Aim: How does Homer's invocation establish tone for the beginning of the Odyssey?
Before starting our lesson for today, Ms. Peterson went through the information listed in the Syllabus. By going through the syllabus we can fully understand the directions for our lessons. This also acts as a reminder so all the students understand that all details are listed in the syllabus with additional links to walk us through. The directions, assignment, and further dates are also listed. It is expected that each student will go through the syllabus on their own time.
Do Now: WHOLE CLASS DISCUSSION
How do you become inspired? Where does it originate?
TEAM NAME CHANGE: Prior to discussing the Do Now, all students were sent to breakout rooms with their team members to come up with a new name. Our names were inspired by the book “The Alchemist”, but as we’re moving on to a topic we are requested to think about a new team name. Our team names have to be inspired or related to, “ The Odyssey”. It was made sure that this new information was provided to the point masters and managers. My team came up with the name “The Golden Apples”.
For the Do Now the class was asked to consider how we become inspired and where do these ideas originate. This is crucial as the idea of inspiration will be further needed in our lesson. This is because we will be reading, “The Odyssey” or specifically Homer’s invocation. When asked to share out Ayah mentions that she can be inspired by anything. She adds on by saying that your inspiration doesn’t have to be specific or morally right. She says that this is because everyone has their thoughts and ideas. As for me, my inspiration comes from my surroundings. I get inspired by nature and the experiences I go through in my everyday life. I want to note that it doesn’t have to be complicated, I can get inspiration just from what I see. Furthermore, Jerry notes that he gets inspiration from good deeds. He believes that if the people and the surroundings around you are nice, the same goes for your inspirations.
The Nine muses can be identified in ancient Greek religion and Mythology. In a traditional sense, the muses were inspirational goddesses of many subjects including arts, literature, and science. All of the nine muses were known as the resources of knowledge for centuries in Greek ancient culture orally.
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
One of nine Muses inspired 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
expresses the purpose of the narrative
Incorporates traditions familiar to his specific audience.
LINK TO VIDEO: Muses: The 9 Inspirational Goddesses of Greek Mythology - Mythology Dictionary - See U in History [3:06]
** The reason why so much of our inspiration derives from so many places could be because of the specific muse we focus on
The Invocation of the Muse: What exactly is an invocation? Quickly: Use your device to look up the term “invoke”
When asked to google the definition for invoking, the correct google definition was “to call on a deity or spirit as a witness or for inspiration.” In the primary sense, it means “to call forth or up” and is often found in connection with such things as memories, emotions, or sympathy.
** This picture is a picture of “Invoking the Muse”. This is a great visual of the definition of “Invoke”. It addresses a prayer made to one of the nine muses of Greco-Roman mythology. It asks for the inspiration, skill, knowledge, or the right emotion to finish a poem worthy of his subject matter.
Homer’s invocation pays homage (special honor and respect) to the goddesses and to Ancient Greek culture in general.
expresses the purpose of the narrative
Incorporates traditions familiar to his specific audience.
LINK TO READING: Homer’s Invocation (lines 1-17)
The class was instructed to do some spirit reading for Homer’s Invocation (lines 1-17)
**It is noted that the Gray lines are not intended to skip over, it is used to set a foundation for a better understanding of the text. Footnotes are on the side to help clarify for students.
GROUP DISCUSSION: After the reading of Homer’s Invocation a class discussion was held for the following questions.
What is your opinion of Odysseus so far after hearing Homer's invocation to the muses and learning about the Trojan War?
So far after reading Homer’s invocation, I can perceive Odysseus as not so good of a character. Using the details and the reading we did he doesn’t give me a good impression. As expressed in the reading, Odysseus “plunders the stronghold on the proud height of Troy”. Odysseus can also be seen as reckless. He fought for the lives of his crewmates as the leader, but it was reckless of him. We learned last class that when the trojan horse is wheeled inside the castle of Troy, all the Greeks that were inside came running out and whines up plundering the entire place. Odysseus was involved and gave the idea of the Trojan horse. As a class, we discussed that his recklessness and actions don’t make him seem like a good person at all.
How does Homer maintain the audience’s interest in the story, knowing that the audience is aware of the outcome from the very beginning?
As we went through the three plot strands, knowing that the audience is aware of the outcome from the very beginning Homer is still able to maintain the audience’s interest. I feel like using flashbacks Homer will take us back to fill in all the pieces that we don’t know. Homer adds more details to the rest of the plot to grab our attention. During our class discussion, we also said that through detailed flashbacks Homer can keep the audience’s attention.
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?
The invocation of the Muse in the opening lines clarifies that Odysseus’ has partial culpability during his voyage home. Odysseus’ was partially responsible for the fault during his voyage. The situation he finds himself in is his responsibility as they are his crewmates. In the text, it is mentioned how recklessly they acted, which ended up destroying themselves. Our whole class agreed and discussed that as a leader he was in some way playing a role in their behavior.
** This picture of a diagram representing culpability. This is a great image to show the definition. It gives many synonyms that help you understand.
ANTICIPATION GUIDE: Please use the following link to complete the Anticipation Guide. Note: If you’re having difficulty, you should also be able to access the form via the syllabus link and the form should open! **Remember to submit your responses upon completion.
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.
What would you miss the most and why?
Why do we have sayings like the ones below?
For the Do Now a whole class discussion was held instead of a team discussion to save time. The whole class was asked to consider what would we miss being away from home and why do we have certain sayings. This is vital as it will be connected to the reading we will be doing further on in the lesson. We will be reading “Sailing From Troy” and “The Lotus Eaters” (Book IX). Many of my classmates such as Vanessa noted that we would miss family and friends the most. This is because being away from your loved ones for a long time is an extremely difficult thing to do. Another classmate Chloe added that she would miss her plants. She feels worried as no one would be able to water them. Ms. Peterson continues by saying that in 2 years the following answers would be very different. Things like family home cooking, such certain favorite foods. We have sayings like “Homesick” and “Home sweet home”, which is very interesting. The reason why is because of the concept and idea of being without them.
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.
LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRW6yVOHCQc
STEAL METHOD:
Use the STEAL method for 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?
Effect on others toward the character.-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?
Characterization Lesson | Using Disney's Frozen [4:55]
After discussing the steal method we did sprit reading on “Sailing From Troy” (Lines 18-69) and “Lotus Eaters” (Line 70-105)
Sailing from Troy (lines 18-69)
GROUP WORK: WHOLE CLASS DISCUSSION
Keep in mind that the Odyssey is the account of Odysseus’s ten-year journey back home to Ithaca. He misses his family and home; therefore, we will often find connections to this throughout the poem.
Identify lines in which Odysseus talks about his home in Ithaca.
How does he feel about it? (Specific lines/evidence that describe these feelings)
In the lines “A rocky isle, but good for a boy's training; I shall not see on earth a place more dear,” and “Where shall a man find sweetness to surpass his own home and his parents?”, Odysseus talks about his home in Ithaca. I can see that Odysseus misses and has a great desire to go home. In these lines, Odysseus feels like home is a place he can find happiness in. Odysseus gives descriptions of his home and there is longing when on his journey.
*The class was dismissed to complete the following questions on their own.
What kind of world do you think the Lotus Eaters live in?
Describe the type of lifestyle it is?
The Lotus Eaters live in a carefree world where it seems like responsibilities are non- existent. The lifestyle seems like a utopian world where worries are not a problem. As mentioned in the text that we read, people were only concerned about consuming the lotuses and didn’t have any hindering conflicts. However they also somewhat forget the aspects of life that made them. The people that ate the lotuses were in denial and were in a false reality.
What do you think Homer is implying about this lifestyle/world?
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?
The Odyssey characterizes the land of the Lotus-eaters as a veritable genuine paradise as the people there were provided with a Utopian world where comfort was given. The men are losing sight of reality and are in denial about what’s happening. This land is seen as negative and something from which to escape as the men there are delusional. After consuming the lotus roots they believe that staying on the island is an easier choice than going home. These islands can give them hope and things that going home aren’t going to. The problem is that you receive everything without any exchange. This is wrong as acknowledgment and recognition are now not needed. I think that Homer is implying that this lifestyle is a false reality.
Consider the kind of leader Odysseus appears to be in "Sailing from Troy."
How do his leadership abilities compare to how he is in "The Lotus Eaters?"
Has your opinion of him changed? Why/Why not?
Why do you think these events are important to understanding Odysseus' character?
Odysseus appears to be an admirable character and great leader in “Sailing from Troy”. In the “Lotus Eaters”, he was able to see the conflict and problems with the island. Therefore, he even resists the idea of freedom and forces, everyone, to get on board the ship to go home. Odysseus understood the lie and denial from the lotuses showing his knowledge. This is very different from “Sailing from Troy” where he is seen as a reckless and bad character because of his actions. My opinion of him has changed to a more positive view. I think that these events are important because we are starting to unveil and understand his character better. These new details shed light on how Odysseus is.
In your notes, create a group list of the key events in "The Lotus Eaters."
Zeus sends a storm to throw off and blow Odysseus with his crew to the Lotus Eater Island
Odysseus sends a scouting party who ends up consuming the lotuses on the island
The men become delusional and lose all motive to go home
As “presents” were given to them without any exchange they lose focus and desire to return home
By eating the Lotus flowers a false reality and satisfaction were given to the crewmates
Odysseus realizes the lie and the false achievements that were handed to them
Odysseus forces them back on board the ship and they left the island
REFLECTION:
Summing up, this lesson was necessary for teaching me how Homer's invocation establishes tone for the beginning of the Odyssey? Using the new information about the nine muses and invocation allowed me to connect it back to Homer’s “The Odyssey”. I now know that in Greek mythology, the nine muses served as inspiration for poets and other artists inspiring different forms of prose, poetry, drama, rhetoric, or general writing. Also with the information that invocation was “to call on a deity or spirit as a witness or for inspiration.” allowed me to get a foundation before reading “Homer’s Invocation”. The reading first sets up a negative impression on the Greek hero Odysseus and clarifies the start of the Odyssey. This establishes a basis and tone for the beginning of the Odyssey. I learned this information as a sturdy base is vital before a big reading. A good foundation, allows the reader to fully understand and interpret the information read. Without a good foundation understanding the text could be a conflict. Therefore with full knowledge, this will allow me to actually soak in what the text is saying. I feel like I can use the knowledge of the nine muses and invocation to my own life. This idea of inspiration will allow me to understand the true meaning of the world. With my new interest in poetry, I can even use this as inspiration for my own works.
Furthermore, this lesson also taught me how the readings from “Sailing From Troy” and “The Lotus Eaters” establish Odysseus’ role as a leader. Using what I learned about direct and indirect characterization, I can apply this to the two passages. Direct characterization is when an author explicitly states information about a character. On the other hand, indirect characterization is when the author demonstrates the information through the text. Using the STEAL method representing speech, thoughts, effects, actions, and thoughts I can now clarify what indirect characterization is. In addition, I also received a deep understanding of the two passages with Greek mythology. This information is crucial to learn as it allowed me to apply both types of characterizations to Odysseus’ role and to future readings. The knowledge of characterization showed me the Oyssseus’ is an admirable leader and his willpower. I will use the information I learned to be a better reader. With the understanding of characterization, I can now better interpret a character. This will also make reading a lot simpler as I can now understand characters in an easier way.
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