5 RL SP: Odyssey: Cyclops
Aim: How do Odysseus' actions in "The Cyclops" support or refute his epic character?
Housekeeping & Homework
We started our lesson with an overview of upcoming assignments. Ms. Peterson introduced our next project, in which we will pretend to be Odysseus writing postcards to his wife Penelope and/or his son Telemachus from a place along his journey home. The overview and guidelines of this project can be found on our Google Classroom, under the project “RL SP: Odyssey Post Card Mini Project”. She also explained our main homework assignment for this cycle, in which we will engage in a virtual debate defending either the cyclops Polyphemus’s actions or Odysseus’s Actions, based on the excerpt from “The Cyclops” we read in class.
Do Now
Whole Class Discussion
In our last cycle, we discussed the term…
xenia - 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.
Based on our understanding of the term, we were asked to share how important we thought it was to exemplify this trait. Our class came to the conclusion that since cultural beliefs and expectations are obviously much more different now than they were in ancient Greece, the question must be approached in two different ways. From the ancient Greek standpoint, it was incredibly crucial to show hospitality to anyone and everyone that turned up on an individual’s doorstep. The stranger could be a god in disguise, and if they were turned away, the mortal’s life and family could be ruined forever. In today’s society, a person would be viewed as stupid for allowing a random stranger into their home, so xenia isn’t a commonly desired trait at all.
Class Discussion
Flaws of a Hero
Of course, everyone has weaknesses, even heroes, and this is something we discussed in this cycle’s lesson. We were asked to think of a superhero we’ve seen in pop culture that had a weakness (specifically a personality flaw) that impaired them in some way. I couldn’t think of any specific ones, but Ms. Peterson brought up a great example that I hadn’t considered: Iron Man. While he’s greatly intelligent and built himself a fully-functional suit, he’s incredibly cocky and often has trouble accepting help when he needs it. She said, “Oftentimes, even the heroes that are provided to us have flaws. They aren’t perfect. They have weaknesses that can be a danger to those around them.” I think that sums up the point of this discussion perfectly.
Important Definitions
Homeric simile - an elaborate comparison, consisting of many lines, between two
different objects using “like”, “as”, “so”, or “just so”. It’s also referred to as an
“epic simile”.
Homer chose to use Homeric similes so he could utilize objects of comparison that were familiar with his audience, ensure that the reader understood the visual being conveyed through the simile, and deepen the reader’s understanding of the text.
foreshadowing - a technique where future events in a story, or the outcome, are
suggested by the author before they happen. They are often considered ominous. If the author outright says what the coming events will be, that does not count as foreshadowing.
hubris - a Greek term meaning excessive pride or overconfidence; arrogance.
This often leads to a character ignoring reality or upsetting a god, and subsequently leading to their downfall.
hamartia - a tragic flaw, or a trait that leads to a character’s downfall.
Reading & Group Discussion
from the Odyssey, The Cyclops
We moved on to read “The Cyclops” from the Odyssey. Unfortunately, during class, we didn’t get to finish the reading together, and we didn’t have the chance to discuss using the prompts from the group discussion, but I’ll provide my own thoughts and answers to the questions in this blog.
Based on your understanding of foreshadowing, review lines 153-156. How is foreshadowing used, and what exactly is being foreshadowed?
Foreshadowing is used in lines 153-156 to prepare the reader for what is to come. Odysseus gets his wine and food ready, and states that he feels danger in the form of a barbaric man approaching. In the near future, he will use the wine to trick the “wild” cyclops Polyphemus, who is “ignorant of civility.”
What heroic qualities does Odysseus display thus far (ex. Intelligence, resourcefulness, strength, bravery, loyalty, weakness, etc.)?
Odysseus displays many of the suggested qualities, the most prominent of which being intelligence and bravery. He approaches Polyphemus as calmly as he can, despite the fact that he could be picked up and eaten at any point. Since he can’t win based on strength, his wit saves him.
