Aim: How do Odysseus’ actions in the “The Cyclops” support or refute his epic character.
This class began with a summary of the cycle and its assignments. With the odyssey postcard mini project being handed out (Due between 5/28 - 6/2 depending on cycle) and cycle homework being handed out. This cycle’s homework was the socratic virtual debate, a google doc meant to help us prepare for the debate next cycle between the two sides of for odysseus and for polyphemus. Ms Peterson spent the first 10 minutes going over this document and exactly what it is and what each link helps with. Then we are to defend one of these two sides in a google classroom discussion and comment on at least one person’s argument.
After this, a quick overview of the project was done. We are to make two postcards as Odysseus (They must be together as one presentation/pdf), writing to his wife and/or son and writing about your experiences on the journey. You shall choose two locations and begin writing, the document on the project itself goes into further detail.
Google Classroom Post: RL:SP Odyssey Post Card Side Project (Only click if in Pd 9 class)
Once that was all out of the way, class truly began with a class discussion on how important it is to exemplify the idea of Xenia, or hospitality between guest and host. We agreed how it was heavily important back in ancient Greece as you faced the gods’ wrath for failing to display it...but a terrible idea to do in modern times. In modern day, it’s not a good idea to invite strangers into your house but the idea of hospitality should still be demonstrated, even if the gods’ wrath is not over us.
We then discussed what potential weaknesses heros have. This led to two different weaknesses found, physical and moral. For example superman, a physical weakness is kryptonite, which literally removes his powers and weakens him. A moral weakness is that he holds back much of the time, which can lead to him not being able to beat villains intentionally abusing this.
Afterwards is a spirit read of a slide going over epic similes or homeric similes, which are elaborate similes to compare the unfamiliar to the familiar. These are much longer than simply “She’s like a tree”, imagine a extended metaphor but for similes.
Homeric similes: 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
Ms Peterson then went over two ideas, foreshadowing and Hubris. Foreshadowing are events that happen in a story, which hint to future events. Such as seeing a shadowy figure in a alley and then being robbed by said figure a few hours later. Hubris on the other hand is excessive pride or confidence, which leads to (In greek stories) disregarding of the gods and their downfall.
Following an overview of tragic flaws (Flaws that lead to character downfalls), we then read the story about the cyclops, a major part of the odyssey.
The Story: Here
Video Form: Part I and Part II
During this reading we found examples of foreshadowing and various literary devices. Ms Peterson aided in understanding the plot and events that happened in this story.
Short Summary: Odysseus and his men arrive on an island with a cyclops, his men try to sack things and leave, but Odysseus wants to see the cyclops. The cyclops returns home and makes the men stuck, the cyclops and Odysseus talk and the cyclops refuses xenia, eating the men. Odysseus and his men waited and built a spike to shove into Cyclops’ eye. Odysseus lied to Cyclops, giving a false name as he made Cyclops drink, once he was thoroughly drunk, he shoved the spike in.
With nobody to help him, cyclops calls his father, Poseidon for help. Odysseus then steals rams before leaving the island with the men left.
This reading took up the rest of the class and after this, Ms Peterson ended the class.
Reflection:
What I learned in this lesson was the idea of Homeric Similes, something that is likely to come up in future cycles and lessons. I also got a small overview on the ideas of foreshadowing and hubris. The latter of which will most likely be very important when covering the Odyssey. Lastly what I learned from this lesson was the story of the Cyclops and Odysseus, a story I was vaguely familiar with but never truly read. The “why” of all this is because all of these concepts are very important in this unit, homeric similes will be used in the Odyssey and understanding what it is will help with understanding the story in general. Foreshadowing is an important literary element whether in the Odyssey or not. Hubris has already become a big influence in the Odyssey, Odysseus’ taunting of the Cyclops being the thing that causes the gods to be against him and it will most likely cause even more events such as this. The story of Polyphemus and Odysseus is a crucial part of the Odyssey and will play an integral role in the rest of the story. I will use this knowledge to enhance my understanding of the Odyssey and literary devices. Knowledge and understanding of how to use foreshadowing and hubris is something that I will definitely use in the future in my own writing pieces. Overall, this has been a helpful, if rather light lesson.
No comments:
Post a Comment