Year 8 English Summer Term: , Legends, Heroes and Villains Structural Figurative Grammar: The Key Figures in Mythology Techniques Language Structural Features

Exposition – start of the Simile – comparing one Noun – naming word Izanami and Izanagi – From the Japanese creation , these story introducing the thing to another using Noun Phrase – a group two gods created land and the seas that make up the earth, characters and setting like or as. of words that act like a using a powerful spear. Denouement – the Metaphor - where noun ending/resolution. something becomes Verb – doing word is the Olympian god of the sky and the thunder, the king Shift – a change in the something else Prepositional Phrases of all other gods and men, and, consequently, the chief figure direction of the text Personification - giving - a group f words in . Position – where something inanimate starting with a something is placed in a (not human) human preposition and – In Greek mythology, Medusa was a monster, a text characteristics ending with a noun , generally described as a winged human female with Digression – heading Alliteration – using the Adverbs – describe a living venomous snakes in place of hair. Gazers upon her face away from the main Onomatopoeia – words verb (how something would turn to stone. focus of the text that sound like they are is done). Flashback – going back said aloud Adjectives – describe is one of the most important and complex of the in time Imagery – creating a a noun Olympian gods in Greek and mythology. Apollo has been Flash forward – going picture in your mind variously recognised as a god of music, truth and prophecy, forward in time. with words Sentence Types/ healing, the sun and light, plague, poetry, and more. Chronological – in time Oxymoron – putting Terminology: order opposites next to each Minor sentence Minotaur – this terrible creature is a mixture of different Non- chronological – other Simple Sentence animals. It was created to guard an enormous, inescapable not in time order. Symbolism – where Compound Sentence maze. Linear – straightforward something represents Complex Sentence story structure something else. Subordinate Clause – god of the underworld often pictured with a three Non- linear – the Main Clause headed dog the monstrous multi-headed dog that structure is not Coordinating guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from straightforward conjunction leaving. Cyclical Structure – the Subordinating text ends where it conjunction Hecate or Hekate is a in mythology, began most often shown holding a pair of torches or a key and in later periods depicted in triple form. She was associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, light, , , knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, , and sorcery. Themes in Greek/ to use as a stimulus for Context imaginative writing Gods and Ancient Greeks followed their own set of gods, Zeus • The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology embody human emotions. being King of the gods. • The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology manifest human flaws and failings. Greece was referred to as the ‘birthplace for Western • The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology meddled in human affairs, wars The Civilisation’. The Ancient Greeks tried out democracy, gods/goddesses manipulate and use mortals for their own purposes. started the and left new ideas in • The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology often deceived and/or abducted mortals. science, art and philosophy (thinking about life). • The schemes and plots of the gods and goddesses often entangled mortals. • The gods/goddesses of Greek mythology had frequent affairs (with each other as well Most Greeks lived in villages or in small cities with as with mortals). beautiful temples with stone columns and statues, and • The gods/goddesses often engaged in strange behaviour that would never be open-air theatres where people sat to watch plays. considered acceptable in humans. Impressive phrases used to describe: Reward for Goodness & Retribution for Evil • a blazing blue sky poured down torrents of light The gods/goddesses judge our moral actions and dispense justice accordingly. The gods • absorbed in a stream of thoughts and reminiscences punish pride, arrogance, and/or disobedience in mortals. • an inexplicable and uselessly cruel caprice of fate Those who defy or challenge the gods are made to suffer. • fitful tumults of noble passion The morality of Greek mythology is not the same as Judeo-Christian morality. Many • He evinced his displeasure by a contemptuous sneer or a myths are “morality tales” that illustrate the value system of the culture. grim scowl • Night passes lightly in the open world, with its stars and Fate dews and perfumes No human or god can escape fate. • Misgivings of grave kinds Trying to change/defy fate only guarantees a prophecy comes to pass. • The awful and implacable approach of doom Personal Suffering and Struggle Progress comes through struggle. Mythological characters often had to overcome… o …loneliness. o …oppression. o …tyranny. o …violence. Conflicts in myths are often structured as… o …intellectual vs. animal. o …persuasive vs. brute. o …spiritual vs. violent.