each founder's particular preferences in students.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The veracity of this story is not confirmed, despite the hat being quite capable of sharing its own account of the events. The most the hat has said on the matter is that the founders, quote, "put some brains in me," or similar phrasing, during the song it sings at the beginning of each sorting ceremony.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] An interesting note; the song, as far as anyone can tell, is different every year, and has been for the entirety of current memory. The hat claims that it spends all year between sortings writing a new one, as it has nothing else to do.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] The hat adamantly claims to've never gotten a sorting wrong; however, history is full of examples of seemingly questionable sortings. What do you believe contributed to the hat's odd choices in these instances?
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Recount your own sorting, and discuss what traits you believe contributed to your placement.[/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2022 1:29 am
[align=center][size=16][u][color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color]FIFTH [i]Y E A R[/i] LESSONS [i]A N D[/i] HOMEWORK[color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color][/u][/size]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson One [b]×[/b][/u]
The Founders of Hogwarts[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Godric Gryffindor[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Founder of Gryffindor House, known for bravery, valor, determination, and strength of heart.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Famed warrior, known for his prowess both with a wand against fellow wizards, and a sword when fighting on the battlefield alongside muggles.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Far from being a simple brute, as some would describe him, Gryffindor was a master strategist on the battlefield, and exceptionally clever.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The creation of the sorting hat, according to myth, was his idea, though all four founders worked together on the magic to enchant it.
[color=#c16a6d]Helga Hufflepuff[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Founder of Hufflepuff House, known for acceptance, hard work, and loyalty.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Famed cook, known for creating and perfecting many food-related charms and many of the recipes still used by Hogwarts House-Elves for meals.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Not as much is known about Hufflepuff, possibly due to many of her accomplishments having been her influence on her students, rather than feats of bravery in battle or stunning magic.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] However, her legacy is one that cannot be questioned, one of acceptance and patience. In allowing students into her house regardless of their background and apparent skills, she paved the way for open-mindedness and kindness among the wizarding world.
[color=#c16a6d]Rowena Ravenclaw[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Founder of Ravenclaw House, known for cleverness, creativity, and wit.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Famed for her sharp mind, Ravenclaw is credited with the creation of many powerful spells and the inventive protective measures for Hogwarts.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Perhaps her most famous and interesting accomplishment was the creation of her Diadem, an object said to grant her wisdom to the wearer. However, the truth of these claims cannot be verified, as the Diadem was destroyed in the Second Wizarding War.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Ravenclaw was known for being strict and intimidating, though one could argue that she must have been loving as well, willing to forgive great injustices done against her, such as the betrayal she suffered at the hands of her daughter.
[color=#c16a6d]Salazar Slytherin[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Founder of Slytherin House, known for ambition, cunning, and resourcefulness.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Famed for his ruthlessness and determination to accomplish his goals and follow his beliefs, even going so far as to build the Chamber of Secrets below Hogwarts Castle before departing, to ensure that his desire to keep out muggleborns would be fulfilled even in his absence.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color]Fraught with controversy, Slytherin is a figure that is hard to understand. It is hard to say if history's version of him, a villain who believed muggles to be unworthy, is reality, or merely something that has been assumed of him.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] However, he remains one of the 'four most brilliant' wizards of his time, and was at some point or another friends with the other three founders. From what we understand, it's hard to believe that they could be taken in by someone as nefarious as Slytherin is thought to've been, implying that there is more to his story than we know.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] We are now many centuries removed from the actual historical reality of the school's founders. How do you suppose their reputations have been changed or embellished over time?
