Aim- How can a concise understanding of both an epic poem and the Iliad enhance our reading of the Odyssey?
Do now:
We started off the Do now with a quote by Henry Miller, which reads, "The ordinary man is involved in action, the hero acts. An immense difference." As a whole class we discussed and analyzed the quote and tried to interpret the quote using our own words. Some people had different ways of describing what they thought on what the quote meant. The quote could most likely mean that a “The ordinary man” is being impacted by the world, unlike the “Hero” who is the one making an impact on the world. The “heroes” are leaders and guides people to success while the “ordinary men” are the bystanders. After that we were asked if we agree or disagree with the sentiment being expressed and had to explain why or why not. People had different answers on this because it’s heavily based on your own experience whether or not you saw something like the quote.
Reading
(Full story) After finishing discussing the Do now, we watched a video animation on The Trojan War (part 1). The story begins in Troy where the king’s newborn son, Prince Paris was told in a prophecy that he would bring the downfall to his city. The King wanted to avoid this prophecy so the newborn was brought to the mountains. Paris was founded by a shepherd who raised him as if he was his own son. The two most powerful Gods, Zeus and his brother, Poseidon had a quarrel with each other because they had both fallen in love with a sea nymph. Paris one day was called to settle a beauty contest between 3 of the most powerful goddesses in Mount Olympus. Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite. Eris, the goddess not being invited to the wedding, rolled an apple, printed “For the Fairest” which started an argument for the 3 Goddesses. At the end, Aphrodite was chosen by Paris so Aphrodite rewarded him the most beautiful woman in the world which was Helen of Troy. This decision later led to the path of the famous Trojan war.
After the reading we were asked to answer a few questions.
How do the gods and goddesses in the story display human qualities?
Anthony talked about how Gods and Goddesses were very competitive like humans which is how they portrayed human qualities. Wendy stated that they feel fear of death and other attributes because they were afraid of death and destruction. Lucas talked about how the Gods and Goddesses were afraid of being below of others. They are subconscious of being not known and acknowledged by others. Abigail stated how the Goddesses were just desperate and actually doesn’t care if they are actually the fairest, they just want to be declared the fairest.
After that we moved on to the second question which was-
What is the role of prophecy and fate in “The Golden Apple of Discord” ?
Emily H answered question 2, and stated that Paris is prophesized to be the downfall of Sparta but he somehow lived and reinforced the prophecy and then the prophecy came to light. This means that the prophecy somehow still happened even though the Gods try to defy it.
Ms. Peterson told us to skip question 3 and come back after we figured out what the word “Xenia” means.
Ms. Peterson showed us a video basically the background of the Trojan War that goes in depth to the myth from the beginning which was talking about weddings. Zeus and his brother Posideon both wanted a sea nymph (Thetis) for themselves but later found out a prophecy that her child will grow up and become stronger then his father. So the Gods asked King Peleus to marry her however Thetis would only marry him if he was able to hold her while she shapeshifted trying to escape. Peleus passed, and so their wedding was thrown on Mount Olympus which then led to the argument between Goddesses.
Ms. Peterson asked us if we knew the difference between an oath, and a promise. Andrea stated how when you break an oath, there will be consequences.
After that we finally discussed what the word “Xenia” meant. Ms. Peterson told us it was pronounced as “Zenia” as the letter x saids like a z.
After that Ms. Peterson told us to watch a video on Xenia so we can have a better understanding of it
The video basically explained that in Greek culture, the guests and hosts both had rules to follow. Until after giving the guest food, water, a bed, and a place to clean up, the hosts could not ask the guests why they were there. The Greeks thought that Zeus would visit households disguised as a mortal sometimes, and that's why hosts should treat all of their guests kindly because they didn't know if one was a God. If they don’t there will be consequences coming their way if it was Zeus or any God.
We then discussed question 3 about Xenia and Erica basically stated how King Menelaus welcomed Paris because of Xenia. He didn’t know if Paris was a disguise so he treated him very well however ironically Paris was there to steal his wife which we found pretty funny.
We then looked at a few slides on the Trojan war and stuff related to it like Odysseus.
We also talked about the Trojan Horse itself, as Ms.Peterson warned us about Trojan Horse emails which we shouldn’t open as it will take over our computer similarly as the soldiers came out from the horse ready to attack out of nowhere.
The remaining slides were basically just extra slides for us to read before we read about the Odyssey.
Reflection-
I learned a lot from this lesson while reading about the Trojan Horse and the story on the Trojan War. The myths that are read about all gives you a lesson on things. For example, the story of the Golden Apple of Discord teaches you how you should always be truthful and honest and you shouldn’t accept bribes because they will usually lead you in a bad path such as it causing the Trojan War. I also learned a lot about Xenia, as it will be very bad if I turn down help to anyone that needs hospitality and they reveal themselves to be Gods. So I have taken an oath that I shall always treat people with good hospitality the next time they seem like they are in need of help (See what I did there ;) ). It’s nice knowing these are Greek customs since treating others with respect and showing kindness and it’s a nice way of showing why it’s important to treat others with correct manners. All in all, I believe our lesson today will be essential in helping us read about the Odyssey as we have learned many things today.
Supplemental materials (Links for videos)
-Eris: The Goddess of Discord and Strife - Mythology Dictionary #05 - See U in History (Fixed) [2:28]
-How and why the Trojan war started [3:22]
-Zeus and the Myth of Hospitality (Philemon and Baucis) Greek Mythology Ep. See U in History [3:54]
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