Aim: How does the episode of "The Land of the Dead" further our understanding of
Odysseus as the epic hero?
Do Now: WHOLE CLASS DISCUSSION
What are some of 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?
How might these traditions be observed in order to honor fallen warriors & soldiers?
ENRICHMENT: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier
I said that in my culture they would put the dead body in a coffin and let it stay at home for a while and then take it to the temple to be burned. Mikita, my classmate, said he never went to a funeral before, so he doesn’t know what they have to do.
Mrs.Peterson mentioned before we go into the lesson that Tiresias was well known as Zeus sidekick and also a blind prophet
Death and The Underworld
The Greeks believed that that after death, the soul went on a journey to the Underworld
The Underworld was deep beneath the Earth and was ruled by Hades and his wife Persephone
In the afterlife, the soul would either receive punishment or a state of bliss depending on choices made during life
At the end of this journey, they would be brought to three judges who would decide their fate:
Would they go onwards to Elysium (a comfortable place where the sun always shone), or would they be punished and sent to Tartarus?
Video: The Underworld: The kingdom of Hades - Greek Mythology Curiosities - See U in History [3:50]
This video will explain more about the underworld to you like who is in charge, what their roles, etc.
Honoring and Remembering the Dead
The Greeks held elaborate burial rituals
A proper burial was necessary, omission of burial rites was seen as an insult to human dignity
If the body was not given a proper burial according to Greek ritual, the soul would remain trapped between the worlds of the living and the underworld.
In ancient Greece the continued existence of the dead depended on their constant remembrance by the living
If one forgot to honor and remember the dead one was considered impious and, while this particular breach of social conduct was not punished as severely as Socrates' breach, it was certainly frowned upon severely.
Adapted from: https://www.ancient.eu/article/29/the-after-life-in-ancient-greece/
1st picture: The Bag of the Winds 2nd picture : The Laestrygonians 3rd picture: The Land of the Dead
“Land of the Dead” pdf [4.5 pgs]
Vocabulary:
ignoble (adj) - dishonorable, shameful
assuage (verb) - to calm, to mollify, to lessen
Short Summary of “The Land of the Dead”
Odysseus and his men left Circe’s island and reached the land of the dead. There Odysseus met one of his men who have died, Elpenor, and his mother, Anticlea. After that he met Tiresas who he came to meet to ask about his way home and so he got the answer.
As Odysseus prepares to meet the dead he says, “Then I addressed the blurred and breathless dead, / vowing to slaughter my best heifer (cow) for them…” (line 555-556). What can be inferred about ancient Greek beliefs concerning death and the afterlife from these lines?
Mikita said that we can infer that death is important in ancient Greek and that they respect death. I agreed with him because they would not go through all those rituals if they didn’t value it.
Discuss Elpenor's request to Odysseus (lines 598-608).
What details does he want Odysseus to remember about his burial?
How does this reflect the Greek ritual of death?
I said that Elpenor requested that Odysseus burn his corpse and make a monument to remember him. This reflects the Greek ritual of death because they believe if the death were not given proper burial, they would be trapped between the worlds of the living and the underworld. Also if the death were forgotten, then they would be considered sinful and be punished. Mikita and Favor both agreed with my answer.
How does Odysseus react to seeing Elpenor (Lines 580-585)?
How does he react to Anticlea (his mother) (Lines 614-619)?
What characteristics of Odysseus do we see displayed in this scene?
I said the reaction he had when met with his crewman and his mother was he started to cry. The characteristic of Odysseus displayed in this scene is caring and compassion. It shows a soft side of him because he cares about them, so he cried when he saw them. We all agreed on that.
Although not a god, Tiresias has been endowed with the power of prophecy. Consider the following advice Tiresias gives to Odysseus regarding the remainder of his journey home: “One narrow strait may take you through his blows: denial of yourself, restraint of your shipmates.”
What leadership advice is Tiresias giving to Odysseus?
In addition, what instructions does Tiresias give Odysseus in order to quell Poseidon’s rage?
The leadership advice Tiresias gives Odysseus was that he shouldn’t think of himself as a leader to put down the pressure he holds and to control his shipmates so they don’t make trouble. The instructions that Tiresias gave to Odysseus in order to quell Poseidon’s rage was to let him go to a place and make sacrifices for Poseidon.
Foil:
In literature, a foil is a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character. The objective is to highlight the traits of the other character. The term foil, though generally being applied to a contrasting character, may also be used for any comparison that is drawn to portray a difference between two things.
What we observe in literature very often is that a foil is a secondary character who contrasts with the major character to enhance the importance of the major character. The etymology of the term foil testifies the aforementioned assertion as the word is taken from the practice of backing gems with foil (tool), so that they shine more brightly.
A FOIL is a character who contrasts with another character. How does the character of Eurylochus serve as a FOIL to Odysseus in Book X?
Favor said that Eurylochus serves as a FOIL to Odysseus because he doesn’t have that much courage as Odysseus does. I agreed with her because when they were on Circe island he showed his cowardness by telling Odysseus to take off with men that left and run away and leave the others on the island.
ENRICHMENTS
Located on the Syllabus
The “Funeral Practices”. Feel free to annotate for clarification.
“The Ancient Greek Burial Rites” questions for guidance, in case you were confused. They are NOT to be submitted!
The Odyssey by Homer | Book 11 Summary and Analysis [2:02]
There are 2 lessons combined for today, so this lesson does not end yet.
