Year 8: Scheme work
Name:
Class Teacher:
This booklet will encourage you to explore Myths and Legends from different cultures.
There are a range of tasks based around reading and writing, and you should also spend time researching the myths and legends discussed here. There is guidance on what to research as you work through.
You are encouraged to spend between 3 to 4 hours on each ‘week’ section but some sections may take you longer or shorter than others. This is fine. There are three sections to work through and there is a final assessment for you to complete.
Year 8 – Myths and Legends Week 1: Ancient Greece
Over the next few weeks you are going to research various myths and legends, starting with Ancient Greece. You may have to do some research to discover why these stories were created and what it tells us about Ancient Greek society and beliefs. You will then use what you have learnt to create your own.
Define the following:
Myth –
Legend –
Myths and legends are stories, many of which are popular, that you may have read or watched. What key things do stories always have? Think about the types of characters, events and how the story is structured. Then list below what you would expect to see.
Characters: Events: Structure:
Read the story of Persephone. Then choose one of the following tasks: 1. Summarise the events into a storyboard.
2. Plot the events of the story into the narrative structure chart.
Exposition – introduction Rising action – the events leading up to the climax Climax – the key part of the story where the action happens – usually a problem Falling action – the events after the climax Denouement – the resolution/end of the story
Character profiles: Choose three characters from the story and create character profiles for them. You can set these out however you like such as drawing and labelling the character, creating a mind-map or a social media profile.
You must include the following:
Who they are/what they are like. What happens to them. Why does this happen? What does it result in?
Why?
Do you think there is a lesson to learn from the story of Persephone? If so, what is it?
How does the story link to the beliefs of Ancient Greece? What did their society believed this story explained?
Read the story of Icarus. Then complete one of the following tasks (the one you did not do for Persephone)
1. Summarise the events in a story board.
2. Plot the events on the narrative structure chart.
Character profiles:
Choose three characters from the story and create character profiles for them. You can set these out however you like such as drawing and labelling the character, creating a mind-map or a social media profile.
You must include the following:
Who they are/what they are like. What happens to them. Why does this happen? What does it result in?
Why?
Do you think there is a lesson to learn from the story of Icarus? If so, what is it?
How does the story link to the beliefs of Ancient Greece? What did their society believed this story explained?
Comparing
List any similarities between the two stories. This might be about the characters, events, structure or the lessons they may teach.
Your turn.
Now that you have read two Greek myths and noted any similarities, so you know what to include, it is time for you to create your own!
1. Create two character profiles for your main characters.
2. Design the plot of your story either as a story board or using the narrative chart.
3. Write this up!
Remember to include the following: • Ambitious vocabulary • Range of punctuation • Varied sentence types and starters • Metaphor/simile/personification etc • Paragraphs
Happy writing!
Persephone
The Greek goddess, Persephone, was the child of Demeter, the goddess of earth’s fertility and harvest, and Zeus, the king of all the Olympians. Demeter was the most nurturing of goddesses and, in turn, was the most nurturing mother. She cared as deeply for her daughter Persephone as she did the earth. Persephone lived a happy, fruitful childhood, playing with the other Olympian children and spending time in the gardens of Olympus.
On one occasion however, as Persephone was picking the flower, narcissus, with a group of her favourite flora nymphs, the earth suddenly opened up. Out of the deep, dark blackness Hades emerged.
From his place in the Underworld, he had seen Persephone’s innocent beauty grow to radiance. He desperately wanted her to be his Queen of the Underworld. So, one day he approached Zeus asking for permission to take Persephone as his Queen. With little concern for how Demeter would respond to such a request, Zeus agreed and Hades was given consent.
Now, Hades, at the sight of Persephone’s natural but rich beauty took hold of her and carried her gently down with him to the Underworld. Persephone cried out for her dear mother Demeter but to no avail. Now in the Underworld, Persephone was under Hades’ control.
Demeter approached the gardens where Persephone usually played with the nymphs but could no longer find her daughter anywhere. She found one particular nymph in a grove, usually boasting morning glory flowers in her hair, sobbing; the flowers lay strewn along the lush grass. Demeter gently asked her where Persephone was. The nymph, in anguish, would not answer.
Stricken with grief, Demeter scoured the earth in search of her daughter. Her immense sorrow caused the earth to grow dark, cold, and barren. The once lush meadows yellowed. The trees curled and furled. The rain stopped.
Having searched the entire living land, Demeter finally contacted Zeus. He informed her of Persephone’s marriage to Hades in the Underworld. Demeter grew into a motherly rage. She demanded Zeus to return Persephone to her care.
But Zeus refused.
Demeter left Olympus and watched as the earth began to decay without her nurture. She sought to punish Zeus for betraying her and their daughter. The now yellow meadows blackened and decomposed into dust. The trees began to shrink into the hard dirt. The rivers shriveled up and the lakes froze over.
Zeus had no other choice but to agree to Demeter’s demands.
He told Hermes, the messenger, to bring Persephone back up to Demeter’s care.
In the Underworld, Persephone had grown to love Hades, who treated her with compassion and loved her as his Queen. As she would have up in Olympus, she remained eternally beautiful in the Underworld. Hades admired her kind and nurturing nature. However, Persephone missed her dear mother greatly and wished to spend time on earth with her.
When Hermes reached the Underworld, he requested that Persephone come back to earth with him to rejoin her mother and father. Hades knew he could not refuse the commands of Zeus, but also could not part from his beloved Persephone.
Before she departed from the Underworld, Hades offered Persephone a pomegranate as a farewell. This was, however, a cunning move by Hades. All the Olympians knew that if anyone ate or drank anything in the Underworld they would be destined to remain there for eternity, as the Fates had cautioned. Even Demeter had warned Persephone of this fate and instructed her never to eat or drink anything.
Thinking of her mother, Persephone decided to, instead, eat the small seeds of the pomegranate – assuming that these would not count as consumption. Little did Persephone know but this was exactly why Hades had given her the pomegranate. After eating six of the seeds, Persephone was approached by the Fates, who told her she would forever remain in the Underworld as Hades’ Queen.
Hermes sadly went back up to Zeus and Demeter, who anxiously sat awaiting her daughter’s return. Upon the sight of Hermes alone Demeter spiraled into a fit of immense grief and sobbing – she knew what Hades must have done to keep Persephone there.
However, Zeus, being the mighty king of all gods, could not allow his beloved land to become decayed and barren; and so, he met with Hades himself. With the help of Hermes the infamous deal was struck.
Because Hades had deceivingly tricked the young Persephone into eating the pomegranate, he was commanded to allow Persephone to visit her poor mother above his domain. In return Zeus promised a binding deal that allowed Hades to have Persephone a month for each seed she had eaten. Thus, for half of each year, Persephone was to sit on the throne of the Underworld beside Hades.
During Persephone’s six months on earth reunited with her mother, the land was fertile, beautiful, and warm. The meadows were lush and of the deepest green. The trees were tall, sturdy, and fruitful. The rains came often and drought was unseen.
However, when Persephone left the land and entered Hades’ domain, earth experienced a cold, dark period with no growth. Demeter grieved for her daughter and had little time to nurture the land.
Thus, according to Greek mythology, the seasons were created – the autumn and winter months were when Persephone sat on the throne of the Underworld beside Hades, and the spring and summer months were when Persephone was reunited with her dear mother, Demeter.
Icarus
On the island of Crete during the age of King Minos, there lived a man named Daedalus and his young son Icarus. Daedalus was just an ordinary man, except for one special talent – he was an inventor of strange and wonderful mechanical creations.
Now this was a very long time ago – and in this ancient time there were no televisions or cars or clocks. Instead of the television, people learned what was new in the land by listening to the gossip at the local inn. Instead of cars, people got from place to place by walking or if they were wealthy by riding on a horse or in a carriage. Instead of clocks people kept track of the time using sundials.
And so, the tiny mechanical bird that chirped when the sun rose – given by Daedalus to the newborn princess to celebrate her birth -- became the talk of everyone in the land. King Minos approached Daedalus to ask if he might be able to invent something less pretty but more useful and Daedalus did not disappoint. A few months later he presented the plans for a giant labyrinth to hold the half-man and half-bull monster, known as the Minotaur, prisoner.
King Minos was very pleased. Unfortunately, King Minos was also very greedy. He wanted Daedalus to work only for him and so he had his Royal Guards take Daedalus and his young son Icarus and lock them away in a cave high above the sea. The only entrances to the cave were through the labyrinth guarded by the King’s soldiers (not to mention the Minotaur!) and an entrance overlooking the sea high up on the side of a cliff.
Daedalus' caveDaedalus didn’t mind his imprisonment at first. Whatever Daedalus needed King Minos provided without question -- food, drink, tools of all shapes, rare metals, leather, parchment and even candles so he could work late into the night. Daedalus lived happily for many years working away on an endless variety of wondrous inventions. And young Icarus, although sometimes bored, was usually quite happy helping out his father and playing with the mechanical toys Daedalus made for him.
It wasn’t until Icarus became a teenager that Daedalus began to wonder if being locked away was the best thing for his son. And Icarus, tired of the cold, damp cave began to complain that he had no hope of a life of his own.
On his sixteenth birthday Icarus broke into a rage, “But father, I want an adventure – maybe even to meet a girl and have a son of my own! I can’t very well ask a wife to come live with me in this lonely cave over the sea. I hate this cave. I hate the King. And I hate you!”
King MinosOf course, Icarus apologized later for saying such mean things to his father but insisted that he couldn’t stand being cooped up in the cave any longer.
The next time King Minos visited, Daedalus approached him nervously, “Your Majesty, surely you must see that Icarus is becoming a young man. You can’t plan to keep him locked away for his entire life. Please sire, let him join your Royal Guard and seek a life in your service.”
The King raised an eyebrow and stared thoughtfully out the opening of the cave, “I shall consider your request. Now if you please, show me again your idea for giant mechanical men.
The King didn’t really have to think too long about it. He knew right away that he didn’t want to let either Daedalus or Icarus go. Who could know whether Icarus would have his father’s talents – after all Icarus had watched and learned from his father for his entire life. Under no circumstances did he want another kingdom to get their hands on the mechanical wonders Daedalus created and that Icarus might someday produce.
Weeks later, King Minos returned to Daedalus with his answer, “Icarus provides the greatest service to our realm by keeping you company here.”
“But sire,” began Daedalus.
Enough!” roared King Minos, “The decision has been made. I will have no arguments.” heart brokeDaedalus turned to Icarus to explain that there was nothing to be done but when he saw the look of utter despair on his son’s face, Daedalus’ heart broke and he vowed that he would do everything in his power to make his boy happy again.
But what to do …
Daedalus stood staring out the entrance of the cave overlooking the sea, watching the waves crash on the rocks below and the seagulls circle over the cliffs. It was spring and the nests on the cliffs were filled with eggs and chicks.
Icarus walked up beside his father and said softly, “How I envy those baby birds, for soon their wings will be strong and they’ll be able to fly away from this wretched cliff.”
Daedalus blinked, a smile slowly growing on his face. He turned to Icarus his eyes twinkling, “Well then, my little fledgling, we’d best start working on strengthening your wings so you can be off with the others!”
First Daedalus used strips of leather and fine twigs to fashion a broom and a large net which he had Icarus dangle down towards the cliffs to sweep up the feathers near the seagull nests. For many days Icarus carefully gathered every feather he could reach.
While Icarus was busy with feathers, Daedalus created thin tubes of light metal which he used to form the frame of two pairs of man-sized wings. He used leather strips to create a harness and pulleys to allow the wearer to flap and tilt the wings in various directions. Then he took the feathers that Icarus had collected and used candle wax to begin to attach the feathers to the light metal frames.
“Two frames?” Icarus smiled happily at his father, “Are you coming too?”
Daedalus clasped his son on the shoulder and replied, “I am, my son. Thank you for reminding me that of all my creations, you are the most important to me. I’m sorry that it’s taken me so long to free us both.”
It was painstaking work collecting the feathers and attaching them, one by one, to the frames but a few weeks later, as the first fledgling seagulls began to leave their nests, Daedalus declared the wings complete.
The day they were to leave, Daedalus lectured Icarus one last time, “Now son, remember, you must be cautious when we fly. Fly too close to the ocean and your wings will become too heavy with the water that sprays off the waves. Fly too close to the sun and the wax will melt and you will lose feathers. Follow my path closely and you’ll be fine.”
Icarus nodded and excitedly slid his arms into the harness. He listened absently as his father explained how to open the wings wide to catch the air currents and how to use the pulleys to steer. With an eager hug good luck Daedalus and Icarus stepped into the entrance of the cave overlooking the sea, spread their wings as wide as they would go and leaped, one after the other, out over the ocean.
Icarus flies close to the sunAs if it had been waiting for him, the wind caught Icarus’ wings almost immediately and up he soared.
Oh, what freedom! Icarus threw his head back and laughed as the startled seagulls dodged away from him and then swooped back squawking warnings when he steered too close to the nesting cliffs.
Daedalus shouted to his son to be careful, stop playing with the birds and follow him toward the shore of an island in the distance. But Icarus was having too much fun – he was tired of always following his father, always listening to his endless lectures and Icarus was thrilled with his sudden freedom.
He watched the seagulls rise on the air currents high up over the sea and thought to himself, “Careful, bah. The birds aren’t careful, they’re happy – they’re free! Oh, what a glorious adventure this is. The sun is so warm and the breeze tugs at my wings as if even the wind is happy I’m finally loose. I can’t believe I’ve been missing this for all these years trapped in that cold, damp cave.” And with that he followed the seagulls up and up and UP into the sky.
“No Icarus! Stop!” shouted Daedalus, “The wax will melt if it gets too warm. Not so high. Not so high!”
But Icarus was too far away or too lost in his own happy thoughts of excitement to listen to his father’s warnings. As he flew still higher he began to feel the warm wax dripping down his arms and saw feathers falling like snowflakes down around him. Remembering his father’s lectures, Icarus realized with horror his mistake. He began to work the pulleys to tilt his wings back down toward the sea but as he did so, he saw more feathers drift away and he began to lose height more quickly than he wanted.
Working the pulleys even more frantically, Icarus flapped the wings trying to slow his fall but the harder he flapped, the more feathers detached from the frame of his wings.
As Daedalus watched in horror, Icarus plunged toward the sea frantically flapping the pulleys with his arms. When he finally hit the water, there wasn’t a feather left attached.
Daedalus landed as quickly as he could on the beach near where Icarus had fallen but the only sign of his poor child was a few feathers floating in the waves. Daedalus crumpled to the sand, his face in his hands for he knew his son was dead. After many months, when Daedalus began to recover from his grief, he named the island Icaria in memory of his son. On the beach where he landed, he built a temple to the sun god Apollo and inside it hung the wings he had created, vowing never to fly again.
Year 8 – Myths and Legends Week 2: Arthurian legend
Last week you looked at Greek myths and legends; this week you will look at Arthurian legends. To refresh your memory, answer the questions below.
What is a myth?
What is a legend?
Myths and legends are stories, many of which are popular, that you may have read or watched. What key things do stories always have? Think about the types of characters, events and how the story is structured. Then list below what you would expect to see.
Characters: Events: Structure:
Read the story of The Sword in the Stone. Then complete the following tasks: 3. Summarise the events into a storyboard.
4. Research why myths and legends were created. Look into the beliefs of society at the time.
5. Is there a message or lesson to be learnt? If so, what is it?
Analysing character: Arthur
On the inside of the character, write as many ways to describe Arthur as you can think of. On the outside, add quotes which explain how he is shown to be this way.
Analysing character: Kay
On the inside of the character, write as many ways to describe Kay as you can think of. On the outside, add quotes which explain how he is shown to be this way.
To consider – is he different to Arthur? How?
Writing about character:
Using the extract, answer the following question.
How is the character of Arthur presented?
Sir Kay, now old enough to participate, took young Arthur along as his esquire-at-arms to carry his spear and pennant.
It was during the first round in which Sir Kay, fighting with great strength and determination, broke his sword. “Arthur, run to find me another sword, so that I continue in this tournament,” he commanded his younger brother.
Arthur obeyed immediately. He remembered seeing the sword in the courtyard and hastened there. The sword in the stone stood alone as all the knights were now at the tournament. Arthur approached the stone, took the sword in his hand and pulled. It came out of the stone easily.
Arthur ran back to his brother with the sword. When his father and brother saw it, Sir Ector did ask, “Where did that sword come from?”
“I pulled it from the stone in the courtyard,” Arthur answered innocently.
Sir Ector and Sir Kay exchanged glances. For, they knew the meaning of this action.
Remember to follow ‘What, How, Why’ when answering the question.
What is the character presented like?
How is the character shown to be like this? (At least two quotes which both support your ‘what’.) Explain the effect of the language used - it’s suggestions and inferences. Try to support it further by identifying what technique the writer has used – characterisation created through word choice (adjective, adverbs etc.)
Why is the character presented in this way? (Link to the time it was written and their beliefs: Arthur is presented in this way to reflect/ to teach/ to celebrate…)
To extend your answer, compare the character of Kay with Arthur and add a contrasting point to your paragraph.
What is Kay like which makes him different to Arthur?
How is the character shown to be different? (At least two quotes which both support your ‘what’.) Explain the effect of the language used - it’s suggestions and inferences. Try to support it further by identifying what technique the writer has used – characterisation created through word choice (adjective, adverbs etc.)
Why is the character presented in this way? (Link to the time it was written and their beliefs: Kay is presented in this way to reflect/ to teach/ to celebrate…) Find an Arthurian legend of your own and read it through.
Then complete the following tasks.
3. Summarise the events in a story board.
4. Is there a message or a lesson to be learnt? If so, what is it? Is it similar to The Sword in the Stone?
Character:
Choose one character from the story you have found.
On the inside, write as many words to describe what they are like.
On the outside, write how you would show them to be like this. Think about how they would act (walk, talk, treat others etc.)
Your turn.
Now that you have read two Arthurian legends and looked at three characters it is your turn to write about them.
4. Design the plot of your story as a story board. Base this on the character from the story you found.
5. Write this up! Make sure you describe how the character would act that matches their personality.
Remember to include the following: • Ambitious vocabulary • Range of punctuation • Varied sentence types and starters • Metaphor/simile/personification etc • Paragraphs
Happy writing!
The sword in the stone
Our story begins in the fifth century with King Uther who reigned in the south of Britain. He was a good king who kept his country safe and peaceful. King Uther loved a beautiful woman, Igraine, and wanted to marry her. But, alas she did not accept his proposal.