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Choose the founder for any house but your own. Write a short essay about what we know about them, comparing and contrasting known fact with legend and rumor. [/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Two [b]×[/b][/u]
The Chamber of Secrets[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Salazar Slytherin[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Professor Salazar Slytherin was a pure-blood wizard of medieval times. He was a Parselmouth (a wizard with the rare ability to speak with snakes) and skilled at Legilimency. He was one of the four founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the former best friend of Godric Gryffindor, a fellow founder.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Slytherin didn't trust Muggle-born students, and he expressed his opinion not to accept them at Hogwarts. However, when the other Hogwarts founders didn't agree, Slytherin created the Chamber of Secrets, concealing a basilisk inside. Afterwards he left the school, never to return. He died sometime in the Middle Ages.
[color=#c16a6d]The Chamber[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Chamber of Secrets was said to be hidden away, so that only the Heir of Slytherin could ever find it, and house a monster which only the heir could control.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] As no one was ever able to locate the Chamber, it was dismissed as a myth. However, in the 1940’s, there was a series of attacks, leading to the paralysis of several muggle born students, culminating in the death of student Myrtle, who now haunts the girl’s bathroom on the second floor, known better to students as Moaning Myrtle.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] Then-student Rubeus Hagrid was blamed for the attacks and expelled, but remained at the school as gamekeeper.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Later, in the 1990’s while Harry Potter attended Hogwarts, the Chamber was opened again, and Hagrid was briefly taken to Azkaban prison.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] It was later proven that the culprit, in both instances of the Chamber being opened, was none other than Tom Riddle, known later in life as Lord Voldemort.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] The first time, Riddle was a student in attendance at Hogwarts, and was in fact the one who turned Hagrid in. The second time, he was acting through use of a Horcrux and student Ginny Weasley.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] We now know the existence of the Chamber of Secrets to be very real. However, it's likely that over time, details regarding its existence may change or be forgotten. Which details do you think will be forgotten, and which do you believe will prevail? How do you suppose the story will be embellished?
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Research and write an essay detailing another myth regarding the construction of Hogwarts castle. [/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Three [b]×[/b][/u]
The Deathly Hallows[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]The Three Brothers[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Three brothers, skilled in magic and very clever, use magic to avoid drowning in a dangerous river. They are met by Death, who proceeds to congratulate them for avoiding an untimely demise and offers them each a boon for evading him.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] The eldest brother asked for the most powerful wand to ever exist, and was granted the Elder Wand.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] The middle brother asked to be able to reclaim people from Death's grasp, and was granted the Resurrection Stone.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] The youngest brother asked for a gift which would allow to him go unseen by Death, and was given Death's own Invisibility Cloak.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The eldest brother immediately tested the might of the Elder Wand and killed a man with whom he had quarreled. He later boasted of the wand's power. That night another man crept into his room and murdered him, stealing the wand.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The middle brother resurrected a girl he had once hoped to marry. But she returned as a shade of herself, and suffered greatly from being brought back. Miserable and maddened by her state, he killed himself to join her truly in death.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The youngest brother, wiser than the other two, donned the Invisibility Cloak, and wore it until he was old and ready to die. When he finally removed it, he entered the afterlife as Death's equal.
[color=#c16a6d]The Deathly Hallows[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The three items given to the brothers in the story are believed by some to be real, and are called the "Deathly Hallows."
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] If a wizard were to possess all three items, it is said that he would become the "Master of Death."
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Though there is no hard evidence as to the existence of any of these objects, myth and rumor persists.
[color=#c16a6d]The Elder Wand[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Taken by Death from a nearby Elder tree and given to the eldest brother, it is said that the possessor of this wand cannot be defeated in combat.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] Indeed, in the story, the brother is killed in his sleep.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The loyalty of the wand is said to be won by overtaking or defeating its master, presumably through means other than a proper duel.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] There have, over the course of history, been a multitude of rumors regarding the existence of a wand which could not be defeated, which was heavily sought after by those who desired power.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] People said to've posessed the Elder Wand at some time or another include Emeric the Evil and Barnabas Deverill. Even more recently, it is theorized that, if such a thing existed, it may have been owned by the likes of Gellert Grindlewald and Tom Riddle aka Lord Voldemort.
