·
This
story is a Greek Myth. A myth often
describes the actions of superhuman heroes or heroine.
o
The hero
in a myth is often tested several times before he is proven worthy.
Most heroes, like Bellerophon, face challenges that mean life or death.
Pg. 201 para 1
o
Heroes in
myths often receive warnings about future events. This device builds suspense.
Pg. 201 para 5
o
In Greek
myths gods and goddesses often interfere in human life, as Athena does in pg 202
para 1. Many stories in Greek
mythology revolve around gods and goddesses who represent various traits, both
good and bad.
§
In Greek
Mythology, Athena is the benefactor goddess of Athens.
She was said to have sprung fully armed from the forehead of the chief
god, Zeus. Athena was a major
warrior figure and was allowed to use Zeus’s breastplate and thunderbolt.
o
Fantastic
Creatures: the Greeks believed that
the earth was flat and that Greece was located at its center.
They imagines that the sea that lay to the west was filled with giants,
monsters, and magical beings. Greek
myths often include fantastic creatures, such as Pegasus.
For example, a Centaur is a savage creature who is half man and half
horse and dwells in the mountains; a Cyclops is a one-eyed giant; and the
Minotaur has the body of a man and the head of a bull.
Like the gods and goddesses, these creatures demonstrate both good and
evil traits.
o
The
heroes in the myths use reason as well as strength to achieve their goals.
§
Bellerophon
first uses reason when he decided to take the bridle with him even though he has
no horse. Although Bellerophon
knows that only gods ride the winged horse, he jumps on Pegasus’s back and
hangs on as Pegasus flies into the air and swoops down, attempting to throw
Bellerophon off. Bellerophon next
uses reason to get the bridle on Pegasus’s head.
He does this by slipping the bridle on when Pegasus returns to earth to
drink from a spring.
o
Courage
and Compassion: There are two
traits that a hero possess.
§
Bellerophon
shows compassion by forgetting about hs own safety when Pegasus is injured.
He shows courage by facing a creature with three heads, especially since
he has been warned about the creature.
§
Bellerophon
is terrified when he first sees the Chimera and almost wishes he could turn
back. However, his memory of Athena
helps him gather courage. He slays
the monster even though it becomes enraged at his attack.
·
The
story’s purpose is to entertain. It
is also a story about the struggle between the forces of good and the forces of
evil.