Aim: How does "The Cattle of the Sun God" episode illustrate the culminating challenge Odysseus faces as a leader?
Do Now: “The Cattle of the Sun God” Kahoot
Today class started off with a Kahoot based on information from “The Cattle of the Sun God” text. If you had read the text before taking the Kahoot, you should answer all questions correctly. In “The Cattle of the Sun God,” Odysseus and his men arrive at the island of the Sun since Eurylochus insisted on resting there. Odysseus told his men to not kill and eat Helios’ cattle because it would lead to further issues. The men were stuck on the island for a month, starving, which is why they decided to eat the cattle despite Odysseyus’ orders. Odysseus had trusted his crew but now that the crew disobeyed Odysseus, many issues would occur as a result of the gods.
The Cattle of the Sun God (text).pdf - Google Drive
Whole Class Discussion: How would you feel if you asked someone (you highly trusted) NOT to do something, and they did it anyway? What would you do?
After completing the Kahoot, we had a whole class discussion based on the question above. Personally, I would feel extremely betrayed if someone did something I asked them not to do. As a result of them disobeying me, it is possible that I gain trust issues. In the future I might take matters into my own hands instead of having to ask someone else something, just to avoid any possible issues. Some students said they would stop talking to the person who betrayed their trust while other students said they would forgive the person betraying them. This class discussion relates to “The Cattle of the Sun God,” because Odysseus trusted that his crew wouldn’t eat the cattle but they did. As Odysseus' brother in law, Eurylochus proved himself untrustworthy to Odysseus because he was the one to convince the crew to kill the cattle since they were starving.
Afterwards, our class had another Whole Class Discussion which relates to our previous discussions.
Lines 863-893
The Cattle of the Sun God (text).pdf - Google Drive
Eurylochus is also Odysseus' brother in law and shows loyalty to Odysseus; until this point.
Why do you think there was a change in his character in "The Cattle of the Sun God"?
What reason does Eurylochus give the crew members to justify the betrayal of Tiresias' warning to Odysseus?
There was clearly a change in Eurylochus’s character because he disagreed with Odysseus’ plan on not eating the cattle. It is possible that Eurylochus had lost trust in Odysseus because many people apart of their crew died because of him. As the leader, Odysseus is responsible for any of his crew members' deaths. Although Odysseus has learned from his many mistakes, he is always taking risks while Eurylochus wants to find a less harmful solution. As a result, Eurylochus decided to take matters into his own hands, ignoring Odysseus and the omens. Eurylochus told the crew members that dying from the gods is less shameful than dying a painful death of starvation to justify the betrayal of Tiresias' warning to Odysseus.
If Odysseus did not listen to Eurylochus, it is possible that their issues would have been avoided. Eurylochus was the one who decided to stop and rest on Helios’ island. This plan differed from Odysseus’ since he wanted to avoid Helios’ island based on Tiresias advice. Both Odysseus’ and Eurylochus’ behaviors present a role reversal because normally Odysseus is in charge and orders his crew what to do. In “The Cattle of the Sun God,” Eurylochus orders the crew to eat the cattle without Odysseus knowing, believing it was a sensible decision. If Odysseus was more responsible and hadn’t slept, he could have convinced his crew to stick to his plan.
After Odysseus’ crew killed the cow and started feasting, there were bad signs sent from the gods, known as omens. The men ignored the omens and continued their feasting. While the men feasted on the cattle, the cattle bellowed and moved which was considered an omen. The crew’s reaction represented impiety (lack of piety or reverence, especially for a god). Since the men ate the cattle and completely ignored the omens sent from the gods, Zeus sent a storm that destroyed the ship and killed everyone aboard except Odysseus.
Next, the class was sent into zoom breakout rooms to answer the questions provided.
What similarities do you see in Eurylochus' speech to the crew in this episode and Odysseus' speech in “Scylla and Charybdis”?
Scylla & Charybdis pdf [2 pgs]
Lines 894-954
In "The Cattle of the Sun God", what does the wrath of the gods say about their involvement amongst mortals?
Assess their involvement!
What are some of their behaviors/actions at this point of the episode?
What details in lines 920-921 clarify the flashback presented here?
My group and I noticed that Eurylochus’ speech was similar to Odysseus’ speech in “Scylla and Charybdis” because both Eurylochus and Odysseus took risks and showed leadership traits by persuading their men to obey them. Both speeches were based on an issue that needed to be solved. In the speeches, Eurylochus and Odysseus both thought of solutions for their men to follow, although it would be taking a big risk. Our group also noticed that the gods were involved in the mortals' lives very often. There are several moments when Odyseeus begs to the gods. Additionally, the gods punish mortals of wrong doings, such as killing Helios’ cattle. The cattle were significant to Helios, so it was certain that the crew would be punished for their actions. For instance, Zeus sent a storm that destroyed the ship and killed everyone aboard except Odysseus. The flashback presented in lines 920-921 in “The Cattle of the Sun God,” was clarified since Hermes had told Calypso later on in the story.
After each team discussed answers to the group questions, our class had several Whole Class Discussions.
Do the members of the crew deserve the punishment they receive for killing the cattle? Explain.
A majority of the class agreed that the crew did not deserve such a harsh punishment for killing the cattle. The crew members disobeyed the rules and ignored the omens but death doesn't seem like a fair punishment. In modern society, people who disobey the law are sent to jail, not just killed. The crew members did deserve a punishment for their actions, but not death.
Is Odysseus learning to not be so proud and too confident?
Our class noticed that Odysseus is indeed learning to not be so proud and confident. Odysseus has learned throughout his past experiences that he can be punished for his actions so there is no reason to become so proud and confident. It is noticeable that Odysseus is operating much more cautiously, and safely without boasting like he did in the past.
Has his hubris been “put in check”? Explain.
Odysseus’ hubris has definitely been “put in check” because he realized that there are consequences for his actions. Students in our class conveyed the idea that Odysseus used to seem overconfident at times but he has learned from his past mistakes, as a leader should.
Reflection:
During today's lesson I learned that “The Cattle of the Sun God” illustrates many challenges Odysseus faces as a leader. Odysseus had to face challenges involving trust and responsibility. Furthermore, Odysseus has experienced character development which is an essential part of a story. I also learned that stories can relate to our own personal lives. “The Cattle of the Sun God” teaches us an important lesson that we should learn from our mistakes and be more responsible. Odysseus’ confidence and irresponsibility only lead to issues for him and his crew. I learned this lesson because after analysing “The Cattle of the Sun God,” it can be concluded that Odysseus realized his actions have consequences. I will use what I learned to carefully analyze future stories to find character development. This development can help to discover the lesson conveyed within the text. Overall, today’s lesson allowed me to better understand characters in a story as well as lessons to follow throughout life.
Vocabulary
Omen: Anything perceived or happening that is believed to portend a good or evil event or circumstance in the future (something of prophetic significance)
Impiety: lack of piety or reverence, especially for a god
Supplemental Material
The Cattle of the Sun God (text).pdf - Google Drive
The Odyssey, Book X
Scylla & Charybdis pdf [2 pgs]
Enrichment
Helios: The Solar God (Titan) of Greek Mythology - Mythology Dictionary See U in History [2:45]
Discussion Board Etiquette: YouTube Video [3:15]
Writing Forum Posts and Responses pdf
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