Homer’s Odyssey English 9 Mrs. Lewis Fall 2014.

Homer’s Odyssey English 9 Mrs. Lewis Fall 2014

Encountering the Cyclops
Homer’s Odyssey Schema Lecture Book I-V Recap Book V Book VI Encountering the Cyclops Book X Book XIII

Homer’s Odyssey Unit Questions
What are the common themes found in Homer’s Odyssey and other stories? How do the interactions of Odysseus and various subordinate characters in Homer’s Odyssey affect the plot of Homer’s Odyssey? How does Homer’s Odyssey relate to issues of its historical time period? What is a thesis? How do I write a good one? What is research? How do I answer questions I have?

Homer’s Odyssey Schema Lecture
Greco-Roman Culture, Myths and Religion

Homer’s Odyssey Greco-Roman Culture An Introduction
Greco-Roman (adj) referring or relating to ancient Greece or ancient Rome 1. The ancient world, also known as “the world of antiquity,” focuses on the following geographical area. What can we understand about ancient Greco-Roman cultures who saw the world as encompassing this area?

Homer’s Odyssey Myths and Religion in the Ancient Greek World
2. Define the following terms with a partner. Give both the Ancient Greek meaning and today’s meaning. Myth Hero Ancient Greek Meaning Today’s Meaning Mostly religious as they are concerned with the relationship between humans and the unknown/ spiritual realm. Creation Myth Special class of aristocrats, somewhere between gods and normal people. Hercules Stories that use fantasy to express ideas about life that cannot be easily expressed in realistic terms. Santa Claus People who risk their lives for others. Firefighters

3. If you were an anthropologist (a type of scientist who studies human cultures), what might a society’s myths tell you about the society who created them and believes in them? Think broadly. 4. Recall: Describe the religious life (beliefs, rituals, etc.) of ancient Greek People. What the culture valued and/or believed in How people died/were buried Polytheistic; gods have faults, are similar to humans Sacrificed people and/or animals to please their gods Storytelling was used to spread beliefs and explain why and how the world worked

5. What did ancient Greeks believe about the “afterlife”? How is their belief about the afterlife different from most modern people’s beliefs today? The Ancient Greeks believed that when a person died they went to the underworld. There was a good side and a bad side of the underworld. The underworld, ruled by Hades, was guarded by Cerberus, the three headed dog. The dead needed to cross the River Styx to get to the underworld and once there a panel of three judges decided where they would end up. Hero’s went to the Elysian Field and evil people went to Tartarus.

Virtues and Values of the Ancient Greek World

Homer’s Odyssey Virtues and Values of the Ancient Greek World
6. You have most likely heard the saying “Patience is a virtue.” What does the term “virtue” mean? 7. Three characteristics that ancient Greeks considered to be virtuous are: A. B. C. Moral excellence; conformity of one's life and conduct to moral and ethical principles. A good or admirable quality or property. Respect for the body, especially if someone dies (proper burial)-- the Ancient Greeks bathed and ate what they thought was healthy. Hospitality--one should take care of a stranger; the Ancient Greeks tried to please their guests and to make sure they were comfortable. Respect for the gods--the Ancient Greeks believed that one must know ones place in the hierarchy. They also built temples and statues to please the gods (some were even in the homes).

8. If a culture believes that a particular characteristic is virtuous or valuable, and they want to pass it down to the next generation, what do you think they might do to make sure that the next generation learns the virtue? Discuss and speculate. 9. What was the ancient Greek world like politically? Who was in charge: kings? men? women? warlords? various groups? Might set virtuous examples and teach their children and future generations to try hard to do the right thing People may learn virtues through books and educational systems *The stories of the Ancient Greek gods show how the Ancient Greeks spread morality.* Men had all the power; women had no political rights Only men born in city-states were citizens Rich landowners ran the city-states, were the only real ones with any say in how things were done. A boy was not considered a man until 21 (Telemachus, Odyssey’s son is not a man yet).

10. How does the political (power) structure of the ancient Greek world show or reflect its values (think back to the myths you read)? The hierarchy, of gods over man was mirrored and extremely prevalent in the Ancient Greek’s society (adult men were better known and more important than children). People needed to know their place (women remained in the home while men went out and made decisions for the community). The idea of “democracy” is similar to the way that the 12 Olympians rule over the world (everyone should have a say so that the result is a balanced law and city-state).

A Writer Called Homer

Homer’s Odyssey A Writer Called Homer
11. Who was Homer? 12. When did he live? 13. Where did he live? 14. How did he live? (What was life like “back in the day”?) Homer was a blind minstrel and myth-maker who came from the Island of Chios. He wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey. He lived between 900 B.C.E. and 800 B.C.E. He lived in Greece, on the Island of Chios. There were no books, movies, electronics, etc. It was much more difficult to communicate and the most common types of entertainment were music and storytelling (sometimes in the form of what we would call “plays”). Homer was always concerned with the relationship between the humans and the gods. He was very religious and lived without “a lot of worldly goods.”

Homer’s Odyssey A Writer Called Homer
15. What are the conflicting stories about this writer? 16. Define “rhapsode.” Describe the life of a rhapsode in ancient Greece. 17. What kind of “rhapsodes” do we have today, and what’s their purpose? 18. Why do you think Homer is such an important literary figure? Later Greeks believed that he did not exist. They thought there were two Homers or that he was just a legend. Singer of tales. They were the historians and entertainers as well as the myth-makers of their time. Rap = Tell a Story Singers, actors/actresses, comedians, writers, maybe even grandparents. Their purpose is to entertain, to give information. His literature gave us information about how the Ancient Greeks viewed their gods and how they lived and he was influential to his community going city to city telling stories. If we did not have his literature about the Trojan War it would be like it never happened.

An Epic Called Homer’s Odyssey

Homer’s Odyssey An Epic Called Homer’s Odyssey
19. What does the term “epic” mean? Define it. 20. What makes Homer’s Odyssey an “epic”? 21. Why is Homer’s Odyssey an important text to read? How has Homer’s text influenced later texts? Epics are long narrative poems that tell the adventures of heroes that embody the values of their particular civilization. It is a long poem and Odysseus is its hero who embodies the values of the ancient Greeks. Odysseus’ journey was interpreted by the ancient Greeks, not just an adventure, but as a spiritual experience for all to learn from. It gives people a different type of script to read. It also teaches us about history, such as the Trojan War, and the ancient Greeks’ culture. The Iliad and Odyssey have influenced almost all modern literature (or other media) in some way or another. Example: The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy The Simpsons Movie

Homer’s Odyssey An Epic Called Homer’s Odyssey
22. What are some of the literary techniques Homer uses in his epic? Why might he use these? The Odyssey is a “narrative” poem Imagery and Symbolism Themes; ex. Journey to Manhood Homer makes heavy use of a story telling trick called the flashback, which is still widely used today. The texts also use repetition which is generally limited to oral stories.

Homer’s Odyssey Reading Vocabulary 2
Profusion Abundance; to have a large amount of something. Travail Painful effort. Adversity Hardships; misfortune. Aloof Distant; remote; standoffish. Commandeer To take control of by force. Contemptible Deserving of scorn; despicable. Tremulous Marked by trembling or shaking. Implacable Impossible to soothe; unforgiving. Restitution A making good for loss or damage; repayment. Revelry Noisy merrymaking; festivity.

Beginning Homer’s Odyssey
Book I A Goddess Intervenes

Homer’s Odyssey Book I--A Goddess Intervenes
The handout provided has the famous opening lines of Homer’s Epic poem Odyssey. Read the lines carefully and summarize what you understand on the right. Highlight/underline unknown vocabulary and try your best to understand it in context. According to the passage, what kind of character is Odysseus? What are we supposed to think about him? How do you know?

Homer’s Odyssey The Situation in Ithaca
Imagine: You are a teenage boy in Ithaca, Ancient Greece. You will be the next ruler of your town. Your father, the former ruler is away, having never returned from a war. The men who remain in your town demand a king. They assume your father is dead. You certainly do not want your mother to betray your father’s memory and marry one of the rude men who is making unreasonable demands. You are too young to take control; besides, you are completely outnumbered. Time is tickig away; the men want answers. The men want action. How would you be feeling? What would you do?

Homer’s Odyssey Book I--A Goddess Intervenes
Read lines and answer the following questions: What can you visualize in this section? What’s a question you have about this section or something in it? What Greek virtue(s) do you notice from this section? Read lines and summarize what Athena is saying to the best of your ability.

Homer’s Odyssey Book II—Telemachus Sets Sail
Read the lines on your handout carefully and summarize what you understand on the right. Highlight/underline unknown vocabulary and try your best to understand it in context. As Book II opens we are greeted with a beautiful example of personification. What is personification? What example(s) of personification do you see in this passage?

Homer’s Odyssey Book I-II Recap
"Oh Goddess of Inspiration, help me sing of wily Odysseus, that master of schemes!" So Homer begins his epic, though the hero himself is still offstage. We are treated to a glimpse of life among the supreme gods on Mount Olympus. Urged on by Athena, the goddess of war, they decide that Odysseus has been marooned too long on the island of the nymph Calypso. Meanwhile, the mansion of Odysseus is infested with suitors for the hand of his wife Penelope. Everyone assumes Odysseus is dead. His son Telemachus calls an assembly to ask for help, and Zeus sends an omen of the suitors' doom. Two eagles swoop down, tearing throats and necks with their talons. Afterwards Telemachus sets sail for the mainland to seek news of his father.

Homer’s Odyssey Book I-II Recap
Please take out a separate sheet of lined paper. Think about the 3 major ancient Greek values we talked about from the beginning. What examples of “respect for the body” do you recall? What examples of “hospitality” do you recall? What examples of “respect for the gods” do you recall?

Homer’s Odyssey Book I-VIII Recap
Please take out a separate sheet of lined paper and a pen or pencil. What does Penelope do to postpone having to marry one of the suitors? Who keeps Odysseus hostage for 7 years? Where is Odysseus at the end of Book VIII? What does he start doing?

Homer’s Odyssey Book IX: New Coasts and Poseidon’s Son
Alcinous’ call to Odysseus to reveal his identity is Odysseus’ cue to begin telling of the adventures that will literally make his name. Homer’s greatest hero is, himself, a famous storyteller. Perhaps all successful heros must contain aspects of their creators. The adventures that follow are the ones for which the epic is most remembered. Imagine the excitement of the Phaeacians, having just heard Demodocus sing the story of the Trojan horse, when they discover the identity of their guests. Alcinous has just asked Odysseus to reveal his name. Read pages , lines 1-40 to see how Odysseus explains his identity. Question: 1. What do you notice that is interesting about the way Odysseus introduces himself?

Next, Odysseus tells of his voyage from Troy--how many of his men lost their lives during a foolish raid on the Cicones, how Zeus punished the survivors by raising the North Wind against their ships, how they were made to drift aimlessly from place to place, for nine days. Finally, they stopped at the land of the Lotus Eaters. (The people of Southern Europe used to make a drink from the fermented fruit of the lotus plant. The drink was supposed to produce feelings of laziness and dreaminess). Odysseus continues to speak… Read page 372, lines to find out about the Lotus Eaters. Question: 1. Why were the Lotus Eaters dangerous for Odysseus’ men? What might be a modern day “honeyed plant”?

Salvation from the next adventure requires the special intelligence associated with Odysseus’ name. Odysseus is the cleverest of the ancient Greek heroes because his divine guardian is the goddess of wisdom, Athena. As a result of his confrontation with the Cyclops named Polyphemus, the one-eyed monster son of the god, Poseidon, Odysseus incurs the wrath of the sea god. Polyphemus might be said to represent the brute force and a negative singleness of purpose that any hero must overcome before he can reach home. It is Odysseus’ famed curiosity that leads him to the Cyclops’ cave and that makes him insist on waiting for the barbaric giant.

Homer’s Odyssey Book IX: Encountering the Cyclops: Intro
Based on these images, how would you characterize (describe) the Cyclops? Do the images depict the Cyclops similarly or differently? Which do you predict is most accurate?

Homer’s Odyssey Encountering the Cyclops Jigsaw: Step 1
If you are a 1… Silently Read pages , lines and answer the PART 1 questions on your handout. If you are a 2… Silently Read pages , lines and answer the PART 2 questions on your handout. If you are a 3… Silently read pages , lines and answer the PART 3 questions on your handout. YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES, GO!

1. You will get into groups based on your number: All 1s will get together on the right. All 2s will get together in the middle. All 3s will get together on the left. In your groups you will discuss your answers to all of the questions. You will summarize the action taking place in your section, predicting either what came before, after, or both, depending on your section (1s will predict after, 2s will predict both, and 3s will predict before). Be prepared to share with the class! YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES, GO!

Each group will share their summary as well as the answers to their questions. You should be taking notes on your worksheet in the appropriate section while the groups present their part of Odysseus’ encounter with the Cyclops.

Homer’s Odyssey Book IX: Encountering the Cyclops: Wrap-Up
Think back to the predictions we made of the Cyclops, based on these images, at the beginning of class today. How has the reading changed your mind about the Cyclops? How has the reading reinforced our original ideas about the Cyclops?

Fawned On Showed affection for. Flay To strip off the outer skin of. Bovine; Beeves Two words for cattle. Kneaded Squeezed and pressed. Headlands Points of land jutting out into the sea; promontories. Assonance The repetition and emphasis of vowel sounds. Consonance The repetition and emphasis of consonant sounds. Maelstrom A large, violent whirlpool. Gorge Throat; gullet. Blanched Became pale.

Homer’s Odyssey Book X: The Grace of the Witch

Odysseus and his men land next on the island of Aeolia. There, the wind king, Aeolus, does Odysseus a favor. He puts all the stormy winds in a bag so that they will not harm the Ithacans. The bull’s-hide bag containing the winds is wedged under Odysseus’ afterdeck. During the voyage, the suspicious and curious sailors open the bag (thinking it contains treasure), and the evil winds roar up into hurricanes to plague the luckless Odysseus again. After more of this men are killed and eaten by the gigantic cannibals called the Laestrygonians, Odysseus’ ship lands on Aeaea, the home of the witch-goddess, Circe. Here, a party of twenty-two men, led by Eurylochus, goes off to explore the island. Odysseus speaks… Read pages , lines in which Odysseus tells of his adventures with Circe and how his men are turned into pigs! Questions: When we first see Circe (Kirke) what is she doing? Does this remind you of anything we have read so far in the Odyssey? Does this give us any clues about Circe? What is the mistake of Odysseus and his men when they see Circe and what does Circe do to them?

Odysseus leaves the ship and rushes to Circe’s hall. The god, Hermes, stops him to give him a plant that will act as an antidote to Circe’s power. The plant is called “molu,” and it might have been a type of garlic. Odysseus uses the molu and the witch, overcome by the plant’s magic, frees Odysseus’ men. Now, Circe, “loveliest of all immortals,” persuades Odysseus to stay, share her meat and wine, and restore his heart. After many seasons of feasting and other pleasures, Odysseus and his men beg Circe to help them get home. Read page 395, lines where Circe tells Odysseus he must visit a blind prophet in Hades, Teirsias. Questions: Why must Odysseus visit Teirsias? How does Odysseus feel about having to travel into the Underworld? What do you think traveling to Hades would be like?

Homer’s Odyssey Book XI: The Gathering of Shades
In Book XI, we see Odysseus’ journey to the Underworld to find out his destiny. The source of his information is Teiresias, the famous blind prophet from the city of Thebbes, whose lack of external sight suggest the presence of true insight (Hmmmmm… wasn’t Homer rumored to be blind…?) Circe has told Odysseus exactly what rites he must perform to bring Teiresias up from the dead… Why do you think this book is called “The Gathering of Shades”? Shades = Spirits of the dead, residing in Hades.

Odysseus’ Journey to Hades A Hero’s Quest Activity
In the following activity you will take on the role of Odysseus, following his footsteps into the Underworld (and hopefully back out of the Underworld) to find Teiresias. You will reach obstacles along the way, and be forced to make several choices. If you choose correctly you will move on in your quest, and ultimately, make it back from the Underworld safely and successfully. Your Team’s Quest: You like Odysseus, are not alone among the heroes who must descend into the Land of the Dead. The Sumerian hero, Gilgamesh, the Greek heroes, Theseus and Hercules, and many other heroes have made similar journeys to the one you are about to make. Like your predecessors, you will see that the truly significant voyages in life involve journeys to the deepest parts of yourselves, and a confrontation with the darkest reality of all--death. Your team will face many obstacles on your quest, but do not lose confidence or faith in your abilities. Remember to work together, appreciating everyone’s idea as you will need each team member’s talents to make it out of Hades successfully. I wish you all luck as you begin your descent into the depths of the Underworld…

Odysseus’ Journey to Hades Obstacle #1
When Odysseus decided to venture home once again from Circe’s island, Circe used her magical powers to determine that Odysseus must enter Hades and speak to the former prophet of Thebes, Teiresias. Following Circe's advice, Odysseus set sail westward toward the river Ocean and the shores of Persephone. You arrive successfully at this place described to Odysseus by Circe, but cannot remember what she said you must do once you arrive. All you have with you is an excerpt from the text that reads… With my drawn blade (Book XI, Lines 26-39) I spaded up the votive pit, and poured libations round it to the unnumbered dead: sweet milk and honey, then sweet wine, and last clear water; and I scattered barley down Then I addressed the blurred and breathless dead, vowing to slaughter my best heifer for them before she calved, at home in Ithaka, and burn the choice bits on the altar fire; as for Teiresias, I swore to sacrifice a black lamb, handsomest of all our flock Thus to assuage the nations of the dead I pledged these rites, then slashed the lamb and ewe, letting their black blood stream into the wellpit. Following in Odysseus’ footsteps you: Dig up a corpse, feed it, wash it, and bring it back to life to protect you in the Underworld (with the promise that you will geed it your best meat, as a form of hospitality, when it gets you home). Dig a hole and pour in several ingredients before you slaughter a few animals and let their blood drip into the hole (this sacrifice will show respect for and attract the dead who are blood thirsty!)

Oblation Sacrifice Quiver A case in which arrows are carried. Heft Weight Smote Struck; affected sharply. Brazen Made of brass. Entrails Internal Organs Rash Foolish; thoughtless. Skins by Sneaks away. Helm Helmet Lavished Showered

Homer’s Odyssey Book XII: Sea Perils and Defeat
The afterlife envisioned by Homer was not a happy place of rest. This society, which so relished the joys, accomplishments, and passions of the physical life, found little pleasure in an eternal life among mere shadows. After his many encounters in the Land of the Dead, Odysseus returns to Circe’s island for further instructions. Once he has arrived, the witch, Circe, warns Odysseus of the perils that await him—the forces that would prevent him from achieving his destiny. Read page 414 lines to answer the following questions: Questions: 1. Who are the Sirens (Seirenes)? Why are they dangerous (what will they do to Odysseus and his men)? What can Odysseus and his men do to avoid the Sirens?

The next dangers lie between two headlands with sheer cliffs. Circe continues... You will now read pages , lines and answer the following questions: Questions: 1. Who or what are the dangers which Circe speaks of? 2. What kind of language does Homer have Circe use in this passage to describe the dangers? Now, continue on page 416 and read Circe’s important warning in lines and lines Question: What is important of these warnings? Why might Homer include this?

Now Odysseus sets off through the obstacles… Read pages , lines to experience Odysseus’ encounters with the Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis. Questions: How would you react if you had to take on Scylla and Charybdis? Can you find any examples of metaphor or simile here? Personification? Because they are dying of starvation Odysseus’ men disobey his orders and eat the sacred cattle of the sun god, Helios. When they set sail again, they are punished by death. Zeus destroys their boat with a thunderbolt, leaving only Odysseus alive, to drift alone towards Calypso’s island. After being trapped with Calypso for 7 years, Hermes comes and sets Odysseus free. Odysseus washes up on the shore of the Phaecians who show him great hospitality and are intrigued by the tale of his journeys.

Homer’s Odyssey Where have we been so far?

Homer’s Odyssey Book XIII-XV: One More Strange Island, Hospitality in the Forest, and How They Came to Ithaca In Book 13, Odysseus, laden with gifts, is returned in secret to Ithaca in one of the magically swift Phaeacian ships. In Ithaca, Athena herself appears to the hero. She advises him how to proceed and disguises him as a beggar. Notice that this new hero of the postwar age of disillusionment will achieve success not only by physical power, but also by guile and wisdom. In Book 14, Odysseus, in his beggar disguise, find his way to the house of his old and trusty swineherd, Eumaeus. Eumaeus is the very image of faithfulness in a servant--a quality much prized by Homer’s society. The introduction of the so-called “servant class” as important actors is unusual in epic poetry, and it indicates homer’s originality. Odysseus is simply but politely entertained in the swineherd’s hut, but he remains disguised from Eumaeus. In Book 15, we go back to Telemachus, who is still with Menelaus and helen. The plots of the father and the son are now about to be brought together. Athena appears to the boy and advises him to return home. She warns him that the evil suitors plan to ambush him. Telemachus boards a ship for home, lands secretly on Ithaca, and heads toward the cottage of the swineherd. As father and son were moved closer and closer together, the suspense in the audience must have become great. Now Homer is ready for what could be the most dramatic moment in the epic.

Homer’s Odyssey Book XVI: Father and Son
Not realizing that the stranger is his father, Telemachus agrees to protect him as best he can. But he tells the beggar that he cannot stay in the palace hall because he will be abused by the drunken suitors. The swineherd is sent to Penelope with news of her son’s return. Now it seems that even Athena cannot stand the suspense any longer. She turns to Odysseus, in beggar’s rags…

Common Mistakes on the Odyssey Essay
The title for The Odyssey was not italicized. Analysis could go deeper. Don’t just tell me WHAT, tell me how, and why it is important. Quotations were not cited properly: Bad Example: (pg. 237, lines ) Good Example: (X, 23-5) Quotations were not introduced properly: Bad Example: “There we built a fire,…” Good Example: While in the underworld, Odysseus states, “…but I dragged the great beast up…”

Homer’s Odyssey English 9 Mrs. Lewis Fall 2014.

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