Greek Myths and the Lightning Thief Note-Catcher

Greek Mythology Grade 6: Module 1: Unit 2: Lesson 4 

Compare and Contrast Themes: Greek Myths and The Lightning Thief Note-Catcher

(Example for Teacher Reference)

Directions: Use the organizers to compare themes conveyed in the Greek Myths we read (“Theseus and the Minotaur,” “Cronus,” and “Medusa”) with those in The Lightning Thief. Choose two of the following themes, or come up with one of your own. • A mother will put her love for her children above every other relationship.

• Those in power will do anything to stay in power.

• Those who anger or disobey the gods will be punished.

• Excessive pride can make a person act recklessly.

• Heroes often receive help in their quests.

• Even heroes can make mistakes.

Greek Mythology Grade 6: Module 1: Unit 2: Lesson 4 

Theme Even heroes can make mistakes.

Evidence from “Theseus and the Minotaur” (myth) Evidence from The Lightning Thief Explanation: How does this evidence convey the Explanation: How does this evidence convey the theme? theme?

Choose one of the quotes below as evidence. Choose one of the quotes below as evidence. Then, explain how the quote shows the theme, Then, explain how the quote shows the theme, Even heroes can make mistakes. Even heroes can make mistakes. Quote A: “Eager to let Ariadne know of his Quote A: “Go ahead, call me an idiot for walking success, he followed the thread back to the into a strange lady’s shop like that just because I entrance of the labyrinth. ‘You have slain the was hungry, but I do impulsive stuff sometimes.” monster!’ cried Ariadne, clasping her hands. (173) ‘Thanks to you, dear Ariadne,’ answered Theseus, Quote B: “I slashed up with my sword, heard a ‘I return victorious.’” sickening shlock!, then a hiss like wind rushing Quote B: “You will recall that Theseus’s father, out of a cavern—the sound of a monster King Egeus, had said to use white sails, instead of disintegrating.” (183) black ones, if Theseus were to return victorious. In I chose Quote ___. This quote shows the theme the exuberance of his success, however, he forgot because . . . to alter the sails from black to white.” “Go ahead, call me an idiot for walking into a I chose Quote ___. This quote shows the theme strange lady’s shop like that just because I was because . . . hungry, but I do impulsive stuff sometimes” “Prince Theseus asked Ariadne to come with him. (173). But the maiden said no. ‘My father is old, and has Grover warns Percy several times about going nobody but myself to love him.’ So he said into Aunty Em’s Garden Emporium. He even tells farewell to Ariadne and set sail with the others. Percy that he smelled monsters. Percy allows his You will recall that Theseus’s father, King Egeus, hunger for unhealthy food to cloud his had said to use white sails, instead of black ones, judgment. As Grover warned, the trio discovers if Theseus were to return victorious. In the that Aunty Em’s is a dangerous place—the home exuberance of his success, however, he forgot to of Medusa. A battle among the three demigods alter the sails from black to white.” and the monster almost turns fatal for the Theseus’s father, King Egeus, dies because heroes. Working together, they manage to Theseus forgets to change the black sails to white defeat Medusa, but both Annabeth and Grover on the ship. blame Percy for putting them in harm’s way.

Greek Mythology Grade 6: Module 1: Unit 2: Lesson 4 

Compare and contrast the way the theme is conveyed in the two texts. One similarity is that both Theseus’s and Percy’s mistakes have consequences; Theseus loses his father as a result, and Percy’s poor judgment leads his friends into a dangerous situation.

One difference is that Theseus’s mistake results in death for his father, while Percy’s poor judgment doesn’t harm any of the protagonists of the story, yet.

Greek Mythology Grade 6: Module 1: Unit 2: Lesson 4 

Theme: Those who anger or disobey the gods will be punished.

Evidence from “Medusa” (myth) Evidence from The Lightning Thief Explanation: How does this evidence convey the Explanation: How does this evidence convey the theme? theme?

“And by my powers, your loveliness shall be “. . . after World War II, the Big Three agreed they stripped away completely. Your fate shall serve wouldn’t sire any more heroes . . . . When Hades as a reminder to others to control their pride.” found out about the girl, he wasn’t too happy about Zeus breaking his oath. Hades let the worst Medusa is being punished by Athena for monsters out of Tartarus to torment Thalia” disrespecting her and her temple and for her (113–114). inability to control her pride and vanity. Zeus broke the oath to his brothers when Thalia, his daughter, was born. Hades, the god of the Underworld, punished Zeus by attacking his demigod daughter. She sacrificed herself to save her friends and died fighting the hellhounds. Thalia was the victim of a god’s anger.

Compare and contrast the way the theme is conveyed in the two texts. One similarity is that both Medusa and Zeus were punished as a result of their own choices, knowing that they were using poor judgment.

One difference is that Medusa is held accountable for her own actions. In contrast, Zeus is not personally punished; instead, his innocent daughter suffers for Zeus’s mistake.