Madea and Jason

Rosenberg shares a myth which helps is identify the Madea myth. She says, "When a leader places his or her own desires before the needs of the community, both the community and the individual suffer." This myth is identified through Madea and Jason. Madea let her desire of wanting to be with Jason leaving her family behind and Jason also let his needs take control and act in such a way where he was not the hero, instead, he put his needs before his people.

Assessment Essay

Sylvia Lopez

English Literature 25

Professor Lennon

March 20, 2017

Assessment Essay

Why is Hercules considered an “archetypal hero?”

According to the Archetypes List Pre-AP English, archetypes are “recurring patterns (plot structures, symbols, character types, themes) that occur in mythology, religión, and stories across cultures and time periods.” They are a major part of helping people understand common traits that they share with other people apart from their individual culture. Archetypes also interpret situations  that “might be different from themselves otherwise.” The concept of an archetypal hero in literature is achieving goodness and struggle against evil to bring back harmony and justice to society. In the book, World Mythology the author, Rosenberg shares a short story called “The Labors and Death of Heracles” where we learn about who Heracles is. He was the most famous and popular of the Greek heroes. The myth of Hercules comes from the need to eternal fame. The text says, “the Lord of Olympus wanted to be certain that Hercules received eternal fame but at the same time wanted to please Hera. Later, Zeus made a promise to Zera that Heracles would have to complete whatever labors the King commanded.” After completing the twelve labors, he would reach immortality. In this short story, three characteristics that make Hercules an archetypal hero is that he is analytical, courageous, and also a risk-taker.  

An example in the text that allows us to identify Hercules as an analytical character is on page 101 of the book where the story introduces the first four labors. The first labor talks about how Eurystheus first commanded Hercules to bring him the skin of the lion of Nemea. In completing this labor, we see how Hercules thought about the strategies that he would have to take to be able to capture the lion. It mentions “the cave." Hercules knew that the cave had two exits. He then blocked one exit with a huge rock, and he then proceeded to enter through the other exit. He, therefore, trapped the lion and continued his plan on capturing it. A second example would be further on in the reading where we learn about the second labor. Here, Eurystheus commanded Heracles to kill Hydra of Lerna. We see that Heracles analyzed his strategy by capturing all the heads that started coming up. He did this with the help of his nephew. They put a log into a fire and created a white-hot brand. Through these strategies that Hercules used in these two labors, we can see how Hercules is analytical.

In addition, another characteristic that Hercules has that allows us to identify him as an archetypal hero is his courage. An example from the text that demonstrates this characteristic is on page 101-102. Here, we are introduced to the fourth labor. This labor involved “capturing Erymanthian boar and carrying it alive back to Tiryns.” The wild boar was extremely dangerous. He had sharp tusks and was fast. Regardless of how dangerous the wild boar was, Heracles had the courage and went on to complete the labor. He knew that things might have gone wrong, but he still continued to go on with his strategy. The text says, “He chased it up a mountainside into deep snow, where it could no longer run swiftly.” Hercules made the wild boar tired therefore he couldn’t run anymore, and Hercules quickly captured it. This example from the text shows how Hercules build up the courage to capture the dangerous wild boar despite the danger he knew he would have to face to complete this fourth labor. A second example from the text that shows this characteristic is on page 102 of the book. Here, we learn about Hercules sixth labor. Eurystheus commanded Hercules to chase the hordes of Stymphalian birds away from the lake of Arcadia. These birds were also dangerous. Despite how dangerous they were, Hercules continued to complete this labor. The story says, “He used a bronze rattle that made such a dreadful noise that it got the birds scared and made them fly away.” Through this labor, we see the courage that he had when he scared the birds away.

Furthermore, another characteristic that Hercules has that makes him an archetypal hero is that he is a risk-taker. According to the Archetype lists, what makes a hero is “...willing to risk life...” We can see that he is a risk-taker through the ninth labor which is on page 102. The ninth labor consisted of the Amazon Queen. The story says that “Eurystheus commanded him to bring the Amazon Queen, Hippolyte because his daughter wanted it.” Hercules was aware that the Amazons were extremely aggressive and were mean, yet he continued to complete this labor. He took the risk of confronting the aggressive women and getting the belt. As he got it, the women attacked him. He quickly assumed that Hippolyte betrayed him and he had no other option but to kill her. He got the belt and returned to Eurystheus. We see his characteristic in this example through the act of facing the women who would harm Hercules yet he took the risk and completed the labor. Hercules tenth labor also shows that he is a risk-taker. In this labor, Eurystheus “commanded Hercules to bring the beautiful cattle of the monstrous giant Geryon.” Geryon looked like he had a form of three men joined at the waist. We see how Hercules was a risk-taker in completing this labor because he faced the two-headed dog. He knew that he might get hurt and get attacked. Still, he took the risk of facing it and completing this labor.

In conclusion, an archetypal hero is made up of certain characteristics that allow he/she to demonstrate power, strength, and acts that show an act of heroism. According to the Archetype list, Archetypes are “recurring patterns (plot structures, symbols, character types, themes) that occur in mythology, religión, and stories across cultures and time periods.”  Archetypes help identify the hero in stories. They are an important factor in acts of heroism. In this story, Hercules was an archetypal hero based on his courage, analytical skills, and taking risks. He portrayed the idea of heroism and how being a hero includes certain characteristics that allow readers to understand what an archetypal hero is. The value of heroic archetypes in this contemporary era is important because it allows people to understand what an archetypal hero is made up of (characteristics) leading them to the final thought of heroism and what it means to be a hero.

Added Vocabulary

Sylvia Lopez

English Literature

Professor Lennon

March 22, 2017

In the book, World Mythology the author, Rosenberg’s diction includes words such as

Thanatos, Arete’, Hubris, Ate’, Nemesis, Social Context,oracle, seal, and the quest.

Thanatos is defined as (in Freudian theory) the death instinct. Often contrasted with Eros.

Arete means a sharp mountain ridge. Hubris means excessive pride or self-confidence. Ate

is defined as “indicate the salt of an acid, or is used to show offices, functions, institutions or

leaders. In addition, Nemesis is a goddess usually portrayed as the agent of divine

punishment for wrongdoing or presumption (hubris). Social context refers to the immediate


physical and social setting in which people live or in which something happens or develops.

The quest is a long or arduous search for something which is something we see in every

short story that Rosenberg shares to the readers.

Chi Li Slays the Serpent

Sylvia Lopez

English Literature 25

Professor Lennon

February 17, 2017

Chi Li Slays the Serpent

In the book, World Mythology the author, Rosenberg shares a short story called “Chi Li Slays the Serpent.” In this story, we learn that the people in a place called Chiang Lo County have always been afraid of the monstrous Yung serpent. Each year, the county officials found a maiden whose sacrifice would not be a great loss to her community. Chi Li who was the youngest of six daughters, volunteered to be the tenth year’s sacrifice despite both of her parents disagreeing with her decision. The act of heroism is seen through two specific qualities that Chi Li carries. She is selfless and courageous. This is seen through various examples from the text.

The first quality that Chi Li has is selflessness. She puts her family above herself. For example, on page 332, Chi Li speaks to her parents about her decision and indeed, they do not agree. She goes on to explain how a daughter serves no good and only prevents the family from being wealthy, especially coming from a family of six daughters because having a daughter means there is much more to spend. She says to her parents, “And since my life can do nothing for you, I would like my death to improve your lives in some way.” She strongly believes that her sacrificing herself will improve the economic status of their family.

In addition, another quality that defines her heroism is that she is courageous. The text says, “...there, Chi Li prepared to do further battle with the Yung serpent if that proved to be necessary…” Through this sentence, one can see that she not only volunteered to be sacrificed but also continued to do what she could to slay the serpent. Furthermore, Chi Li says, “The monster conquered you because you were too timid to put up a fight! How pitiful!.” She says this because at this point in the story, the serpent has already died and she proceeds to enter his cave where she finds the skulls and bones of the serpent’s nine sacrificial victims. Her response after seeing the skulls and bones meant that unlike those nine maidens, she was not timid to fight the monstrous serpent. In fact, it was her courage that made her the hero.

