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
Our class all explained how their families honor the dead. For me my family and friends just put a picture of the dead one on the wall and light up candles as we read from the bible and pray for them. Most of my classmates just explained how they have funerals for the dead
Following the do now we went over 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?
And we watched: The Underworld: The kingdom of Hades - Greek Mythology Curiosities - See U in History [3:50] to better understand
After the video we did spirit reading for “Land of the Dead” pdf [4.5 pgs] and split into our team breakout rooms to discuss the questions:
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?
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?
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?
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.”
How does Tiresias advise (counsel) Odysseus with his leadership, as well as his handling of his men for the upcoming challenge?
In addition, what instructions does Tiresias give Odysseus in order to quell Poseidon’s rage?
Reflection: I learned that there many different ways of honoring the dead and everyone has their own tradition. I also learned about death and the underworld and how they function
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.
The morals advice us to not fall for flattery since it does nothing good for you
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).
After our discussion we learned sour the Sirens which are creatures that lure sailors into death by singing. We learned more about it by watching: Sirens: The Seductive Creatures of Greek Mythology - Mythology Dictionary #15 - See U in History [2:00]
Following the video we did spirit reading for: “The Sirens” [3 pgs] and answered these questions in our team breakout rooms
Lines 686 – 698
Why does Odysseus address his men “sore at heart”?
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.
Read the “Siren’s Song ” on the next slide. 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?
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?
Lastly we read the song about the Sirens which described what they do pretty well
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment