Blogger #30 - Shao Quan Wang - Period 2 - 11/04/2021
Aim :How can we evaluate Odysseus’ leadership through his decision-making in his encounter with “Scylla and Charybdis” in Homer’s Odyssey?
Do Now: Would you sacrifice one person in order to save five other people? What would influence your decision if you had to make a choice according to “The Trolley Problem?” [1:38]
At the start of today’s lesson we discussed a social experiment of sacrificing one person in order to save 5 people. Our answers were mostly the same but there were some very peculiar opinions. Everyone mentioned that it depends on the person that you are “killing” and the situation. For example in the video that we have watched (The Trolley Problem), there was one example where people would switch the lever and kill one person to save 5 but they wouldn't push someone onto the rails in order to save the same 5 people. This situation asks the same question but in a different approach. We might see pushing someone as bad (a choice) or switching the lever as something not as cruel as pushing someone off (choice but with more pressure). To test the theory of the Trolley Problem ( is the moral decisioning based on outcome or the approach we take to achieve the outcome) we had a kahoot where we tested different situations to try and prove the theory is true or not.
During the Kahoot experiment, we came across different situations. For instance, 5 murderers that just escaped from prison and a person. Most of us chose the 5 murderers. This reinforces the theory of the Trolley problem since we killed 5 people and saved one, which contradicts the decision most people thought was the best outcome (kill 1, save 5). This discussion we had in class was a great jumpstart to what we will discuss and read about in the Odyssey 11 Scylla and Charybdis.
Scylla
Scylla is a sea monster that lives under a rock that is the opposite of the whirlpool monster, Charybis, in Greek mythology.
Syclla used to be a nymph, daughter of Phorcys. A man that goes by the name of Glaucus (a fisherman-turned-sea-god) was head over toes for her. As for Scylla, she desired nothing to do with Glaucus. This filled Glaucus’s heart with sadness and despair. As he seeks help from Circes, a sorcerer, she also falls deeply in love with him. Since Glaucus doesn't want anything of Circes. Now that Circes got rejected, she is furious with not Glaucus but Syclla. Circes made an extremely powerful poison and poured it in the pool where Syclla bathed in. As Syclla came into contact with the poison, she turned into a terrifying monster with 12 feet, 6 heads each with 3 rows of teeth. She had a lower body that consisted of hideous monsters.
Syclla stood there as still as a statue, in misery, loathing and demolishing everything that came close. She now will eat one man for each of her heads while a ship passes by the rock where she lives.
Charybdis
Charybdis is a female monster that represents whirlpools. She lives in a cave that resides to the opposite of Scylla.
Charybdis, also was once a nymph, a sea nymph. She was the daughter of the sea god, Poseidon and the goddess of Earth, Gaia. During her life, she stole one of Hercule’s cattles which made Zeus furious and turned her into a monster. The belief of Charybdis made the Greeks believe that it was Charybdis, who made the tides high and low throughout the day.
Scylla & Charybdis (the reading pdf)
We find Odysseus with yet another obstacle in this story. We figure out that he is heading towards Scylla and Charybdis. He finds himself in a predicament. He thinks about going to Charybdis but it's too risky since she can sink the whole ship and they could all potentially die. While on the other hand, Syclla would only eat 6 men and leave the rest alone. (REFER TO TODAY’S DO NOW. Quite similar)
Odysseus chooses to go towards Scylla and tells his men to keep rowing and does not inform them about Scylla. They reach Scylla and Syclla ate 6 of Odysseus’s men and the rest of the crew leaves safe and sound.
Odysseus is faced with the challenge of bringing his men through two dangerous places. Why does he choose one over the other?
Odysseus chooses Scylla instead of Charybdis because charybdis have a chance to sink his whole ship and kill his entire crew while if he were towards Scylla, he would’ve just had to sacrifice 6 people to guarantee the safety of the rest of the crew.
Allusions
Allusion - (N) Is a brief and indirect reference within a literary work to a historical, literary, or biblical character, place or event, which is not explained.
Expectations
Allusions are not expected to be explained.
The writer wants the audience to recognize/understand them through prior knowledge or experience.
Could be used to create mood or to contribute to the theme.
Possible References :
person
place
event
literary work
author
work of art
historical event
musical work
film or movie
Why do musicians or writers use allusions?
They can be used to create a mood in a few words, instead of a tedious extended explanation.
Good way to connect to the audience
Combination of allusions can be used to contribute to a certain theme.
Ex: a person can use allusions about biblical references to tell their audience about their religion and their beliefs or ideals.
Enrichment for the Odyssey Sycl la Charybdis
Reflection:
Today’s lesson allowed me to reflect on human morals and how humans make decisions based on morals and try to get the best outcome. The social experiment that was presented in the beginning of class really opened my eyes on the thought process people go through to make a stressful situation. As someone that desires the least amount of casualties in a life-threatening situation, it really made me realize that the situation plays a big role in the making of decisions. This is taught through the 5 murderers and 1 person question on the kahoots. I also found connections and relations about the trolley problem. I found out that in the story, Odysseus had to go through a similar situation where he had to choose to sacrifice 6 members of his crew or have the possibility of everybody dying. We can also see this in everyday life. For example while buying food, we would usually go for the cheaper and smaller one but if we thought about it we could buy the larger one for a much cheaper unit price, making it more worth it than going for the cheaper but smaller one. This lesson we had today was a deep and meaningful one since it really questioned the morality of humans and even I was left speechless when the theory was proven true. I now have a better understanding of the human thought process and how it can be applied to everyday life as well.
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