Clash of the Titans (Conclusion); Creation Myths

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Clash of the Titans (conclusion)

Clash of the Titans (1981)--produced and designed by Ray Harryhausen. Directed by Desmond Davis. Starring: Laurence Olivier as Zeus, Maggie Smith as Thetis, Harry Hamlin as Perseus, and Burgess Meredith as Ammon.
Use mythic criticism to review (in writing or as a podcast or vlog post) Clash of the Titans. Take notes during the film to help you prepare your review.

Myth Criticism asks:
1. How does the story resemble other stories in plot, character, setting or use of symbols?
2. Are archetypes presented, such as quests, initiations, scapegoats, descending, or withdrawals and returns? [Use your handout/notes to help!]
3. Does the protagonist undergo any kind of transformation (such as movement from innocence to experience) that seems archetypal?
4. Are there any specific allusions to myths that shed light on the text? 
Mythology: Creation Myths Presentation

Types of Creation Myths (cosmogony):
  • Creation ex nihilo (out of nothing): creation from nothing
  • Earth Diver: a "diver" (aquatic) animal digs up the earth from the abyssal depths of an ocean.
  • Emergence: the world appears from the body of a primordial being or through metamorphosis or passes through other "worlds" to come into being.
  • Cosmic Egg: creation from a cosmic egg
  • Order Out of Chaos (creation from chaos): order/the world is created from primordial chaos
Greek Mythology Creation Myth

Research: Choose a cultural creation myth to present to the class:
  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Norse
  • Incan
  • Aztec
  • Mayan
  • Australian Dreamtime
  • Maori
  • Oceania
  • Egypt
  • Zulu
  • Iroquois
  • Hindu
  • Inuit
  • Navaho
Writing Tasks:
  • Read The Mahabharata. There will be a test on the book Friday. As you read, notice archetypes used and apply myth criticism to the text. See your notes for help.
  • Write an epic adventure or quest or heroic story. You may also like to make a comic book (6 Free Sites for Creating Your Comic Book) or use one of the storytelling programs to write a children's picture book, film, or story. Use the hero character you created as a start:
  • Write a poem that alludes to or involves a part of The Aeneid, The Iliad, The Odyssey or The Mahabharata.
  • Write a review of the film Clash of the Titans. You may also create a podcast to review the film (work with up to 2 other students from this class), or you can create a vlog post review (record a video of your review and post it to Youtube, then send me the link.)
  • Write your very own (creation) myth.
    • Pick a topic (common topics might include: how humans came to be, where animals came from, how the world came to exist, where did gender come from, who created love (or any feeling) and why, why is there death or mortality, why is there good/evil in the world? Etc.)
    • Consider its origin: how did it become a "thing"?
    • Tell that story.
    • To help you: How to Write Myths (video)
All assignments should be included in your portfolio for MP2.

HOMEWORK: Write something. Prepare your workshop. Read "The Mahabharata"--test & discussion on this Friday.

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