1/9/20 Billy Dong PD 7

January 9, 2020

Billy Dong Period 7

Notes: Team 4, Baldur Than You, presented there lesson today. Taught the class what can be learned through the stories of Thor’s Journey To The Land Of Giants and The Apples Of Immortality. 

To summarize what the student learned today, the norse used the two stories to teach the lesson of humility and humbleness. Thor, Loki, and Thialfi all have something thing excelled at. They believed they were the best at it but the giant, Utgardaloki, showed them otherwise. Thialfi could not outrun old age, Thor could not drink the whole ocean, and Loki could not eat faster than fire. They realized there was always something in the world that they could not beat. 

The second part of the lesson revolved around the Apples of Immortality. Goddess Idunn was the owner of these apples and all the other gods and goddesses depended on her to maintain their youth and power. This can be a demonstration of how unlike many other societies of the time, women played a much more crucial role.

Through these stories, we can see a clear difference between the Greek Gods and Norse Gods. The Greek gods were much more prideful and always put themselves on top of the world. They often did whatever they wanted with no regard to the consequences. Norse gods on the other hand was much more humble. They know they have limits to their power. They are not as arrogant and were much more “human like”. 

Being part of the process of creating a lesson plan, creating a lesson and teaching it to the class was a very unique experience. It allowed me to research in depth, create my own ideas, and share them with the class. There were many struggles such as analyzing what was the real meaning behind the stories instead of just what it is saying. Through this experience , I now know many of the difficulties of being a teacher and what it really takes. 

The following is the lesson plan. 

Lesson Plan 

Group 4: Henry Cao, Billy Dong, Colleen Jiang, Catherine Piro, Alicia Yu, Yaying Zhao

Myths: Thor’s Journey to the Land of the Giants & The Apples of Immortality (pgs 155-197)

Aim: What do the myths’ aspects of trickery tell about the Norse’s morals and ideals through their explanations of their environment? 

(Alicia introduces aim and leads in the Kahoot)  SLIDE 1

Kahoot to recap reading (4 Min) (COLLEEN) SLIDE 2

• (20 Pts to 1st place) (1 device per team) 
• Answers: 

1. Thiazi 
2. A final blow from Thor’s hammer
3. True
4. All of the above
5. False

Do Now: Class discussion (3 min | 2 share outs) (Colleen) SLIDE 3

• What is something you believe you’re good at? When have you felt that someone has proven to be better? How did that make you feel? 

_Thor’s Journey to the Land of the Giants_

Roles of Characters Explained (3 min) SLIDE 5 (just read out loud)

• Thialfi (Billy)
• Utgardaloki (Alicia) 
• How is Loki’s role different from the beginning of the story, compared to the end?
  Loki started the story with showing off his talent as he tricked Thailfi into breaking the bones of Thor’s goat. Later, he is tricked by the giant in the illusion. He even admits that he could be outsmarted at times. 

Class Discussion (3 min) (Catherine) SLIDE 6

• Why is it fitting that Thor take Thialfi on his quest instead of severely punishing his family? How is this different from how the gods in Greek mythology react to being wronged by humans?
• Thor is regarded as the protector of the Aesir and mankind. Therefore it is fitting that he should take pity on Thialfi's family and take him along for the quest instead. Thor’s goat is also left to be healed with Thialfi’s family. Compared to the gods in Greek mythology, the Norse are more sensible and don’t act rashly with punishments. The heros here also fight courageously and try to overcome their obstacles with no supernatural help they do not already possess (ex: Thialfi’s natural speed, Loki’s appetite, Thor’s strength, Thor’s ability to drink) In Greek mythology, the gods usually seek violent revenge on humans who have wronged them: Hera killed Hercules’ family, Athena turned Medusa into a monster, etc. Rather than punishing, they use that experience as a teaching experience for Thialfi. Greek myths don’t give second chances. They all end tragically with some moral to learn. Norse don’t end so tragically and are resolved in a cunning w

Obstacles Encountered (1-2 min) (Henry) SLIDE 7

• How does this reflect the culture and time in which the story was written?
• The Norse valued dominance and strength; Thor’s continued determination to successfully complete one of Utgardaloki’s challenges emphasizes his perseverance in preserving his reputation. Similarly, Thialfi’s desire to continually race Hugi demonstrates his determination. Additionally, the story of Thor’s Journey to the Land of the Giants is recorded to have been written during the Viking Ages. The competitive nature evident in the characters accurately display behaviour reminiscent to the Vikings. The Vikings were also known to have participated in competitive racing and wrestling, the competitions Thiallfi and Thor were in.

