Homework Responses for Hal Bourne's Greek Myths students.
This page is intended for homework responses for Hal Bourne's Greek Myths students.
When directed to do so by the calendar, please respond to the questions listed below. You can either respond to the question or to one of your peers' comments.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
RWR #5
Enter your RWR here. See handout for instructions.
"No, you're not Odysseus! Not my father! Just some spirit spellbinding me now-to make me ache with sorrow all the more." (16.220) Musing: I'm kind of confused as to why Telemachus doesn’t believe it’s his father at first. As much as he wants it to be Odysseus, he doesn’t even consider it to be a possibility. I think it might be because Odysseus has been gone for so long. Telemachus has come to believe that his father has died and will never return. But then, it doesn’t take a lot of convincing on Odysseus’ part for Telemachus to realize it’s his father.
“Encouraging, all the way, but all the while plotting the prince’s murder in his mind…” (16.497) Musing: This takes place when Eurymachus tries to calm Penelope when she overhears the suitors plotting Telemachus’ death. I think it’s awful that Eurymachus wants to wed her so badly that he lies to her face just to win her over. It goes to show that he (and all of the suitors) would be terrible husbands to her. He’s not even married to Penelope and he’s already lying to her.
Question: Why do the suitors only want to kill Telemachus “if it is the gods will?”
P. 309 "Five days out and we raised the great river Nile and there in the Nile delta moored our ships of war...they promptly began to plunder the lush Egyptian farms, dragged off the women and children, killed the men."
Musing: I do not understand why Odysseus feels the need to go into such extraordinary detail in his fabricated odyssey. I would think a simple, "I would rather not say," or even just saying "from Crête," would suffice. He talks about several different made-up tails including the killing and capturing of innocent egyptian men, women, children. Was that necessary?
P.306 "This very month––just as the old moon dies and the new moon rises into life––Odysseus will return! He will come home and take revenge on any man who offends his wedded wife and princely son!"
Musing: This is a great example of Odysseus's hubris coming up again in the Odyssey. Instead of being modest and unsuspicious in his disguise, he feels the need to boast with certainty that Odysseus will return home and avenge the suitors. This reminded of his yelling at Polyphemus from his boat after he escaped. This time, however, he was not punished for his overconfidence, as Athena was on his side.
Why does Odysseus go into such ridiculous detail in his lie to the loyal swineherd?
Book 16. Lines 19-25 "As a father, brimming with love, welcomes home his darling only son in a warm embrace....so loyal the swineherd hugged the beaming prince, he clung for dear life, covering him with kisses, yes, like on escaped from death." Here is an example of Homer using similes. These classic Homeric similes allow us to see what the character is feeling and advance the plot. Similes also allow the reader to connect with the story and the characters, seeing the comparison and comparing it to their own life. The Homeric simile is very well known and often time used today in contemporary writing, but I am left wondering why it is so famous? Aren't similes rather common?
Book 16. lines 114-116 "Then let some foreigner lop my head off if I failed to march right into Odysseus' royal halls and kill them." This line is important because it is foreshadowing. Later on in The Odyssey Odysseus kills all the suitors. The suitors were in Penelope's house for so long and there were so many of them, why were they not dealt with earlier?
p.300 "'Why not tell him the truth? You know it all, or is he too--like father, like son--condemned to hardship, roving over the barren salt sea while strangers devour our livelihood right here?'" I hadn't realized it before, but it is SO weird that Athena, who loves Odysseus and his son, didn't tell Telemachus that Odysseus was going to come home, because obviously, as a goddess, she knew that. However, I guess it makes sense because she wanted him to be able to go on a journey so that he could come of age, become independent, and explore the world for himself, beginning to live up to his father. Still, Athena should have given him some sign so he didn't worry too much about Odysseus.
p.303 "'My host--may Zeus and the other gods give you your heart's desire for the royal welcome you have shown me here!'" Odysseus says this to Eumaeus, the loyal swineherd, after he is welcomed, unrecognized, into Eumaeus' home. The king is greatly pleased by the kindness of the swineherd. This is obviously an example of xenia--an example of how hosts should treat their guests, giving them anything they have to offer. This quote also underscores how important a good guest-host relationship is to the gods as well.
