56 Greek Myths: Supplemental Guide 3A | Demeter and Persephone
Tell students they will also meet a dog named Cerberus. Ask
students in what way Cerberus looks unusual. Tell students to
listen carefully to learn whose dog Cerberus is.
Vocabulary Preview 5 minutes
Despair
- In today’s myth Demeter began to despair when she could not
fi nd her daughter Persephone. - Say the word despair with me three times.
- Despair means to give up or be without hope.
- Pandora began to despair when she was not able to close the
box of terrors. - Tell your partner about a time you began to despair or about a
situation that would make you despair.
Underworld
Show image 3A-3: Hades taking Persephone down to the underworld - In today’s myth you will hear that Hades takes Persephone
down to the underworld. - Say the word underworld with me three times.
- The underworld is the place dead people go in Greek myths.
The ancient Greeks imagined the underworld as being under
the earth. - [Invite a student to point in the direction of the underworld in
the image.] - Hades is the god of the underworld. He and his three-headed
dog, Cerberus, make sure none of the dead escape back to
the land of the living. - Discuss with your partner what kind of place the underworld
might be. Complete this sentence frame: “I think the
underworld might be .”
Purpose for Listening
Tell students to listen carefully to fi nd out what things in nature this
myth helps to explain.