updated 8-9-02

Chapter 11: Myths of Death
Encounters with the Underworld
60 points possible on each; total 180

In order to establish their status as heroes and thus their right to govern or establish great kingdoms, major Greek legendary figures successfully complete a journey to Hades, the land of the dead. This journey, which is both literal and symbolic, is usually the last of several tasks or "Labors" and follows a set pattern in which the heroes demonstrate their ability to win the favor of the gods, to gather historical wisdom from the shades of those who have gone before, and to face Death itself with courage.

The story of Orpheus' journey to the Underworld represents a significant departure from the usual pattern because the central character is not a hero, not specially favored by one or more gods.  Instead, he is an ordinary mortal who aspires to accomplish a task usually reserved for heroes.  The enduring popularity of this story, which is probably a folk tale rather than a legend, illustrates a new emphasis on the value of the individual and his aspirations.  This emphasis on the individual continues to the present time in the Western tradition.

Your task in Chapter 11 is to complete one Study Guide for each of the Greek figures covered in Chapter 11 (Odysseus, Aeneas, and Orpheus). As you follow the pattern, explain how the character you are discussing does or does not follow the pattern.

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The name of the mythical hero: ____________________________________

The Journey to the Underworld:  the archetypal pattern 

1. (10) The hero demonstrates his ability to win the favor of the gods by

a.  Offering a sacrifice to a deity
b.  Being told by a god or divine oracle that he must travel to the Underworld.  
c.  Being able to enlist the services of one or more guides or mentors to tell him how to get to Hades, what to do while he's there, and how to get back out again. 
d.  Securing one or more talismans that give him special abilities

2. (10) The hero travels to the Underworld

a. He travels to the west, beyond the land of living men.
b. He encounters strange and magical creatures before he enters the Underworld
c. His entry into the Underworld is signaled by crossing water 

3. (10) He meets the characters of the Underworld

a. Charon
b. Cerberus
c. The Furies or The Fates
d. Minos and Rhadamanthus
e. The Twins Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death)
f. The shades of the dead
              i. Famous men
              ii. Family members
              iii. Those being punished for offending the gods, incurring blood guilt, or breaking 
                   social taboos

4. (10) He crosses one or more rivers during his trip to the Underworld

a. Acheron ("Sorrowful")
b. Styx ("Hateful")
c. Cocytus ("Lamentation")
d. Phlegethon ("Fiery" "Flaming")
e. Lethe ("Forgetfulness)

5. (10) He is entertained and released by Hades

a. Literally and symbolically facing his own mortality and death
b. Secures some token that may be taken away from Hades to the land of living men
c. Often leaves behind some token that he has visited the Underworld
d. Outwits Hades in some way, thus securing his release from the Underworld

6. (10) The return from the Underworld

a.  Having met and overcome Death through his own cleverness and courage and bearing tokens which show that he has the favor of the gods, the hero returns to the land of the living. He has completed the last of his tasks and demonstrated that he has the heroic qualities to become a famous leader of men.

or

b.  He meets but for some reason either does not or does not completely overcome Death.  His failure suggests that the Greeks would have regarded the character not as a true hero, favored by the gods, but as an everyday mortal who nevertheless risks everything to reach a goal he considers important.