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
For the Do Now, we went over our cultural/religion traditions that we use to honor the dead. Me and Mikita both didn’t have anything special we did to honor the dead. Chanikan said that in her culture they put the body in a coffin, & walked around the village with them. Ms. Peterson also shared that in Judaism, they sit on boxes and then celebrate afterwards.
We then went over the Greeks' religious beliefs. We received information, and then watched a video for clarity:
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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VEbWU3izcE&feature=share
After learning about their beliefs, we jumped into their rituals for honoring the dead. These are the notes that Ms. Peterson provided us with:
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.
Here is the “Land of the Dead” reading we read: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B2UC-VafUK7i1TJ8CxlqN6K3Q0yTRD6B/view?usp=drivesdk
Ms. Peterson also included important vocabulary in order to aid our understand of what we read:
ignoble (adj) - dishonorable, shameful
assuage (verb) - to calm, to mollify, to lessen
Afterwards, together with my teammates Mikita and Chanikan, we answered some 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?
Mikita said that we can infer that they wanted the dead to be treated in a high manner.
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?
Elpenor wants Odysseus to remember that his burial wasn’t “right” and he was disrespected. I said this reflects the ritual of death because it shows how important it was to the Greeks that the dead passed on “correctly”.
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?
Chanikan said that we can see compassion within Odysseus here when he cries. Mikita added that this hasn't been a short journey for him, and it shows how he’s finally happy to see home.
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?
Tiresias is telling Odysseus that he needs to not think so highly of himself, and he needs to begin to “tame his shipmates”. He tells Odysseus to give an offering to 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?
I said that Eurylochus is a FOIL to Odysseus because he is seen like a coward, and avoids danger while Odysseus is brave and heads on into danger.
REFLECTION: We learned about Greek practices and rituals. With this background knowledge, we were able to better understand the reading and why emphasis was placed on Elpenor not being buried correctly. We can keep this information in mind throughout The Odyssey to aid our understanding when funeral and death is brought up again.
NEXT LESSON:
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 shared that Flattery is basically complimenting someone to get what you want.
Background Information regarding 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.
Video provided to aid understanding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJpzse2qYlU
The Sirens reading: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d7t7Yoj6bW7TG4i62Ge6W-wMIZV1TVTV/view?usp=drivesdk
Just like previously, we answered questions regarding the reading in our teams:
Why does Odysseus address his men “sore at heart”?
Odysseus address his men “sore at heart” because they are caring people to him.
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.
Odysseus decides to tell his men about the forecast because his men messed up previously. This shows that Odysseus is growing as he is beginning to trust his men. Here, Odysseus displayed that he won’t bring down his men with him, and he is okay with sacrificing himself. In Odysseus' desire to hear the Sirens song, we can see that he is brave in a stubborn way.
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?
The Sirens use flattery to lure in the soldiers by complimenting and honoring them. An example that would appeal to the Crew and Odysseus is “Argos’ old soldiery on Troy Beach teeming”
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?
Humans are susceptible to “Siren’s Call” because humans love compliments and to be praised. The sirens represent both desire and distraction because they give you want you want (desire), which leads you off course (distraction).
REFLECTION: We learned about flattery, Odysseus’ “battle” with the Sirens, and how he displayed good leadership qualities. We learned all this because we are beginning to see Odysseus changing and growing. We can use this information to be aware and to not appeal to flattery so easily.
REPLY TO AIM: Odysseus’ strategic leadership further characterizes him as an epic hero because he didn’t think twice about sacrificing himself over his men. He learned from his mistakes and began to trust his men and tell them him his plans.
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