There also lived at this time the great prophet and alchemist Merlin who we know was an embodiment of our beloved Saint Germain. Merlin had powers that some called magical. These powers were actually the ability to use God’s flow of energy to bring forth God’s will on earth.
Merlin said to King Uther, “I will arrange for you to marry Igraine but only on the condition that when you have a child, you will give him to me. These are troubled times and I promise that your child will be raised in a secret place where no one will know his true identity.”
King Uther agreed, “Yes, I promise, for I trust you.” Uther knew Merlin would raise his child according to God’s will. King Uther and Igraine married and when they had a baby son, who they named Arthur, King Uther kept his promise.
Merlin took the child to the honorable knight Sir Ector, who had another son named Kay. Sir Ector was called the Trustworthy Knight because of the noble manner in which he treated others. It was in this family that Arthur and Kay grew and learned together as brothers.
Now it came to pass that the noble King Uther was old and ready to pass from this life. He called for Merlin. “Merlin, I am concerned that I am not long for this life and have need of a king to succeed me. It is my earnest wish that my son Arthur wear my crown. I bid him therefore that he claim it in a righteous and just spirit, when the time is right.”
Merlin said, “I assure you that your wish will be granted according to God’s will.”
Shortly thereafter King Uther passed away, and, as Merlin had feared, there was now great conflict over who should be the next king. The knights and great men began to battle for the throne. As a result, there was no new king for a long time.
Several years later, Merlin went to London to speak to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most important man in the Church.
Merlin said to him, “Call the knights to London. Tell them to fast and pray to prepare for this holy time of year. It is then that we will find the new king.” The Archbishop obeyed and summoned all the knights to London.
It was the season of Christmas, and in the great cathedral, a service was held. The people prayed that they receive a sign indicating who was to be their rightful king.
Following the service there appeared in the courtyard a strange, white stone, like marble. In the stone was a steel anvil with a great, glistening sword thrust into it. The sword had letters of gold written on it, which read:
“Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is rightwise king born of all England.”
Everyone was surprised and the Archbishop himself came outside to look. Understanding this as the sign they were praying for, he said, “I grant permission for any of the knights to try to pull the sword from this stone.” Many tried hoping to be king, but no one could even move it.
“He is not here,” said the archbishop. “God will make him known when the time is right.”
Then he set a guard of ten knights to keep the stone, and the Archbishop appointed a day when all should come from near and far to try at the stone.
In the meantime, outside of London the knights had been invited to participate in a jousting tournament. One of the families summoned to this tourney was Sir Ector and his two sons Sir Kay and Arthur.
Sir Kay, now old enough to participate, took young Arthur along as his esquire-at-arms to carry his spear and pennant.
It was during the first round in which Sir Kay, fighting with great strength and determination, broke his sword. “Arthur, run to find me another sword, so that I continue in this tournament,” he commanded his younger brother.
Arthur obeyed immediately. He remembered seeing the sword in the courtyard and hastened there. The sword in the stone stood alone as all the knights were now at the tournament. Arthur approached the stone, took the sword in his hand and pulled. It came out of the stone easily.
Arthur ran back to his brother with the sword. When his father and brother saw it, Sir Ector did ask, “Where did that sword come from?”
“I pulled it from the stone in the courtyard,” Arthur answered innocently.
Sir Ector and Sir Kay exchanged glances. For, they knew the meaning of this action.
“Arthur, are you sure it was the sword and stone in the courtyard?”
“Yes, Father, it was the same,” replied Arthur.
His father then, went with Sir Kay and Arthur back to the place outside the church. Sir Ector put the sword in the stone again.
“Now pull it out,” he said to Arthur.
Arthur pulled and again he easily removed the sword from the anvil. Sir Ector saw this and he and Sir Kay fell to their knees in front of Arthur. “You are my King,” Sir Ector said.
Arthur did not understand. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“Arthur,” Sir Ector said slowly, 'I love you very much, but I am not really your father.” Sir Ector then went on to tell the story of Merlin bringing Arthur to him for his safety. “Now, I know why he did this,” continued Sir Ector.
Arthur knew in his heart that what his father was saying was true. He accepted his mantle and said, “I will work to be a fair and just king. I will listen to your words, because I love you as my father. Sir Kay, my brother, you will be an important knight and a friend to me.”
The story of the Sword Excalibur was just the beginning of the wondrous life of King Arthur. For he went on to rule fairly just as he promised and Sir Kay did become one of his knights. King Arthur understood that to rule as King was the Key to the Incarnation of God. And so as the story of King Arthur lives on in our hearts, we can strive each day to become more of the incarnation of God in our own lives as King Arthur did.
Year 8 – Myths and Legends Week 3: Norse myths
Over the past two weeks you have looked at the myths and legends of Ancient Greece along with Arthurian legend. This week you are going to look at Norse myths and research where they came from. There may be some characters which are familiar to you who you will research the background of.
