Theogony

The concept of justice is central throughout the poem, and it is embodied primarily by the rule of Zeus. What does justice mean for Hesiod? Why does Zeus represent and enforce this idea? Has the meaning of justice changed since Hesiod’s Theogony? Why or why not?

Teaching Suggestion: It may help to begin with Hesiod’s definition of justice, as opposed to students’ own preconceived definitions. Consider also noting the central role that Zeus plays in the poem; pushing students to unpack the way Hesiod presents him may help strengthen their critical and analytical thinking skills.

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Visualizing Hesiod’s Theogony”

In this activity, students will use creative thinking skills to produce an artistic interpretation of Hesiod’s narrative.

The Theogony is full of striking visual imagery, including descriptions of the gods, fearsome monsters, and the underworld. In this activity, choose one of the numerous entities or locations described by Hesiod and create a visual representation of it. Use any medium of your choice, and consider the following:

• Who or what have you chosen for your visual representation?
• How does Hesiod describe this entity or location? What are its defining qualities?
• What role does this entity play in Hesiod’s cosmos? How can this role be reflected in a visual representation?