2nd+Hour+Blog

= __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?

Gabe and Trent: 1.The gods seem more human than God like, they play a big role in Human Affairs. Humans seem to motivate their actions. 2.

3. Because it tells him where his Father is, in a cave help by Calypso, and that he was alive.

Ricky and Erin D:

Morgan and Christine:

1. the gods guide people, and they can get ver mad for long periods of time, we think that people do what they want, and the gods can fate things to happen

2. He feels it's not fair; because she's female, she needs someone male to watch over her

3. Uh, not really sure how the story helps, except what he found out from Proteus, which was where Odysseus was (being held captive by Calypso); and his response to it would be sorta just like nice to hear that Menelaus cares about Odysseus,

Chantal and Alex: 1. They are selfish/self focused. In the odyssey they are very involved. Personal gain. 2. They view her as being cruel. She is toying with them and not making a decision. 3. Proteus told Menelaus that Odysseus is being held by Calypso.

Leticia and Isabelle:

Elizabeth and Jenn: Question 1: our first impression with the gods and goddess is that they can be kind and gentle just as they can be ruthless. We think it depends upon the god and the situation on whether or not the role they play in human affairs is small or great. I mean Athena plays a major role in Telemachus' journey to find his father through disguise, but what we don't understand is why Poseidon hates Odysseus and Telemachus so much? We thought that the gods actions were motivated by excellence. Like, if this guy was a town hero, then the gods favored him and helped him out.

Question 2:The suitors think that Penelope is toying with them because she likes the attention and doesn't want them to leave her alone, so she doesn't want to get married again either. We think they're justified in behaving that way because they all want her to choose one of them but they think she won't choose them if they leave.

Westley and Eden:

Priscilla and Shardae:

Collin and Quinn and Malachi:

Thomas and Erin O:

Kara and Shanique: 1.The first impression that we get of the gods is that they have some feelings and feel for the characters in the book, except Poseidon. The gods play a big role in human affairs because they decide the fate of many people and can help them if they want or hurt them. What people do and how they act motivate the gods actions.

2.The suitors dont like that Penelope is being so stubborn and reluctant. They all just want her to give in and marry one of them. They have taken over her home and eating her food because they think Odysseus is dead and they want her to get married again.

3. Because Telemachus knows the information that Menelaus told him he knows where to look for his father.Also he now knows he is at least alive and can know he is out there. The information can be instructive for Odysseus because if he knew the information he could try and get home.

Tahmid and Elisha:  1. The gods appear as selfish and arrogant towards humans. They play a big part in human affairs because they can twist to make happen what they want. they are motivated by what they want. 2.The suitors view Penelope's resistance as insolent. They behave as they do b/c they think they are wooing her. 3. It would help him find his father. It tells him Odysseus is stranded on Ogygia by Calypso.

Nick and Jazmin:

Alec and Jordan:

Micah and Zoe: 1. Gods have the ultimate answers in __The Odyssey.__ Gods also have feelings and tempors like humans -though they have more power- so being on their good side is definitly seen as importent. They play a large part in human affairs because humans believe gods control everything and therefor try to please them before doing anything.

2. The suitors view Penelope's reluctance as being unnecissary because she doesnt have a partner and they are offering to be hers. They think they are justified in eating Odysseus' food and using their things because they believe he is dead and they deserve it since Penelope won't pick one of them.

3. I think Proteus could be helpful to Telemachus because now he knows how to catch him. If Telemachus wanted more answers about his father he could go talk to Proteus. He also now knows his father is alive, and what his situation is.


 * 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?

Gabe and Trent:

Ricky and Erin D:

Morgan and Christine:

Chantal and Alex: 1. The stories, especially the first encounter with Circe show signs of distrust in Odysseus' men. Really, overall he is not a very good leader because not even one of his men make it back to ithaca besides him. 2. It's important that he tell of all his wanderings because this is the most interesting part of the story and it shows the incredible struggle he faced. Homer doesn't tell the story linearly because it is important to hint at some things then completely reveal them to build suspense. 3. Circe is controlling and cruel, yet she has a very hospitable side to her. They didn't do a thing to offend her. Odysseus succumbs to her seduction for a time because he is exhausted, and he will take any opportunity for a break he can get. He takes much too long to get back. 4. He will get back to Ithaca but all his men will die. The greek underworld is different from Christian hell in the sense that hell is punishment and the underworld is for everyone, good or bad (only very special people go to the Elysian Fields)

