Abstract

The Greek-Roman mythology， as a root of modern western culture. It also exerts profound influence on the evolution of words and some phrases. Many words and phrases in use today contain roots deriving from the Greek and Roman mythology. These words and phrases can be found in many fields because of their different original meanings and some even developed into idioms. With these words and phrases used in different fields, their connotations are expanding. To gain a thorough understanding of the Greek-Roman mythology is indispensable to remember and understand and use the words and phrases rooting in the mythology and then to make out the cultural connotation these words carry. 

This thesis will give a brief introduction to the classification of words stemming from the Greek-Roman mythology and introduce the cultural connotations contained in theses vocabulary. The thesis will also touch on the influences exerted by the Greek and Roman mythology on popular culture in modern era by a simple explanation of some words related to the mythology. Still, the paper will also explore the symbolic meaning of words and idioms originating from the Greek-Roman Mythology in some literature works and then briefly analyze deep meaning intended. 

Key words: the Greek-Roman Mythology, English words and phrases, modern western culture, cultural connotation

CONTENTS

中文摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction.1

2. Words and Phrases Deriving from the Greek-Roman Mythology..1

2.1The brief introduction to the Greek-Roman Mythology..1

2.1.1 Mythology about gods...2

2.1.2 Mythology about heroes2

  2.2The classification of words evolving from the Greek-Roman Mythology.2

  2.2.1 The different sources of words from the Greek and Roman mythology..2

  2.2.2 The distribution of words from the Greek and Roman mythology..3

  2.3 The classification of phrases and idioms rooting in the Greek-RomanMythology.....4

  2.3.1 Names of places 4

  2.3.2 Idioms.5

3. The Cultural Connotations Reflected by Words and Phrases Deriving from the Greek-Roman Mythology6 

3.1The cultural connotation of words from names of the Greek and Roman in the popular culture...6

3.2 Words and idioms stemming from the Greek-Roman mythology in English literature....7  

4. Conclusion ..9

References