LAND OF THE DEAD
Aim: How does the episode of "The Land of the Dead" further our understanding of
Odysseus as the epic hero?
Do Now: What are the cultural traditions we use to honor the dead? Consider your culture and/or religion. What do you and your family do in order to mourn the passing of a loved one?
In our class, the way students commemorated the dead was very similar. Of course, funerals were hosted to officially say farewell. Occasionally, students would pray to the deceased, and burn various objects for the purpose of aiding a loved one in the afterlife. For instance, gold paper would be burned because it represents money. Personally, I’ve never lost a family member, so I’ve never had to mourn. However, if it does happen, my culture honors the dead during the Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, as shown in the image. (Enrichment Resource: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier)
Notes For The Day:
The class discussed death in Greek Mythology. After one passed away, the soul would go on a journey to the Underworld, ruled by Hades and Persophone. Depending on the choices made in life, the soul would either experience a state of happiness in Elysium or receive punishment in Tartarus. Students watched a video that deepened our understanding of Hades’ kingdom. It was a “somber location” divided into 3 regions and filled with purposeless souls. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VEbWU3izcE&feature=share&ab_channel=SeeUinHistory%2FMythology) Furthermore, students learned about Greek traditions of honoring the dead. Burial rituals were held to prevent souls from being trapped between worlds. The existence of the dead was reliant on the living’s ability to commemorate them. (https://www.ancient.eu/article/29/the-after-life-in-ancient-greece/)
Students spirit-read “The Land of the Dead.” Once Odysseus arrived at the land of the Cimmerians, libations and sacrifices were offered to the spirits. Elpenor, a young shipmate who tragically passed away in Aeaea, appeared, imploring Odysseus to commemorate him by performing an official burial. Anticlea, Odysseus’ mother, appeared as well, but he prioritized the spirit of Tiresias. The prophet informed Odysseus that Poseidon is punishing the Achaeans for harming Polyphemus, and says: A) The journey to Ithaca will be full of obstacles, B) Do not to consume the cattle of Helios, C) Be prepared for the chaotic situation at home, D) You’ll commit murder. Students discussed the story by responding to a series of questions.
1. As Odysseus prepares to meet the dead, he states, “Then I addressed the blurred and breathless dead, vowing to slaughter my best heifer for them.” What can be inferred about Ancient Greek beliefs concerning death and the afterlife? It can be inferred that there was a substantial amount of sacrifice. People would slaughter animals and offer it to the gods for the purpose of benefiting the dead. If the gods were satisfied, then the dead would most likely pass over to the Underworld in a safe and efficient manner.
2. What details does Elpenor want Odysseus to remember about his burial, and how does it reflect the Greek rituals of death? Elpenor would like Odysseus to properly honor him. Essentially, he’s saying: “Don’t forget about me! Don’t leave me to fend for myself in the afterlife!” This reflects Greek customs because it is requested of people to treat the deceased with respect, and to aid them into the Underworld by performing proper rituals.
3. How does Odysseus react to seeing Elpenor? Anticlea? What characteristics of Odysseus are displayed in the scene? Odysseus reacted with compassion and shock after seeing Elpenor and Anticlea in the Underworld. A sense of sorrow and guilt overcame him, because a handful of those wandering around used to be companions with him at one point in life. A major characteristic that Odysseus displayed is empathy, especially towards Anticlea, since he wasn’t present during her final moments on Earth. He couldn’t do anything for her in the afterlife either, except hope that she can be treated well.
4. “One narrow strait may take you through his blows: denial of yourself, restraint of your shipmates.” What leadership advice is Tiresias giving to Odysseus? What instructions does Tiresias give Odysseus in order to quell Poseidon’s rage? The path that Odysseus has to take to escape Poseidon’s wrath is incredibly dangerous, and has a low chance of success. Thus, he must be a strong and commanding leader that the crew will respect and obey. Everyone must restrain themselves from making poor decisions and giving into temptation. To quell Poseidon’s rage, Tiresias advises Odysseus to make an abundance of offerings to apologize for hurting Polyphemus.
Additionally, students learned about FOIL in literature. It’s a character that highlights the qualities of other characters. Oftentimes, a foil is the secondary character that contrasts with the main character. The following question should be considered while reading Book X: How does the character of Eurylochus serve as a FOIL to Odysseus?
THE SIRENS
Aim: How does Odysseus' strategic leadership further characterize him as an epic hero in "The Sirens" episode of Homer's Odyssey?
Notes For The Day:
The class discussed the concept of flattery, and defined it as the act of praising others for one’s own benefit. You should not succumb to flattery, because it often has an ulterior motive. The 3 Morals of Aesop’s Fable states: 1) Flattery is a dangerous weapon in the hands of the enemy, 2) Flattery is not proof of admiration, 3) He who listens to flattery is not wise, for it has no good purpose.
Sirens are seductive creatures depicted as half-bird/half-woman that would lure sailors to the Wandering Rocks by singing of desire, wisdom, and knowledge. Students spirit-read “The Sirens.” After Odysseus properly honored Elpenor at Aeaea, Circe informed him about the Sirens, and advised him to put beeswax in his men’s ears. However, Odysseus insisted on listening to the Siren’s song, and tied himself to the mast of the ship. During the journey, Odysseus begged to be untied, but the faithful shipmates refused. Everyone survived!
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJpzse2qYlU) Students discussed the story by responding to a series of questions.
1. Why does Odysseus address his men “sore at heart?” “Sore at heart” associates with a feeling of sadness. After everyone has endured so many hardships, Odysseus can’t believe that he has to tell his men that there is more danger ahead.
