Name _______________________________________________ Date __________________________ Page 1

Arachne and
tHE Weaving Contest
Arachne and the Weaving Contest is a story from Greek mythology. Greek myths often explain the origin of something in the natural
world through stories about the many deities, heroes, and mythological creatures that were part of ancient Greek culture. This myth
features Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and crafts, who was viewed as intelligent, athletic, talented, and also incredibly vain.
Mortals that provoked her often had unhappy endings to their stories.

l
ong ago, there was a mortal Although stunning and flawless,
woman named Arachne who Arachne’s tapestry could not compare
was famous for her weaving. to Athena’s. The goddess had woven
People from all over would come to dazzling images of the gods in all their
watch her nimble and graceful fingers glory, dressed in exquisite colors that
flicker across the cloth as she wove her human eyes had never beheld. The
beautiful fabrics. All the attention and sparkling waves seemed to ripple across
praise for her hard work eventually the fine gossamer cloth; the sun’s rays
made Arachne quite conceited. One looked so real that those standing
day, she bragged that her weaving was close could actually feel the warmth of
better than that of the goddess Athena. sunbeams radiating from the fabric.

By and by, Athena heard about Arachne hung her head. Although her
Arachne’s boast. So, disguised as an pictures were beautiful, they were not
old woman, Athena went to Arachne’s as realistic as Athena’s. The goddess was
home. “You should not compare the obvious winner of the contest.
yourself to the gods,” the old woman Tears filled Arachne’s eyes as she
warned. “If you apologize, Athena might let you live.” imagined the life before her, never being able to touch a
loom or spindle again.
“Ha!” snorted Arachne. “If Athena thinks she can compete
with me, she is sadly mistaken. I dare her to try to match Athena herself was amazed at Arachne’s talent. Not even her
the magnificence of my work. Everyone knows I am the best wrath at the girl’s impertinence could wholly overcome her
weaver that ever lived.” Upon hearing Arachne’s challenge, wonder. For an instant, she stood entranced; then she touched
Athena let her disguise melt away and the goddess stood, Arachne’s forehead with her spindle.
glowering, in front of Arachne.
“Weave on, Arachne,” she said. “Since it is your glory to
“I accept your challenge,” Athena stated imperiously, “but weave, you and yours must weave forever.”
the loser must agree to never weave on a loom or touch a
spindle again.” Arachne’s face reddened for just a moment, In that moment, Arachne’s human form shrank to that of the
but she nodded, still holding to her foolish pride. The women very first spider, and so remained. As a spider, she spent all her
sat down at their looms and began to weave, and a crowd days weaving and spinning, and even now you may still see
gathered to watch the contest. All day, the hands of the mortal her handiwork among the rafters.
and the goddess danced across the looms.

By the time the sun began to set over the mountains, it was
clear that Arachne’s cloth was glorious. To insult and mock
Athena, she had woven a gorgeous tapestry showing the gods Arachne’s name and fate have endured through the ages
punishing mortals who defied or dishonored them. in the modern scientific name for spiders, arachnids.

Find worksheets, games, lessons & more at education.com/resources

© 2007 - 2021 Education.com
Name _______________________________________________ Date __________________________ Page 2

Arachne and tHE Weaving Contest

Answer the questions about “Arachne and the Weaving Contest.”

1. What is the theme of this myth? 6. In your opinion, was Arachne’s ultimate punishment
appropriate? Why or why not?
a. Cheaters never prosper.
b. Slow and steady wins the race. _____________________________________________________________________________

c. Hard work always brings a reward. _____________________________________________________________________________

d. Vanity can lead to trouble. _____________________________________________________________________________

2. What details from the story help to convey this theme? _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________ 7. Draw a line to match each word from the text to

its synonym.
_____________________________________________________________________________
provoked arrogantly
_____________________________________________________________________________
wholly smug
_____________________________________________________________________________ conceited angered

3. The conflict type featured in this myth is character vs. gossamer completely
___________. imperiously disrespect
a. character b. nature impertinence silky
c. society d. self
8. Fill in the chart below with similarities and differences
4. Circle three words that best describe Arachne as she is between Arachne and Athena.
characterized in the myth. SIMILARITIES DIFFERENCES

talented loyal overconfident wise

athletic humble hardworking curious

5. How does Arachne react to the old woman’s warning?

How does her reaction affect the rest of the story?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Find worksheets, games, lessons & more at education.com/resources

© 2007 - 2021 Education.com