Blogger #10, Lowell Ewing, Period 5, 4/27/21, Day B

 Part 1

Aim: How does Homer's invocation establish tone for the beginning of the Odyssey?

Do Now: CLASS DISCUSSION

How do you become inspired?  Where does it originate?

The class discussed a variety of things that inspired them, such as music, their surroundings, and people who shared their hobbies and interests.

Afterwards, everyone was split into breakout rooms to discuss a name change for their respective teams. My groups changed their name to the Trojans. Some more interesting name changes were Homer’s Fans and Kallisti.

The Nine Muses: 

-Muses serve as inspiration for poets and other artists.

-In Greek mythology, there were nine goddesses of arts, literature and science that served as muses.

-Each muse inspires different forms of prose, poetry, drama, rhetoric, or general writing. 

Homer’s invocation pays homage (special honor and respect) to these goddesses and to Ancient Greek culture in general. It also: 

• Expresses the purpose of the narrative.

• Incorporates traditions familiar to his specific audience.

Muses: The 9 Inspirational Goddesses of Greek Mythology - Mythology Dictionary - See U in History [3:06]

What exactly is an invocation?

The class was instructed to search up the definition of invoke.

Most people came up with definitions such as “to cite” or “to call upon”

Here is the definition of invoke according to Oxford Languages:

Invoke (verb): cite or appeal to (someone or something) as an authority for an action or in support of an argument.

Homer’s Invocation (lines 1-17) 

Different members of the class took turns reading out the beginning portion of the Odyssey, including Homer’s invocation. Homer tells of Odysseus’ accomplishments and briefly summarizes the many dangers that he encounters on his voyage home.

GROUP DISCUSSION

1. What is your opinion of Odysseus so far after hearing Homer's invocation to the muses and learning about the Trojan War?

2. Generally, the class seemed to think that Odysseus seemed like a great hero and an exceptionally talented individual. Some, however, were skeptical, as it is implied that Odysseus and his men were among the people ransacking temples and enslaving civilians in Troy.

2. How does Homer maintain the audience’s interest in the story, knowing that the audience is aware of the outcome from the very beginning?

3. Homer manages to summarize the hardships Odysseus had to endure during his journey home without giving too much away. This makes sure that the audience is left wanting to know more about Odysseus’ experiences.

3. What does the invocation of the Muse in the opening lines clarify about Odysseus’ culpability (responsibility for a fault or wrong; blame) during his voyage home?

4. The first few lines seem to make out that the recklessness of Odysseus’ crew destroyed them all. This may mean that, while Odysseus is somewhat responsible (he is their leader, after all), his crew is responsible for their own misfortune.

ANTICIPATION GUIDE

The class filled out a Google Form containing questions that (presumably) pertained to the events of the Odyssey.

These questions were included, but were not limited to:

Do you believe there is no place like home?

Do you agree that “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?”

Do you believe that a leader should be responsible for their group?

Do you think it is better to be young and foolish or old and wise?

We were also asked to defend one of the standpoints we chose.

Part 2

Aim: How does “Sailing From Troy” and “The Lotus Eaters” (Book IX) establish Odysseus’ role as a leader?

Do Now: Team List

Consider the fact that Odysseus has been trying to return to his home in Ithaca for 10 years. Imagine being away from your home for that long. 

1. What would you miss the most and why?

The class came up with an array of aspects of their home and/or home life that they would miss. These included their bed, their family, the feeling of having their own space to relax in, and the familiar objects. 

2. Why do we have sayings like the ones below?

The reason for sayings such as the ones in the images below is most likely because of the comfort and nostalgia that develops when we are familiar with certain objects or environments, such as the ones in our homes.

Characterization

The method by which an author creates the personality and appearance of their character.

Direct Characterization: The author makes direct statements about the character (can be revealed through a narrator or through another character in the story). The author TELLS the reader what they want them to know.

Indirect Characterization: indirectly stated from character's actions, choices they make, dialogue/relationships with others, thoughts, feelings. The author SHOWS the reader what they want them to know.

S.T.E.A.L.

(A method for identifying indirect characterization)

• SPEECH - What does the character say? 

-How does the character speak?

• THOUGHTS - What is revealed through the 

character’s private thoughts and feelings?

• EFFECTS - What is revealed through the character’s 

effect on other people? 

-How do other characters feel or behave in 

reaction to the character?

• ACTIONS - What does the character do? 

How does the character behave?

• LOOKS - What does the character look like? 

-How does the character dress or otherwise present themselves?

