Theseus and the Minotaur Myth Shadow Puppet Set: 9 Puppets

Description

Are you studying the captivating world of Greek mythology? Bring these tales to life with the ancient art of shadow puppetry!

Our specially designed set allows you to reenact the thrilling story of Theseus and his battle with the Minotaur. This legendary myth is not only one of the most famous but also serves as a perfect gateway to exploring vital themes in Greek mythology, such as the hero’s quest, the interplay of fate and prophecy, and the concept of a tragic flaw.

Engage your audience or students in an interactive storytelling experience that makes learning about these timeless narratives both fun and educational. With shadow puppets, you can play the roles of screenwriter, director, musician, lighting technician, and prop master all at once—in the comfort of your own home or classroom!

Theseus and the Minotaur Myth

Once upon a time, in the ancient city of Athens, there lived a brave young prince named Theseus. Every year, the city was darkened by a grim tradition: fourteen Athenian youths were sent to the island of Crete to be devoured by the Minotaur, a monstrous creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull. Determined to end this horror, Theseus volunteered to be one of the doomed youths, embarking on a perilous journey to Crete. There, he captivated Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, who fell in love with him and provided a ball of thread to help him navigate the maze that housed the Minotaur. Theseus triumphantly slayed the beast and escaped with Ariadne. However, during their return to Athens, he tragically abandoned her on the island of Naxos. Consumed by guilt and forgetting to signal his victory with white sails, Theseus inadvertently caused his father, King Aegeus, to believe his son had died. In despair, Aegeus leapt to his death from a cliff, giving his name to the Aegean Sea.

For a full, child-friendly version of the myth, I recommend listening to this episode of the podcast Greeking Out.

Key Features of the Shadow Puppets

1. Unique designs: Each puppet is meticulously hand-drawn with designs inspired by Greek black-figure pottery and subsequently cut from high-quality 110-lb cardstock.
2. Full Cast of Characters: The Theseus and the Minotaur Shadow Puppet Set includes a comprehensive collection of characters, including Theseus, the Minotaur, Ariadne, King Minos, and King Aegeus. Additionally, there are puppets of a young male and a young female, which can be used to portray the Athenian youths being sacrificed to the Minotaur. The man can also be used for Androgeus (King Minos’s son) if you choose to tell the longer version of the myth and explain why King Minos was mad with the Athenians. Moreover, there is a puppet of the bull to tell yet another aspect of the myth, which would explain the appearance of the Minotaur. 
3. Easy-to-Use: These shadow puppets are simple to set up and use. Just shine a light source on the puppets, and their silhouettes will come to life on a screen or wall. It’s a captivating and easy way to tell the myth.
4. Educational: Shadow puppets offer a unique and engaging educational tool that fosters creativity, storytelling skills, and cultural appreciation through hands-on learning and interactive play.
5. Great for All Ages: This set provides endless entertainment and storytelling possibilities for both children and adults, making it perfect for family playtime, parties, or educational activities.
6. Portable and Compact: The compact design of the puppets makes them easy to store and transport, offering on-the-go entertainment and storytelling opportunities.

What’s Included:

• • Theseus shadow puppet
  • the Minotaur shadow puppet
  • Ariadne shadow puppet
  • King Minos shadow puppet
  • King Aegeus shadow puppet
  • young man shadow puppet (can be one of the sacrificial Athenian youths or Androgeus)
  • young woman shadow puppet (can be one of the sacrificial Athenian youths)
  • bull shadow puppet
  • dolphin shadow puppet
  • Greek ship shadow puppet
  • ball of yarn shadow puppet
  • maze scenery shadow puppet
  • 10 Bamboo Sticks
  • 1 leaflet with play ideas

Facts & Numbers:

• Average Puppet Size: Approximately 12-15 cm (5-6 inches) in height
• Materials: 110 lb cardstock; bamboo
• Recommended Age: 0+ if watching; 3+ if handling
• Origin: made in Canada