2. Why does Odysseus decide to tell his men about Circe’s forecast? Odysseus informs the men about Circe’s forecast to prepare them for the future. He doesn’t want them to be shocked when facing the Sirens; he wants them to be fully aware of the challenges to expect. What does Odysseus reveal about his character by sharing this information with his men? Odysseus is a transparent leader that doesn’t want to put his men in any form of danger. Not giving them a heads up about the Sirens would cause the likeliness of their success to decline drastically. Odysseus directs his crew to “tie me up…lashed to the mast, and if I shout and beg to be untied, take more turns of the rope to muffle me.” What leadership qualities does Odysseus demonstrate here? Odysseus trusts his companions, and has the utmost faith in them, which is a very important quality in a leader. Furthermore, Odysseus is incredibly selfless. He was willing to sacrifice himself rather than place the crew in harm’s way. “I carved a massive cake of beeswax into bits and rolled them in my hands until they softened … Going forward I carried the wax down the line, and laid it thick on their ears” shows that Odysseus would go to great lengths to protect the lives of his men.
3. In the “Siren’s Song,” what are the Sirens appealing to in an effort to lure the men in? How do the Sirens use flattery? The Sirens are appealing to desire, wisdom, and knowledge. They’re using flattery to boost the men's egos and hopefully lure them into the Wandering Rocks.
4. What does an analysis of the Siren Song suggest about the idea of human flattery? Why are we, as humans, susceptible to a figurative “Siren’s Call?” How can the sirens represent both desire and distraction? Humans enjoy receiving flattery because it speaks to our desires and enhances our sense of self-worth. We are susceptible to a figurative “Siren’s Call” because we enjoy being viewed upon in a positive light. The Sirens appeal to people by telling them everything they want to hear, representing desire. However, it can act as a distraction from reality, or the truth.
SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS
Aim: How can we evaluate Odysseus’ leadership through his decision-making in his encounter
with “Scylla and Charybdis” in Homer’s Odyssey?
Notes For The Day:
Students started the lesson by watching a YouTube video about the Trolley Problem. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOpf6KcWYyw) Essentially, you have the choice to save 5 people from an oncoming train by diverting it to 1 person. Another option is to push 1 man in front of the train to save the 6 others. The Trolley Problem examines if moral decisions are about outcomes or the manner in which it’s achieved.
The class received background information about Scylla and Charybdis, monsters in Greek mythology. Scylla was a nymph who was claimed by the sea-god, Glacaus, but Circe poisoned the pool where Scylla bathed out of jealousy. As a result, the beautiful nymph transformed into a 6-headed sea monster who’d devour one sailor per head. Charybdis was a nymph who flooded lands for Poseidon’s kingdom. However, after purloining Hercules’ cattle, Charybdis was punished by Zeus, and turned into a whirlpool that sucks water in 3 times a day.
Students spirit-read “Scylla and Charybdis.” Odysseus must confront either Scylla or Charybdis, but ultimately chose the 6-headed monster. The crew sailed through the route without attempting to put up a fight, for it’ll only make the situation worse. Scylla demolished 6 of Odysseus’ best men, a horrifying and heart-wrenching sight. The class believed that Odysseus chose to pursue the path of Scylla because it had a higher chance of survival. Although both options were absolutely dreadful, 6 men would be better than losing the whole ship. Moreover, students were provided with additional insight about Circe’s significant role in the story. She was the one who warned the men about the Sirens, offered advice on Scylla and Charybdis, and reprimanded Odysseus’ stubbornness.
The class had a lesson on allusions, or indirect references within a work of literature. The reference can be about a person, place, literary work, art piece, historical event, film, or song. Allusions are never elucidated because the audience will recognize and understand it. Its purpose is to establish a mood within the story, contribute to the theme, or relate to the reader. For instance, people allude to the story of “Scylla and Charybdis” when they’re "caught between a rock and a hard place.” The class discussed allusions relating to Adam and Eve, South Park, The Sound of Music, Star Wars, The Sopranos, The Addams Family, and Salvador Dalí.
Wrap-Up Question: How does the story of Scylla & Charybdis correlate to the “Trolly Problem” in the Do Now? In the Trolly Problem, you are given the choice to save 5 people by sacrificing the life of 1 person. Correspondingly, in “Scylla and Charybdis,” Odysseus must decide between sacrificing 6 people to save the rest of the men onboard (Scylla), or possibly risk everyone’s life (Charybdis). Both scenarios deal with sacrifice, along with the concept of, “the lesser of 2 evils.”
REFLECTION
Today, I learned a plethora of topics as I read about Odysseus’ journey in “The Land of the Dead,” “The Sirens,” and “Scylla and Charybdis.” The lesson on “The Land of the Dead” provided insight on the Underworld and Greek traditions of honoring the dead. The story highlighted Odysseus’ compassionate side, and foreshadowed the events that’ll occur in the future. The lesson on “The Sirens” discussed the idea of flattery, and the human tendency to succumb to it. The story taught a great deal about Odysseus’ character, especially in regard to the qualities of loyalty (to shipmates) and selflessness. Lastly, the “Scylla and Charybdis” lesson focused on decision-making: what should one choose when presented with 2 equally poor options? In addition, I learned about mythical creatures, as well as allusions.
I learned about Greek mythology to truly acknowledge the obstacles Odysseus and the crew had to overcome. The issues that were spoken upon in the lessons can be applied to daily life as well. For instance, from now on, I will not be tempted by flattery! As the class continues to read “The Odyssey,” my newfound knowledge about Greek culture/mythology will be used to establish a deeper comprehension of Odysseus’ journey. I’ll be on the lookout for allusions in real life, too.
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