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SESSIONS Session 1 Pandora’s Box Warming up: The teacher will show students a short video related with the actual understanding of Pandora’s Box Myth. We have thought that Lara Croft trailerfilm is a good example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnNBqNb3taw After showing students the video, the teacher will ask students for their impressions, a short explanation of their opinion of the film. It will serve to open a short debate about the curiosity. The teacher will show a set of different pictures: students should guess what is the face hidden behind the black dot. The goal of this activity is to make students aware of the human curious condition. What do you see? A beachball
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A cat fishing
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A guitar
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A horse
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A train
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Task: Work on the myth. The teacher will ask students to read the myth individually. After that, there will be a general reading, students will reach each one a short paragraph. In their copy, there will be some words highlighted, these are the ones, the teacher expects their students will probably do not know the meaning. After the second reading, the teacher will ask students for the meaning. She/He will try to make students infer the meaning from the context and if it is impossible for them to know, the teacher will give synonyms and will explain the meaning without giving a translation.
The Myth of Pandora's Box
Prometheus had a brother named Epimetheus, who was also very wise , and, like Prometheus, he was called the "common blessing of mankind ." Epimetheus did not arouse the anger of Zeus, as his brother had done. Indeed, instead of binding him to a rock, Zeus sent a valuable present to Epimetheus' palace. And what do you suppose it was? A dear little maiden , Pandora, who was to live in the palace as a friend and helpmate for Epimetheus. Epimetheus was very rich, but very generous; and he could but grow more gentle and kind to the little Pandora, who reminded him constantly of the needs of others. But we must not forget the strange gift which the gods had sent with Pandora. This was a strong box which Pandora desired at once to open. But when Epimetheus attempted to do so, he found this inscription upon the lid:
"OPEN NOT THE BOX UNTIL THE GODS SHALL SO DECREE." So Epimetheus carried the box into the palace, and told Pandora that she could see it whenever she liked to do so, but begged her never to try to open 6
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it. Pandora promised. The beauty of the box was a constant temptation to her. She often dreamed about the contents, and longed to take just a peep . But the kind face and warning voice of Epimetheus always prevented, for somehow he always appeared just at the dangerous moment. One day Epimetheus went to the fields early in the morning; to stay until the shades of evening had fallen. Pandora tried to forget the box, but it seemed to call to her. That very morning she had found a curiously shaped key, and she was tempted to try it in the lock . She would not open the box; she would only see whether the key really did belong to it. Her hands trembled, and her breath came quickly; she thought she heard a footstep. No; it was only the water splashing in the fountain . With a little click, the key slid into the lock. It was a perfect fit. Pandora's left hand rested under the edge of the lid. She raised it gently, and peeped in. Oh-o-o-o! Whiz! Whir-r-r-r! The room was filled with tiny , fluttering creatures. Pandora had shut the lid down quickly after a very short space, and she hoped that they had not all escaped. She leaned her pretty head against the box and sobbed bitterly , listening; between sobs for the footsteps of Epimetheus. How she dreaded his return! It seemed as if a whole year passed while she waited. It was so silent in the great room. All at once a tiny voice which seemed to come from the box cried,
" Pandora! Pandora! open the box, and let us out." Pandora raised the lid again, and seated upon the edge of the box were two little beings, who said,
" Foolish little Pandora! You have not prized the blessings which the gods sent you, else you would have guarded them more carefully. They have flown away, but we will stay with you. We are Love and Hope. We will help you to undo the mischief ; but it will take much patient effort, little Pandora, to bring back the blessings to mankind." Just at that moment Epimetheus returned; and as he saw at a glance what had happened, his face grew sad, and he said,
" Pandora, we have offended the gods by holding their command so lightly. We must now strive to regain the blessings, for if they come not to us, they will never be a gift to mortals."
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PostTask: Work on the moral that curiosity killed the cat. Possible questions to be developed by students: 1. The myths are full of instances of the cruelty of the gods. Giving multiple examples, discuss the reasons for the gods’ cruelty. Is it always justified? What does the cruelty of the gods say about the Greeks’ view of the universe? 2. Discuss the role of a woman in the myth. You can relate it to nowadays or maybe to any event in the history you consider important. Do you think that Pandora should have been treated in that way if she had been a man?
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Session 2 Narcissus Warming up: The teacher will show students some pictures and a video related to the SelfieEffect.
Here is the link to the video the teacher will show in class. After students have watched the video, the teacher will ask them about their opinion or questions related to selfies and human ego. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_aPgPq6hMM ) After that, the teacher expect to move students motivation towards the reading of the myth of Narcissus. The teacher will ask students for their impression and opinion about selfies and the way teenagers are using their cameras and mobiles phones to picture everything. 9
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Task: In this section of the lesson, students will be asked to work in groups. The groups will be previously arranged by the teacher in order to divide students strategically. For example, if there are 20 students in the class, there will be 5 groups of 4 students. Each group will be asked to read the text and to fill in the following questions. 1. Do you think Narcissus is a good brother? Justify your answer.
………………….
2. What face was reflected on the water Narcissus looked at?
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3. Do you consider God’s solution fair?
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4. Why is so important the name of the protagonist of the myth?
…………………
After that, each group will chose a representative that will explain the way they have understood the myth. After reading the text, the teacher will work on the underlined words in order to make sure students have understood everything.
The Myth of Narcissus
Narcissus had a twin sister whom he loved better than anyone else in the world. This sister died when she was young and very beautiful. Narcissus missed her so very much that he wished he might die too.
