1. What have you learned about Greek culture, values, and religion? Adress the roles of women and men, honor and virtues, gods and goddesses, etc. (250 words)
Well greek culture is pretty amazing, I mean all the gods and goddesses and their powers, its all enchanting. I learned by reading and watching The Odyssey that in Greek culture alot of honor and pride is represented in people's land and possesions. I didn't really notice that much religion in the poem/movie. I mean i'm sure they are religious people, but I didn't witness that much religious practices or anything. I do remember the animal sacrafices though, which is Santaria, but I really don't think the greeks practice that. It bothered me though how Oddysseus could just go and have sex with Calypso and Circe, and Odysseus was worried that Penelope had betrayed him and his love. The roles of women and men are pretty obviously like the roles of any olden time story. The men go out and fight like brave warriors, and the women sit around making tapestries and crying over the loss of their men. It really must have sucked to have been Penelope, I mean she didn't even get over Odysseus afer 20 whole years, she stayed true to him which is really amazing. I expected more out of the last seen when Penelope and Odysseus were reunited. I can't really imagine how I would react in that situation. Honor is deffinately a large part of greek culture and society. It's like everyone has their land, and their grudges and allies, and they all abide by those unwritten rules. To me Zeus is just like a huge, empowering god of silence, because we never got to see him. I mean why didn't we get to experience the wrath of Zues? All we got to see was Poseidon and other small gods among Greece. The unwritten rules of Greece though, seem really simple. Everyone listens to Zeus above all others, and you have to do what people say or else you will get punished in some kind of way. When that wind god told Odysseus not to open that satchel, and his stupid crew opened it when he was sleeping, they got sent all the way back to some deserted island. It was just as he had warned and It seems that it wouldn't be too hard to abide by peoples commands, because they are never really that out there in terms of being difficult to obtain by. From what I've gathered most of the greek values are also pretty simple. They hold strong principle in attaining trust, honor, loyalty, strength, and courage, for the men at least.
2. What resonated with you in reading about Odysseus’ adventures? Why? (150 words)
Well probably number one resonation in Odysseus adventures, was when he returned to Penelope and Telechamus. Its hard to imagine, how it would feel to have your significant other gone for twenty years without knowing where he was or even whether or not he was alive. It was also immense for Telechamus because he had never really seen his father ever, besides when he was an infant. Also it was wonderful when Odysseus and Telechamus killed the suitors together. They were so rude, and obnoxious and when he turned into himself again and killed them all it was fantastic because they deserved to die. When Odysseus goes to hell to talk to that guy, and sees his mother, it's very moving. Seeing his mother in hell must have been frightening and a little heartbreaking because he didn't even know she died. It was also resonating when they had almost reached Ithaca, and Odysseuss' crew opened the winds and they were flown all the way back to a deserted island. I mean they were almost there, almost home, and Penelope and his mother can feel it. Then they are thrown away miles and miles away, only to be kept from returning home for at least ten more years.
3. This epic poem is dated nearly 3000 years ago, why is it still relevant? (150 words)
The Odyssey is still releveant today because it represents the trials of events that happen here in the present, and so many stories throughout the world. It is told in almost every Disney, or fairy tale, about the brave man (Odysseus), with his Queen or significant other (Penelope), and the discouraged prince (Telemachus) and so on and so on. It can be related somehow to almost every tale or book or movie. Also, The Odyssey is classic literature, one of the stepping stones of literature everywhere. People are interested in the tale of Odysseus and his struggles of twenty years to return home. It enchants people, the unsolved mystery of who Homer is, and how he supposedly orally concieved this epic poem. It is relevant because no matter how old it is, people are still amazed by the tale of Odysseus and everything else having to do with the author and the mystery of Homer.
Short Answers-
Answer in complete sentences. Cut and paste each question and answer underneath the prompt.
4. How would you characterize the narrator, the fictive "Homer" whose voice we imagine as singing the verses of the Odyssey?
I can't really imagine Homer singing the verses of the Odyssey, because I never heard the songs, or read the verses. I can visually concept an image of him in my mind. To me Homer is a broad, strong, intelligent man, much like Odysseus. I think he portrayed his dreams and visions through Odysseuss' tale. In my mind, they are two similar men, Homer having a more realistic life than Odysseus.
5. What kinds of behavior are treated as contemptible in the Odyssey?
Behaviors that are looked down on in the Odyssey are things like dishonor, and unloalty. There are no real written laws, more so common laws, and people abide by being honorable, intelligent and brave.
6. How does the poem represent mortal women? Since Penelope is the most important woman in the Odyssey, what qualities does she possess, and how does she respond to the troubles she faces? (Some of the other women are of note, too-Eurycleia the serving woman, the faithless maidservants, Nausicaa the Phaeacian princess, and Helen of Sparta, Menelaus' queen, whose elopement with Prince Paris sparked the Trojan War.)
The poem represents the mortal women as beautiful, intelligent, and hardworking for the most part. Penelope possess all those qualities at least. She is always very calm, about the dilemmas she confronts, and goes about resolving them in a smart and clever way. Other women though are portrayed as whores, like the faithless maidservants. They don't have any good qualities, except for their devotion to their men, and ability to surrender to the men's sexual desires. Eurycleia though is very faithful, and that is probably her best quality/portrayal.
7.How do Homer's gods think and behave? How do their actions and motivations differ from the conception of god in other religions of which you have knowledge? What role do the Homeric gods play in human affairs, and what is the responsibility of humans with respect to those gods?
Homer's gods behave on impulse to their desires. They have a system of authority, Zeus being the most empowering god, and gods like Posiedon being feared, but not above Zeus. Their actions and motivations differ from god's in any other religion, because they are more like humans, and they are less devoted to participating in self sacrafice for others. They instead recognize their power and use it for their advantage. The Homeric gods are, unlike gods in other religions, part of everyday life to the humans. They are visible and they are able to communicate to mortals. There is a definite responsibility for humans to respect gods, and the humans suffer the consequences if they don't. Homer's gods have a more realistic relashionship with humans, and they are able to communicate on the same levels.