[color=#c16a6d]The Resurrection Stone[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Originally a river rock near where Death encountered the three brothers, the stone was imbued by Death with the power to bring a departed soul back to the land of the living.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] However, a soul cannot truly be returned from the afterlife; what comes back instead is said to be a "shade," though what exactly this means is not clear. It is said that the Shade is not able to live a proper life among the living, and suffers for it.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Unlike the other two Hallows, there is no recorded existence of such a stone existing after the events of the story.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] This is the greatest indicator in some people's minds that the story is just that, a story. If there were truly an object which could return the dead, surely it would have been used and made it into some historical account somewhere along the line.
[color=#c16a6d]The Invisibility Cloak[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Unlike the other two Hallows, this one was not an item Death enchanted on a whim during the encounter with the brothers. Rather, he gave the youngest brother a piece of his very own cloak.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Unlike the typical invisibility cloak a wizard might find in a high-end shop, this cloak was said to be infallible, with an enchantment that would never fade or fail, hence why the brother was able to avoid Death for all his life.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Like the Resurrection Stone, after the events of the story, the cloak seems to disappear from history.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Unlike the Stone, however, it does not appear to stay that way. It is reasonably well-documented that Harry Potter was in possession of an invisibility cloak, one which seemingly never lost its enchantment.
[color=white]xxx[/color] Further, this cloak is rumored to've been a family heirloom, which would mean that the enchantment on it was excessively long-lived, even if it wasn't eternal.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The supposed existence of this cloak is the greatest evidence in favor of the existence of the Hallows, but Harry Potter has declined to verify any details regarding it.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] Some conspiracy theorists regard his refusal to discuss it as evidence that the story is in fact true, and that it is in fact the cloak from the story.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] If you believe that the story is true and the Hallows exist, where do you suppose they are now? Presumably Harry Potter possesses the cloak, but what about the other two?
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color]If given the opportunity, which of the Hallows would you take for your own? Consider the Tale of the Three Brothers when forming your thoughts and write a short essay outlining them.[/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Four [b]×[/b][/u]
The Boy Who Lived[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Harry Potter - The Man[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Harry James Potter, born 31 July 1980, was the only son of James and Lily Potter.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] On Halloween of 1981, Tom Riddle (aka Lord Voldemort) attacked the Potter's home, located in Godric's Hollow, and murdered James and Lily, presumably for their involvement with The Order of the Phoenix, a group of wizards who had organized with the goal of defeating Riddle.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Remarkably, Harry Potter survived the attack with only a scar on his forehead, while it seemed that Riddle died in the event. How exactly this occurred was not clear, but Riddle disappeared overnight.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Potter was then placed in the care of his mother's sister and her husband, a muggle couple.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Potter began attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1991.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] His school years were marked by turmoil and strange events, culminating in the return of Lord Voldemort at the end of his fourth year.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] Events include the opening of the Chamber of Secrets, the escape of Sirius Black from Azkaban Prison, and being entered into the Triwizard Tournament despite being under the age limit.
[color=white]xxxxxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] Regarding the last, Potter claims not to've entered himself. How his name came to be in the Goblet has been left largely up to speculation, but it's theorized that it was part of a plot that resulted in Riddle's apparent resurrection following the final task of the tournament.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Potter dropped out of school following the death of then-Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, seemingly set on a mission that would result in the final death of Riddle.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] There has been a lot of speculation about the specific events that occurred during his school years and following Riddle's return, but the veracity of the record is uncertain, due to missing information and embellishments.
