Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the novel, and support their choices with details from the text.
The bull shows up repeatedly in the stories of Minos and Theseus. Europa is abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull, and gives birth to Minos. Pasiphae, Minos' wife, is forced to lust after a bull in punishment for Minos' dishonesty. The Marathon bull kills Minos' son [some stories say Androgeus was assassinated by jealous rivals], and the Minotaur in the labyrinth is part bull. Our hero also captured the Marathon Bull and sacrificed it to the gods.
Theseus metes out justice to each of the six foes he faces on his way to Athens. He makes the punishment fit the crime. Literally in some cases. The monster in the middle of the Labyrinth who has a taste for human flesh is slain, never to devour human flesh again.
Theseus triumphs over unjust and savage beings throughout his story. He defeats the bad guys at every turn, from his "Six Labors" on the road to Athens, to the wild Marathon Bull, the unnatural minotaur, and beyond. Theseus and the Athenian army defeats the invading "unnatural" Amazon force who objected to Theseus taking the Amazon Hippolyta. He also helps the Lapiths fight the centaurs who disrupted a wedding in a most uncivilized way.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes and motifs in the story of Theseus. Illustrate instances of each and write a short description below each cell.
Engage students with a Theme Hunt by having them search for evidence of key themes and motifs across the Theseus myth as they read or listen.
Why: This helps students practice close reading and builds analytical skills while making learning interactive.
Explain the concept of a Theme Hunt and review the main themes and motifs they might discover.
Why: Setting clear expectations helps students focus their attention and understand what to look for in the text.
Divide students into pairs or small groups and assign each a specific theme or motif to track.
Why: Collaboration encourages discussion, deeper understanding, and active engagement with the material.
Ask students to find and record examples of their assigned theme or motif as they read.
Why: Gathering textual evidence supports comprehension and reinforces critical thinking skills.
Invite each group to present their findings to the class and discuss how their theme or motif shapes the story.
Why: Sharing insights promotes a richer understanding of the text and connects different perspectives.
Main themes and motifs in the myth of Theseus include justice and just rewards, the triumph of civilization over savagery, and recurring symbols like bulls. These elements highlight Theseus’s role as a hero who punishes wrongdoers appropriately and brings order to chaos.
Students can identify themes and symbols by looking for repeated ideas or objects, such as the bull or justice, and supporting their choices with specific details from the text. Storyboards are a helpful tool for visually organizing and illustrating these examples.
The bull is a recurring symbol in the Theseus myth, representing power, danger, and the influence of the gods. Bulls appear in key stories: Zeus as a bull, the Marathon Bull, and the Minotaur, each shaping the hero’s journey and the fate of other characters.
The triumph of civilization theme shows how Theseus overcomes chaos and savagery by defeating monsters and unjust enemies. His victories—like slaying the Minotaur or helping the Lapiths—demonstrate how order and justice prevail over barbarism.
An easy classroom activity is to have students create a storyboard. They identify key themes and motifs from the myth, illustrate examples, and write brief descriptions. This helps students visualize and explain their understanding in an engaging way.