Phyllis and Aristotle

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/phyllis-and-aristotle

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the artistic mediums employed?Encompasses sculpture, painting, textiles, metalwork (aquamaniles), ivory, wood, and stained glass
2. Who is Phyllis in the story with Aristotle?Phyllis is a clever woman who tricks Aristotle, showing how a smart thinker can be outwitted by someone using charm and wit.
3. Why did Aristotle fall for Phyllis?The legend says that even the greatest thinkers can be swayed by desire and cleverness, showing the power of emotion over pure logic.

Allegory: A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Intellectual Hubris: Excessive pride in one's own intellect, leading to overconfidence and potential downfall.
Female Agency: The capacity of women to act independently and make their own free choices, often in defiance of patriarchal structures.