Question

grade 6: module 1: unit 2: lesson 2
close reading culminating task: \theseus and the minotaur\
name:
date:
directions: carefully read and answer the prompts.

1. what is a theme of \theseus and the minotaur\?

a. most journeys lead back home.
b. even heroes can make fatal mistakes.
c. love conquers hate.
d. challenges strengthen ones character.

1. what happens to theseus in this myth to emphasize the theme?

a. theseuss father, king egeus, dies because theseus forgets to change the black sails to white on the ship.
b. theseus becomes the king of his country.
c. ariadne helps theseus defeat the minotaur by giving him courage.
d. theseus is willing to sacrifice his life to defeat the minotaur.

1. write a summary of \theseus and the minotaur.\ be sure your summary includes the following:

• an introduction to the text stating the title and central idea;
• a brief outline of what the text is about;
• a possible theme (the point or message the author wants you to take away) of the myth;
• details from the text to support your theme.

Explanation:

1. In the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, Theseus forgets to change the sails, leading to his father's death, showing even heroes can make fatal mistakes.
2. The death of Theseus's father due to Theseus's forgetfulness emphasizes the theme that heroes can err.
3. "Theseus and the Minotaur" is a Greek - myth. The central idea is Theseus's journey to defeat the Minotaur. A possible theme is that even heroes can make fatal mistakes. Details like Theseus forgetting to change the sails support this theme.

Answer:

1. B. Even heroes can make fatal mistakes.
2. A. Theseus's father, King Egeus, dies because Theseus forgets to change the black sails to white on the ship.
3. "Theseus and the Minotaur" is a Greek myth. The central idea is Theseus's quest to enter the Labyrinth and slay the Minotaur. The story follows Theseus as he volunteers to be one of the tributes sent to Crete to face the Minotaur. With the help of Ariadne, he is able to navigate the Labyrinth and defeat the beast. However, on his return journey, he forgets to change the black sails of his ship to white as a signal to his father that he has survived, leading to his father's tragic death. A possible theme is that even heroes can make fatal mistakes. This is supported by the key event of Theseus forgetting the sail - changing signal, which results in his father's death.