Leticia and Isabelle:

Elizabeth and Jenn: Odysseus and his men were very strong, clever and smart. They knew what to expect with war and returning from war. Odysseus is a leader because he thinks quickly on his feet. He does make mistakes because when he encountered the cyclops, two men were devoured and, he felt sort of cowardly for telling him that his name was nobody. his bravery and connection with the God Hermes and the goddess athene make him better than his men. yes, his wife in her lonely mind.

2.the phaecians wanted to know the whole truth about his origins and how he happened upon them. HOmer's jumbled storyline keeps us interested one our toes and so we see different aspects of drama.

3.Circe is a devilish gosddess, tricky yet kind and understanding.hermes gave oysseusann herb to resist her magicand told him to lunge at er when she tried to strike at him. 4.

Westley and Eden:

Priscilla and Shardae:

Collin and Quinn and Malachi:

Thomas and Erin O:

Kara and Shanique: 1. The individual stories Odysseus recounts tells us that Odysseus is a good leader because he is brave and strong and willing. His men are somewhat dumb. There are defiantly danger because of the gods, calypso, Circe and all of the other immortals he encounters. The gods can do anything to anybody for what ever they want.

2. He tells them as stories so that people will have sympathy for him and help him next. It also makes the story interesting. Homer wrote it the way he did because the story has more meaning and again is more interesting.

3. Circe is a evil which nymph.she is deceiving and seductive. His men offend her by going to her house and not being polite. but i mean other than that they didnt really do anything we can think of. Circe seduces him and he is tired and just wants a break.

4. He learns that he may have a chance for sevival and that he can make it home and he hears from a lot of peole that have died like his mother and agamemnon. His attitude is good. You cant just jouney doun to the christan hell and come back when you like you.

Tahmid and Elisha:

Nick and Jazmin:

Alec and Jordan:

Micah and Zoe:


 * 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?

Gabe and Trent:

Ricky and Erin D:

Morgan and Christine:

Chantal and Alex:

Leticia and Isabelle:

Elizabeth and Jenn:

Westley and Eden:

Priscilla and Shardae:

Collin and Quinn and Malachi:

Thomas and Erin O:


 * 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?

Kara and Shanique:

1.At first he doesn't really think that he is there and that the person is lying to him.he then trust Athene and realizes and walks to his swineherds hut. He doesn't tell anyone at first but he tries to tell the swineherd that his master will come home, he doesn't believe him. then he finally reveals himself to Telemachus. Athene gives him a lot of help.

2. The role that Helen plays is that she interprets the omen of the bird swooping down as Odysseus will return home and get revenge on the suitors. The prophecy she makes revels about her that she ...................................................................................................Giving him the robe could mean that the same thing will happen to him or the robe really could have been something for him to remember his journey and Helen.

3. All through the book when someone revels their self at first someone doesn't believe them. When they do finally catch on they cry because they are so happy to see that person.like when Odysseus showed himself to Telemachus and started to cry. we're not exactly sure how they differ.we think that our emotions are mostly similar and there isn't really differences.

4. Odysseus needs to protect his identity because if he shows him self too soon the suitors might try to kill him and even Telemachus. Also he wants to make sure that no one else is against him.

5. In book 16 they show he has matured by he waits and has patients and doesnt just go home but waits to make sure the suitors arnt going to kill him. Also by taking charge of things and giving some order. He also cares more about feelings and what happens.

Tahmid and Elisha:

Nick and Jazmin:

Alec and Jordan:

Micah and Zoe:


 * Thursday, November 19th:**

Week Four Questions

Gabe and Trent:

Ricky and Erin D:

Morgan and Christine:

Chantal and Alex:

Leticia and Isabelle:

Elizabeth and Jenn:

Westley and Eden:

Priscilla and Shardae:

Collin and Quinn and Malachi:

Thomas and Erin O:

Kara and Shanique:

Tahmid and Elisha:

Nick and Jazmin:

Alec and Jordan:

Micah and Zoe: