3rd+Hour+Blog

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 * __The Odyssey__ Blog **

**Thursday October 29th:**

Week One Questions


 * What first impression does this book give us of the gods? How much of a role do they play in human affairs? What seems to motivate their actions?


 * How, according to Antinous, do the suitors view Penelope's reluctance? Why do they think they are jusitified in behaving as they do?


 * How might Menelaus' story about the Old Man of the Sea, Proteus, be instructive to Telemachus in his quest to find his father? Why, for that matter, would Menelaus' response to the knowledge Proteus gives him be instructive for Odysseus?

Morgan and Aileen:

Dustin and Serena:

Uhhhhhhhh. I think someone "discarded the previous draft" b/c we did ours.........................

Emily and Denesse: 1.The first impression of gods is that they are superior and can overlook everything. The Gods decide peoples fate, they are in complete control. For example, if someone did something in the past then the gods will go after them, just like Poseidon creating a storm for Odysseus. If the gods are pleased by them, then they are willing to help. The gods can control someones life, for the bad or the good. The past events and actions of people motivate the gods actions and feelings. 2. Antinous thinks that it doesn't make sense and is unnecessary for Penelope to be reluctant to the suitors. This is because they don't think Odysseus is going to come back. They justify this by saying that many soldiers that went to Troy never come back. 3. When Odysseus captured the old man he told tme stories of his father it inspired Telemachus to keep going. The knowledge that Proteus gives Odysseus is helpful to Odysseus which means that even though he is seperated from his crew he is still looking for home.

Levi and Teresa: 1. The first impression that the gods give us are that their punishments could be extreme and many people think that they more superior than others. They play a large role in human affairs by giving warnings/advising humans and partly controlling their fate. Wrongdoings and praying seems to motivate their actions. 2. According to Antinous, the suitors viewed Penelope's reluctance as unfair. The suitors think they are justified in behaving as they do because they believe that Odysseus has already died. 3. Menelaus' story about the old man of the sea, Proteus, was instructive to Telemachus in his quest of finding his father by making him have perseverance. The knowledge is that Odysseus is somewhere out there alive.

James and Erinn and Sarah:

Haley and Alyssa:

Allison and Darius: 1. The gods play a large role in human afairs they can control the fate of humans like they did with odysseus and some of the greeks when they were in the trojan war. They put them through many trials and tribulations.The gods want the mortals to know that they are superior, and and when the mortals lie or anger the gods th makes the gods furious towards the mortals. For example, when the greeks did not remember their promise to the gods after the Trojan war.

2. Antinous views Penelope's reluctance as unjustified. Penelope is just leading the suitors on and sice her husband is gone, she must choose one to marry. The suitors are justified to do what they do and act crazily because she is playing with their emotions. Theyy think she is actually going to choos a suitor, but she knows that she doesn't want to.

3.Menelaus' sory about Proteus, the Old Man of the Sea, will be instructive to Telemachus in his quest to find his father because Proteus never lies and can give him adivce to help him find his father and his way home. If proteus can tell you how to get home, he can help Odysseus because then he can tell Odysseus how to get home.

Lashia and Max:

Keriana: 1. 2. 3

Ashantia and Angelica:

Kimanh and Trey:

Lauren and Catherine:

Kevin and Pierce :

Taylor and Eli: 1.Basically the gods were the all mighty and powerful immortal beings, who had control over the mortals. They were meant to be pleased, and worshipped, with rituals and sacrefices, they played thier part in human affairs, as on voyages or on journeys, mortals will make sacrfices toward the gods for thier guidance, but if they do not do this then they will be punished with the forces of natures, or the god themselfs.

2.The suitors feel that Penelope is just stalling to buy time for Odysseus, which the suitors believe he is dead, but Penelope has high hopes for his return, and save thier declining kingdom. The suitors feeled justified as they truly believe Odysseus is gone for good and that they are equally powerful as him, and should have the power over his empire, and his wife.

3.The story was meant to inspire Telemachus, and give him strength and the courage to go out and find his father Odysseus, which they believe he is out thier somewhere suffering.

Jon and Rand: 1.The gods show that they have varied opinions due to one's actions and if they have suffered enough due to their actions. They play a huge roll, they can alter one's life completely. Whether one survives or die. Their feelings toward humans, how they are feeling, how they favor the human. 2.Antinous believes they can stay until Penelope chooses a suitor they have the right to keep on using up her supplies until she choose a suitor. They believe this is just because she has a) tricked them and b) no one can protect her. 3.The core idea of the information is to go and find the information you need, go back and use that information. Even if it is hard to get the information. The information that is given to Mele.laus cannot help Odysseus since it is specifically for Melelaus.

Matt and Mark: 1.That the gods liked Odysseus and Telemachus more than any other mortal. Hugely because the gods are the religion and they are praised by many and their choices are the ones that affect humans and other gods. 2.They view Penelope's reluctance as being intelligent because she keeps lagging on choosing a suitor to marry because she denies that her husband is dead or that she will choice a suitor to marry when shes done with an art projects. They have justification because she keeps lagging on choosing a leader to marry and to run their village. 3.The story gives Telemachus courage to find his father because Proteus told stories about his father and that's inspires him. Menelaus respond to the knowledge given from Proteus would be instructive to Odysseus by giving him courage to still believe he can go home.


 * Thursday, November 5th:**

Week Two Questions 1.) What do the individual stories Odysseus recounts tell us about him and his men? For example, what makes Odysseus a worthy leader? Does he make mistakes while leading his men? How is he better than his men? Are there dangers in his society?

2.) Why is it important that Odysseus recount all of his wanderings as past events? Why doesn’t Homer simply construct his epic as a linear (straight line) progression of events from the Trojan War onward?

3. What sort of character is Circe? What do Odysseus’ men do to offend her? What makes Odysseus succumb for a time to Circe’s enticements? What is his mistake here?

4.) What does Odysseus learn from Tiresias in Hades? How would you characterize his attitude towards his journey to the Underworld? How is the Greek Underworld different than Christian Hell?

Morgan and Aileen: 1. The stories showed that Odyesseus tried his hardest to return home, but him and his men don't always agree. Odysseus went to the underworld even though his men didn't want to go. I don't believe he made mistakes, i think he did the best he could. Yes there are dangers in society. 2. I think him reliving his past wanderings will help him get over his losses. 3. 4.

Dustin and Serena:  1. Odysseus is a worthy leader because he is able to resist temptation. I do think that he made mistakes while leading his men, such as when he didn't leave immediately after conquering the castle. He is better than his men because he did not experience the craving to kill the sun cattle. Yes there are dangers in his society. 2. It is important that Odysseus recounts all of his wanderings because it probably helps him be relieved from the pain of the memories of the tragedies that occurred. If he constructed his epic as a linear progression, it would be hard to think of something for the people of Ithaca to do for 9 years.

Emily and Denesse: 1. The stories Odysseus recounts tell us that he and his men were very brave, persistent, strong, and will minded. Odysseus was a good leader because he always thought about any actions/decisions that would involve his men in any harm. He over analyzed everything especially when he was trying to find a way to escape Scylla. Yes, he does make mistakes during his journey for example the Cyclopes but it isn't like he purposely does it. One way that Odysseus is better than his men is that he a great leader and he analyzes everything really well. Yes, you could say that there are dangers in his society ex. the suitors taking advantage of Penelope being a good hostess. 2. I think that it is very important that Odysseus recounts all of his wanderings as past events because it makes the book that much more interesting and it leaves you guessing, wondering, and ultimately interested. Homer doesn't just construct the progression of the events from the Trojan War because I feel like he is trying to make the reader understand the unfolding of the events the past and the present joining up together (cause, and effect) 3. Circe is mostly an independent being, strong, judgmental, will minded, and an asserted woman. The only way I would see that Odysseus's men offended Circe is by not saying thank you for the invitation to your home (it was never mentioned) but that's about it. Not a big dilemma to be offended by. In the book it says that Odysseus will do what Circe wants him to do only if he makes his men, humans again. You could see this as sacrificing himself for his men but, Circe's enticements aren't really a torture. He could of found a way to avoid her enticements if he truly wanted to. HIs mistake was not having any moral and saying "No this is wrong, I won't do this." He just literally disrespected his wife; which was loyal to him. 4. Tiresias tells Odysseus of the future him and his crew will face especially that of the sheep and cattle of the sun which where not to be harmed what so ever. He tells Odysseus about the suitors in his house. Tiresias also tells him of the sacrifices he will have to make and how his death will come upon. When Odysseus is in the Underworld he seeps distant, still well- aware of what's happening, maybe a little uneasy. The Greek Underworld is different from the Christian Hell because in the Greek Underworld everyone who dies just goes there, but in the Christian Underworld it is only those who are non believers, bad people, inhuman,etc.

Levi and Teresa: 1. The individual stories Odysseus recounts tells us that him and his men are adventurous. Odysseus is a worthy leader because he's brave, wise, puts others before himself (ex: making sure his plan worked out with the rams and sheep/being last in the cave with the Cyclopes), and being tricky. He made mistakes while leading his men (ex: taunting the Cyclopes). He is better than his men by being braver and listening to the gods. There are dangers in his society. 2. It's important that Odysseus recounts all of his wanderings as past events because all of his wanderings as past events because it's more exciting/interesting and it makes people respect him more with the adventures he's been through. Homer doesn't simply construct his epic as a linear progression from the Trojan War onward because it would be dull, and it wouldn't build as much excitement. 3. Circe is an independent, mischevious woman. I'm not sure what Odysseus' men did to offend her. Maybe it's them hearing her sing or them calling her to see if she's a woman or a goddess. Or maybe it's the men being do hungry that they don't show thankfulness for her kindness. I am uncertain. Odysseus succumbs to Circe's enticements because at that time she didn't turn his men back to humans yet. Also because he knows what she's up to her tricks because Hermes told him what she would do. His mistake here was that he went to bed with Circe. 4. Odysseus learns from Tiresias in Hades that Poseidon would make it hard for him to get back home (because of his grudge against Odysseus blinding his son), that he would go home later, and that Odysseus would take revenge on those suitors. Odysseus' attitude towards his journey to the underworld was dismayed and he wept, but then he got tired of weeping and had courage to get on with it. The Greek underworld is different from Christian Hell by the underworld being ruled by Hades, ghosts wander aimlessly, everybody who dies goes there, and people alive could visit them. Christian Hell is different from that by being ruled by somebody else, the bad, dead people suffer from their sins, nobody alive could visit them, and there's a chance for good, dead people to go to Heaven instead of Hell.

At first he is scared when all the ghosts come before him, but he soon realizes that he has nothing to fear. The Greek Underworld is different than Christian hell because everybody goes to the underworld in Greek culture/society. The Christian hell is for unbelievers and people who do wrong things in their life on earth. Also in the Greek underworld people go there to speak to the ghosts and spirits, and you can't do that in the Christian hell.

Kevin and Pierce :

Taylor and Eli: 1.The accounts tell us of the adventures, and struggles he went through after the fall of troy. Odysseus is a worthy leader as he never gives up, he uses his stragetic mind to come up with solutions to save himself and his men, and when Odysseus and his men are in a tormented situation he is there to keep the situation under control. There has been mistakes with Odysseus that has cost the lifes of his men, example: when he did not listen to his men to stop badmouthing to the cyclops whom he blinded, then revealed his name, which made Poseidon curse them. Hes better then his men when it comes to wisdom and guidance, Odysseus is a serious man when it comes to the point he has to be, and with his strong since intelligence to outwit others, this is a strong trait.

2.Homer probably did this to make the epic poem more interesting, to keep his readers guessing, as we read we are on present line of whats happening to Odysseus, Penelope, Telemachus etc

3.Circe seems to be the type of women that has something up her sleeve, shes someone who you probably wouldn't want to see that time of month...Odysseus men basically just waltzed into her home like slobs, demanding food drinks, basically home hospitality which made Circe mad. He stays there for a year because of the agreement of putting Circe to bed, and because of that he ends up staying there for her lust it would seem for about a year..

4. Odysseus learns that he will be able to return home, but he and his men must not eat the cattle of the sun god, if they do, thier journey will be wretched, and once again the gods will be against them. At first Odysseus felt like a knife just went through his herat when he discovered he had to go to the underworld, he felt " why do I deserve such a fate, to go to the realm of Hades", basically him and his men felt this is a terrible fate bestowed on us, but they managed and went onwards to Hades. The worlds of Hades differ from Christian hell, as there are different realms to Hades, for the good, the bad, and normal people. The good or the rich manage to go to the fields of Elysian, a paradise you can say, here you will always be happy. If you were just a normal person you were just a normal soul was left to wander. But if you were evil then you would suffer an eternity by different things. While Christian see Hell as a place of Internal torment no way out, no happiness, everything is in flames, and demons are everywhere to torment you.

Jon and Rand: 1. The stories tell us that they don't fully know their world and Gods' and that they try to be as strong as they can be, but it isn't always strong enough. It shows us that Odysseus makes a worthy leader because he is the strongest and the most endurance. Yes he makes mistakes; for example the Sun god's sheep. If he told his men that they would die for killing them they probably wouldn't have gone to the island at all. Odysseus is the best of his men because he doesn't give in to the temptations put in front of him, or if does, he does it in a manner that he can get out of it. Yes there are dangers in his society. 2. It's important he recount these stories so that his new friends understand what he has been through and for the reader to fill in the blanks from the Trojan War to Odysseus getting stuck at Calypso's Island. Homer doesn't make it a linear story because that way the person listening/reading the story would be more intrigued on what happens next. It would also make them want to continue the story. 3. Circe seems to be a low-tolerance person. She goes to the extremes when offended. In the Story it does not seem that Odysseus' men offend her, just get attacked. He falls into her enticements because it seems he does not want to travel, just be in a home-like place. Or rather just have a good time. If he never stayed there one of two things would've happened. He might have gotten home sooner or he might not have since he had to talk to Circe so he knew to talk to Tiresias. 4.Tiresias informs Odysseus that Poseidon is upset at Odysseus and his crew for blinding Polyphemus, his son, and Tiresias foretells a prophecy about a terrible storm sent by Poseidon to kill them. It appears to be that Odysseus doesn't want to go to the Underworld but will since he must. A big difference is people have the ability to visit the Underworld. Another is that the Underworld is for everyone who is dead, not just those who do lots of wrong things.

Matt and Mark
 * 1. Odysseus is a worthy leader because he uses his tactical mind to lead and save his soldiers lifes. He does make mistakes that hurt him internally and emotionally and gets his soldiers killed, but he is still a better man than his men because he shows intelligent and strong willingness to lead his men to victory and stays calm in difficult situations. Yes there is dangers in his society and they are wars, the suitors, cyclopes and making sure not to make the gods made so they wont send anymore dangers to his society.

2. Homer made the odyssey the way that he did because he wanted to show that you is has many stories to be told and he ways you to know all of them not only one about the hero were he killed the monster. He want the reader to know how the monster got there and what did he do. He also want to show the reader the way gods treat each other and especially how the women are treatedd.


 * Thursday, November 12th:**

Week Three Questions
 * How does Odysseus handle his return to Ithaca? how much does he tell those he meets about his true identity and intentions? How much help does Athena give him?


 * What role does Helen play in book 15? What does the prophecy she makes reveal about her? Why might it be significant, in terms of the Odyssey as a whole, that Helen, whose misbehavior towards her husband set in motion the Trojan War, gives Telemachus a robe to bestow upon his future bride?


 * In book 16, Odysseus reveals his identity to Telemachus. What does the reaction of the two characters tell us about the Greeks' attitude towards the expression of emotion? How does their attitude differ from ours?


 * Why is it appropriate that Odysseus disguise himself from the suitors as a beggar?


 * In what ways does Telemachus show, in book 16, that he has matured?

Morgan and Aileen:

Dustin and Serena:

Emily and Denesse:

Levi and Teresa:

James and Erinn and Sarah:

Haley and Alyssa:

Allison and Darius:

Lashia and Max:

Keriana:

Ashantia and Angelica:

Kimanh and Trey:

Lauren and Catherine:

Kevin and Pierce :

Taylor and Eli:

Jon and Rand:

Matt and Mark:


 * Thursday, November 19th:**

Week Four Questions

Morgan and Aileen:

Dustin and Serena:

Emily and Denesse:

Levi and Teresa:

James and Erinn and Sarah:

Haley and Alyssa:

Allison and Darius:

Lashia and Max:

Keriana:

Ashantia and Angelica:

Kimanh and Trey:

Lauren and Catherine:

Kevin and Pierce:

Taylor and Eli:

Jon and Rand:

Matt and Mark: