Semi-Detailed Lesson Plan

Subject: Mythology and Folklore (EL 106)

Topic: Myths as Explanations of Natural Phenomena (Samples from

Greek Mythology)
(LESSON 12-13: TOPICS 1-7)

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:
1. discuss the stories of these myths based on relevance with natural phenomena
or as an allegory to present-day realities; and
2. analyze the relationship between the myth to its referrer natural phenomena
for allegory.

Activity The PSTs will start with an activity called Guess the Myth. In this activity,
the PSTs will show five (5) pictures of natural phenomena that symbolize a
specific story of myth with the use of a laptop through PowerPoint
presentation. Learners will identify and use their knowledge of mythology to
interpret, guess, and consider what the pictures may represent and what
myth story it is. The learners will respond orally, and if they get the correct
answer, they will receive a reward from PSTs.

The PSTs will discuss the relevance of the activity to the lesson and provide
students with a glimpse into the lesson, Myths as an explanation of natural
phenomena. The activity will also assist learners in developing critical
Analysis thinking skills, expanding their knowledge of myths, and legends, and
improving memory and recall for preparation and active participation in the
subsequent discussion.

Abstractio As assigned, the PSTs will discuss the following topics:

n
Apollo and Daphne
Apollo and
Daphne Introduction:
discussed The myth of Apollo and Daphne (in Ovid’s Metamorphoses (I.438-567) is a
by Janice story describing what happens when lust faces rejection. It is a tale about the
Sudaria power of love, the power of Cupid (or Eros in Greek) who can even blind the
 most powerful amongst the Greek Gods. In the myth, Apollo falls madly in
love with Daphne, a woman sworn to remain a virgin. Apollo hunts Daphne
who refuses to accept his advances. Right at the moment he catches her, she
turns into a laurel tree.

Characters:
 Apollo: Apollo is one of the most important Olympian gods in Greek
mythology. He is the son of Zeus and Leto, and he is associated with
various domains, including music, poetry, prophecy, and the sun. In the
myth, Apollo represents desire and pursuit.
 Daphne: Daphne is a nymph, a minor goddess of nature, and a follower
of Artemis. She personifies natural beauty, purity, and chastity. Daphne
represents the pursued and desired object. When Apollo's advances
become overwhelming, she pleads to her father for protection and
undergoes a transformation to escape his grasp.
 Eros (Cupid): Eros, also known as Cupid, is the god of love and desire in
Greek mythology. Eros retaliated by shooting two arrows as revenge to
Apollo for mocking and making fun of his archery skills, making Apollo
falls in love with Daphne and Daphne feels abhorrence to him.
 Peneus: Peneus is a river god and the father of Daphne. When Daphne
seeks his help to escape Apollo's pursuit, Peneus grants her plea by
transforming her into a laurel tree. As a protective and transformative
figure, Peneus represents the power of nature and the ability to change
one's form.

Summary:

The myth of Apollo and Daphne is a tale from Greek mythology. It tells the
story of Apollo, the god of music, poetry, and light, and Daphne, a nymph
and daughter of the river god.
According to the myth, it started when Apollo mocked Eros (the god of
love). It took place right after Apollo using his bow killed the terrifying
serpent python that terrorized mankind.

Apollo, full of arrogance after his triumph over such powerful enemy
(python) crossed paths with Eros who was also a famous bowman as he was
practicing his accuracy. He started mocking Eros’ archery skills

Eros, seeking to teach Apollo a lesson, he retaliated by shooting two arrows

as revenge to Apollo for offending him. The one that hit Apollo on the chest
is a “golden arrow with a sharp glistening point” It was an
arrow of love and intense passion that filled him with an insatiable lust for
Daphne.
 With a second arrow, a “blunt one with lead beneath its shaft”, Cupid shot
Daphne; a nymph who also happened to be a virgin huntress of the Goddess
Artemis. Daphne was very beautiful and many men came to ask her hand
and she had the bad luck of attracting the affection of Apollo.

Apollo approached the nymph whom he now saw more beautiful and
virtuous than she actually was. He started praising her again and again. But
Daphne could not even stand his presence.

She flees from him, running through the woods, with Apollo pursuing her
relentlessly. At times when Apollo could almost grab her, she escaped from
him at the last second. As Daphne runs, she saw the waters of her father’s
river, Peneus, and finally, Apollo grabbed her then she screamed and pleads
to her father for help. In response, Daphne transforms into a laurel tree.

Her hair became leaves, her arms became branches and her legs became
roots. Before Apollo could have a look on her face, she was gone and the
only thing standing where Daphne stood was a beautiful laurel tree.

Even after Daphne’s transformation, Apollo’s love did not wither away. And
truly since then, the laurel became the sacred tree of Apollo. He adopts the
laurel wreath as a symbol of victory and wears it on his head or carries it in
his hand. Also, the prize of the Pythian Games, the second most important
Games in antiquity after the Olympics was a crown of laurel.

Significance of the laurel tree to the transformation of Daphne

Interpretations:
 Laurel tree was associated with Apollo even before the myth o
Daphne.
 In ancient Greece, the laurel tree was considered sacred to
Apollo and was often found in the vicinity of his temples.

 The laurel tree was chosen for its evergreen nature and its
symbolism of victory and honor.
 Apollo was the god of various aspects, including music
prophecy, and poetry, but he was also associated with victory.
 and grant her a perpetual symbol of victory.

 The choice of the laurel tree could also be attributed to its

symbolism of protection and refuge.
 By transforming Daphne into a tree, Peneus could have offered
 her a form of protection from Apollo's persistent pursuit.
Analysis: Relevance with Natural phenomena or as allegory to present day
realities

In the myth, Apollo, the god of music, poetry, and prophecy, becomes
infatuated with Daphne. Apollo's desire for Daphne is portrayed as a
metaphor for human desires and passions. This aspect of the story can be
seen as relevant to present-day realities, where individuals often experience
intense desires and pursuits.

As Apollo relentlessly chases Daphne, she becomes overwhelmed and

seeks refuge in the natural world. Here, the myth takes on a connection
with natural phenomena. Daphne pleads with her father, the river god, for
help, and he grants her request by transforming her into a laurel tree. The
transformation represents a profound alteration in Daphne's physical form,
symbolizing the power of nature to shape and change our lives.

The myth can also be interpreted as an allegory for the unrequited or

uncontrolled pursuit of desire. Apollo's relentless pursuit of Daphne, despite
her resistance, is a symbolic of human obsession and the consequences it can
bring. This aspect of the story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the
potential negative outcomes of unchecked desires.

Furthermore, the transformation of Daphne into a laurel tree can be seen

as a representation of humanity's relationship with nature. The myth serves
as a reminder of the power and influence of the natural world. It emphasizes
the need for humans to respect and coexist harmoniously with nature,
recognizing that our desires and actions can have profound consequences on
the environment.

Relationship between the myth to its referred natural phenomena for

allegory.

The laurel tree, known as Daphne in Greek, became associated with Apollo and
held great symbolic significance. The laurel wreath, made from the trees leaves
became a most powerful symbol of victory, honor and achievement.
 The laurel tree’s evergreen nature, with its vibrant and aromatic leaves, came
to represent eternity, immortality, and the divine. It was believed to have
protective qualities and was associated with wisdom, knowledge, and
inspiration, linking it to Apollo's domains of music, poetry, and prophecy.
It explores the themes of;
 unrequited love
 desires and pursuits
 the illusion of beauty
 transformation and escape
 power of nature


Pyramus Pyramus and Thisbe

and Thisbe (Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Book 4)
&
Cephalus Natural Phenomena: Red fruit of mulberry Tree
and Procris Introduction:
discussed The myth of Pyramus and Thisbe is an ancient tragic love story. It tells the
by Mae story of Pyramus and Thisbe, two young lovers from Babylon whose
Ann Macas forbidden love and terrible fate gave rise to the fruits of mulberries.

Characters:
 Pyramus: A handsome young man from Babylon who falls in love with
Thisbe.
 Thisbe: A lovely young woman from Babylon who reciprocate
Pyramus' love.
 Parents: Both Pyramus' and Thisbe's parents, who strongly disapprove
of their relationship.
 Lion: A dangerous beast who plays an important role in the plot.
Summary:
Pyramus and Thisbe were much in love and resided in nearby houses in
Babylon. Their parents, however, disapproved of their relationship and
prohibited them from visiting each other. The young lovers found
redemption in communicating secretly through a crack in the wall that
separated them from their homes.
To avoid their parents' scrutiny, they planned to meet near a mulberry tree
outside the city gates one day. Thisbe was the first to come, but when she
saw a lioness with bloodstained jaws, she ran in fear, leaving behind her
veil. The lioness had just finished consuming its prey without injuring
Thisbe.

When Pyramus arrived at the meeting spot, he found Thisbe's ripped veil
and assumed she had been killed by the lioness. Pyramus, heartbroken and
overcome with grief, committed suicide by stabbing himself in the chest
with a knife. His blood sprayed across the mulberry tree's white fruit,
coloring them a deep, dark red. Thisbe returned just a few minutes later to
find Pyramus dead. Overwhelmed by grief, she seized the same dagger and
killed herself, joining Pyramus in death. Their blood mingled, increasing
the red color of the mulberries even more.

Analysis: Relevance with natural phenomena or as an allegory to present-

day realities.

The myth of Pyramus and Thisbe explains the red color of mulberries as

well as their relationship with forbidden love. The blood of the sad lovers
stains the berries with a deep red tint, reflecting their passion and sacrifice.
This association acts as a heartbreaking reminder of their tragic love and
consequences of secrecy. The mulberry tree, which becomes Pyramus and
Thisbe's meeting place, depicts their concealed love. It becomes both a
witness to their secret meeting and a silent partner in their tragic ending.

The change of the tree from white to red berries represents the
transformation of innocence and purity into passionate and forbidden love.
Furthermore, the presence of the lioness adds to the story's sense of danger
and imminent end. It is a metaphor for the cultural difficulties and parental
rejection that Pyramus and Thisbe encountered. External forces prohibited
them from freely expressing their feelings, just as the lioness became a
threat to their love.

Relationship between the myth to its referred natural phenomena for

allegory.

a. The symbolism of the Mulberry tree: Trees frequently represent

vitality, development, and connection to the earth. In this setting, the
mulberry tree can be interpreted as a symbol of their love and desire to
escape societal constraints.
b. The crack in the wall: It can be seen as a metaphor for the barriers
and limits that keep individuals from freely expressing their love and
connection with one another in society.
c. The Lioness and the blood-stained veil: In nature, predators
represent uncontrollable forces that can disturb and even destroy
relationships or plans.

It explores the themes of;

 forbidden love,
  parental opposition, and
 the tragic consequences that can arise from keeping love hidden.
Cephalus and Procris
A version of Ovid in “Metamorphoses Book 7”
Introduction:
The myth of Cephalus and Procris is a Greek mythological tale that
explains the phenomena of the morning breeze. It is a story about love,
trust, jealousy, and the fragility of relationships. The story of Cephalus and
Procris is both relevant to the actual phenomena of the morning breeze and
an allegory for contemporary circumstances.

Characters:
 Cephalus: He is a handsome young hunter, known for his exceptional
skills with a javelin. Cephalus is deeply devoted to his wife, Procris.
 Procris: She is the wife of Cephalus, described as a beautiful and loyal
woman. Procris's love for her husband is unwavering.
 Eos (Aurora): The goddess of the dawn, she is infatuated with Cephalus
and plays a crucial role in the myth. She is the personification of the
sunrise.
 King Aeacus: A mythological king of the island of Aegina in the
Saronic Gulf. He was a son of Zeus and the nymph Aegina, and the
father of the heroes Peleus and Telamon
 Myrmidons: are the soldiers commanded by Achilles
 Phocus: the son of Aeacus. Phocus leads the Athenians to a courtyard
where they sit down to talk.
 Orithyia: was the mountain-nymph wife of Boreas the North-Wind
who dwelt with her husband in a cave on Mount Haemus in Thrace.
 Diana: Roman religion, goddess of wild animals and the hunt,
identified with the Greek goddess Artemis
 Jove: Jupiter in roman, zeus in greek He is the chief of the gods and a
son of Saturn and husband of Juno. Change the fox and dog into stone.