[color=#c16a6d]Harry Potter - The Myth[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The death of Potter's parents and nature of his own survival skyrocketed him into fame overnight, despite his being only a year old.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] Some claim that young Potter was the intended target of the attack, claiming that there was a prophecy which foretold Riddle's defeat at his hands. This is unverified.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Unsurprisingly, his life has been marked by much in the way of rumor and legend.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] It is known that he was involved in the destruction of the Sorcerer's Stone, the closing of the Chamber of Secrets in 1993, and the ultimate defeat of Voldemort, but details on how each of these events occurred are sparse.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Many superficial rumors were spread regarding him during his fourth year of school, during the Triwizard Tournament, which brought his fame to an international level, ranging from rumors of tattoos to rumors regarding his romantic relationships.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Further, and greater, rumors began to surface after he disappeared following Dumbledore's death. It was said that he was seeking to defeat Riddle single-handedly.
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] Indeed, at The Battle of Hogwarts, Potter at one point disappeared in the Forbidden Forest at the dark wizard's behest, only for Riddle to return with a seemingly-dead Potter in hand. How he fooled Riddle with such a ruse is unclear, but he was plainly not dead, as he seemingly revived and subsequently defeated Riddle.
[color=white]xxx[/color] It is rumored that Riddle possessed a special magic which prevented him from dying, with the specifics ranging from horcruxes to the Resurrection Stone spoken of in The Tale of Three Brothers. Some believe that Potter stole the source of Riddle's magic and used it himself.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Much of Potter's life is a mystery, as following the war, he took to a private life, and spoke little to reporters. Thus, people filled in the blanks with their own theories.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] Think of what you know about Harry Potter, and how much of it is fact versus how much is speculation. How do you suppose his story might be embellished further, the less people remember of his actual life?
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Imagine yourself in the place of Harry Potter, and speculate on the sorts of rumors people might tell about you, based on only a surface view of your own life. [/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2022 2:45 am
[align=center][size=16][u][color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color]SIXTH [i]Y E A R[/i] LESSONS [i]A N D[/i] HOMEWORK[color=white]xxxx[/color]× [b]×[/b] ×[color=white]xxxx[/color][/u][/size]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson One [b]×[/b][/u]
The Difference Between Muggle and Magical Mythology[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Definition of Mythology:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] An allegorical narrative
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] A body of myths, IE
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] The myths dealing with the gods, demigods and legendary heroes of a particular people
[color=white]xxx[/color][color=#efbaba]×[/color] A pattern of beliefs expressing, often symbolically, the characteristic or prevalent attitudes of a group or culture
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] A branch of knowledge that deals with myth
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] A popular belief or assumption that has grown upa nd around someone or something
[color=#c16a6d]Muggle Mythology:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] By and large, Muggle Mythology is made up of the myths and legends specific to ancient cultures, which have largely fallen out of practice and belief.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] An example of this is the myths of Ancient Greece, pertaining to the pantheon of gods and the worship of them. Modern Greek culture, for the most part, no longer believes in the gods of Mount Olympus or believes the stories about them.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The study of mythology is closely tied to the study of history, but the two are viewed as wholly separate from one another in most respects.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] History is a factual depiction of what did happen, Mythology is a depiction of the interpretation of the events, oftentimes made by people who had no real understanding of the world and how things happened.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] For instance, history paints a picture of the discovery of how our solar system works, that the Sun is at its center and the Earth, and other planets, revolve around it. There are fixed points in history regarding the discovery of each planet, and of the advancements in knowledge teaching us about their orbits.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Mythology's part in this story is found in the sun gods of old. Ancient peoples, not having the understanding of their descendants, came up with all manner of stories to explain the sun, and the stars, and how they and the Earth interacted with one another.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] In Greek Mythology, the god Apollo would bring the sun into the sky each morning with a chariot, journeying across the sky with it each day. Another example, which is not generally considered, is the ancient belief that the sun revolved around the Earth. This was proven incorrect by study, and thus, it is a myth.
