Blogger #33 - Marcus Yuen - 12/21/20 - Day A - Freshmen Lit 2021
Aim: How do Odysseus' actions in "The Cyclops" support or refute his epic character?
Do Now: As previously discussed, the term, “Xenia” is the ancient Greek concept of hospitality, the generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home and/or associates of the person bestowing guest-friendship. The rituals of hospitality created and expressed a reciprocal relationship between guest host.
Therefore, based on your understanding of the term, how important do you believe this attribute or behavior is to exemplify? Why?
Mini-Post card project
We started off today’s class with Mrs. Peterson explaining this new project she gave us. She explained thoroughly the format on what to do and how to do this project. We are supposed to write in first person view as Odysseus, and send a postcard home to your wife or/and son. We send home what happened on our journey and think in relation about what happened. We can turn in a postcard either physically or digitally.
Virtual Debate
Mrs. Peterson then explained what to do for the virtual debate due on December 23, 2020 This virtual debate is on Polyphemus vs. Odysseus. We are to choose a side and possible topic, or create our own. Then we would make a statement on Google Classroom, and then respond to at least one of our classmates’ posts.
Do Now Review
When reviewing the do now, many of my classmates thought the saying “treat others how you want to be treated”. One such connection that was made was by Marianna, where she talked about The Beauty and The Beast, where . Another connection that was made was of Greek Mythology, where gods would curse the people that talked bad about them and things like that.
Lesson
We start off the lesson with a class discussion on superhero movies. We identify how there may be weaknesses a superhero has. One such weakness is a close one dying to them and they lose their will to fight.
After the discussion we went on to spirit reading about Homeric similes.
- Homeric simile, also known as Epic Similes, are elaborate comparisons, consisting of many lines, between two different objects using “like”, “as”, “so”, or “just so”. It is a comparison made between something unfamiliar or strange to the audience and something that is more familiar to them.
We then did some spirit reading on foreshadowing after that.
- Foreshadowing - Where future events in a story, or perhaps the outcome, are suggested by the author before they happen.
After doing some spirit reading on foreshadowing, we watch a video on it. Foreshadowing | Definition & Examples of Foreshadowing [2:31]
Right after we finish the video, we go onto spirit reading on what Hubris is.
- Hubris is a Greek term meaning excessive pride or over-confidence (think arrogance)
After the spirit reading, we watch another video, but on Hubris this time. What Is Hubris | Its Greek Origin & Usage In Modern Literature | Definition and Examples of Hubris [2:51]
Directly after we finish the video, we go to the next slide, where there is a copy of “The Cyclops” for us to spirit read. "The Cyclops" [11 Pages]
Group Discussion
The last thing we did in class today was the class discussion. We go into our group breakout rooms to answer the questions together.
1) Based on your understanding of foreshadowing, review lines 153-156. How is foreshadowing used, and what exactly is being foreshadowed?
In the class discussion, Joshua John’s team said that foreshadowing is used to show that something bad is going to happen in the future and Polyphemus coming back is being foreshadowed.
2) What heroic qualities does Odysseus display thus far?
a. What does the fact that he doesn’t want to attack the Cyclops reveal about his character?
In the class discussion Charlton answered that the fact that he doesn’t want to attack the cyclops shows that he is smart and wise.
3) Refer to line 232-243. How does Homer use figurative language to create imagery? (identify examples and explain their effect)
In the class discussion, Wilson said that the cyclops is being compared to a mountain lion. It is like a savage. Jason also said that the humans were like squirming puppies.
4) How should we judge the heroic qualities of Odysseus based on his actions with the cyclops? (Heroic Qualities: Intelligence/Resourcefulness, Strength, Bravery and loyalty, Weakness)
In the class discussion, Marianna said that he was quite analytical and resourceful according to his actions from the text. She also said he was able to use his surroundings like the wine and the objects inside his escape to this carefully before making any actions. An example would be that, he chose not to stab the cyclopes because he knew it would do nothing to benefit him and his men.
5) Contrast Polyphemus’ values and the values of Odysseus (hospitality [xenia], respect for the gods, protections for his men).
a. Can you identify any qualities/characteristics that both Odysseus and Polyphemus share?
b. If Odysseus represents civilization, and Polyphemus represents nature, what do you think Homer is saying about the relation of man to nature?
i. Can you see potential dangers (that are becoming increasingly evident, especially in the modern era) in this position taken by Homer?
In the class discussion, Summer said that they both are really prideful. The cyclops compares themselves to Odysseus’ men, saying they are puny and stuff. Odysseus also is prideful because he had to reveal his actual name to Polyphemus so he could get credit for it.
We did not have enough time to go over question b and i of question 5 or the entire question 6 of the class discussion questions and then Mrs. Peterson went to explain the virtual debate further.
Reflection
Something I learned from this lesson was to always stay calm. Although Odysseus’ crewmates kept getting killed by Polyphemus, Odysseus remained calm. He was able to formulate a plan to get the rest of his people out alive. He did so successfully, but probably shouldn’t have revealed his actual name at the end. I learned this so I can predict how he might solve his problems as he continues his journey. I will use what I learned in the future by being able to calmly solve problems that appear so there is no violence or conflict in general.
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