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One day, as he sat on the ground by a spring, looking absently into the water and thinking of his lost sister, he saw a face like hers, looking up at him. It seemed as if his sister had become a water-nymph and were actually there in the spring, but she would not speak to him. Of course the face Narcissus saw was really the reflection of his own face in the water, but he did not know that. In those days there were no clear mirrors like ours; and the idea of one's appearance that could be got from a polished brass shield, for instance, was a very dim one. So Narcissus leaned over the water and looked at the beautiful face so like his sister's, and wondered what it was and whether he should ever see his sister again. After this, he came back to the spring day after day and looked at the face he saw there, and mourned for his sister until, at last, the gods felt sorry for him and changed him into a flower. This flower was the first narcissus. All the flowers of this family, when they grow by the side of a pond or a stream , still bend their beautiful heads and look at the reflection of their own faces in the water.
PostTask: In this last task, we will ask students to write a short composition, no more than 200 words with this topic: What truth can we find in a myth? Students will begin the exercise in class, if they are able to finish it before the lesson finishes, they will hand them. If there is no option to finish it in class, it will be asked the next session as homework. The teacher will check and revise all the compositions and will select two sample, a correct and coherent one, and the one that students should improve. After that, in the mean time of the next session, the teacher will explain students the different between both samples and the way to avoid mistakes or simply the way to write right. 11
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Session 3 Arachne Warming up: The teacher will show students a video about a conceited girl. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nPa1k5HfMM After showing this video, the teacher will ask them if they are so confident or spoilt. The aim of the activity is to make students share their opinions and to express themselves in English. Task: Students will read the text and the teacher will arrange the next student to read. After finishing the reading, the teacher will ask students to explain what they have understood about the underlined words.
The Myth of Arachne
All the Greek maidens knew how to spin and embroider . They said that Athena taught them. One day a Grecian maiden sat spinning on the shore of the Aegean Sea. She was a pretty picture. Her hair was like gold, and her face was very fair to look upon. The maid was Arachne, the most skilful spinner in Greece. None could equal her in the weaving of beautiful webs; and her fame had gone abroad; her webs were sent far away, to be worn by the great people of other lands. Everybody praised the little maid. But this maiden so charming in most respects was not so agreeable at all; the foolish little Arachne was always boasting of herself and of her skill that she was at times far from agreeable. One day Arachne made a foolish boast . She declared that she excelled even Athena herself.
"Arachne, Arachne. How wicked! Why. Athena taught you all you know," 12
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cried her friends. But the vain little maiden shook her head, saying,
"Athena did not teach me. I taught myself." Arachne's friends were shocked. They went home at once, while the naughty Arachne went on spinning and spinning. Eventually a shadow fell across the snowy wool, and looking up, Arachne saw an old woman.
“My daughter, I heard that remark. It was foolish; but you are young, and perhaps were jesting. You do not mean to compare yourself with Athena?" "Yes, I do," said Arachne, still spinning. "Then you have greatly offended the goddess, and you should beg her pardon." "I do not care. Do you suppose that Athena could weave a mantle finer than this?' And Arachne held up a gold and soft scarf. "Let Athena come and try, if she thinks she can do better. I will match my skill with hers." As Arachne said this, the cloak fell from the old woman's shoulders, and the goddess Athena stood before her. But Arachne was not ashamed. She refused to ask pardon, and insisted upon a trial of skill. Never before had a mortal dared to compete with a goddess; and everyone knew that if Arachne failed, her punishment would be severe. Athena wove into her web the colours of the rainbow and more beautiful pictures than mortal eyes had ever contemplated. She made pictures of the gods, Zeus seated on his throne, with Hera, and all the gods and goddesses in attendance. There was truth and beauty in every line of Athene's web. Arachne's web was also beautiful, but it was not entirely truthful as her pictures were those which showed the errors and failings of others. Athene's web was finished, but Arachne's web grew darker and darker. She knew that she was beaten, but she would not ask forgiveness of the now angry Athena. Arachne tear off the fragments, and she would have strangled herself; but Athena said,
"Ah, Arachne, there is no pleasure in working for others unless truth and beauty enter into all we do. That which is done for self-praise is wrong. You shall live to warn people who boast of their skill rather than make it a means of doing good." Then she touched Arachne; and her beautiful hair fell off, her body shrivelled, and she turned into a spider. But she still shows us how wonderful a web she wove in those days of long ago.
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PostTask: 1. Discuss the topic You are free to write as many as you feel free to do. Be original and avoid plagiarism. Here are some questions and topics that could help you begin: ❖ Why are there fewer stories about mythical heroines than about heroes? It is harder to find stories about women than men in mythology. ❖ Most ancient societies were patriarchal (maledominated) and the men were storytellers and leaders. However, in legends there are many more women (because they are more historical) and also in folktales. In mythology, the female characters are often goddesses. 14
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Session 4: Final task Here we present a set of possible final tasks. Students can chose to work in the three myths on their Final Task. By letting them chose, we will make sure that they feel engaged and motivated: ❖ [Possible with Pandora’s Box] Disaster Report: Imagine you are a reporter (TV, internet, radio or newspaper) at the time of the flood. Write a script about what you see happening and interview some survivors. Ask them questions about the flood. Remember the important questions about flood myths: what is the cause, the size, who survived and what signs were given? ❖ Write : Invent a myth for the area you live in, following the pattern of the myths we have previously read. ❖ Writing : Invent your own mythical hero. Write a biography of your hero. Include all the main events in his life and draw a portrait of the hero. It could be the person or animal, object if you want, you prefer. ❖ Illustrate: Create a comic strip or imagebook about your hero. Use the style of Superman or The Avengers comics. ❖ [Possible task with Narcissus/Arachne] Debate this statement: 'Part of a myth is true.'
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