[color=#c16a6d]Magical Mythology:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] In general, the mythology of the magical world differs from that of muggles in that there are very few stories that are specific to wizarding culture, or from an attempt to explain the unexplained.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Generally speaking, magic is very much accepted as the answer to the unexplained, without the need to create godlike figures or invent rules of nature to make mysteries make sense.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] More frequently, myths in magical history come, not from a lack of understanding of events as they happen, but in the facts of an event being lost to time.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] For example, the story of Salazar Slytherin's departure from Hogwarts, and The Chamber of Secrets, is one rife with controversy and misinformation. Theories have abounded as to the details of why Slytherin fell out with his fellow founders, where the chamber was located, and what lay within.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] With the openings of the Chamber in our recent history, much of this information was rediscovered (with the exception of the true nature of Slytherin's departure, which can only be left up to speculation, as their are no sources capable of speaking to the facts that are willing to do so).
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] However, the details even on the most recent events are obscured by a lack of willingness to discuss them, as well as the fear of the spread of certain knowledge (specifically, how to open the chamber). It is likely that, as the years progress, more and more of this information will be warped and lost to time, until the story once again becomes a proper myth.
[color=#c16a6d]Similarities:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Both Muggle and Magical mythology are subject to changing over time. Details are lost to history as the minds that remember them leave this world, and second hand knowledge becomes Sixth hand, fourth hand, and so on.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Consider the spread of rumors across the school; if you asked ten students a question regarding the same rumor, each student would likely have heard a different version, depending on where they heard it from, how many people it had to pass through to get to them, and how reliable each source was. History and Mythology suffer from the same issue, on a much larger scale. The more people tell the story, the fuzzier the details get.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Likewise, while there are a good many creatures believed to be mythical by muggles that are known to be real by wizardkind, there are a good many creatures that even we consider mythical. Gods and goddesses, for instance, are a subject of great debate, and certain publications are famous for telling what are generally regarded as tall tales of encounters with nonexistent creatures.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] Consider a myth you know, either native to Muggle or Magical myth, and consider it from the opposite angle; what details would a person from the other side be able to explain, and which aspects would confound them?
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color]Write a short essay comparing and contrasting muggle and magical culture and how myths are derived from each.[/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Two [b]×[/b][/u]
Crossovers Between Muggle and Magical Mythology[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Magical Creatures:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Some of the most prevalent muggle myths are about creatures like dragons, unicorns, and the like.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] However, in spite of knowing the truth of these creatures, magical people have just as many mythological creatures.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] One way that muggles answer the question regarding dragons, for instance, is by saying that their ancestors found and ascribed stories to the bones of dinosaurs.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Magical people do similar things with creatures we do not believe in, such as Wrackspurts. Afflictions such as those supposedly caused by these creatures are generally explained as lack of sleep, or the ill-effects of a spell.
[color=#c16a6d]The Faire Folk:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] There are a lot of fae creatures in muggle myth with direct counterparts in magical reality, such as the resemblance between House-Elves and Brownies.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] However, the belief in the Faire Folk extends far beyond this. Both Magical and Muggle people hold many beliefs regarding 'fairy' creatures, including a belief in two opposing courts among a higher being of fae, tales of an alternate reality in which these beings exist, and rules regarding how to interact with the fae beings to avoid dire consequences.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] An interesting example: Some people, both magical and muggle, attest the apparent magical prowess of Santa Claus to his being fae, or being in league with the fae. Indeed, his magical powers extend far beyond what is possible for your common witch or wizard, implying there is more to him than being simply magic.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Likewise, the 'elves' who make his toys are generally thought to be fairies, even among people who believe Santa to be human.
[color=#c16a6d]Ancient Religions:[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] In ancient times, there was no separation between magical and muggle peoples.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Therefore, much of what is myth to them, is also myth to us, particularly in regards to their gods.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] While belief in the ancient pantheons persists to some small degree, most people, regardless of if they are magical or not, would agree that they are simply myths.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] This, then, is the easiest to comprehend common thread among magical and muggle people.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] The lesson outline only goes over a few broad examples of the shared traits and history of mythology between wizards and muggles. What are some others not covered here? Or, what are some more specific details, or additional examples, of those provided?