Obstacles Continued (Catherine) SLIDE 8

Group Discussion (5 min | 3 share outs) (Alicia) SLIDE 9

• What lessons or aspects of Norse culture/society are conveyed through Thor’s Journey to the Land of the Giants?

• Thor’s Journey to the Land of the Giants started as an act for forgiveness on Thialfi’s part, he had broken the bones of one of Thor’s goats when he was explicitly told not to. Through the Journey and in the Land of the Giants, it was proven time and time again that the Norse gods have limitations. Even these powerful beings cannot stand against the natural forces: old age, the elements, and nature itself. Hubris is one of man's biggest downfalls, and modesty is one of its largest advantages. Understanding you cannot control everything and there are larger forces at work, man can focus on what they can control. Additionally, the competitions focus largely on physical ability – something that the Norse valued. 
• Dignity is very important to them and they will do anything to maintain their dignity. This can be seen when Thor wouldn’t give up during the challenges even though he kept failing.
• The competitive nature evident in the characters accurately display behaviour reminiscent to the Vikings. The Vikings were also known to have participated in competitive racing and wrestling, the competitions Thiallfi and Thor were in.

_The Apples of Immortality_

Group Discussion (4 min | 2-3 share outs)  (Yaying) SLIDE 11

• What elements of Idunn’s story is similar to that of Persephone’s? 

• The story of Persephone was the Greek’s explanation for the changing of seasons. Spring and summer represents the 6 months Persephone would get with her mother on the surface while autumn and winter would represent the time Persephone spends below the surface with her husband. Her marriage was complicated and was non-consensual to a point. She was kidnapped by Hades at her moment of respite in a meadow, their marriage was validated by her consumption of Hades’ pomegranate fruit. The story of Idunn and is another tale of Loki’s mischief. Loki had attempted to fight an eagle for a scrap of meat and eventually ended up in the claws of the eagle. Loki had promised the eagle, Thiazi, an apple and Idunn for his release. Idunn was the Norse equivalent of spring, or life, so her absence from Asgard had resulted in the aging of the other gods. The Vikings had 9 months of snow & ice, which would have made spring essential to them. In the stories, both women were kidnapped because of their looks and involved the temptation of a fruit. Idunn represented spring & rebirth, resembling Persephone’s power over spring growth. 
• Relate back to group one’s presentation (slide about trickery)

Apple Slide (Spirit Reading) (1 min) (Catherine) SLIDE 12

Compare and Contrast Questions (5-7 min) (Colleen) SLIDE 13

• How do the roles of women in Norse mythology differ from the roles of women in Greek mythology? What are some similarities and differences between the Greek and Norse gods? 
• While Greek women had no power in society, the mythology would usually depict them of a background of power – yet still rendered powerless. In Greek mythology too much of anything was a hubris: too much beauty would make for a great body for a sacrifice while too little beauty would make the woman a monster to be feared. However, both parallels share the fact that women would be expected to shoulder the blame in either scenarios. From various stories, we see the Hera punishing the women for Zeus’ actions. Not only that, but the goddesses would direct their anger to the women involved in a situation instead of the god involved. Norse women, on the other hand had their share of equality. Originating from such harsh climates, their culture considered anyone strong enough to survive to adulthood as an equal. Although women still had the domestic tasks and men were in charge of the labor, each was considered equally important and respectful. In Norse mythology, the women were expected to be pretty, obedient, and delicate. Freya’s ability caused her to be offered up to the giant as an exchange for the hammer, but her reluctance had been the opposite reactions to what many of the gods expected. Then Thor had to take her place, he was reluctant because dressing as a female would mean he would be viewed as a female. This shows the clear dichotomy between the two genders in Norse mythology. 