In conclusion, in the short story that Rosenberg shares, we see that Chi Li is selfless and courageous. Having these qualities made her the hero. Other people may say that she is smart and a trickster due to the strategy that she used when she killed the serpent. This story has various examples of the qualities that defined Chi Li’s heroism such as the part where she spoke to her parents about sacrificing herself and later on in the story, after the serpent dies, when she entered the serpent’s cave and found the skulls and bones of those nine maidens who had already sacrificed themselves but never had the courage to try and defeat him. Her heroism traveled to the king of Yueh where she married him and now, as the king’s wife, she was able to bring her family into the royal palace where they all became wealthy.

Myth of the Northern Europe

Sylvia Lopez

English 25

Professor Lennon

February 13, 2017

Writing Assignment #1 - Rewrite

They Myth of Northern Europe in

The Creation, Death, And Rebirth of the Universe

In the book, “World Mythology” the author, Rosenberg shares a short story called “The Creation, Death, and Rebirth of the Universe.” The setting of this story is a place called Niflheim where it is cold, foggy, and harsh which is similar to the myths of the Northern Europe because people in Northern Europe “face long, cold winters, short growing seasons that often yield a less-than-abundant harvest, and a lack of sophisticated medical knowledge.” This myth shows a universe where the physical environment often threatens human survival.
In this short story, King Gylfi who is the ruler of Sweden, transforms himself into an old man named Gangleri to learn about the nature of the universe and goes to visit the great gods in their hall in Asgard. Throughout the story, the diction that is used to describe the setting is very descriptive which gives a better understanding of the relationship between the story’s setting and the myths of the Northern Europe. For example, one of the great gods who was named ‘Third’ introduced the second world to come to its existence. He said, “...Niflheim, (fog home)” and “...the foamy venom from their waves hardened and turned into ice.” The words, Fog and Ice are words that are used to describe something cold, very similar to the Northern Europe myths. The type of creation myth that is presented in the story is the first kind of creation myth which is the creation of the entire universe. Some may begin with: chaotic; formless mass that a god separates, a group of two or more gods who multiply, or the creator- god brings life to earth in form of plants, animals, and humans.

Mythmaking in the Making

Sylvia A Lopez

English Literature_25

Professor Lennon

January 23, 2017

English_25 is a course that introduces myths from different parts of the world. In this course, we use the text "World Mythology" written by Donna Rosenberg. It is an anthology of the great myths and epics.  According to Donna Rosenberg, the purpose of myths is to explain the nature of the universe or to teach members successful/attitudes behaviors that are recognized in their culture.

There are six kinds of creation myths. The first kind of creation myth is the creation of the entire universe. This myth may begin with: chaotic, formless mass that a god separates, a group of two or more gods who multiply, creator-god brings life to earth in form of plants, animals, and humans. The second kind of creation myth is one that may begin with the origin of their own people which enhances their nationalistic spirit. The third kind of creation myth explains the continued existence of evil in the universe. The fourth kind is when the creator-god must fashion and destroy, usually through a flood, a succession of races. The fifth kind has human beings acquired. (Particular foods and the agricultural tools that permitted them to become civilized.) The last kind of creation myth is the divine figure that teaches agricultural skills to humans. "The Enuma Elish" from Babylon, the "Creation of the Titans" from Greece, and the "Creation Cycle" from Mexico (Toltecaztec) are examples that have this particular myth.

The vocabulary in this course is strictly important in order to have a clear understanding of the type of myths that are being expressed. Matriarchal, Patriarchal, Anthropomorphic, and Succession are four important vocabulary words. Matriarchal is defined as "relating to or denoting a form of social organization in which a woman is the head or denoting an older woman who is powerful within a family or organization". Patriarchal is defined as "Relating to, or characteristic of a patriarch or of, relating to, or characteristic of a system of society or government controlled by men." Anthropomorphic is defined as "relating to or characterized by anthropomorphism or having human characteristics." Succession is defined as "a number of people or things sharing a specified characteristic and following one after the other."