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Consider stories you were told as a child that you now know to be just that, stories, but that you believed in when you were young. If you grew up in a magical household, consider if there is a muggle equivalent. If you grew up in a muggle household, consider the reverse. [/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Three [b]×[/b][/u]
Mythology of Ancient Cultures[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Ancient Culture and Ancient Myth[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Every ancient civilization had their own culture and their own beliefs, distinct from one another.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] There was some crossover and borrowing that occurred among groups that were nearby each other, in addition to the similar needs and observations contributing to a phenomenon called "Simultaneous Invention," where multiple people develop the same thing or idea at similar times with no direct contact. So, there may be similar stories and characters in their mythology as a result.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Much of history is marked by attempted takeovers of one culture by another; when these attempts were successful, the victor often imposed their own beliefs on the people they had overtaken, contributing to some merging of ideas but also to the suppression of some cultures. Thus there is more information known about the cultures of the conquerors than the people they conquered.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Some cultures are also extremely reclusive, not wishing to share their history and culture with outsiders. Called "closed culture" or "closed practice," there is little known about the mythologies of these people by design.
[color=#c16a6d]Myth Commonalities Across Cultures[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Certain aspects of mythology will be repeated among various different cultures, marking things like widespread historical events or answering questions that were common among all peoples.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Examples include most all cultures developing their own creation myth, or story of how the world and its inhabitants came to be.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Similarly, we can ascertain that there was likely at one point a devastating flood that covered much of the earth, since many cultures have a story of such an event.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Dragons are a commonly told of mythical creature, due to the discovery of skeletons across the world. Some of these skeletons are dragons, but many of them are also dinosaurs that have been misidentified.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Many culture also have something called a "Pantheon," a collection of deities that were worshiped by their ancestors. More recently developing religions are more likely to be monotheistic or have alternative beliefs, but in ancient times many religions were polytheistic and had a god assigned to aspects of everyday life such as birth, the changing of the seasons, the sun and moon, and death.
[color=#c16a6d]Commonly Discussed Cultures[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Greek and Roman mythology are among the most well-known in the Western world, due to the Roman's attempt at conquering much of the world.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Similarly, Norse mythology is commonly known due to the Viking's penchant for travel; they went many places, and spread their beliefs wherever they went.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Here in the UK, ancient Celtic religion is well-known and frequently referenced, even among those who do not really believe in those ancient stories.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The English colonization of various Eastern countries, such as China and India, has resulted in some (frequently misinterpreted) sharing of the myths of their cultures.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Similarly, due to an obsession with Egypt which peaked during the Victorian Era, many people have a cursory knowledge of Egyptian mythology, though it is often filtered through a European lens and mistaken about many things.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] In the past, Japan was famously reclusive, refusing to interact with much of the world for a good chunk of history. But, recent decades have it coming to the forefront of the world's attention, and its culture and mythology have been shared via such mediums as video games and movies that have grown popular in non-Japanese countries.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] Is there a certain ancient culture whose mythology you are familiar with? Share what you know about them with the class.
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Choose an ancient culture you are unfamiliar with. Research an aspect of their mythology, such as a story or an entity, and write about it. [/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
[size=11][u][b]×[/b] Lesson Four [b]×[/b][/u]
Famous Muggle Myths[/size]
[spoiler]
[align=left][color=#737a82][size=10][color=#c16a6d]Greek and Roman Myths[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Heracles/Hercules: A b*****d son of Zeus is tormented by Hera as revenge for her husband's infidelity. After murdering his own wife and children after being driven mad by Hera, he must perform 12 labors in order to redeem himself.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Orpheus and Eurydice: Two lovers are separated when the woman dies an untimely death. The man makes a deal with Hades, that if he can lead her out of the Underworld without looking back over his shoulder at her, she can return to the land of the living.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Queen of the Underworld: Hades kidnaps Persephone, daughter of Demeter, to be his wife and rule alongside him. Demeter searches for her missing daughter, grieving and distracted, resulting in the world growing cold and dead.