"Trust me, the blessed gods have no love for crime. They honor justice, honor the decent acts of men." (14. 96-97) In both the Odyssey and the Iliad, there are several cases where the gods smite mortals who displayed hubris or committed a crime. Odysseus himself has to face the wrath of Poseidon when stabs the Cyclops in the eye and then continuously taunts him. However, there aren't many tales told in the Odyssey where the gods "honor the decent acts of men." There are stories of them helping the heros, but never the ordinary men. Eumaeus, the one stating the quote, is a perfect example of how the gods don't exactly honor the decent, ordinary guys. He is a really good person, but the gods don't pay any attention to him. It seems to me that the gods only honor the people who are either really strong or smart that don't display hubris often.
"That's the a guest will remember all his days: the lavish host who showers him with kindness." (15. 60-61) One of the most prevalent themes in the Odyssey, is the relationship between the guest and host. The importance of this relationship is shown at each home Telemachus stops at during his journey. He is always warmly welcomed inside the homes of people and showered with great gifts. Telemachus even lets Theoclymenus, a killer, aboard his ship. I found it odd that Theoclymenus tells Telemachus that he killed someone; wouldn't it lower his odds of being let onto the ship? Q: Why not just lie like Odysseus did during his stay at Eumaus's?
Quote #1: "All is now made good, my heart's desire, your convoy home, your precious, loving gifts, and may the gods of Olympus bless them for me!" (13.45-47) I chose this quote because it does a good job of showing how strong xenia is in these two epics and the rest of greek mythology. The Phaeacians did not know who Odysseus was until he explained himself, and once they knew they immediately helped him by bringing him back to Ithaca. In addition, they filled the ship with lost of robes, hammered gold, and other gifts for Odysseus. And even when Odysseus was still a stranger, they fed him and gave him a place to stay.
Quote #2: "Amphinomus made his way back through the hall, his heart sick with anguish, shaking his head, fraught with grave forebodings... but not even so could he escape his fate. Even then Athena had bound him fast to death at the hands of Prince Telemachus and his spear." (18.175-179) I chose this quote because I'm surprised that Athena gave this fate to Amphinomus. Odysseus wanted to spare him because he was one of the "better" suitors by telling him to leave, but Athena clearly thinks he should die with the others. I also chose this because it has obvious foreshadowing.
Question: Why did it take 10 years for the suitors to take action? Why did they not create a plan sooner?
Pg. 341 16.102-106 "My heart, by god, is torn to pieces hearing this, both of you telling how these reckless suitors, there in your own house, against your will, plot your ruin" This quote really appealed to me because Odysseus is telling the truth here. Coming back after two decades from a long war and a perilous journey only to find that his house is in shambles and the suitors are plotting to take the throne from the rightful heir, his son. Coming back home and seeing things have completely changed echoes the advice of Nestor who tells Telemachus that in the future when he rules, he must go back to his place of rule soon after he leaves, or else he can't keep up with the changes.
Pg. 351 16.470 "Don't you know how your father fled here once? A fugitive, terrified of the people, up in arms against him because he'd joined some Taphian pirates out to attack Thesprotians, sworn allies of ours." I found it interesting how there is a parallel between Antinuous and his father. Both of them were once honorable and wise men and both also served Odysseus as a suitor. However, both fell to their selfish needs and cast out all ties and faithfulness to their king Odysseus. It was interesting to see the "son of xxx" theme pop again.
"drawing her glistening veil across her cheeks" (21.74) This makes me think that Penelope did know about Odysseus, and that this is almost a signal to him. When she left her father, Icarius, he begged her not to leave. However, Penelope chooses to go off with Odysseus, so she pulls her veil across her face as a signal that she chooses him. Again, Penelope pulls her veil across her face, which to me shows that she knows Odysseus is among the suitors, and that she is choosing him again, as she knows he is the only one capable of bending the bow and shooting it.
"It was Argos, long-enduring Odysseus' dog," (17.319) Argos acts as a representation of Ithaca. The ticks infesting him are kind of like the suitors, and Argos is like Penelope, their unwilling host. While with Odysseus, Argos was strong, but with Odysseus gone, both the dog and the island have follow into disrepair.
“Straight to the prince he rushed and kissed his face and kissed his shining eyes, both hands, as the tears rolled down his cheeks. As father, brimming with love, welcomes home his darling only son in a warm embrace--what pain he’s borne for him and him alone!” (16, 16-21) Eumaeus reacted so emotionally to Telemachus’ return that it is clear he has loved the boy like his own, taking on Odysseus’ role as a caring father-figure in his life. I think Eumaeus acted this way because he was worried Telemachus would have the same fate as his father. This scene is only a prelude to the welcome Odysseus would have when he came home. I think that it is curious the three are so closely bound, as they are clearly in different social classes, but that also show the humbleness that Odysseus carried in his family, though Odysseus himself didn’t always display it.
“‘Soon enough, father,’ his gallant son replied, ‘you’ll sense the courage inside me, that I know--I’m hardly a flighty, weak-willed boy these days.’” (16, 341-343) Telemachus clearly wants to tell his father that he is not the boy Odysseus left when he went to war in Troy. He wants Odysseus to trust him like a comrade and partner in battle, not baby him like he would if he was still young. Telemachus has just gone on a journey, a coming of age journey really, and he wants to prove that he has grown.
Question: How has the relationships between these three characters changed and grown throughout each of their respective journeys?
"The suitors' knees went slack…share her bed." (18.240) Musing; This is just plain creepy. The woman is nearing her fifties and these random groups of men publicly announce their willingness to make love to her, despite her absent husband and enraged son. It seems a little excessive to be acting as such.
"But now with his master gone he lay there, castaway" (17.325) Like his family, Odysseus has abandoned his faithful dog. All has fallen into disrepair in his absence. Ithaca will only be healed and whole when re returns.
Musing: "He leapt up with a start at dawn but still so dazed he forgot to climb back down again by the long ladder headfirst from the roof he plunged, his neck snapped from the backbone, his soul flew down to death." (247)
I felt that this was a little weird that homer would include this scene because i didn't understand what it showed other than a poor man, drunk, was unfortunate enough to fall off a roof. Without this scene, the story still could of gone on, and odysseus and his crew could of left. But, in the next chapter, Odysseus encounters Elpenor in the underworld. That scene foreshadows his journey to the underworld where it says "his soul flew down to death".
Musing: I rushed back to my ship, commanded all hands to take to the decks and cast off cables quickly." (270)
I feel like this part of the story shows who Odysseus is. When he runs away from all the ghosts because he is legitimately scared to death, it shows the difference between Odysseus and other hero's. Odysseus is not a fighter, rather he is a planner, and smart, and likes to stay behind the lines, while other hero's fight in the front lines.
Book 16 "Friend, you're a new man- not what I saw before! Your clothes, they've changed, even your skin has changed-surely you are some god who rules the vaulting skies! Oh be kind, and we will give you offerings, gifts of hammered gold to warm your heart- spare us, please, I beg you" (344).
I thought this was an interesting quote because it shows how differently Telemachus treats people that are of a higher status. Before Athena changed Odysseus into a younger, better dressed man, Telemachus would not give him the time of day, he was not even allowed to speak. Status is a very big thing in The Odyssey and this quote demonstrates that very well.
Book 14 "Sitting at the door of his lodge he found him, there in his farmstead, high-walled, broad and large, with its long view on its cleared rise of ground....The swineherd made those walls with his own hands to enclose the pigs of his master gone for years" (301). This quote shows just how loyal the swineherd was. There are so many examples in The Odyssey of people not being loyal and this was a nice change. The suitors are one example of people not being loyal to their king by taking over his palace and trying to court his wife. The swineherd shows a nice change from the usual expected behavior in The Odyssey.
Question: Is Penelope loyal to Odysseus for selfish reasons or is it because she cares about him and thinks about him even after 10 years?
“No, you’re not Odysseus! Not my father! Just some spirit spellbinding me now,” (16. 220).
Telemachus’ reaction to when Odysseus revealed that he was his father was more harsh that I expected. I thought Telemachus would have been joyful and maybe a little bit confused but I definitely didn’t expect him to totally shoot down Odysseus. I understand that Odysseus had been gone for 20 years but since Telemachus had just returned from searching for Odysseus, I expected a more friendly and loving welcome from him.
“Odysseus was torn…should he wheel with his staff and beat the scoundrel senseless?—or house him by the midriff, split his skill on the rocks? He steeled himself instead, his mind in full control” (17. 257).
This scene gave a very clear image of the kind of man Odysseus is. It tells you what he wants to do to the man who kicked him, but also that he is able to control himself at a time he knows is necessary. I think this shows his character well. He is like other men in that he doesn’t appreciate being mistreated but he is also thoughtful enough to know when is a good time to pick a fight and when is time to let it slide. I think that sets him apart from a lot of other Greek warriors of that time and is why he survived 20 years away from home.
Question: Why didn’t Athena tell Telemachus that Odysseus was coming home? She had previously helped him but why not tell him to expect his father?
1. “Shelter? Oh Eumaeus,” Telemachus replied, “that word of yours, it cuts me to quick! How can I lend this man refuge in my house.” (340) I found this quote interesting because it seems to follow Xenia but not in the traditional way that we have seen so far in the book. Instead of opening his house up to this stranger Telemachus is refusing it to him. Which at first seems like it is extremely against Xenia but then you see his motives are pure. He only is doing this to protect the stranger, he is doing it because he believes that the stranger will be unsafe in his home. I thought this was interesting interpretation of Xenia and perhaps the truest form we have seen so far in the book. Telemachus is truly putting this strangers safety first.
2. “ No, You are not Odysseus! Not my Father! Just some spellbinding spirit now- to make me ache with sorrow all the more.” (344) I think it is interesting that Telemachus’ first reaction to seeing his father is one of absolute denial. Even after he has been told that his father is alive, even though he believed his father was alive, it was too much for him to believe in the moment. Honestly I would have expected a much more joyous response from Telemachus. He is so distrustful he doesn’t even ask Odysseus to prove himself in someway he just immediately assumes it is a lie.
Question: Why do you think Telemachus’ immediate reaction to Odysseus revealing himself was one of distrust?
Book 16. lines 114-116 "Then let some foreigner lop my head off if I failed to march right into Odysseus' royal halls and kill them."
This is forshadowing because...well we all know that Odysseus does in fact turn and kill all of the suitors. Magical man.
p.303 "'My host--may Zeus and the other gods give you your heart's desire for the royal welcome you have shown me here!'"
This is a good example of xenia. The guest -host relationship. Which is also magical for all.
Question: How does xenia effect the outcome of Oddyseus's journey? Do you think that he shows a good example of that, and does it either hinder or help him?
"No, you're not Odysseus! Not my father! Just some spirit spellbinding me now-to make me ache with sorrow all the more." (16.220)
ReplyDeleteMusing: I'm kind of confused as to why Telemachus doesn’t believe it’s his father at first. As much as he wants it to be Odysseus, he doesn’t even consider it to be a possibility. I think it might be because Odysseus has been gone for so long. Telemachus has come to believe that his father has died and will never return. But then, it doesn’t take a lot of convincing on Odysseus’ part for Telemachus to realize it’s his father.
“Encouraging, all the way, but all the while plotting the prince’s murder in his mind…” (16.497)
Musing: This takes place when Eurymachus tries to calm Penelope when she overhears the suitors plotting Telemachus’ death. I think it’s awful that Eurymachus wants to wed her so badly that he lies to her face just to win her over. It goes to show that he (and all of the suitors) would be terrible husbands to her. He’s not even married to Penelope and he’s already lying to her.
Question: Why do the suitors only want to kill Telemachus “if it is the gods will?”
P. 309
ReplyDelete"Five days out and we raised the great river Nile and there in the Nile delta moored our ships of war...they promptly began to plunder the lush Egyptian farms, dragged off the women and children, killed the men."
Musing: I do not understand why Odysseus feels the need to go into such extraordinary detail in his fabricated odyssey. I would think a simple, "I would rather not say," or even just saying "from Crête," would suffice. He talks about several different made-up tails including the killing and capturing of innocent egyptian men, women, children. Was that necessary?
P.306
"This very month––just as the old moon dies and the new moon rises into life––Odysseus will return! He will come home and take revenge on any man who offends his wedded wife and princely son!"
Musing: This is a great example of Odysseus's hubris coming up again in the Odyssey. Instead of being modest and unsuspicious in his disguise, he feels the need to boast with certainty that Odysseus will return home and avenge the suitors. This reminded of his yelling at Polyphemus from his boat after he escaped. This time, however, he was not punished for his overconfidence, as Athena was on his side.
Why does Odysseus go into such ridiculous detail in his lie to the loyal swineherd?
Book 16. Lines 19-25
ReplyDelete"As a father, brimming with love, welcomes home his darling only son in a warm embrace....so loyal the swineherd hugged the beaming prince, he clung for dear life, covering him with kisses, yes, like on escaped from death."
Here is an example of Homer using similes. These classic Homeric similes allow us to see what the character is feeling and advance the plot. Similes also allow the reader to connect with the story and the characters, seeing the comparison and comparing it to their own life. The Homeric simile is very well known and often time used today in contemporary writing, but I am left wondering why it is so famous? Aren't similes rather common?
Book 16. lines 114-116
"Then let some foreigner lop my head off if I failed to march right into Odysseus' royal halls and kill them."
This line is important because it is foreshadowing. Later on in The Odyssey Odysseus kills all the suitors. The suitors were in Penelope's house for so long and there were so many of them, why were they not dealt with earlier?
p.300
ReplyDelete"'Why not tell him the truth? You know it all, or is he too--like father, like son--condemned to hardship, roving over the barren salt sea while strangers devour our livelihood right here?'"
I hadn't realized it before, but it is SO weird that Athena, who loves Odysseus and his son, didn't tell Telemachus that Odysseus was going to come home, because obviously, as a goddess, she knew that. However, I guess it makes sense because she wanted him to be able to go on a journey so that he could come of age, become independent, and explore the world for himself, beginning to live up to his father. Still, Athena should have given him some sign so he didn't worry too much about Odysseus.
p.303
"'My host--may Zeus and the other gods give you your heart's desire for the royal welcome you have shown me here!'"
Odysseus says this to Eumaeus, the loyal swineherd, after he is welcomed, unrecognized, into Eumaeus' home. The king is greatly pleased by the kindness of the swineherd. This is obviously an example of xenia--an example of how hosts should treat their guests, giving them anything they have to offer. This quote also underscores how important a good guest-host relationship is to the gods as well.
"Trust me, the blessed gods have no love for crime. They honor justice, honor the decent acts of men." (14. 96-97)
ReplyDeleteIn both the Odyssey and the Iliad, there are several cases where the gods smite mortals who displayed hubris or committed a crime. Odysseus himself has to face the wrath of Poseidon when stabs the Cyclops in the eye and then continuously taunts him. However, there aren't many tales told in the Odyssey where the gods "honor the decent acts of men." There are stories of them helping the heros, but never the ordinary men. Eumaeus, the one stating the quote, is a perfect example of how the gods don't exactly honor the decent, ordinary guys. He is a really good person, but the gods don't pay any attention to him. It seems to me that the gods only honor the people who are either really strong or smart that don't display hubris often.
"That's the a guest will remember all his days: the lavish host who showers him with kindness." (15. 60-61)
One of the most prevalent themes in the Odyssey, is the relationship between the guest and host. The importance of this relationship is shown at each home Telemachus stops at during his journey. He is always warmly welcomed inside the homes of people and showered with great gifts. Telemachus even lets Theoclymenus, a killer, aboard his ship. I found it odd that Theoclymenus tells Telemachus that he killed someone; wouldn't it lower his odds of being let onto the ship? Q: Why not just lie like Odysseus did during his stay at Eumaus's?
Quote #1: "All is now made good, my heart's desire, your convoy home, your precious, loving gifts, and may the gods of Olympus bless them for me!" (13.45-47)
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because it does a good job of showing how strong xenia is in these two epics and the rest of greek mythology. The Phaeacians did not know who Odysseus was until he explained himself, and once they knew they immediately helped him by bringing him back to Ithaca. In addition, they filled the ship with lost of robes, hammered gold, and other gifts for Odysseus. And even when Odysseus was still a stranger, they fed him and gave him a place to stay.
Quote #2: "Amphinomus made his way back through the hall, his heart sick with anguish, shaking his head, fraught with grave forebodings... but not even so could he escape his fate. Even then Athena had bound him fast to death at the hands of Prince Telemachus and his spear." (18.175-179)
I chose this quote because I'm surprised that Athena gave this fate to Amphinomus. Odysseus wanted to spare him because he was one of the "better" suitors by telling him to leave, but Athena clearly thinks he should die with the others. I also chose this because it has obvious foreshadowing.
Question: Why did it take 10 years for the suitors to take action? Why did they not create a plan sooner?