Characters
There are some characters in Norse myths you may have already come across. Below, mind-map anything you would already associate with these characters.
Research
Where did Norse myths comes from?
Who are some of the key figures within Norse myth?
What are the roles of these key figures?
What did people believe about the creation of the world?
Read the story of Sif and her golden hair. Then complete the following task: 6. Summarise the events into a storyboard.
Researching character:
Research the following characters making notes of any information you find. This may include their background, abilities and key events that they were included in. There are some questions to help you.
Thor:
What is the character known as in mythology? God of…
Loki Is the character seen as good or evil? Why?
What abilities does the character have?
Where is the character from?
What key events is the Odin character involved in or known for?
How does the character link to any other figures from Norse mythology?
Freyja
Writing about setting:
Using the extract, answer the following question.
How is the language used to describe the Asgard?
Utgard was the Asgard of the Giants. But in its buildings there was none of the beauty that there was in the palaces of the Gods, Gladsheim and Breidablik or Fensalir. Huge but shapeless the buildings arose, like mountains or icebergs. Oh beautiful Asgard with the dome above it of the deepest blue! Asgard with the clouds around it heaped up like mountains of diamonds! Asgard with its Rainbow Bridge and its glittering gates! Oh beautiful Asgard, could it be indeed that these Giants would one day destroy you?
Remember to follow ‘What, How, Why’ when answering the question.
What is the setting described like?
How is the setting shown to be like this? (At least two quotes which both support your ‘what’.) Explain the effect of the language used - it’s suggestions and inferences. Try to support it further by identifying what technique the writer has used – similes, metaphor, adjectives etc.
Why is the setting presented in this way? (To highlight/ reflect/ celebrate…)
To extend your answer, compare the description of Asgard with the description of Utgard and add a contrasting point to your paragraph.
What is Utgard described like?
How is the Utgard shown to be different? (At least two quotes which both support your ‘what’.) Explain the effect of the language used - it’s suggestions and inferences. Try to support it further by identifying what technique the writer has used – similes, metaphor, adjectives etc.
Why is Utgard presented in this way? (Consider who lives there in contrast to Asgard. To highlight the…)
Research Find a Norse legend of your own and read it through
Then complete the following tasks.
5. Summarise the events in a story board.
6. Is there anything similar to the first story? This may be the characters and their actions.
Comparing characters:
Now that you have read two Norse myths list what you would expect from the following characters.
Thor Loki Odin
Character analysis: Thor
Read the extract and consider the following statement.
Now rumbling and thundering in his chariot of goats came Thor. He dashed into the hall, hammer in hand, and stared in amazement at the unwieldy guest whom he found there.
"A giant feasting in Asgard hall!" he roared. "This is a sight which I never saw before. Who gave the insolent fellow leave to sit in my place? And why does fair Freia wait on him as if he were some noble guest at a feast of the high gods? I will slay him at once!" and he raised the hammer to keep his word. Thor's coming had sobered the giant somewhat, for he knew that this was no enemy to be trifled with. He looked at Thor sulkily and said: "I am Odin's guest. He invited me to this banquet, and therefore I am under his protection."
"You shall be sorry that you accepted the invitation," cried Thor, balancing his hammer and looking very fierce; for Sif had sobbed in his ear how the giant had threatened to carry her away.
“The character of Thor is unnecessarily violent.”
To what extent do you agree? You should think about your own impressions, how language is used and what the writer wanted us to feel.
The statement may be split into various sections for you to agree or disagree with. You may agree with one part of the statement and disagree with the other.
For example, “Thor is unnecessarily violent” – consider the key words in this part of the statement. Do you agree or disagree that Thor is violent? Why?
Do you agree or disagree that the violence is unnecessary? Why?
How does the text support your point? Find at 2/3 examples and explain how they show your argument.
Create an alternative statement for the character of Thor. Then explain why your new argument is relevant and use evidence from the extract to explain it.
Alternative storylines
How would this be different if Thor was seen as a weak character rather than extremely strong and powerful?
Write a version of the events from the extract but with Thor as a weak character.
Myths and legends
Across the three types of myths and legends you have looked at over the past three weeks, Ancient Greek, Arthurian and Norse do you think there are any similar characters across these?
How are the character similar and why do you think this is? What do these similarities show us about the cultures that created them?
Sif and her golden hair
Although Thor was a raucous fellow, he did, underneath it all, have one soft spot – and that was for his beautiful wife, whose name was Sif, and whom he loved tenderly and dearly. She had long, thick wondrous golden hair, that flowed down her back like a field of corn. In fact, it was Sif who made the Norse people’s crops grow, and their fields yield long heavy ears of corn that would keep people well fed and happy. She travelled over the Northern world, and wherever there were families, farms and people tilling the land, Sif was sure to be near at hand smoothing their path against the cruel winds, cold and winters of the North.