[color=#c16a6d]Norse Myths[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Theft of Thor's Hammer: Mjollnir is stolen by one of the giants, who refuses to return it unless the beautiful goddess Freyja agrees to marry him. Thor disguises himself as the requested bride in order to regain his hammer.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Odin's One Eye: Seeking wisdom and knowledge, Odin went to Mimir, who lived by a well at the base of Yggdrasill, the world tree. He was told he could drink from the well and gain what he sought, but only if he made a sacrifice.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Ragnarok: Ragnarök refers to a series of major events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures, the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water.
[color=#c16a6d]Celtic Myths[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Salmon of Knowledge: A young boy becomes apprenticed to a poet, who shares a tale of a salmon that possesses all the knowledge of the world, which will be transferred to the person who eats it. He then catches the fish, and orders his apprentice to cook but not eat the fish.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Cattle Raid of Cooley: Queen Medb and her husband argue over who possesses the most wealth. In order to ensure her victory, Medb requests to borrow a champion bull from its owner. Before he could relinquish the bull, the owner heard one of Medb's servents saying they would've stolen the bull if he'd said no, and he then denied her, sparking a battle.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Death of Cu Chulainn: A great warrior is asked to make a choice, either decision of which will result in his breaking a taboo. Shortly thereafter, he entered a battle. Cursed by the breaking of the taboo, he was killed, but tied himself to a stone so that he might face his enemies in death.
[color=#c16a6d]Egyptian Myths[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Isis and Osiris: The god Set murdered his brother and tore his bodies to pieces. Osiris' wife, distraught, determined to find all the pieces and put them back together, thus reuniting her with her husband.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Ra and Apep: Each morning before he can set sail on his boat from the East, Ra must battle Apep, the opponent of truth and light. On the days there was an eclipse, it was said Ra lost his fight.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Girl Who Wore Red Slippers: A Grecian girl sold into Egyptian slavery is bought by a man who shows her great kindness and gives her many gifts, including a pair of red slippers. One day a slipper is stolen by an eagle and brought to the Pharaoh. Regarded as one of if not the first "Cinderella" story.
[color=#c16a6d]Japanese Myths[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Amaterasu Cave: Susanoo, god of storms, sought to claim part of of Amaterasu's heavens. Amaterasu took refuge in a cave, plunging the world into permanent night. A banquet was organized to entice the god from the cave.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Peach Boy: A childless couple find a boy inside a giant peach they intended to eat. He told them he had been sent by the gods to be their child. They raised him, until once he was grown he left them to fight oni on the island Onigashima.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Urashima Taro and the Dragon Palace: A man is rewarded for rescuing a turtle by being taken to a palace at the bottom of the sea. Time passes much more slowly at the palace; when he leaves, he is gifted a box and told never to open it.
[color=#c16a6d]Chinese Myths[/color]
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] The Moon Goddess: A man gives an immortality potion to his beloved wife to look after. When another attempts to steal it, she drinks it, and flies to the moon, where she remains to this day.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Sun Wukong and the Mountain: The Monkey King makes a wager with The Enlightened One that if he can jump out of his hand, he will become the new ruler of heaven. Sun Wukong jumps and marks a place at the end of the universe, but it was a trick by the Buddha.
[color=#efbaba]×[/color] Nian and the Chinese New Year: Nian, a monster, would regularly come down from the mountains to terrorize the people of a nearby village. A wise man suggested that the villagers chase the monster away, so they gathered many loud drums and fireworks to scare him back into the mountains.
[color=#c16a6d]Discussion Prompt:[/color] Choose one of the myths you're familiar with and give the class a more thorough account of the story, or voice your opinions on the story a classmate has shared.
[color=#c16a6d]Homework:[/color] Research a myth not discussed in class and write a short essay on its themes. [/size][/color][/align][/spoiler]
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