What does the fact that he doesn’t want to attack the Cyclops say about his character?
Odysseus’s reluctance to attack the Cyclops reveals a very intelligent and
considerate side of Odysseus. While the men trapped with him didn’t consider
how killing Polyphemus could negatively impact them, Odysseus did and saved
them all, as a true hero would do.
3) Refer to lines 232-243. How does Homer use figurative language to create imagery?
Identify examples and explain their effect.
In lines 232-243, Homer uses vulgar figurative language to paint a more graphic
and detailed image of Polyphemus’s barbarity. He describes his victims as
“puppies” to label them as poor, helpless souls, and describes Polyphemus as a
“mountain lion”, violent, showing no mercy, and doing anything to satisfy his
hunger.
4) How should we judge the heroic qualities of Odysseus based on his actions with the
cyclops?
I think we should celebrate Odysseus’s bravery, intelligence, loyalty, and
resourcefulness, but we should still be mindful of his flaws. Because of his
arrogance and hubris, he doomed himself and his crew.
5) Contrast Polyphemus’s values and the values of Odysseus (hospitality [xenia], respect for
the gods, protections for his men).
While Odysseus and his men automatically assume that they can do whatever
they want because xenia is an expected trait to show, Polyphemus doesn’t
have any regard for such an idea. Through this, we know that Polyphemus
doesn’t have much respect for the gods. However, Odysseus’s hubris makes it
seem as if he actually has little-to-no respect for the gods. He almost takes
advantage of xenia and the gods’ status, and he angers Poseidon by taunting his
son.
Can you identify any qualities/characteristics that both Odysseus and Polyphemus share?
Both Odysseus and Polyphemus are arrogant and think of themselves as above others. While Odysseus regards himself as a hero, better and more intelligent than everyone else, Polyphemus sees himself as a mighty creature that doesn’t need to bow down to anyone.
If Odysseus represents civilization, and Polyphemus represents nature, what do you think Homer is saying about the relation of man to nature?
If Odysseus is civilization, and Polyphemus is nature, Homer is saying that nature is barbaric and wild, while civilization is superior and overall better than nature. It’s like he’s highlighting man as the greatest thing in the world.
i) Can you see the potential dangers (that are becoming increasingly evident, especially in
the modern era) in this position taken by Homer?
The way Homer highlights man as superior is slightly concerning, especially since
in his time, gods and goddesses are meant to be the supreme beings in the world.
If anyone disagrees, especially someone as influential as Homer, the entire
ancient Greek society could change its views.
6) As previously discussed, this story is told through flashback (Odysseus is revealing the
past events of his journey). Therefore, how has Polyphemus’s curse impacted the course
of Odysseus’s future?
Since Odysseus hurt Polyphemus, who prayed to his father Poseidon, Poseidon
will hold a grudge against Odysseus. This is why he sent him to Calypso’s island
and forbid him from coming home to Ithaca, and this is why he stirred up a storm
when he was released.
Reflection
Why did we learn this lesson?
I enjoyed this lesson, especially since I enjoy learning about Greek mythology. It was especially captivating to me, and I liked how mini-lessons on literary devices such as foreshadowing and figurative language were woven into the lesson. It’s interesting to see how techniques we still use today were incorporated into poetry centuries and centuries ago. I believe that this lesson works as part of a foundation for the coming lessons. Cultural terms such as xenia and hubris really helped develop my understanding of ancient Greek values, and thus helped better develop my understanding of the Odyssey. In the future, past my Freshman year, I think concepts that we explored, especially concepts of figurative language, will help me write more coherently and vividly. I also believe that analyzing a different type of literature than what I’m used to (work from ancient Greek times rather than from the 1930s) will allow me to become more “cultured”, meaning that I’ll have a wider range of influences and examples of great work.
Extra Resources
Links to help further your understanding of the lesson
Links included in the lesson that personally helped me understand the story of Odysseus and Polyphemus (I’d recommend to check them out!):
My own links:
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