Allusions to Ancient Greek Mythology in Shakespeare

Shakespeare refers to other literary works within his plays and poems. This literary technique is
called an _____________.

Shakespeare often alludes to Ancient Greek Mythology. Within the The Merchant of Venice,
Shakespeare alludes to the myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece.

TASK: Summarize the main points of myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece using this website:
http://www.mythweb.com/heroes/jason/

Jasons Quest (Point form notes)

Birth:

Destiny or Fate Revealed:

Leaving Home:

Struggles:

Journey Home:

Reward:

Romance:

Other Allusions in The Merchant of Venice

More Ancient Greek Mythology References

Janus was the roman god of gateways and beginnings. He is often shown having two faces
looking in opposite directions. The month of _____________ is named for him.

Troy, Trojans, love story

Thisbe: Pyramus and Thisbe are madly in love and live in houses next to each other. Their parents, however,
forbid their romance and build a wall between the houses. The lovers find a chink in the wall through which they
speak and kiss one another. One night they decide to run away together, meeting at the Tomb of Ninus. Pyramus
arrives first, and she sees a terrifying tiger with blood on its mouth. She runs away in fear, dropping her cloak. The
tiger tears up the cloak and bloodies it. When Thisbe arrives, he sees the cloak, assumes his lover has died, and kills
himself in sorrow. Pyramus returns, sees Thisbe's body, and kills herself with the same knife. From then on,
mulberries take on the dark red color of their blood, making the lovers' bond eternal.

Orpheus see comic strip

Endymion: According to the legend, Endymion was a shepherd who fell asleep on Mount
Latmos and so entranced the goddess of the moon, Cynthia (also known as Diana or Phbe),
that she fell in love with him.

Diana Roman goddness of maidens and virginity, goddess o the hunt (known as Artemis in
Ancient Greek mythology)

Other Allusions
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