Blogger #32 - Shi Ting Zheng(Christine) - Period 9 - 12/23/20 - Day C - Freshman Lit 2021
Aim: How do Odysseus' actions in "The Cyclops" support or refute his epic character?
Before starting the lesson, Ms. Peterson first introduced our “RL: Odyssey Post Card Mini Project'' and our “The Cyclops vs Odysseus Virtual Debate”. The postcard project is not homework for over the break but it is posted now because there might be things that are covered in today’s lesson that can be used for the project. So having an acknowledgement of the project would help us be aware of key points that might be helpful to the project. Some examples of a postcard are shown and the structure and requirements of the project were reviewed. We have to create two postcards written to Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, or Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, in the perspective of Odysseus’ during his journey. Each postcard has to be written in the setting of two different locations from Odysseus’ journey and create a postcard for each location. On the front of the postcard, there should be a graphic illustration to demonstrate the location or represent something that happened in this portion of the journey. The back of the postcard should look similar to the structure shown in the image below. Additionally, the website Canva can be used to design the postcard digitally. Students can also choose to draw the postcard by hand if they prefer to do so and they can take a picture of the postcards and upload it onto google classroom.
For the virtual debate, each of us have to post a statement on the google classroom assignment to take the position of defending Polyphemus or Odysseus. Then, we would have to reply to one of the statements made by our classmates so that we’re debating with them. Both parts need to be completed. A video link to Discussion Board Etiquette: YouTube Video is provided guidance to improve the debate and utilize the discussion board efficiently. In addition, a chart is also provided with discussion questions to complete using evidence. The chart is optional to use but it can help students with organizing their evidence and their argument for the debate.
Additionally, there is also a link to The Odyssey, Book X provided in the assignment of our lesson today for anyone that wants to get a head start on the reading.
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?
We had a class discussion on this topic, some students believed that it is important to provide hospitality to people around us because we would want others to treat us back the same way that we had treated them. Therefore, xenia is important because we would want others to treat us the way we treat them. Not to mention, it would just feel good to treat others with warmth and not stay so distant from others and in the future when you need the help, they would remember the generosity that you expressed to them in the past. However, there is also a portion of students that were more cautious and believed that we had to decide depending on the person that we are treating. In ancient Greek, xenia was rather influenced by religion so they thought that they were obliged to help everyone but now we treat others the way we would want to be treated. So if someone staying in your home is making you feel uncomfortable whether it is their attitude or what they’re doing, then it might be a better option to consider your decisions. This is because they don’t want some people to take advantage of their hospitality.
Class Discussion:
Reflect on the heroes you have encountered throughout your life, in various forms: literature, movies or TV. Identify any weaknesses the hero(es) may have, and explain how it impairs their ability.
Our class discussed that in a lot of TV shows and movies, heroes are often selfless and would risk their lives to save others which indicates that they would put others before themselves. They would sacrifice themselves for the well-being of others which is what makes them a hero in the first place but it also means that they might have to protect others before ensuring the safety of themselves. Additionally, another weakness that some heroes would have is that they would be really proud of themselves and they would put their pride above everything else. This might cause their downfall as well.
Homeric Simile:
The next next slide describes the literary device of a Homeric simile, also known as an epic simile. Homeric similes are elaborate comparisons between something unfamiliar or strange to the audience and something that is more familiar to them. This literary technique contains the word “simile” which means that it is a comparison that only uses the words “like”, “as”, “so”, or “just so”. The purpose of Homeric similes is to redirect the reader’s attention in unexpected, humorous, gruesome or heroic ways. Homer might have chosen to use this technique because it can deepen the readers’ understanding of his text, ensure a better visual for the reader and glorifies his characters.
Foreshadowing:
Foreshadowing is a technique used to suggest a future event or outcome to the reader before it happens. Foreshadowing is often ominous, warning signs or predictions of something about to happen. There are many forms of foreshadowing, however, if the outcome is explicitly revealed by using a flashback or by a narrator, then this is not considered foreshadowing. A video link is provided help elaborate on the definition of foreshadowing: Foreshadowing | Definition & Examples of Foreshadowing [2:31]
Hubris:
Hubris is a Greek term meaning excessive pride or over-confidence and it is the characteristic that often causes the character’s downfall when they start to disregard reality or offend the gods. This is a weakness often seen in the heroes of Greek tragedies. Another supplementary video is provided to elaborate on this topic: What Is Hubris | Its Greek Origin & Usage In Modern Literature | Definition and Examples of Hubris [2:51]
After the class discussions and spirit reading of the literary devices, the class then spirit read through the Cyclops excerpt. Overall, in the beginning, Odysseus and his crew arrive at the land of the Cyclopes, which were groups of one-eyed creatures. They then arrived upon a cavern yawning above the water, the cavern was the home to a prodigious Cyclop called Polyphemus. Odysseus took twelve of his best fighters to explore the place and indeed they found many treasures. His men tried to persuade Odysseus to simply take all the treasures and run. However, Odysseus insisted on seeing the caveman, yet the consequence of this decision did not turn out to be good. When Polyphemus returned, the entrance to the cave was blocked with a large boulder, trapping the crew inside. He soon noticed the crew and asked them who they were. Odysseus replied to him by making up a story about who they were and why they were there, but unfortunately, Polyphemus did not believe him, he simply feasted on two of Odysseus’ men. Odysseus planned out an escape for the next day and he offered Polyphemus some of his wines. Once Polyphemus was drunk, Odysseus told him that his name is Nohbdy, and his remaining men drove a big spike into Polyphemus’ eyes. Polyphemus called for help from Cyclopes nearby, as he calls that Nohbdy has tricked him, yet all the Cyclopes did was laugh at Polyphemus. Odysseus’ next step was to leave the cave, he hid his men underneath Polyphemus’ flock of sheep, and waited till the morning until the Cyclops let his rams out. His plan succeeded and once he was as far off shore as shouted words would carry, he shouted at the Cyclops saying that he deserved his punishment for feasting on his men. However, Odysseus’ crew did not agree with his act of shouting to the Cyclops because they think that it might cause him to attack them out of rage. In conclusion, Odysseus was cursed by Polyphemus, who had prayed to Poseidon for Odysseus to lose all his companions, return home under a difficult condition, and to live a bitter life at home.