Summary:
After King Aeacus tells the stories of the plague and the Myrmidons, he
and Cephalus sit down to a feast. The next morning, strong winds prevent
Cephalus and his companions from going back to Athens. They go to find
King Aeacus again and run into Phocus, one of King Aeacus’s sons. Phocus
leads the Athenians to a courtyard where they sit down to talk. Phocus
notices that Cephalus is carrying a beautiful wooden spear with a gold
point. He asks Cephalus where he got such a beautiful spear. Cephalus
explains that the spear never misses its target, and magically returns to its
thrower after it strikes its target.
 Cephalus tells Phocus the story of the spear. A while ago, Cephalus
married Procris, the sister of Orithyia. Procris was beautiful, and Cephalus
was very happy with her. A month after their wedding, Cephalus is out
hunting when Aurora, the goddess of the dawn, takes him into the sky.
Cephalus doesn’t sleep with Aurora and thinks only of Procris. Aurora gets
upset and tells Cephalus that he will soon regret marrying Procris. As
Cephalus returns home, he thinks of Aurora’s warning and starts to wonder
if Procris has been unfaithful to him. He trusts Procris’s attitude but
distrusts her beauty. He decides to test her loyalty.
Although Cephalus and Procris are in love and happily married—
something that is rare in the Metamorphoses—their relationship is thwarted
by external factors right away. Sensing Cephalus’s plan, Aurora disguises
Cephalus to look like a different man. When Cephalus enters his house, he
finds no sign of Procris’s infidelity. When Procris comes up to him, he longs
to kiss her and reveal his identity, but he determines to follow through with
testing her loyalty.

He tries to seduce her, but she maintains that she belongs to her husband
who is missing. The disguised Cephalus brings Procris gifts, and at last her
resistance fails. Cephalus reveals himself and calls Procris a harlot. Procris
resents Cephalus for his trick and joins Diana’s clan of chaste women.
Cephalus is still in love with her and begs her for forgiveness.

At last, he wins her back. Procris gifts Cephalus the fastest hunting dog in
existence and the beautiful spear with the golden tip. Cephalus tells what
happened to the hunting dog that Procris gave him: one day, a ferocious fox
attacks Thebes, causing the citizens to fear for their herds. The men lay traps
to catch the fox, but it escapes. The men then beg Cephalus to unleash his
dog on the fox. Cephalus agrees and sets his dog loose. The dog chases the
fox, repeatedly getting within inches of catching it, but it escapes. Cephalus
reaches for his spear. Suddenly, the dog and the fox are turned to stone,
neither winning nor losing the race.

Cephalus then tells the story of the spear: Cephalus and Procris are
deeply in love and very happy together. In the mornings, Cephalus goes
hunting by himself with his gold-tipped spear. When he gets tired, he stops
to rest. He longs for a cool breeze and speaks to the wind to bring him
pleasure and relieve him. One day, an eavesdropper hears him speaking to
the wind and thinks he’s speaking to a nymph he’s having an affair with.
The eavesdropper tells Procris that Cephalus is having an affair. Procris is
devastated by the news but decides to get proof of Cephalus’s infidelity
before she accuses him.
 The next morning, when Cephalus finishes his hunt, he asks the wind to
delight him as usual. Suddenly, he hears a sound in the trees nearby.
Thinking it is a wild animal, he launches his spear. He hears Procris cry. He
finds her and clutches her dying body, trying to staunch the wound in her
chest. Procris murmurs that she loves Cephalus and asks him not to marry
the breeze nymph after she dies. Realizing what had brought her into the
woods, Cephalus tells Procris the truth. It is too late, and she dies in his
arms.

Analysis: Relevance with natural phenomena or as an allegory to present-

day realities.

The ancient Greeks' awareness of natural processes is reflected in this story,

as are the allegorical themes of love, devotion, and trust. The morning
breeze, which originates in Eos' domain as the goddess of dawn, represents
the short-term quality of love and the vulnerability of relationships. It acts
as a reminder to maintain trust and fidelity even in the face of temptation or
doubt. The story of Cephalus and Procris remains relevant today in
discussing the challenges of trust, jealousy, and the delicate balance within
relationships. It emphasizes the need of open communication, loyalty, and
overcoming anxieties that might undermine a partnership's foundation.
Relationship between the myth to its referred natural phenomena for
allegory.
The morning breeze, which usually corresponds with freshness, purity, and
the start of a new day, represents a relationship's first state of trust and
innocence. It symbolizes the fragile beginnings of love, full of promises and
optimism. Cephalus' interactions with the morning air can be interpreted as
a metaphor for his initial comfort and satisfaction with Procris. The myth of
Cephalus and Procris, in its allegorical context, cautions against the
destructive impacts of jealousy and emphasizes the need for trust in
relationships. It is a cautionary tale that emphasizes the importance of open
communication, understanding, and forgiveness. The morning breeze,
which signified purity and hope at first, becomes a metaphor for trust's
fragile nature, reminding us of the delicate balance required to preserve
successful relationships.
It explores themes of;
 Trust and Fidelity
 Jealousy and Suspicion
 Consequences of action
 Communication and misunderstanding
 Remorse and Forgiveness
Juno and JUNO and her RIVALS
 her rivals Characters
&  Juno - Queen of the gods and goddess of marriage and childbirth
Ceyx and  Venus - Goddess of love and beauty
Alcyone  Minerva - Goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare
discussed  Hera - Queen of the gods and goddess of marriage and family in Greek
by Queenie mythology
Montilla  Aphrodite - Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation in
Greek mythology
 Athena - Goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law
and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts,
crafts, and skill
 Zeus - King of the gods and god of the sky, lightning, thunder, storms,
law, order, and justice
 Paris - Trojan prince who judged the beauty of the goddesses and
ultimately chose Aphrodite as the winner