Of course as every lady knows, beautiful hair does not take care of itself. She was very proud of her hair, and did not allow herself to have a bad hair day. Especially as she knew she was not the only one who was very proud of her hair, Thor her husband was very proud of it too, and often boasted of it when he was drinking his mead to anyone who was around to listen. Morning, noon and night, Sif combed her wondrous hair with a jewelled comb, and she often washed in pure sparkling streams, and lay it out in the sun to dry on a rock. As you can imagine, with hair as thick as hers, it took quite a while to dry.
One day, while she was sitting on a bank of the softest moss outside her house in Asgard, where the gods live, drying her golden hair in the sun, Sif went to sleep. It’s easy to go to sleep in the sun when you’re not doing much. And it’s especially easy, if another god puts a spell on you so that nothing can wake you.
It was Loki, the god of fire and mischief, who cast this sleeping spell on Sif. He found her dozing with her gorgeous hair flowing all around her, and his evil mouth smiled at this chance to make trouble in the Thunder-God’s household. He knew that Sif’s hair of gold was Thor’s greatest treasure - and he was determined to take it away from him.
And while she was asleep, Loki took his shears and chopped off Sif’s hair, every single lovely lock! One by one they tumbled onto her shoulders and down her dress. Her head was bare, as if she’d had a haircut in the army or become a convict on a prison ship - the poor thing!
A while later, Sif woke up. Her head and neck felt cold and light, - she looked up and saw the sun was still shining. Then she felt for her hair, - there was nothing there! Looking down, she caught sight of the clusters of curls that lay all around her. Horrified, she rushed inside and burst into tears...and rain fell in bucketfuls on all the corn in the north, so the people asked “What in heaven’s happened to Sif?” She continued to cry and cry.
That night Thor came home. But when he called to his lovely wife, he did not hear her sweet voice in reply. Thor thought she must be somewhere else, so he put his hammer down, and whistled as he walked over to the homes and palaces of the other gods to look for her. Sif was nowhere to be found. Sadly, Thor came home, he did not like coming back to an empty house. “Sif” he called again and again, “come back to me”.
And then he heard his name, in a whisper. Sif stood in the shadows, so that Thor could only see her outline. “My husband,” she sobbed,” I am ashamed for you to set your eyes on me. I must leave Asgard, the home of the gods, which is beautiful and perfect, and go to hide elsewhere.”
“Don’t speak like that. What has happened to you my sweet, that you say such terrible things?” asked the Thunder-God tenderly. “Come out so that I can see you.”
“My crowning beauty, my hair has gone. An evil-doer has cut it and taken it from me. I do not want you to see me like this, so I must leave.”
Thor saw that it was true, Sif had lost her hair. Her shaven head was still beautiful, but the dancing joy had gone from her eyes. Instead her face was puffy with sobbing and her distress touched the heart of Thor.
And then the men of the Earth heard the skies roar with agonised Thunder -
“Who was it who did this, Sif?” raged Thor. “I, the strongest of the gods, I will find whoever did this and kill him. I will make the other gods use all their strength, all their magic and all their powers to give you back your wonderful golden hair!”
Thor led Sif in her veil to the Court of the Immortals , where some of the other gods and goddesses were seated on crystal benches sipping mead in Council. None of them could tell Thor who had cut Sif’s hair. Finally Odin, the chief of the gods, and the father of Thor, spoke. “It must have been Loki who did this” he pronounced. He is the god of fire, and we all know that fire can wreak much mischief. Nobody else would do such a thing. Though fire was not the cause of this, a great mischief it was, and Loki has ever loved mischief. But Thor, you must not kill him here. There can be no killings among the gods in Asgard. I will find Loki for you. But do not kill him. Besides, he has many skills, and maybe he will find a way to return Sif’s beauty to her.”
“Hmph” grunted Thor who was red with rage. “I’d like to kill him! ...but that wouldn’t help Sif”. Odin spoke again, “Control your rage, my son. I will call the Call, and all must answer it, even Loki!”
Odin’s Call was terrible to hear, but all the gods and goddesses who were not in the Council chamber, had to leave what they were doing and assemble . Even Loki. Loki saw at once that everyone was against him, so he said “Where is your proof that I am the culprit?” “Come”, said Odin. “Do not lie, do not avoid the truth. You have done Sif and Thor a great wrong, and you must repair it!” “I cannot grow hair", joked Loki. And even if I could, it would not be on her head!” None of the gods laughed. Loki looked at Thor whose temper was legendary, and he looked at Odin who solemnly said again “You must make good the wrong you have done ‘’, and Loki saw that he would indeed have to find a way to restore Sif’s beauty.
