The Theogony by Hesoid Reader's Theater Script | Greek Mythology

This reader’s theater script for The Theogony covers some of the most famous stories from Hesoid's The Theogony (700 BC/BCE).

This script should take about ~35 minutes to read depending on your classroom's level. Extra time for discussion, vocabulary or short answer comprehension questions should be planned.

This product includes a docx (MS WORD) file consisting of:

• Grades 6-12 Version (~21 Characters, 3500 words, 17 pages)
• Student & Teacher Reader's Theater Tips & Notes
• 10 Comprehension Short Answer/Discussion Questions and 15 Vocabulary Words
• Note: All files are in editable DOCX format
• Character Note: There are 21 characters but some have only 1 or 2 lines, if necessary one student can read multiple lines. Likewise some of the main characters can be read by multiple students.

This script includes the following select stories in 5 acts:

Act 1: The Primordial Beginnings

In the beginning, there was only Chaos—a vast, empty space with nothing in it. From this emptiness, Gaia, the Mother Earth, emerged. She was strong and nurturing, the foundation of all life. Deep within Gaia, Tartarus, a dark abyss, came into being. Alongside them, Eros, the spirit of love, and Nyx, the Night, were born. Gaia decided to create companions, so she gave birth to Uranus, the Sky, who covered her with stars, and Pontus, the Sea, who embraced her shores. Gaia and Uranus united, and from their union came powerful beings: the Titans, including Cronus, the youngest and most ambitious. They also had the Cyclopes, one-eyed giants, and the Hecatoncheires, giants with fifty heads and one hundred arms. Uranus feared these monstrous children and imprisoned them deep within Gaia, causing her great pain. Determined to free her children, Gaia asked the Titans for help. Cronus stepped forward, ready to challenge his father.

Act 2: The Rise of Cronus and the Fall of Uranus

Under the cover of night, Cronus ambushed Uranus as he approached Gaia. With a sharp sickle given by his mother, Cronus wounded Uranus deeply, overthrowing him. From the blood of Uranus, new beings emerged: the Furies, avengers of wrongs; the Giants, destined for great battles; and the Meliae, nurturing nymphs. As Uranus faded, he cursed Cronus, prophesying that Cronus would also be overthrown by his own child. Cronus dismissed the curse and became the new ruler, leading during the Golden Age, a time of peace and prosperity. However, the prophecy haunted him. When his wife Rhea gave birth to their children—Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon—Cronus swallowed each one, fearing they would rise against him. Heartbroken, Rhea sought Gaia's help to save her next child.

Act 3: The Birth of the Olympian Gods

Rhea gave birth to Zeus in secret and hid him in a cave, giving Cronus a stone wrapped in cloth to swallow instead. Raised by nymphs and a nurturing goat, Zeus grew strong and wise. When he was older, Gaia told Zeus of his true heritage and destiny. Determined to free his siblings and overthrow Cronus, Zeus sought the help of Metis, a wise Titaness. She gave him a potion to make Cronus release his swallowed children. Disguised as a servant, Zeus gave Cronus the potion. Cronus drank it and vomited up the stone and his children, now fully grown. United, Zeus and his siblings prepared to challenge Cronus. They freed the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires from Tartarus, who gratefully gave them powerful weapons. With their new allies, they declared war on the Titans.

Act 4: The Titanomachy (War of the Titans)

The great war between the Olympians and the Titans began. Zeus, his siblings, and their allies faced off against Cronus and the Titans. The battle was fierce, with both sides wielding immense power. The Hecatoncheires hurled massive boulders, and the Cyclopes forged thunderbolts for Zeus. Prometheus, a wise Titan, chose to side with Zeus, believing in justice over loyalty to Cronus. With Prometheus's guidance, Zeus devised a strategy that turned the tide of the war. The Titans were overwhelmed and ultimately defeated. Zeus and his allies imprisoned the Titans deep within Tartarus, ensuring they could no longer threaten the new order.

Act 5: The Age of the Olympian Gods

With the Titans defeated, Zeus and his siblings established their rule from Mount Olympus. They divided the realms among themselves: Zeus took the sky and earth, Poseidon ruled the seas, and Hades governed the Underworld. New gods emerged as they established their domains. Zeus married Hera, making her the queen of the gods, and they had children like Ares and Hebe. However, Zeus had other children with different goddesses, leading to Hera's jealousy. One of these children was Athena, the goddess of wisdom, born from Zeus's mind. Meanwhile, Prometheus defied Zeus by giving fire to humans. As punishment, Zeus had Prometheus bound to a mountain where an eagle would eat his liver daily. To further challenge humans, Zeus ordered the creation of Pandora, the first woman, who opened a jar releasing hardships into the world. Yet, hope remained inside the jar, offering comfort to humanity.

General Tips for Using this Resource:

1. Print one, double-sided script for each student
2. For digital classrooms, upload the MSWORD DOC version and convert to Google docs
3. Character roles can be adjusted based on class size; characters can be combined or split as needed

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Greek Mythology Reader's Theater Scripts Bundle (13)