Question

1. which is a main characteristic of structuralist interpretation of myths? a. structuralist interpretations of myth demonstrate the orderly evolution of human society from more to less primitive, thus showing the pattern behind human development. b. myths provide an explanation for the way the world works, thereby providing a structure for people to use to understand the natural and human worlds around them. c. people tend to think in terms of opposites, and myths tell stories featuring polar opposites and endeavor to mediate or somehow come to terms with those oppositions. d. myths help people understand the structure of their minds, including the subconscious desires that we often arent aware of in our waking lives. 15. what is the \evil\ mentioned in the passage below? \iapetos’ boy, if you’re not the smartest of them all! i bet you’re glad you stole fire and outfoxed me. but things will go hard for you and for humans after this. i’m going to give them evil in exchange for fire, their very own evil to love and embrace.\ that’s what he said, the father of gods and men, and he laughed out loud. a. pandora, the first woman b. a great flood to wipe out humanity c. plagues that ruin human lives d. gold, which produces greed and injustice 16. who says this? i was born yesterday, my feet are soft, the ground rough. if you wish, i will swear a great oath on my father’s head: i claim that i’m not guilty nor have i seen anyone else steal your cattle—whatever cattle are—i’ve heard only by rumor. a. apollo b. hermes c. aphrodite d. hekate 17. why does leto choose delos as the place she will give birth to apollo? a. delos is one of the largest and richest islands in the aegean sea. b. delos was tiny but agreed to let leto give birth after other places, afraid of hera, refused. c. delos was already the seat of an important cult which apollo would take over as his own. d. delos was leto’s home. 18. who says this? hillbillies and bellies, poor excuses for shepherds. we know how to tell many believable lies, but also, when we want to, how to speak the truth. a. apollo and artemis b. the ionian maidens c. apollo and hermes d. the muses 19. who is being addressed here? (that is, who is \you\?) if you truly are mortal and a human woman but if otreus is your father’s famous name, as you say, and you come here by the will of the immortal messenger hermes, and my wife you shall be forever more, then none of the gods or mortal men here will hold me back from mingling in love with you at this moment. not even if the skillful archer, apollo himself, were to shoot arrows of grief from his silver bow. a. aphrodite b. helen of troy c. hera d. persephone 20. the answer to this question is a. please mark the letter a on your scantron under #20 so we can properly score and grade your test.

Explanation:

1. Structuralism in myth - interpretation emphasizes the binary oppositions in myths. People think in terms of opposites and myths deal with such polarities.
2. In the Prometheus - related myth, Zeus decides to give Pandora (the first woman) as "Evil" to humans in exchange for fire stolen by Prometheus.
3. Hermes is known for his tricks and this statement seems in line with his character when he is trying to deny stealing cattle.
4. Delos was a small island that agreed to let Leto give birth to Apollo and Artemis when other places refused out of fear of Hera.
5. The Ionian maidens are associated with telling lies and truths as described in the quote.
6. The passage is an address to a mortal woman and the context suggests Aphrodite is speaking.

Answer:

1. c. People tend to think in terms of opposites, and myths tell stories featuring polar opposites and endeavor to mediate or somehow come to terms with those oppositions.
2. a. Pandora, the first woman
3. b. Hermes
4. b. Delos was tiny but agreed to let Leto give birth after other places, afraid of Hera, refused.
5. b. The Ionian maidens
6. a. Aphrodite