Aim: How do Odysseus' actions in "The Cyclops" support or refute his epic character?
Do Now: THINK/PAIR/SHARE
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 hosts.
Therefore, based on your understanding of the term, how important do you believe this attribute or behavior is to exemplify? Why? (The class answer is provided in Slide 1 in Notes)
Upcoming Project
In the start of class we are introduced into a mini-project for making a postcard. In this project you’re supposed to be in the shoes of Odysseus and make two postcards about two different locations he’s been to for his son or wife.
Optional Foundation: https://www.canva.com/create/postcards/
Due Dates:
Cycle A: January 15, 2021
Cycle B: January 19, 2021
Cycle C: January 20, 2021
Homework
The homework we had to do was a virtual debate, of which we were allowed to choose the topic. The only constraints we had was that it had to be connected to Polyphemus and Odysseus and whose side we were on. The debate itself consisted of two steps, the first was making your argument in paragraph length with evidence. The second part was similar, however we had to respond to someone else’s argument and whether or not we agreed or disagreed. If they chose to agree then they would most likely have to add more evidence to strengthen the argument while disagreeing could use the similar evidence and turn it into their argument. The video is to help improve the debate between the students and they were encouraged to watch it.
Video: Discussion Board Etiquette: YouTube Video
Class Notes
Slide 1 - Xenia is the Greek concept of hospitality; for this the teacher asked us if hospitality is important and why. The general opinion of the class is that hospitality is important since it affects your morals, the way others treat you, etc. Some students specified with jobs, family, and being a host or/and being a guest.
Slide 2 - In this slide, we have to discuss the weaknesses of each hero. Some general examples included being one-sided, needing to grow courage, believing in mercy. A specified example is Sherlock Holmes not being able to understand love.
Slide 3 - 4 - Homeric similes are comparing something obscure or strange to something ordinary in a comedic and unexpected way (Slide 3). The ideas within slide 3 are expanded on by having us ask, why would Homer use this form of simile. The reason why Homer would use these is for the sense of interest, connection, and exaggeration (Slide 4).
Slide 5 - Foreshadowing is using special events to inform the reader what will happen later on, which is generally very subtle and in the beginning. Examples of foreshadowing include Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Julius Caesar's death, and The Pearl. Hubris is an extreme amount of pride and overconfidence with an increased variation in self-esteem. Examples of this is humiliating a victim only for pleasure and lack of humility to themselves. Generally, Hubris is used only in literature.
Slide 6 -
The class reads "The Cyclops" [11 Pages]
Important information include:
Cyclops = Polyphemus
Page 1:
Odysseus sees the cyclopes are giants without law
Cyclopes live in a cave
A land had a lot of cattle
Odysseus kept his main crew on the ships and took his best 12 fighters with him and wine
Page 2:
Odysseus and his men went into a cyclopes home (Polyphemus) when no one was there
His men suggested to steal Polyphemus cheese and frame the cattle but, Polyphemus opposed this idea
The men waited with a burning of an offering and eating some cheese
Polyphemus came into the cave, acting normally and closing the “door” (rock slab) behind him
Page 3:
Odysseus and his men couldn’t have snuck out due to the stone door blocking their way
Polyphemus found the men from their fire and asked who they were
The men were fearful (including Odyessus) but Odyessus spoke truthfully to Polyphemus saying they were coming from Troy and asking for a guest gift under Zeus
Polyphemus mocked them, saying they won’t do anything under Zeus or them unless forced to and asked where their ships were
Page 4:
Odyessus was ready to respond to this with a lie that the ship was destroyed
Polyphemus didn’t care for this and ate the men
Once it was dawn, Polyphemus went back to his chores
Odyessus planned to harm Polyphemus
Page 5:
Odysseus and his men used a nearby club and carved it into a stake
Odysseus offered wine to Polyphemus to cause him to sleep, which would allow him to stab Polyphemus
Page 6:
Odysseus also asked Polyphemus to remember his name but said “Nohbdy” (Nobody)
Polyphemus proceeds to mock Odysseus while drinking the wine and then fell drunkenly asleep
Odysseus and his men began to lift the stake towards Polyphemus’ eye and blinded Polyphemus
Page 7:
Polyphemus hollered in pain but no one came to help since it sounds like he’s saying “Nobody (Nohbdy) tricked me”
Odysseus was still trapped in Polyphemus’ home so he and his men hid under the cattle until they could escape
Page 8:
As dawn came and Polyphemus had to milk the cattle (rams) but, Polyphemus couldn’t feel the men from the wool covering them
At the last and most important ram (which Odysseus was on), Polyphemus ironically complained about his eye and the men and wished that the cattle could tell him where the men were
Once the cattle were let outside, the men fled from the cattle towards the ships (also stealing the cattle)
Page 9:
Odysseus, far away from the land, mocked Polyphemus by saying how he liked the beating he gave
From this Polyphemus broke and threw the hilltop and tossed it at them
The resulting waves forced them right back to the shore and the men questioned Odysseus for angering the beast even further
Page 10:
Once the men were on the shore, Polyphemus told them about a wizard who predicted the blinding of his eye at Odysseus’ hand but he never believed that it be a person so small
From this, Polyphemus offer Odysseus a form of peace and praying to his father, god of earthquake to treat odysseus kindly
Odysseus responded wishing for Polyphemus’ death
Polyphemus then prayed upon Poseidon to have hardship be placed upon Odysseus’ adventure back home
Then, Polyphemus tried to hit their ship with a larger stone, but missed, which forced the ships onto a island
While they were on this island, they unloaded Polyphemus’ cattle and shared it among the men but the prized ram was only for Odysseus
Page 11:
Odysseus took this ram and sacrificed it for Zeus
Zeus, however, didn’t accept this offering and struck down his men’s ships, killing the companions within them
Once it was dawn, Odysseus used the remaining ships to sail off, thankful for their own lives and sadden for those who died
Slide 7 -
Based on your understanding of foreshadowing, review lines 153-156. How is foreshadowing used, and what exactly is being foreshadowed?
A: Foreshadowing was used to show that the someone (in this case the Cyclops) will become drunk because of the extreme detail over the wineskin and the how the cyclops act.
What heroic qualities does Odysseus display thus far?
A: The qualities Odysseus having include foreseeing and being wise with him thinking: ahead, like the time when he didn’t kill the cyclops immediately since they would be trapped if he did.Refer to line 232-243. How does Homer use figurative language to create imagery?
A: Homer uses a metaphor to compare the men to puppies and the Cyclops to a lion making us imagine how afraid his men were while how powerful the Cyclops was. Furthermore, it used imagery to show how the men were eaten by the Cyclops with the idea of crunching and dismemberment.How should we judge the heroic qualities of Odysseus based on his actions with the cyclops?
A: We should judge the heroic qualities of Odysseus based on his actions with the cyclops through the idea of his men since the Cyclops will see Odysseus negatively due to the fact they’re intruders while the men will see him as heroic since he’s saving their lives.
5a. Can you identify any qualities/characteristics that both Odysseus and Polyphemus share?
A: Both Odysseus and Polyphemus share the sense of selfish desire with Odysseus
focusing on the “moral high ground” with his men instead of fairness between man and
cyclopes through attacking Polyphemus’ eye. Meanwhile, Polyphemus was selfish for
his desire of pride through mockery and the shaming of Odysseus and his men as well as
eating them whole.
5b. If Odysseus represents civilization, and Polyphemus represents nature, what do you
think Homer is saying about the relation of man to nature?
A: If Odysseus represents civilization and Polyphemus represents nature, then Homer is
saying how man can’t coexist with nature. This can be seen over and over again through
the text insistence of the way Polyphemus treated the men brutally and mockingly and
Odysseus treating Polyphemus mischievously through his lies and acts of harm.
As previously discussed, the story is told through flashback (Odysseus is revealing the past events of his journey), therefore, how has Polyphemus’ curse impacted the course of Odysseus’ future.
A: Polyphemus’ curse impacted the course of Odysseus’ future through causing his journey to go towards a darkened path. This can be seen with the prayer Polyphemus had wished for Odysseus' travels to be cut short or at the very least be prevented for long with years of hardships to the gods. This can be immediately seen through the fact that Zeus struck down Odysseus’ ships which held his companions when Odysseus offered Polyphemus’ prized ram.
Slide 8 - Enrichment:
Odysseus and the Cyclops Part I
Odysseus and the Cyclops Part II
A odisseia - Cíclope ( The odyssey - cyclops )
Athena: The Goddess of Wisdom - The Olympians - Greek Mythology - See U in History: Watch
Reflection:
In class we learned about Homeric similes and foreshadowing and how it was used within “The Cyclopes”. This can be seen throughout the text with Polyphemus calling upon the gods to give Odysseus hardship (which is a form of foreshadowing) and the similes used to clearly express how Polyphemus treated the men. The reason for learning this is to be able to identify these elements and use them in other texts and have a better understanding of each line. I will use this lesson to improve my assessment of a text and introduce these elements to my responses within assignments and tests.
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