NAME ______PAGE 1
Complete this handout as you read “Eight Brief Tales of Lovers” on p.135-159.
Pyramus and Thisbe (pronounced PEER-uh-mus and THIZ-bee) What separates Pyramus and Thisbe?
How do they plan to be together?
How does their plan fail?
What natural phenomenon is explained through this story?
Does this tale remind you of another famous love story? Hmmm...
Orpheus and Eurydice (pronounced OR-fee-us and your-ID-ih-see) What special talent/gift does Orpheus possess? Why?
How do these two lovers meet?
What happens to Eurydice?
What must Orpheus do / where must he go?
Is Orpheus successful? Explain.
What happens to Orpheus?
What natural phenomenon is explained through this story?
Can you name a biblical story that has a similar plot?
Ceyx and Alcyone (pronounced SEE-iks and al-SIGH-un-ee) What kind of journey must Ceyx undertake?
Why is Alcyone concerned?
Why is Ceyx happy as he dies?
How does Juno (Hera) answer Alcyone’s prayers? Who assists Hera?
What natural phenomenon is explained through this story?
Pygmalion and Galatea (pronounced pig-MALE-yun and gal-uh-TEE-uh) What is Pygmalion’s occupation? How does he feel about women?
Which goddess pities Pygmalion? What does she do?
How does this story relate to the musical My Fair Lady?
Baucis and Philemon (pronounced BAW-sis and fill-EE-mun) PAGE 2 Describe this couple.
Which gods play a role in this tale? How?
What becomes of the people in the countryside?
What is the couple’s only wish?
What lesson can be learned from this tale?
What objects are significant in this story?
Does this story remind you of a certain Nicholas Sparks novel and film?
Endymion (pronounced en-DIH-mee-un) / Selene (pronounced sul-EE-nee) What is Endymion’s occupation?
Who admires him? How does she keep him under her loving gaze?
Daphne (pronounced DAFF-nee) Why does Daphne want to avoid the affectionate attention of a god?
Who is her father? What does he wish for?
Which goddess does Daphne emulate? What is her Greek name?
Which god desires her?
What becomes of her? How – who helps her?
Alpheus and Arethusa (pronounced AL-fee-us and arr-uh-THOOZE-uh) Who does Arethusa emulate?
Which god desires her?
What becomes of her? How – who helps her?
Which geographic phenomenon does this story explain?