GREEK VALUESIt is important to understand some of the main Greek values of the time because….

These values help explain characters’ motivations

Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations)

Reciprocity:

•Mutual exchange between two people

•You give to me, I give to you

•You help me, later I have to help you

Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations)

Hospitality:

•Treat all guests with respect

•Be nice first, ask questions later

•A stranger could be a god in disguise!Be our guest,be our guest,

put our serviceto the test. . .

Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations)

Arete:

•Greek idea of excellence, an ideal of human perfection

•Intelligence (be smart and cunning)

•Strength

•Courage

•Duty

Greek Values (explains characters’ motivations)

Religion:

•Actions should please the gods

•Fate controlled by the god

•Humans need the gods (man, without the gods, is nothing) [Odysseus’ revelation]

•Humans should honor gods through sacrifices, asking gods for help, and giving credit to gods

Epics and Heroes

• What is Hubris?

Hubris is extreme arrogance or self-pride. Often in Greek tragedies, hubris would be the fatal flaw of the main character, often resulting in their downfall. In Mythology, humans sometimes demonstrated hubris, which angered the gods.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZqPXBJ8xLk

Tony Stark (Iron Man)

Performs acts of great bravery which are necessary because of continual conflict

Struggles with temptation but learns from his mistakes

Asks for (and receives) aid/ help from supernatural forces (gods)

Finally succeeds in reaching his seemingly impossible goal