Aim: How does Odysseus' strategic leadership further characterize him as an epic hero in "The Sirens" episode of Homer's Odyssey?
Do Now: WHOLE CLASS DISCUSSION
How would you define the term “flattery”? Review the “3” Morals of Aesop’s Fable, below.
What do you believe the morals advise?
Flattery is a dangerous weapon in the hands of the enemy.
Flattery is not proof of admiration.
He who listens to flattery is not wise, for it has no good purpose.
Mikita said it's like you warm up to them with unknown purpose. I agreed with him because flattery in my own words is like when you say good things to someone just because you want something from them.
Odysseus and the Sirens
The sirens are seductive creatures that lure sailors to their death with their song.
Upon hearing the song, sailors are led to the Wandering Rocks where their ship crashes and sinks.
Sirens are often depicted as half-bird/half-woman (they have also been used in many modern examples as mermaid type creatures).
Odysseus and his men return to Circe’s island where they give Elpenor proper burial rites and burn his body. Before they leave, Circe gives Odysseus some important advice for the next portion of his journey. She warns him of the sirens he will encounter. With their songs, the sirens lure sailors to their destruction at the Wandering Rocks. She tells Odysseus to put beeswax in his men’s ears so that they will not hear the song.
The Sirens sing of desire, and promise wisdom and knowledge.
Legend has it that no mortal has ever heard the song and lived to tell the tale, but if Odysseus insists on hearing the song himself, then he should have himself tied to the mast of the ship.
This video will introduce you to sirens like how they became like what they are now, what their origin, etc.
Short Summary of “The Sirens”
Odysseus told his men about Circe’s forecast and asked them to tie him to the mast, so when he heard the siren sing, he would not follow them. Meanwhile his men would cover their ears with wax and continue to row. When they see Odysseus try to shout and/or struggle they would tie him more tighter and cover his mouth. They continued to go forward until the sirens and their sound had gone before they freed Odysseus.
Why does Odysseus address his men “sore at heart”?
Mikita said that Odysseus addresses his men “sore at heart” because he knew that they were going to a dangerous place. I agreed with him and I want to add that it is also because they have to go even if it is dangerous and is a long way ahead so they will be able to get home.
Why does Odysseus decide to tell his men about Circe’s forecast?
What does Odysseus reveal about his character by sharing this information with his men?
Circe insists that Odysseus “alone should listen to their song.” He 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?
What character traits are revealed in Odysseus’ desire to hear the Sirens’ song? “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..”
Consider this action along with their successful escape and assess the leadership qualities revealed by Odysseus.
Mikita said Odysseus decided to tell his men about Circe’s forecast because he trusts his men which show that he is an honest person. However, I think he might tell his men only because they would not make the same mistake as when they open the wind bag since they know what is going to happen. Mikita also said that the leadership qualities show here is that he is willing to put himself on the line instead of his men. Then Favor and Mikita both said that the siren uses the song as flattery to get the men to their death.
We only have time to answer up to part “c”, so we didn’t finish the rest. The rest of the questions would be answered by me only.
For part “d”, I think considering his action along with their successful escape the leadership qualities revealed by Odysseus is brave because he was able to take on the challenge of a chance to have himself kill by listening to the song of the sirens.
Read the “Siren’s Song ” below. Analyze the strategy sirens use to lure the men. What are they appealing to; in an effort to lure the men in?
How do the sirens use flattery to lure the soldiers?
What examples would appeal to the crew and to the epic hero?
The sirens use flattery to lure the men in. They lure the soldiers by telling them that they are skilled and charming. Some examples that would appeal to the crew and to the epic hero were “All feats on the great field”, “Charmed out of time we see.” and “Achaea’s glory”.
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?
We, as humans, are susceptible to a figurative “Siren’s Call'' because we like to be praised by others, soit like when the sirens say good things about us we like it and it would be hard to reject them. The sirens represent both desire and distraction because we desire to be complimented and when someone did that all the time we started to look only on our good side and ignored our bad side.
Siren’s Song
This way, oh turn your bows
Achaea’s glory,
As all the world allows-
Moor and be merry.
Sweet coupled airs we sing.
No lonely seafarer
Holds clear of entering
Our green mirror.
Pleased by each purling note
Like honey twining
From her throat and my throat.
Who lies a-pining?
Sea rovers here take joy
Voyaging onward.
As from our song of Troy
Grey beard and rower boy
Goeth more learned.
Hid from our dreaming.
All feats on the great field
In the long warfare,
Dark days the bright gods willed,
Wounds you bore there.
Argos’ old soldiery
On Troy beach teeming
Charmed out of time we see.
No life on earth can be
Hid from our dreaming.
Enrichments
Pirates of the Caribbean Mermaid Scene [3:29]
How are the sirens depicted in the film?
How do the sailors behave upon hearing the sirens’ song?
The Odyssey by Homer | Book 12 Summary & Analysis [2:25]
This is the end of the lesson for today.
Reflection:
In today’s lesson I learned about Greek funeral practice, Greek underworld, the sirens, the Odyssey in “The Land of the Dead” and “The Sirens”, “Siren’s Song”, and the definition of FOIL and the word flattery. I learned them so I can expand my knowledge of Greek culture, their history, and the lessons I can learn from Odysseus in the Odyssey. I can use what I have learned to help me get to know more about the world around me. I can also use some of the lessons I learned from this to help me not make mistakes like what happened in the stories.
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