So Loki left Asgard. He did not leave in order to escape from Thor, though that was part of it. He left to try and find a solution. He did not go to the Giants in Jotunheim, even though he had been there before, and had friends there – as far as it is possible to have friends among the Giants – and he did not go to Midgard, the land of the mortals. For he knew that there had never been a man or woman who could do anything that would restore Sif’s hair. No, Loki went under the earth.
This is not something that you or I could do, for the innards of the earth are molten hot and we would not survive. But Loki was the god of fire, and so he was able to go down and down inside the passages of the earth. That is where the Gnomes live. You might think thenomes were ugly, but they didn’t think so, and Loki didn’t mind. Down inside the earth, the Gnomes were master smiths and the rich guardians of metals, minerals and crystals: they had learnt with hammer and tongs to fashion articles of much beauty and magic from them. Loki had seen them make a magic spear that hit whatever it was thrown at, and a boat which could sail anywhere, and which you could fold and put in your pocket.
Loki was crafty, and he always flattered the Gnomes whenever he went to see them. He praised their work to the skies, and promised them the earth although they already had it! Resisting flattery and false promises needs more wisdom than the Gnomes possessed, so they grew to like him. Nobody else had ever been nice to them, not even when they were babies, so their hearts softened. Then he said “Have you gold and skills enough to make a cap of floor-length hair as fine as silk?” The Gnomes set to work at once. They stitched, threaded, weaved and span[ for days, [but] until finally the Cap of Golden Hair was ready! Even Loki was impressed. “’Tis true, you are master smiths indeed. None are better. Will you give me this Cap in return for the Heavens and the Earth?”
The Gnomes who were not clever, gave Loki the Cap of Golden Hair, although the Earth was already theirs, and the Heavens were not Loki’s to give. Loki said his farewells, and was glad to return to the fresh air of Midgard with the Cap. Then he ascended to Asgard and the Heavens and went to find Sif. “Take your veil off, Sif” he said “for you will have golden hair again”. And he wrapped the Cap around Sif’s head where it fitted perfectly. Sif was so overjoyed with her new hair that she twirled around, her long locks flowing behind her. Her eyes sparkled once more and as the glow returned to her cheeks, she looked truly beautiful.
And that is the story of how Sif lost and regained her golden hair.
Year 8 Assessment
You are going to complete an assessment based off of Norse mythology and technical accuracy. This will look at your understanding of the text as well as your vocabulary, spelling and grammar.
The answers will follow in later weeks so you are able to give yourself a score.
Re-read Sif and her golden hair before starting.
1. Select the true statements about Loki. Put a T in the correct boxes.
Loki is the god of fire and mischief.
Loki used his abilities to remove Sif’s hair.
Loki has the power to grow hair.
Loki has friends in Jotunheim.
Loki always complimented the Gnomes.
Loki is able to go under the earth.
Loki waited for Sif to fall asleep.
2. Order the events of Sif and her golden hair from 1(first) to 5 (last).
Odin called for all gods and goddesses to gather.
Odin accuses Loki of chopping of Sif’s hair.
Sif sleeps in the sun.
Loki got a cap of golden hair from the gnomes.
Loki cut Sif’s hair.
3. Select the correct synonym for the highlighted word.
Thor was a raucous fellow.
Quiet. Boisterous. Aggressive. Calm.
He was determined to take it away from him.
Resolved. Doubtful. Hesitant. Persevering. 4. Select the correct antonym for the highlighted word.
She often washed in pure sparkling streams.
Luminous Dreary Radiant Plain
He praised their work
Criticised Celebrated Belittled Supported
5. Sentence types and clauses Match up the sentence type with its definition.
Simple A clause which includes a subject and a verb. It would make sense alone.
Compound A sentence including at least one main clause and one subordinate clause.
Complex A sentence of only one clause.
This does not make sense on its own but adds information to the main Main clause clause.
Subordinate clause Two main clauses joined by a conjunction.
6. Identifying sentence types Label the following sentence a simple, compound or complex. Label the component of the sentence – subject, verb, conjunction/connective, main clause and subordinate clause.
She was very proud of her hair and did not allow herself to have a bad hair day.
Loki left Asgard.
While she was asleep, Loki took his shears and chopped off Sif’s hair, every single lovely lock!
Nobody else would do such a thing
7. Write a description of the image below.
You can include characters from Norse mythology within your writing. Remember, when writing about an image you can introduce ideas that are not there.
Remember to include the following: • Ambitious vocabulary • Range of punctuation • Varied sentence types and starters • Metaphor/simile/personification etc • Paragraphs
Happy writing!
Planning:
Always make a plan for your writing. What are you going to describe in detail? Are there going to be characters involved? What will they be doing? What will the general structure be? Make sure there is a clear beginning, middle and end.