Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

List 6-8 Greek gods or goddesses and the skill or contribution for which they are known. Alternately, list 6-8 individual stories from Greek mythology you recall having studied or read. Why is Greek mythology still being studied? Why might schoolchildren as young as 5th or 6th grade learn these myths?

Teaching Suggestion: Discussing this topic and its lasting influence in the history of literature and storytelling can generate excitement for the novel. Before addressing the prompt, the class might brainstorm examples of books, films, or television shows that connect in some way to Greek myths. Information from these or similar resources can help students develop additional context on the topic. The PBS video moves quickly and references numerous texts influenced by Greek mythology, including the Percy Jackson series and Romeo and Juliet.

• “How Greek Mythology Inspires Us” is a 10-minute PBS video discussing the ways in which Greek mythology impacts modern society, especially focusing on the influence on books.
• With “Greek Mythology and Ancient Daily Life in Film and TV,” Getty presents some of the many examples of Greek mythology in television and movies.