Gender Dichotomy Slide ( 1-2 min) SLIDE 14 

• Greek (Yaying)
• Norse (Billy)

Real Life Connection (Henry) SLIDE 15

• Loki represents the human id - a personality component that works to satisfy our impulses, desires, and urges.
• Loki depicts the mischievous model, carrying out impish acts that only cause him more trouble.
• Thialfi’s attempts to overcome his obstacle (beating Hugi) leaves him with great improvement on his own speed.
• This illustrates how the hurdles we are presented with may cause us frustration and difficulty, but they will ultimately help us grow and improve.

Greeks Gods vs Norse Gods Slide (3 min) (Billy) SLIDE 16

• Discussion point of Greeks being all high and mighty vs Norse showing they have weaknesses and an inevitable downfall
• The Greeks depicted their gods as the extremes of humanity. They were excessively arrogant, vengeful, indulgent, powerful, etc...while also being scantily humble, caring, and forgiving. The Norse gods reflected the harsh Scandinavian climate which weeded out the “weak” – whoever is strong enough to survive adulthood would be respectable enough for the Vikings. Norse gods was much closer to the realities of human and had limits to their powers. That being said, strength is prized. However, the strength cannot last forever in such climates – eventually they’d all fall.  The Norse gods represented this in their susceptibility to time, the only remedy being the golden apples of Idunn. 
• The Greek gods were seen as omnipotent beings while the Norse gods were powerful beings who had their limits. While the Greek gods were immortal, the Norse gods relied on their golden apples of immortality. A part of this mentality comes from the environment of both cultures. The Greeks had a cycle of seasons and an easier lifestyle as compared to the harsh Scandivanian climate. Greek gods were often seen as all-powerful beings who spend their time in the mortal realm in search of a good time. There were rarely wars, and if there were, it would not be fault against other gods. The Norse, on the other hand, reflected the harsh winters of their native land. For them, whoever survives is strong, but this strength would not be maintained forever. In the same stem, is the logic that the Norse gods are powerful but they needed the golden apples to maintain their immortality. The Norse gods engaged in wars with each other and they partook in mischief. A parallel shared between the two mythologies is the representation of the extremes of human traits in the gods. 

Quiz!!!  (Alicia) SLIDE 17

1. How does the dichotomy of women in Greek mythology compare to Norse? Please use one specific example. 
1. The Greek women were seen as objects to place blame on. A woman too pretty would be accused of being deceitful, manipulative, and the downfall of men. A woman too ugly would be accused of being a monster who also led men to the doom. An example of each would be the many mistresses of Zeus and the story of Medusa, respectively. 
2. What was the irony of the use of trickery in the second myth? 
1. Loki uses trickery to kidnap Idun to get himself out of the mess he created. He acted selfishly and was reprimanded once the other gods discovered the mischief. He has to use trickery again but this time to retrieve Idun from the prisonment by the giant Thiassi 
3. What values are portrayed in Thor’s choice to not punish Thialfi? What does that say about the Norse vs the Greeks? 
1. In Norse mythology, Thor is , not only, portrayed as the god of thunder, lightning, storms, and strength – he was also the protector of humanity. His choice to not punish Thialfi in the story the Journey to the Land of the Giants, reflects his caring of the humans.  From this, we can see that the Norse and Greeks see their gods in different lights. The Greek gods were known to be powerful but cruel – to show this kind of forgiveness would have been unimaginable. 
4. How are the Norse gods showing their vulnerability in these myths compared to the all mighty Greek gods? What does that say about their views of themselves?
1. The Norse showed their susceptibility to time and other creatures, a complete opposite of the all-powerful Greeks. This shows that the Scandivanians did not believe their gods were omnipotent, rather that they were just there. The Norse gods were susceptible to human traits, such as: mischief, Loki; weakness, when Thor’s hammer could not affect Skymir; vulnerability, Idunn’s kidnapping; etc… These all tell us that the Norse had not viewed themselves as indestructible as the Greeks had. They realized that true immortality to the forces of nature wasn’t possible.