Pg. 341 16.102-106
ReplyDelete"My heart, by god, is torn to pieces hearing this, both of you telling how these reckless suitors, there in your own house, against your will, plot your ruin"
This quote really appealed to me because Odysseus is telling the truth here. Coming back after two decades from a long war and a perilous journey only to find that his house is in shambles and the suitors are plotting to take the throne from the rightful heir, his son. Coming back home and seeing things have completely changed echoes the advice of Nestor who tells Telemachus that in the future when he rules, he must go back to his place of rule soon after he leaves, or else he can't keep up with the changes.
Pg. 351 16.470
"Don't you know how your father fled here once? A fugitive, terrified of the people, up in arms against him because he'd joined some Taphian pirates out to attack Thesprotians, sworn allies of ours."
I found it interesting how there is a parallel between Antinuous and his father. Both of them were once honorable and wise men and both also served Odysseus as a suitor. However, both fell to their selfish needs and cast out all ties and faithfulness to their king Odysseus. It was interesting to see the "son of xxx" theme pop again.
"drawing her glistening veil across her cheeks" (21.74)
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think that Penelope did know about Odysseus, and that this is almost a signal to him. When she left her father, Icarius, he begged her not to leave. However, Penelope chooses to go off with Odysseus, so she pulls her veil across her face as a signal that she chooses him. Again, Penelope pulls her veil across her face, which to me shows that she knows Odysseus is among the suitors, and that she is choosing him again, as she knows he is the only one capable of bending the bow and shooting it.
"It was Argos, long-enduring Odysseus' dog," (17.319)
Argos acts as a representation of Ithaca. The ticks infesting him are kind of like the suitors, and Argos is like Penelope, their unwilling host. While with Odysseus, Argos was strong, but with Odysseus gone, both the dog and the island have follow into disrepair.
“Straight to the prince he rushed and kissed his face and kissed his shining eyes, both hands, as the tears rolled down his cheeks. As father, brimming with love, welcomes home his darling only son in a warm embrace--what pain he’s borne for him and him alone!” (16, 16-21)
ReplyDeleteEumaeus reacted so emotionally to Telemachus’ return that it is clear he has loved the boy like his own, taking on Odysseus’ role as a caring father-figure in his life. I think Eumaeus acted this way because he was worried Telemachus would have the same fate as his father. This scene is only a prelude to the welcome Odysseus would have when he came home. I think that it is curious the three are so closely bound, as they are clearly in different social classes, but that also show the humbleness that Odysseus carried in his family, though Odysseus himself didn’t always display it.
“‘Soon enough, father,’ his gallant son replied, ‘you’ll sense the courage inside me, that I know--I’m hardly a flighty, weak-willed boy these days.’” (16, 341-343)
Telemachus clearly wants to tell his father that he is not the boy Odysseus left when he went to war in Troy. He wants Odysseus to trust him like a comrade and partner in battle, not baby him like he would if he was still young. Telemachus has just gone on a journey, a coming of age journey really, and he wants to prove that he has grown.
Question: How has the relationships between these three characters changed and grown throughout each of their respective journeys?
"The suitors' knees went slack…share her bed." (18.240)
ReplyDeleteMusing; This is just plain creepy. The woman is nearing her fifties and these random groups of men publicly announce their willingness to make love to her, despite her absent husband and enraged son. It seems a little excessive to be acting as such.
"But now with his master gone he lay there, castaway" (17.325) Like his family, Odysseus has abandoned his faithful dog. All has fallen into disrepair in his absence. Ithaca will only be healed and whole when re returns.
Question: is Odysseus happy to be home?
Musing: "He leapt up with a start at dawn but still so dazed he forgot to climb back down again by the long ladder headfirst from the roof he plunged, his neck snapped from the backbone, his soul flew down to death." (247)
ReplyDeleteI felt that this was a little weird that homer would include this scene because i didn't understand what it showed other than a poor man, drunk, was unfortunate enough to fall off a roof. Without this scene, the story still could of gone on, and odysseus and his crew could of left. But, in the next chapter, Odysseus encounters Elpenor in the underworld. That scene foreshadows his journey to the underworld where it says "his soul flew down to death".
Musing: I rushed back to my ship, commanded all hands to take to the decks and cast off cables quickly." (270)
I feel like this part of the story shows who Odysseus is. When he runs away from all the ghosts because he is legitimately scared to death, it shows the difference between Odysseus and other hero's. Odysseus is not a fighter, rather he is a planner, and smart, and likes to stay behind the lines, while other hero's fight in the front lines.