Class Discussion: We discussed these questions as a class together after we finished reading the excerpt. However, we were left to do questions 5 and 6 on our own because it is relevant to our virtual debate and also because we were running out of time.
Based on your understanding of foreshadowing, review lines 153-156. How is foreshadowing used, and what exactly is being foreshadowed?
Lines 153 to 156 talks about wineskin that they brought and it foreshadows how Odysseus would then utilize the wine in his plan against Polyphemus. The wine had drunken Polyphemus which allowed Odysseus to then catch him off guard in that condition. Additionally, the line “I knew some towering brute would be upon us soon” foreshadows the upcoming meeting with Polyphemus.
What heroic qualities does Odysseus display thus far?
What does the fact that he doesn’t want to attack the Cyclops reveal about his character?
Some heroic qualities that Odysseus displayed was leadership, intelligence, bravery, resourcefulness and loyalty. He realized that the Cyclops had blocked the entrance to the cave which meant that they would be trapped inside the cavern forever if he had killed the Cyclops. Therefore, he instead created a plan to escape from the cave using the resources that he had. Additionally, he displayed loyalty and leadership because he did not give up on his men and led them out of the cave safely.
Refer to line 232-243. How does Homer use figurative language to create imagery? (identify examples and explain their effect)
In lines 232-243, Homer created the imagery of the ruthless slaughter of the two men by describing the scene as “caught two in his hand like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, spattering the floor.” Homer then describes how the Cyclops feasted on the men as well. The effect of this imagery is that it creates the tone of this part of the text and emphasizes the dangerous situation that Odysseus and his crew was in.
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)
According to Odysseus’ actions with the Cyclops, he demonstrates many heroic qualities such intelligence, bravery and loyalty. He utilizes the resources as he can and formulates a plan to escape the Cyclops as soon as possible. He would have to risk his life in front of the Cyclops in order for the plan to be successful which demonstrates his bravery. Lastly, he demonstrates loyalty because he didn’t give up on any of his men and tried to bring all of them safely home.
Contrast Polyphemus’ values and the values of Odysseus (hospitality [xenia], respect for the gods, protections for his men).
Can you identify any qualities/characteristics that both Odysseus and Polyphemus share?
If Odysseus represents civilization, and Polyphemus represents nature, what do you think Homer is saying about the relation of man to nature?
Can you see potential dangers (that are becoming increasingly evident, especially in the modern era) in this position taken by Homer?
Based on how Polyphemus had treated Odysseus and his men, it can be assumed that Cyclops do not value xenia in their culture. Additionally, it is demonstrated that Polyphemus had believed in Poseidon, as he had prayed to him when he had cursed Odysseus. On the other hand, it is shown that Odysseus believed in the god of Zeus. As one can see, Polyphemus and Odysseus believed in different gods. Furthermore, Odysseus had tried to protect his men and lead them home safely. On the contrary, when Polyphemus was harmed and called for help, other Cyclopes did nothing but laugh at him, which shows how the Cyclopes didn’t really care for others. However, some traits that Odysseus and Polyphemus seem to share is that they both value pride. For instance, Polyphemus was clearly overconfident which is what caused him to fall into Odysseus’ plan. On the other hand, Odysseus’ taunting in the end had also led to a bad consequence for himself because he had revealed his true name. If Odysseus represents civilization and Polyphemus represents nature, then Homer is implying that both mankind and nature are harming each other. Civilization would have the ability to harm nature, yet the harm done to nature would also threaten the civilization as well. This poses potential dangers especially in the modern era because what we are doing to the environment around us would impact ourselves as well.
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.
Polyphemus’ curse had impacted the course of Odysseus’ future as it had created many difficult challenges on their journey home. For instance, they encountered the Lotus-eaters when they were heading home which greatly hindered their movement because many men were unwilling to return home after eating the lotus. This event demonstrates an example of an obstacle that they faced on their journey home.
Reflection:
In this lesson, I learned about some literary devices and a few Greek phrases that were demonstrated in the reading of Odysseus’ encounter with the Cyclops. In the excerpt we read today, Homer used both Homeric similes and foreshadowing to shape his characters. For example, the foreshadowing that Homer used in lines 153-156 had not only suggested the upcoming event, but it had also suggested Odysseus’ resourcefulness by utilizing the wine. Additionally, the two Greek phrases that were mentioned in today’s lesson were xenia and hubris. Xenia basically means hospitality and hubris is defined as overconfidence. Both terms were not explicitly mentioned in the excerpt but the traits were shown through the characters as Polyphemus did not demonstrate xenia and both Polyphemus and Odysseus demonstrated hubris in some way. I learned this information because it had helped me look out for these key points while reading the text and it helps me understand the details of the text more thoroughly. Learning about Homeric similes and foreshadowing had helped me recognize these techniques while reading the excerpt. Similarly, I am also able to recognize xenia and hubris through the characterization of Polyphemus and Odysseus. In conclusion, I can also utilize the information I have learned in the future while reading the upcoming parts of the Odyssey. These phrases and literary devices can help me recognize key points to note in the upcoming readings and it can also help me in my writing as well.
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