DVD Learning Guide

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Clash of the Titans (1981)

A Homeschool Learning Network Learning Guide
Format: DVD
Age Levels: Middle School / High School
Genre: Classic
Category: English : Literature
Rating: PG
Length: 118 minutes
Producer: Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Studios
Warnings: This DVD contains some violence.
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Summary
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Clash of the Titans follows the life of the Greek hero Perseus. Destined for greatness, this epic
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warrior is guided and aided with the help of his father and supreme God, Zeus. Perseus encounters
creatures of great beauty and horrific power. From the winged Pegasus to the Gorgon Medusa,
Perseus is challenged again and again. Ultimately he must face the most terrible and most powerful
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monster, the Kraken, to rescue the beautiful Andromeda.

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Vocabulary (Grades 6-12)

Vocabulary
Try the following activities with the vocabulary words to the right. Depending
on the age and ability of your students, they may be able to complete
Mythology
assignments from multiple grade levels.
Greek
6-8: Write a description or review about this DVD using the vocabulary Medusa
words. Above each vocabulary word, write N if it is a noun, V if it is a Zeus
verb; ADJ if it is an adjective; ADV if it is an adverb. Perseus
6-12: Copy the vocabulary words onto a sheet of paper. What do you think Pegasus
each word means? Write down what you think the words mean from Tragedy
your own knowledge. Now, look up each word in a dictionary, and Hero
compare definitions. How close were you? Write each word in a Andromeda
sentence, or write a paragraph or DVD summary using the words. Cassiopeia
Constellation
9-12: Write down words you hear in the video you dont understand. Break
the words into parts and see if you can determine the meanings. Look
up the meanings.

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 DVD Learning Guide
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Discussion Questions
Ask students to read through their questions carefully before watching the film, and take notes
during the film. After watching it, ask students to write their answers to the following questions on
a separate piece of paper.
Learning Styles: Auditory, Verbal Intelligences: Verbal/Linguistic, Interpersonal

Intermediate
1. Who is Perseus?
2. What gifts does Perseus receive from the Gods? What do each of the gifts do?
3. What creature does Perseus find and tame?
4. Who gives Andromeda the riddles she must ask her suitors?
5. Why must Andromeda be sacrificed to the Kraken? file
6. What is the name of the owl Perseus receives to replace the helmet?
7. What will happen to anyone who looks at Medusa?
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8. How does Perseus defeat the Kraken?

9. How is Perseus immortalized?
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10. Are the Gods afraid of Perseus?

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Advanced
1. Why does Zeus command that the city of Argos be destroyed?
2. Why does Thetis want to punish Andromeda?
3. Why does Perseus want to capture the winged horse?
4. Why does Calibos bring Andromeda to the swamp?
5. How does Perseus find out how to kill the Kraken?
6. What does river must Perseus cross to find Medusa? What is the ferrymans name?
7. Who changed Medusa into her monstrous form?
8. How does Perseus regain his strength after collapsing in the amphitheater?
9. Why do the Gods fear heroes like Perseus?

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Lessons & Activities

Heroes in Mythology
Subjects: Arts, History, Language Arts
Grades: 6 -12
Style: Visual/Auditory/Experiential/Kinesthetic

Concepts:
You will learn about heroes in Greek mythology and star constellations named after them.

Lesson:
Greek Heroes (6-12):
Read the stories of Jason, Hercules, and Odysseus at the following site:
Mythweb http://www.mythweb.com/heroes/heroes.html
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What qualities make someone a hero -- is it strength, kindness, bravery, or something else
entirely? Have students write a paragraph explaining their answers, then ask them to draw a
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picture of one of their heroes. Which of these qualities did Perseus from Clash of the Titans
possess?
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Constellations (Grades 6-8)

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At the conclusion of Clash of the Titans, Perseus can be seen as a figure among the stars. Many
other heroes and characters from Greek (and Roman) mythology can be seen among the stars as
well. Choose one of the following activities to learn more about these constellations:
Read about and look at the following constellations from the film. Write one fact about each
constellation:
Pegasus http://www.dibonsmith.com/peg.htm
Perseus http://www.dibonsmith.com/per.htm
Andromeda http://www.dibonsmith.com/and.htm
Cassiopeia http://www.dibonsmith.com/cas.htm

View the Interactive Andromeda Star Chart

http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/java/Andromeda.html
This Java applet allows you to see a star chart as if you were looking up at the night sky lying on
your back!

Constellations (Grades 9-12):

Write a short report with including information about the principle stars and when they can be seen
in the night sky on each of the following constellations:

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 DVD Learning Guide
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Pegasus http://www.dibonsmith.com/peg_con.htm
Perseus http://www.dibonsmith.com/per_con.htm
Andromeda http://www.dibonsmith.com/and_con.htm
Cassiopeia http://www.dibonsmith.com/cas_con.htm

Learn More! Books and Online Resources

BOOKS

Book of Greek Myths

DAulaires, Parin, Airplay Inc; ISBN: 1885608144

Heroes Gods and Monsters of Greek Myths

Evslin, Bernard, Bantam Young Reader; ISBN: 0553259202

Favorite Greek Myths (Dover Childrens Thrift Classics)

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Blaisdell, Bob and Green, John, Dover, ISBN: 0486288595
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The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus

Aliki, HarperTrophy; ISBN: 0064461890
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Favorite Greek Myths

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Pope Mary, Scholastic Trade; ISBN: 0590413384

ONLINE RESOURCES

Perseus
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/bdodge/scaffold/GG/perseus.html
A page of background information on the myth of Perseus. There are many links to other
mythological characters.

Greek Mythology: Perseus

http://www.milica.com.au/greek_myths/legends/pers3_t.htm
This is an excellent source of information about the mythic hero Perseus and his adventures.

Perseus
http://www.mythweb.com/heroes/perseus/index.html
This illustrated guide to the life of Perseus is informational and easy to read.

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Mythweb
http://www.mythweb.com
A phenomenal information about general mythology.

Bulfinchs Mythology
http://www.bulfinch.org/
This site is an easy to use and has a massive amount of information about Greek, Roman and
Norse mythology.

Greek Mythology
http://www.messagenet.com/myths/
Have fun and learn about Greek myths and the Greek heroes! This site is well illustrated and easy
to read.

Greek Mythology Link

http://www.maicar.com/
For more advanced users this site is well researched and very complete. Scroll down to the bottom
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of the page for a comprehensive table of contents.

Mythology of the Constellations

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http://www.emufarm.org/~cmbell/myth/myth.html
This is a quick but informative page about the constellations and their names as they relate to
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mythology.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ANSWER KEY:

Intermediate
1. Perseus is the son of Danae (mother). His father is Zeus. He is the heir to the kingdom of Argos.
2. Perseus receives a helmet that makes the user invisible, a shield that has a mirrored back, a sword that can cut
stone, and later in the story he receives Bubo the owl who has the wisdom of the gods.
3. Perseus finds, captures and tames the winged horse Pegasus.
4. Thetis gives Andromeda the riddles that she must ask of her suitors. He transports her spirit to swamp where he
gives her the riddles.
5. Andromeda must be sacrificed to the Kraken because her mother Cassiopeia boasts that Andromedas beauty is
greater than Thetis herself. Cassiopeia speaks these words while she is in the temple of Thetis, which angers the
goddess. Thetis was looking for a way to punish those that Perseus loves because Perseus cut off the hand of her
son Calibos.
6. The owls name is Bubo and he is given the wisdom of the Gods.
7. Anyone who looks at Medusa will be turned to stone. Perseus is able to defeat Medusa by using his shield to trick
Medusa and to see her.
8. Perseus defeats the Kraken by using the head of Medusa. When he shows the Kraken the head of Medusa the
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monster is turned into stone.
9. Perseus is immortalized in the stars. A constellation is named after him.
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10. The Gods are not afraid of Perseus but they are afraid that more men will follow Perseus lead and have
imagination and courage. The gods would not be needed.
Advanced
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1. Zeus commands that the city of Argos be destroyed by the Kraken because King Acrisius throws his daughter
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(Danae) and her son (Perseus) into the sea. The infant is actually the son of Zeus.
2. Thetis wants to punish Andromeda because she feels that Andromeda was not fair to her son Calibos by refusing
to marry him. Calibos was deformed and punished by Zeus for hunting Zeus animals.
3. Perseus wants to capture Pegasus so that he can follow the winged bird that brings Andromedas spirit to the
swamp at night.
4. Calibos brings Andromeda to the swamp so that he can see her. She will not see him in his deformed state and he
is too ashamed to see her with his deformity.
5. Perseus finds out how to kill the Kraken by visiting the Stygian Witches. They give him the information after
Perseus has the owl steal the eye they use together to see.
6. Perseus must cross the river Styx. The ferrymans name is Charon
7. Medusa is changed into a monster by the goddess
8. Perseus regains his strength from Zeus. Zeus stands his figure up in the amphitheater after Perseus collapsed in
it.
9. The Gods fear heroes like Perseus because they believe that imaginations and heroic deeds will take away mens
needs for Gods.

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