Greek Literature IB and IIB Study Guide

Basis for Rating: I loved the Greek mythology! It was so interesting. The only part I disliked was when I had to read about the Egyptian mythology.Review: All the books I read this semester were very interesting. It was amazing that I got to read The Iliad! Greek Literature was probably my favorite course this year. I very much enjoyed Bulfinch’s Mythology also. My favorite chapter from that book was probably “Chapter XV—The Graeae or Gray-Maids—Perseus—Medusa—Altas—Andromeda”. By reading these classics I have a better understanding of the Greek mythological world.

Basis for Rating: Miss Bethany was really helpful during the live classes and I found the course as a whole really enjoyable and amazing.Review: Greek Literature 1 was one of my favorite courses.  In particular, it helped me learn the importance of working hard on an idea that mattered to me.  In week 06 of the semester, I had to create a multicolor study sheet - a paper using multiple colors to talk about certain characters in the Iliad.  I had an image in my head of a fortress and terms in and around it, but I was worried it would take too long.  Eventually I grabbed some paper and tried to do it.  It took me two sheets of paper, but I thought it looked amazing.  It was well worth the time and effort.  The course reminded me of the value of hard work again when I had to write a paper about the theme of the Iliad.  I wanted to make a shorter essay but instead I buckled down and wrote an essay I was pleased with.  The course semester in general was really fun and fascinating - I particularly loved the character of Hektor in the Iliad - but I really valued how much the course taught me how important it is to be willing to work hard on something, even if it takes a little longer than if you took an easier approach.  The course really showed me how much that little extra work pays off. 

Basis for Rating: I learned I lot from and really enjoyed this course.Review: One life lasting lesson that I have taken from Greek Literature 1 is learning to appreciate the beauty of similes in literature. While reading the Iliad of Homer, I discovered many similes that brought both understanding and beautiful poetry, an occasional laugh or a jaw drop. One of my favorite similes was “Now when the man of both sides were set an order by their leaders, the children's came on with clamor and shouting, like wildfowl, as when the clamor of cranes goes high to the heavens, and when the crane escaped the winter time and the rains unceasing and glamorously wing their way to the streaming Ocean, bringing to the Pygmaian men bloodshed and destruction: at daybreak they bring on the baleful battle against them. But the Achaian men went silently, breathing valor, stubbornly-minded each in his heart to stand by the others” (Homer 3.1-9). I hope many fellow STAA students may experience what I have in this course, for I have learned so much and am truly grateful for it.