Question
Tab 1: The Myth of Theseus and the Minotaur
In ancient Greece, on the island of Crete, lived a fearsome creature known as the Minotaur, a beast with the body of a man and the head of a bull. The Minotaur resided in a labyrinth, an intricate maze designed by the genius architect Daedalus. This labyrinth was so complex that once inside, no one could find their way out.
The Minotaur's existence came about due to a curse upon King Minos of Crete. As punishment from the gods, his wife, Pasiphae, bore the Minotaur. To keep the beast contained and to appease the gods, King Minos demanded a gruesome tribute from Athens, a city-state defeated by Crete in war. Every nine years, seven young men and seven young women from Athens were sent to Crete to be devoured by the Minotaur.
Among those in Athens was a young prince named Theseus, the son of King Aegeus. Brave and determined, Theseus could no longer bear the thought of his people suffering such a fate. He volunteered to be one of the tributes, vowing to slay the Minotaur and end the terror. His father, King Aegeus, reluctantly agreed, but only after Theseus promised to signal his success by changing the black sails of his ship to white upon his return.
Upon arriving in Crete, Theseus caught the eye of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos. Moved by Theseus's bravery and charm, Ariadne decided to help him. She provided him with a ball of thread, instructing him to tie one end at the entrance of the labyrinth and unravel it as he went deeper. This way, he could find his way back after defeating the Minotaur.
With the thread in hand, Theseus entered the dark, winding labyrinth. As he ventured deeper, he encountered the Minotaur. After a fierce and exhausting battle, Theseus overpowered the beast and killed it. He then followed the thread back to the entrance, where Ariadne awaited him.
Grateful and triumphant, Theseus escaped Crete with the other Athenian youths and Ariadne. However, as they sailed back to Athens, Theseus forgot to change the sails from black to white. King Aegeus, watching for his son's return from a cliff, saw the black sails and, believing Theseus to be dead, threw himself into the sea in despair. This sea was thereafter known as the Aegean Sea, in his memory.
Despite the tragic loss of his father, Theseus's victory over the Minotaur marked the end of the cruel tribute and the beginning of his reign as a wise and just king of Athens. His courage and ingenuity became legendary, inspiring countless tales of heroism and adventure in Greek mythology.
Tab 2:Hunger Games
"The Hunger Games," written by Suzanne Collins, is set in a dystopian future where the nation of Panem is divided into twelve districts, each under the oppressive rule of the Capitol. As a reminder of their subjugation and a form of entertainment, the Capitol holds an annual event known as the Hunger Games, where one boy and one girl from each district are selected by lottery to participate in a televised fight to the death. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, volunteers to take her younger sister Prim's place when she is chosen as the female tribute for District 12. Alongside Peeta Mellark, the male tribute, Katniss enters the deadly arena, determined to survive and return to her family.
Throughout the Games, Katniss employs her hunting skills and resourcefulness to navigate the treacherous environment and outmaneuver her opponents. She forms a strategic alliance with Rue, a young girl from District 11, and later with Peeta, whose affections for Katniss complicate their situation. As the Games progress, Katniss becomes a symbol of resistance against the Capitol's tyranny, gaining the support of viewers and challenging the established order. The relationship between Katniss and Peeta is manipulated for the audience's entertainment, blurring the lines between genuine emotion and survival strategy.
In the climactic conclusion, Katniss and Peeta are the last two standing tributes. Faced with the prospect of one killing the other, they defy the Capitol by threatening to eat poisonous berries, forcing the authorities to declare them both victors to avoid a public relations disaster. This act of rebellion sets the stage for a broader uprising against the Capitol's cruelty, positioning Katniss as a reluctant hero and symbol of hope for the oppressed districts. "The Hunger Games" explores themes of survival, sacrifice, and the corrupting influence of power, while highlighting the resilience and resourcefulness of the human spirit.
How does "The Hunger Games" draw on the theme of sacrifice, similar to the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur?
Responses
A By depicting characters who willingly offer themselves for a greater causeBy depicting characters who willingly offer themselves for a greater cause
B By focusing on the technical details of survival strategiesBy focusing on the technical details of survival strategies
C By eliminating the concept of tribute and focusing solely on personal gloryBy eliminating the concept of tribute and focusing solely on personal glory
D By highlighting only the political intrigue of the ruling classBy highlighting only the political intrigue of the ruling class
In ancient Greece, on the island of Crete, lived a fearsome creature known as the Minotaur, a beast with the body of a man and the head of a bull. The Minotaur resided in a labyrinth, an intricate maze designed by the genius architect Daedalus. This labyrinth was so complex that once inside, no one could find their way out.
