Theseus and the Minotaur (Years 3–4/P4–5)

Synopsis
Every nine years, Athenian youths are sent to Crete to be sacrificed to the Minotaur in an
underground labyrinth. Theseus promises to save the next victims. Using gifts from Princess Ariadne,
Theseus kills the Minotaur and escapes the labyrinth – but there is no happy ending. Theseus breaks
his promise to Ariadne and returns home too late to save his grieving father.

Comprehension
• Before listening: Discuss children’s expectations of legends – e.g. usually based on true
events; a brave hero; a terrible monster to defeat; exciting, suspenseful narrative.
• Pause after Theseus kills the Minotaur. Invite predictions about what happens next.
• Ask children to respond to the ending – e.g. commenting on likes/dislikes; shocks/surprises.
• Discuss Theseus ‘the hero’. Ask: What heroic qualities does he have? How are these shown? Are all his
actions ‘heroic’? What are his motives?
• Discuss the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary used in the story – e.g. tribute, labyrinth, fathomless, carrion.
• Consider how characters felt at different points in the story, referring to details about their behaviour – e.g.
the people of Crete, the King of Athens, Ariadne, the fourteen youths.
• Discuss the significance of the black sails.

Activities
• Divide the story into scenes. Give each a title, e.g. ‘Theseus volunteers’.
• Act out scenes from the story, freeze-framing the scene to focus on the different
characters’ thoughts, feelings and motives at that time.
• Retell Theseus’ dramatic battle with the Minotaur, using powerful, expressive language and vocal expression.
• Collect examples of expressive noun phrases used by the storyteller to create effects, e.g. ‘thin fingers of
bright morning sunshine’; ‘the inky darkness’; ‘steely blue Mediterranean sea’.
• Write descriptions of the terrifying Minotaur, selecting noun phrases, verbs and similes for effect.
• Ask children to imagine they are Theseus or another youth in the labyrinth. They should use their senses to
imagine what they hear, see, feel and think, and then write descriptive sentences that show fear – e.g. ‘I
heard a terrifying, threatening growl’.
• Ask children to write the events from one of the characters’ point of view.
• Write news reports for the ‘Athenian News’ about the events in the story.
• Find out about Ancient Greece, Athens and the ‘Palace of Knossos’ on Crete. Find out which parts of the
story are based on historical fact.
• Look at examples of Ancient Greek pots decorated with scenes from myths and legends. Ask children to
create their own design based on the Minotaur story, e.g. using black ink.

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