Sailing from Troy (lines 18-69)

The class took turns reading the lines of the Odyssey pertaining to Odysseus’ recounting of his adventures to Alcious, the ruler of a land called Phaeacia, which Odysseus ended up in towards the end of his journey. Odysseus says that, after leaving Troy and sailing for a while, his men attacked and pillaged a land called Cicones. Shortly after, they were driven back to their boat with several men being killed in the process.

GROUP WORK

1. Keep in mind that the Odyssey is the account of Odysseus' ten year journey back home to Ithaca. He misses his family and home; therefore, we will often find connections to this throughout the poem.  

1.  Identify lines in which Odysseus talks about his home in Ithaca. 

Lines 21-27 and lines 35-37. 

2.  How does he feel about it? (Specific lines/evidence that describe these feelings) 

Odysseus acknowledges that Ithaca has its faults, but has some upsides as well; an example of this is located in line 27, where he states that Ithaca is “a rocky isle, but good for a boy’s training.” He also implies that he prefers it over any other place by saying “Where shall find a sweetness to surpass his own home and his parents? In far lands he shall not, though he find a house of gold.”

Lotus Eaters (lines 70-105)

In this section of the poem, Odysseus and his men sail to an island inhabited by a people known as the Lotus Eaters. Eating the lotus flower causes you to forget about your old life and only desire to eat more lotus. Odysseus is forced to flee, tying down the men who ate the lotus flowers in order to prevent them from escaping.

2. What kind of world do you think the Lotus Eaters live in?

1. Describe the type of lifestyle it is.

The Lotus Eaters seem to live in a sort of paradise, where they have no desires apart from feeling the euphoria that the lotus flower grants them. It seems like a very simple and laid-back lifestyle.

3. What do you think Homer is implying about this lifestyle/world?

1. How does The Odyssey characterize the land of the Lotus-eaters as a veritable (real or genuine) paradise?  And, why, then, is this land seen by Odysseus and others as negative, and something from which to escape?  What do you think is wrong with such a place, if anything?

2. Homer seems to be implying that the sort of world that the Lotus Eaters live in is not as desirable as it seems. The Lotus Eaters and the members of Odysseus’ crew who consume the lotus flower seem to feel an intense feeling of fulfillment and happiness while eating the plant; thus, they do not want to do anything else.

3. Odysseus, as has already been affirmed, loves his home of Ithaca, and the thought of forgetting about it and never returning seems to be alarming to him. This is what makes him want to escape the island. Living in such a place would cause you to never progress and never move on from your current position in life. This could be seen as a positive or a negative, depending on the person.

4. Consider the kind of leader Odysseus appears to be in "Sailing from Troy."

5. Odysseus does not seem to be in full control of his men, since he cannot stop them from pillaging Cicones and feasting on the animals they have slaughtered. This makes him out to be a poor leader, as any great leader would be in control of and responsible for the group they are in charge of.

1. How do his leadership abilities compare to how he is in "The Lotus Eaters?"

Odysseus seems to be a much stronger leader than he is in “Sailing from Troy.” This is because he is forced to take charge and make the difficult decision to tie up the men that are under the influence of the lotus flower in order to get them back home.

2. Has your opinion of him changed? Why/Why not?

More context is necessary to make a complete judgement of Odysseus’ character. That being said, he has improved quite a bit between his encounter with the Cicones and his encounter with the Lotus Eaters.

3. Why do you think these events are important to understanding Odysseus' character?

These events are indirect characterization and the choices Odysseus makes reflect upon his thoughts and values.

5. In your notes, create a group list of the key events in "The Lotus Eaters."

6. -Odysseus and his companions are faced with a dangerous storm.

7. -They make it through the storm, but are blown off course and are sent adrift for several days.

8. -They arrive at the island of the Lotus Eaters.

9. -Odysseus sends three men to meet the Lotus Eaters, but they do not return.

10. -Odysseus learns of the effect of the lotus flower.

11. -Odysseus chooses to tie up the men who ate the lotus flower and escape from the island.

Reflection: 

What I learned: In this lesson, I read the lines 1-105 of the Odyssey. I also learned a few useful pieces of information about Greek culture, such as the idea of the Nine Muses and what they each represent. Additionally, I gained a better definition of what an invocation is and the nuances of direct and indirect characterization. Finally, I began to form an idea of the general themes and motifs within the Odyssey.

Why I learned it: This knowledge will help me read and comprehend the rest of the Odyssey, other Greek poems and epics, and literature in general. I can find examples of the ideas that are inspired by the Muses, the Lotus Eaters, or other Greek Myths, and I can look for instances of direct and indirect characterization.

How I will use what I learned: As previously stated, the knowledge I gained will help me read poems and other literature more actively, including the Odyssey.