The Minotaur's existence came about due to a curse upon King Minos of Crete. As punishment from the gods, his wife, Pasiphae, bore the Minotaur. To keep the beast contained and to appease the gods, King Minos demanded a gruesome tribute from Athens, a city-state defeated by Crete in war. Every nine years, seven young men and seven young women from Athens were sent to Crete to be devoured by the Minotaur.
Among those in Athens was a young prince named Theseus, the son of King Aegeus. Brave and determined, Theseus could no longer bear the thought of his people suffering such a fate. He volunteered to be one of the tributes, vowing to slay the Minotaur and end the terror. His father, King Aegeus, reluctantly agreed, but only after Theseus promised to signal his success by changing the black sails of his ship to white upon his return.
Upon arriving in Crete, Theseus caught the eye of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos. Moved by Theseus's bravery and charm, Ariadne decided to help him. She provided him with a ball of thread, instructing him to tie one end at the entrance of the labyrinth and unravel it as he went deeper. This way, he could find his way back after defeating the Minotaur.
With the thread in hand, Theseus entered the dark, winding labyrinth. As he ventured deeper, he encountered the Minotaur. After a fierce and exhausting battle, Theseus overpowered the beast and killed it. He then followed the thread back to the entrance, where Ariadne awaited him.
Grateful and triumphant, Theseus escaped Crete with the other Athenian youths and Ariadne. However, as they sailed back to Athens, Theseus forgot to change the sails from black to white. King Aegeus, watching for his son's return from a cliff, saw the black sails and, believing Theseus to be dead, threw himself into the sea in despair. This sea was thereafter known as the Aegean Sea, in his memory.
Despite the tragic loss of his father, Theseus's victory over the Minotaur marked the end of the cruel tribute and the beginning of his reign as a wise and just king of Athens. His courage and ingenuity became legendary, inspiring countless tales of heroism and adventure in Greek mythology.
Tab 2:Hunger Games
"The Hunger Games," written by Suzanne Collins, is set in a dystopian future where the nation of Panem is divided into twelve districts, each under the oppressive rule of the Capitol. As a reminder of their subjugation and a form of entertainment, the Capitol holds an annual event known as the Hunger Games, where one boy and one girl from each district are selected by lottery to participate in a televised fight to the death. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, volunteers to take her younger sister Prim's place when she is chosen as the female tribute for District 12. Alongside Peeta Mellark, the male tribute, Katniss enters the deadly arena, determined to survive and return to her family.
Throughout the Games, Katniss employs her hunting skills and resourcefulness to navigate the treacherous environment and outmaneuver her opponents. She forms a strategic alliance with Rue, a young girl from District 11, and later with Peeta, whose affections for Katniss complicate their situation. As the Games progress, Katniss becomes a symbol of resistance against the Capitol's tyranny, gaining the support of viewers and challenging the established order. The relationship between Katniss and Peeta is manipulated for the audience's entertainment, blurring the lines between genuine emotion and survival strategy.
In the climactic conclusion, Katniss and Peeta are the last two standing tributes. Faced with the prospect of one killing the other, they defy the Capitol by threatening to eat poisonous berries, forcing the authorities to declare them both victors to avoid a public relations disaster. This act of rebellion sets the stage for a broader uprising against the Capitol's cruelty, positioning Katniss as a reluctant hero and symbol of hope for the oppressed districts. "The Hunger Games" explores themes of survival, sacrifice, and the corrupting influence of power, while highlighting the resilience and resourcefulness of the human spirit.
How does "The Hunger Games" draw on the theme of sacrifice, similar to the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur?
Responses
A By depicting characters who willingly offer themselves for a greater causeBy depicting characters who willingly offer themselves for a greater cause
B By focusing on the technical details of survival strategiesBy focusing on the technical details of survival strategies
C By eliminating the concept of tribute and focusing solely on personal gloryBy eliminating the concept of tribute and focusing solely on personal glory
D By highlighting only the political intrigue of the ruling classBy highlighting only the political intrigue of the ruling class
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct response is:
**A** By depicting characters who willingly offer themselves for a greater cause.
Both "The Hunger Games" and the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur involve characters who make significant sacrifices for the sake of their communities or loved ones. Theseus volunteers to face the Minotaur to save the youths of Athens, while Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister Prim's place in the Hunger Games, demonstrating themes of sacrifice and heroism in both stories.
**A** By depicting characters who willingly offer themselves for a greater cause.
Both "The Hunger Games" and the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur involve characters who make significant sacrifices for the sake of their communities or loved ones. Theseus volunteers to face the Minotaur to save the youths of Athens, while Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister Prim's place in the Hunger Games, demonstrating themes of sacrifice and heroism in both stories.