Question: do u think Odysseus can be considered a hero even though he doesn't fight in the front lines
DeleteBook 16
ReplyDelete"Friend, you're a new man- not what I saw before! Your clothes, they've changed, even your skin has changed-surely you are some god who rules the vaulting skies! Oh be kind, and we will give you offerings, gifts of hammered gold to warm your heart- spare us, please, I beg you" (344).
I thought this was an interesting quote because it shows how differently Telemachus treats people that are of a higher status. Before Athena changed Odysseus into a younger, better dressed man, Telemachus would not give him the time of day, he was not even allowed to speak. Status is a very big thing in The Odyssey and this quote demonstrates that very well.
Book 14
"Sitting at the door of his lodge he found him, there in his farmstead, high-walled, broad and large, with its long view on its cleared rise of ground....The swineherd made those walls with his own hands to enclose the pigs of his master gone for years" (301).
This quote shows just how loyal the swineherd was. There are so many examples in The Odyssey of people not being loyal and this was a nice change. The suitors are one example of people not being loyal to their king by taking over his palace and trying to court his wife. The swineherd shows a nice change from the usual expected behavior in The Odyssey.
Question:
Is Penelope loyal to Odysseus for selfish reasons or is it because she cares about him and thinks about him even after 10 years?
“No, you’re not Odysseus! Not my father! Just some spirit spellbinding me now,” (16. 220).
ReplyDeleteTelemachus’ reaction to when Odysseus revealed that he was his father was more harsh that I expected. I thought Telemachus would have been joyful and maybe a little bit confused but I definitely didn’t expect him to totally shoot down Odysseus. I understand that Odysseus had been gone for 20 years but since Telemachus had just returned from searching for Odysseus, I expected a more friendly and loving welcome from him.
“Odysseus was torn…should he wheel with his staff and beat the scoundrel senseless?—or house him by the midriff, split his skill on the rocks? He steeled himself instead, his mind in full control” (17. 257).
This scene gave a very clear image of the kind of man Odysseus is. It tells you what he wants to do to the man who kicked him, but also that he is able to control himself at a time he knows is necessary. I think this shows his character well. He is like other men in that he doesn’t appreciate being mistreated but he is also thoughtful enough to know when is a good time to pick a fight and when is time to let it slide. I think that sets him apart from a lot of other Greek warriors of that time and is why he survived 20 years away from home.
Question: Why didn’t Athena tell Telemachus that Odysseus was coming home? She had previously helped him but why not tell him to expect his father?
1. “Shelter? Oh Eumaeus,” Telemachus replied, “that word of yours, it cuts me to quick! How can I lend this man refuge in my house.” (340)
ReplyDeleteI found this quote interesting because it seems to follow Xenia but not in the traditional way that we have seen so far in the book. Instead of opening his house up to this stranger Telemachus is refusing it to him. Which at first seems like it is extremely against Xenia but then you see his motives are pure. He only is doing this to protect the stranger, he is doing it because he believes that the stranger will be unsafe in his home. I thought this was interesting interpretation of Xenia and perhaps the truest form we have seen so far in the book. Telemachus is truly putting this strangers safety first.
2. “ No, You are not Odysseus! Not my Father! Just some spellbinding spirit now- to make me ache with sorrow all the more.” (344)
I think it is interesting that Telemachus’ first reaction to seeing his father is one of absolute denial. Even after he has been told that his father is alive, even though he believed his father was alive, it was too much for him to believe in the moment. Honestly I would have expected a much more joyous response from Telemachus. He is so distrustful he doesn’t even ask Odysseus to prove himself in someway he just immediately assumes it is a lie.
Question: Why do you think Telemachus’ immediate reaction to Odysseus revealing himself was one of distrust?
Book 16. lines 114-116
ReplyDelete"Then let some foreigner lop my head off if I failed to march right into Odysseus' royal halls and kill them."
This is forshadowing because...well we all know that Odysseus does in fact turn and kill all of the suitors. Magical man.
p.303
"'My host--may Zeus and the other gods give you your heart's desire for the royal welcome you have shown me here!'"
This is a good example of xenia. The guest -host relationship. Which is also magical for all.
Question: How does xenia effect the outcome of Oddyseus's journey? Do you think that he shows a good example of that, and does it either hinder or help him?