Summary:
In Roman mythology, Juno was the queen of the gods and the protector of
women and marriage. She was also known for being jealous and easily
provoked. This is evident in the myth of "Juno and her Rivals," where Juno
becomes envious of the beauty of the peacock, an animal known for its
extravagant and colorful plumage.
According to the myth, Hera, the Greek equivalent of Juno, had a rivalry
with a nymph named Argus. Zeus had tasked Argus with guarding a white
heifer, but Hera was jealous of the attention Zeus gave to the heifer and
decided to have Argus killed. To honor Argus, Hera took his hundred eyes
and placed them on the tail feathers of a peacock, thus creating the bird's
vibrant appearance.
In another version of the myth, Juno becomes jealous of a beautiful nymph
named Io, whom Jupiter had taken as a mistress. In order to distract Juno's
attention away from Io, Jupiter turned Io into a cow and told Juno that he
would give her the cow as a gift. However, Juno saw through the ruse and
requested the cow, intending to keep Io imprisoned forever. To
commemorate Io's beauty, Jupiter turned her into a peacock, and the bird
has been associated with Juno's jealousy ever since.
Today, the peacock remains a symbol of beauty and extravagance. Its
feathers, with their iridescent blues and greens, continue to inspire fashion,
art, and design. Whether seen in natural habitats or in zoos and gardens, the
regal peacock remains a reminder of the timeless appeal of mythology and
the power of storytelling.

Analysis: Relevance with Natural phenomena or as an allegory to present-

day realities
In the myth of Juno and her Rivals, Juno, the queen of the gods, goes head-
to-head with Iris and Venus in a beauty contest to determine who is the
most beautiful. Juno, seeking to use her power and status to win, even
enlists the help of her husband Jupiter. However, the judges, including
Paris, ultimately choose Venus as the winner.
As a result of her defeat, Juno is overcome with jealousy and anger. She
seeks revenge by turning her rival, a beautiful nymph named Io, into a cow
and sending a venomous insect called a gadfly to sting her. Io, desperate to
escape the torment, flees and eventually comes face-to-face with Jupiter,
who restores her to human form.

But Juno's wrath doesn't end there. She also transforms her servant Argus,
who had been watching over Io, into a peacock, with its iridescent feathers
and proud display symbolizing her superiority over her rivals.
This myth explains the origin of peacocks and their association with pride
and beauty. In the story, Juno's need for validation and power fuels her
jealousy and leads her to seek revenge. By transforming Argus into a
peacock, she seeks to display her dominance over her rivals in a flashy and
ostentatious way.
In our culture, the peacock is often seen as a symbol of pride and beauty,
with its colorful feathers and elaborate display. This myth reveals that this
association may have originated from Juno's desire for dominance and the
transformation of Argus into a peacock as a symbol of her superiority.

Relationship between the myth to its referred natural phenomena for

allegory.

The myth of Juno and her Rivals tells the story of a beautiful nymph named
Io, who catches the eye of Jupiter, the king of the gods. Jupiter transforms
himself into a cloud to conceal his presence and seduces Io. When Juno,
Jupiter's wife discovers his infidelity, she becomes consumed with jealousy
and becomes obsessed with punishing Io rather than her unfaithful
husband.
This myth bears significance in terms of self-love, obsession, and
transformation. Juno's obsession with punishing Io rather than Jupiter
reveals her lack of self-love and reliance on external validation. Her fixation
on punishing Io, who is innocent in the affair, rather than Jupiter is
indicative of her insecurity and need to exert control over others to feel
powerful and validated.
Moreover, the transformation of Io into a cow also holds symbolic
significance. The transformation represents the metamorphosis of an
individual in the face of transformational experiences. Io's transformation is
not only physical but also emotional. It represents her loss of agency and her
struggle to reclaim it.
In summary, the myth of Juno and her Rivals is an allegory for the
destructive nature of jealousy and obsession and how they can prevent us
from embracing self-love and personal transformation. It teaches us the
importance of accepting change and letting go of the past, rather than
punishing ourselves or others.

Ceyx and Alcyone

Introduction:

The myth of Ceyx and Alcyone is a tragic tale that explains the origin of the
natural phenomenon known as the halcyon days. In Greek mythology,
Ceyx, the king of Thessaly, and his wife, Alcyone, play central roles in this
story. The myth provides insights into the symbolism of the halcyon days,
representing calmness and tranquility, and explores allegorical themes of
love, loss, and the search for solace.

Characters:

 Ceyx- The king of Thessaly, deeply in love with his wife Alcyone.
 Alcyone- Daughter of Aeolus, the god of the winds, and wife of Ceyx.

Summary of the story

Ceyx decides to undertake a treacherous sea voyage to consult the Oracle of

Apollo, despite Alcyone's pleas for him to stay. Tragically, his ship is caught
in a violent storm and sinks, resulting in his death. Overwhelmed by grief,
Alcyone throws herself into the sea. However, the gods take pity on the
couple's deep love and transform them into halcyon birds (often identified
as kingfishers), allowing them to be reunited. The gods also decree that
during the breeding season of these birds, known as the halcyon days, the
seas will remain calm and tranquil.

Analysis: Relevance with Natural phenomena or as an allegory to present-

day realities

The origin of the halcyon days: The myth explains the origin of the halcyon
days through the transformation of Ceyx and Alcyone into halcyon birds. It
is during the breeding season of these birds that the seas become calm and
tranquil. This natural phenomenon symbolizes a period of peace and
stillness, often associated with the winter months. The myth provides a
 mythical explanation for this phenomenon, attributing it to the divine
intervention of the gods in response to the deep love shared by Ceyx and
Alcyone.

Relationship between the myth to its referred natural phenomena for

allegory.

The symbolism of calmness and tranquility:

The halcyon days, represented by the calm and tranquil seas, carry a
symbolic meaning of peace and serenity. They serve as a metaphor for
finding solace and respite from the tumultuous nature of life. In the myth,
the halcyon days are a gift from the gods, symbolizing the temporary
reprieve from grief and turmoil experienced by Alcyone. This symbolism
can be interpreted in a broader context, highlighting the human need for
moments of tranquility and inner calmness amidst the storms and
challenges of life.

Allegorical significance in relation to love, loss, and solace:

The myth of Ceyx and Alcyone holds profound allegorical significance in

relation to love, loss, and the search for solace. The unwavering love
between Ceyx and Alcyone is portrayed as a powerful force that transcends
death and leads to their eventual reunion as halcyon birds. This allegory
suggests that love has the ability to provide solace and healing in the face of
profound loss and grief.

Furthermore, Alcyone's despair and subsequent transformation into a

halcyon bird represent the human experience of searching for solace and
finding a sense of peace amid tragedy. The myth acknowledges the
profound impact of loss and grief while offering hope that love and
cherished memories can provide comfort and transcendence.

In conclusion, the myth of Ceyx and Alcyone is intricately linked to the

natural phenomenon of the halcyon days. The story explains the origin of
these calm and tranquil periods, reflecting their symbolism of peace and
serenity. Moreover, the myth explores allegorical themes of love, loss, and
the search for solace, emphasizing the enduring power of love and the
potential for finding inner calmness in the face of adversity.
Echo, Echo, Narcissus and Clytie: A Story About Love and Obsession
Narcissus A version of Ovid in “Metamorphoses Book 3”
and Clytie Introduction:
discussed Echo and Narcissus is a myth from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, a Roman mythological
by epic from the Augustan Age. In this brief story, the mountain nymph Echo, is cursed
Rutchell by the goddess Hera and fell in love with Narcissus, a beautiful hunter from Thespiae
Dologuin in Boeotia. He rejected Echo and fell in love with his own reflection. While in the story
of Clytie, she was deeply in love with the sun god Apollo, but her love was unrequited.
It’a tale about the unrequited love, obsession, and the consequences of fixating on
someone who does not return one's affections.
Characters:

 Echo- A beautiful water nymph. She cursed by Hera because she

diwho fell in love with Narcissus
 Narcissus- A beautiful youth and the son of God Cephisus and nymph
name Leriope. He rejected Echo and feel in love with his self.
 Nemesis/ The Avenging Goddess - The goddess that answered a
rejected lovers prayer and put a curse on Narcissus.
 Hera/Juno - Hera is the wife of Zeus who constantly gets on her
nerves, striking up romances with other women. Echo, a beautiful
nymph, falls victim to her angry power.
 Zeus/Jupiter/Jove - Zeus, King of the gods, is always in pursuit of a
young girl. He never seems to be satisfied with his own wife, Hera, and
constantly seduces those of the female species.
 Tiresias- A blind seer or prophet who prophesied Narcissus life, his
prophecy is that Narcissus live to be and old man as long as he never
looked at himself.
 Clytie- A water nymph and daughter of Titans Oceanus and Tethys.
She was the lover of the sun god Helios, who eventually deserted her to
pursue Leucothea, daughter of Orchamus.
 Appolo/Helios: The goddess of the sun, he went after Leucothea and
left Cyltie.
 Lucothe

Summary:

The myth of Echo and Narcissus is a poignant tale from Greek mythology
that explores themes of love, obsession, and the consequences of excessive
self-love. Echo, a nymph, is cursed by the goddess Hera to only repeat the
words spoken to her, while Narcissus, a beautiful and vain young man,
rejects all those who admire him. Echo falls deeply in love with Narcissus
but is unable to express her feelings. Narcissus, consumed by his own
vanity, remains oblivious to Echo's presence and dismisses her as a mere
echo. Heartbroken, Echo withdraws into the forest and wastes away until
only her voice remains. Meanwhile, Nemesis, the goddess of retribution,
decides to teach Narcissus a lesson. She leads him to a pool of water,
where he becomes infatuated with his own reflection. Narcissus becomes
fixated on his image, neglecting all else, and eventually withers away,
leaving behind a narcissus flower.The myth of Echo and Narcissus serves
as a cautionary tale, warning against excessive self-love and the dangers of
vanity. It emphasizes the importance of genuine connections and empathy,
reminding us of the tragic consequences that can arise from an unbalanced
focus on oneself.

Clytie

In Greek mythology, Clytie was a water nymph and the daughter of the
Titan Oceanus. She was deeply in love with the sun god Apollo, but her
love was unrequited. Clytie spent her days gazing at Apollo as he drove
his sun chariot across the sky, longing for his affection.However, Apollo
remained indifferent to Clytie's love, causing her great anguish. She
became consumed by her unrequited feelings and devoted all her attention
to watching Apollo. She neglected her own well-being and disregarded all
other aspects of her life.The other gods and goddesses took notice of
Clytie's relentless devotion and decided to intervene. As an act of
compassion, they transformed her into a sunflower, also known as
heliotrope. In her transformed state, Clytie's face turned towards the sun,
and she forever followed Apollo's path across the sky. Clytie's
transformation into a sunflower symbolizes her eternal devotion and
serves as a reminder of the consequences of pursuing unattainable love.
Her story warns against the dangers of obsession and highlights the futility
of fixating on someone who does not reciprocate one's affections.

Relevance with natural phenomena or as an allegory to present day

realities.

 Echo as an allegory of communication: Echo's ability to mimic others'

speech reflects modern communication. In an age of social media and
information overload, many people repeat others' thoughts and ideas
without expressing their own. The story emphasizes the importance of
true communication and finding one's voice in the clamor.
 Narcissus as a symbol of self-obsession: A metaphor for modern
narcissism and self-centeredness. The myth warns of what occurs when
people focus too much on themselves in a society that promotes self-
promotion and personal happiness. It shows the importance of
empathy and meaningful connections.
 Clytie as a symbol of unrequited love and transformation:
Interpreted as an allegory for unrequited love, obsession, and the
 consequences of fixating on someone who does not reciprocate those
feelings. Clytie fell prey to her one-sided love for Helios. She became
obsessed and couldn't let go.
 Echo, Narcissus, and Clytie are mythological figures that represent
nature's cycles. Echo's sounds echo like cave sounds and bird calls.
Narcissus' fixation on his own image symbolizes people's attraction to
beauty and the visual world. Clytie's sunflower transformation shows
how plants develop toward the sun.
Relationship between the myth to its referrer natural phenomena for
allegory.

 Echo and the echo phenomenon: The myth of Echo, with its emphasis
on repetition and echoes, can be related to the natural occurrence of
echoes in caves, mountains, and other landscapes. Echo can symbolize
the echoes we hear in nature, reminding us of the interconnectedness
of sound and the resonance that exists in the environment.
 Narcissus story is associated with the natural phenomenon of the narcissus
flower and the concept of reflection. It’s symbolized new beginning,
innocence, purity, sincerity and authenticity.
 Clytie's and her transformation into a sunflower can be seen as an
explanation for the behavior of sunflowers, which are known for
turning their heads to face the sun. Sunflowers exhibit a phenomenon
called heliotropism, where their blooms track the movement of the sun
throughout the day.

It explores themes of;

 Self-obsession
 Power of love
 Vanity
 Communication
 Unrequited love

Persephone PERSEPHONE
discussed
by Nessa Introduction:
Anthony The myth of Persephone, the sweet daughter of Greek goddess Demeter
and Zeus who was kidnapped by Hades and later became the Queen of
the Underworld, is known all over the world. This is actually the myth of
the ancient Greeks to explain the change of the seasons, the eternal cycle
of nature's death and rebirth.
Characters:
 Persephone- Goddess of spring growth
Demeter- Goddess of the harvest and agriculture
Hades- God of the underworld
Zeus- King of the gods and god of the sky, lightning, thunder, storms,
law, order, and justice

Summary:

Persephone was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She was also called
Kore, which means "maiden" and grew up to be a lovely girl attracting the
attention of many gods. However, Demeter had an obsessed love for her
only daughter and kept all men away from her.

The most persisting suitor of Persephone was Hades, the god of the
Underworld. He was a hard, middle-aged man, living in the dark, among
the shadows of the Dead. But his heart softened when he saw Persephone
and was amazed by his youth, beauty and freshness. When he asked
Demeter to marry her daughter, Demeter got furious and said there
wasn't the slightest chance for that to happen. Hades was heart-broken
and decided to get Persephone no matter what.

Persephone was a goddess who loved nature and flowers. One day, while
she was picking a special flower called a daffodil, the ground suddenly
opened up, and Hades, the god of the underworld, grabbed her and took
her away.

Persephone's mother, Demeter, was devastated by her daughter's

disappearance and stopped everything from growing on Earth. It became
cold and dreary all the time because Demeter missed her daughter so
much.

Zeus, the king of the gods, felt sorry for Demeter and wanted to help. He
told Hades to let Persephone go back to her mother. Hades agreed, but he
tricked Persephone into eating some pomegranate seeds, which meant she
had to spend part of the year in the underworld.

So, for a few months every year, Persephone stayed with Hades in the
underworld, and during that time, Demeter was very sad, and everything
on Earth stopped growing. But when Persephone came back to her
mother, it became warm and sunny again, and plants and flowers
bloomed.
Analysis: Relevance with natural phenomena or as an allegory to
 present-day realities.

The myth of Persephone's abduction provides an ancient explanation for

the changing seasons. The time Persephone spends in the underworld
correlates with the arrival of winter when the earth becomes barren and
cold. Conversely, her return to the surface marks the onset of spring and
summer, bringing warmth and abundant growth. This story offers a way
for ancient cultures to understand and make sense of the natural cycles of
the seasons.

Relationship between the myth to its referrer natural phenomena for

allegory.

●The natural phenomena of the changing seasons: Persephone's

abduction by Hades and her subsequent return to the surface world
symbolize the transition of the seasons from winter to spring and
summer.

●This myth serves as an allegory for the cyclical nature of the seasons and
the connection between the realm of the underworld, the earth, and the
divine.

●The myth of Persephone can be interpreted as an allegory for personal

growth and the journey of self-discovery. Persephone's experience in the
underworld and her reunion with her mother can represent the process of
facing and integrating one's shadow self, undergoing inner
transformation, and finding balance and wholeness.
It explores themes of:
transformation, the passage from darkness to light, and the cycles of life,
death, and rebirth.

At the end of the discussion, PSTs will conduct an assessment comprised of

Application three types: multiple choice for 20 items, true or false for 15 items, and
matching type for another 15 items for a total of 50 items.

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