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Explore the connections between The Odyssey, the quest for identity, and various cultural and historical perspectives in this analysis of Books 1 & 2.
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The Odyssey The Journey Defines the Man
Books 1 & 2 The Father Quest
What links these together? • Christians • American Indians • Amish • Aboriginales • U.S. Navy • Nordic warrior • students/seniors • Baptism • Vision Quest • Rumspringa • Walkabout • Crucible • Berserker • Graduation
Odyssey Timeline Book 1: • Zeus on Olympos complaining about vice of man • Athena pleads for Ody to be released; Zeus grants passage • Athena goes to inspire Tele to become a man (father quest) • Tele home in Ithaka; Ody trapped by Kalypso Present Day Continuum
Rite of Passage • Is a ritual event that marks a person's progress from one status to another. • It is a universal phenomenon which can show anthropologists what social hierarchies, values and beliefs are important in specific cultures. • Rites of passage are often ceremonies surrounding events such as other milestones within puberty, coming of age, marriage and death.
Telemakhos consulting with Mentor (Athena) about the state of his affairs
What role does Athena play for Telemakhos? • Why does she go to such lengths? • What model do her character traits set forth for us today? • Who has been a mentor to you?
Athena’s Quest for Telemakhos • What are Telemakhos’ weaknesses? • What strengths does Athena give him or assist him with? • What aspects of the quest are external and internal? • Determine the necessity of these quests. What if he fails?
Arguments & Views of His Voyage Telemakhos Athena Suitors Elders
Books 3 & 4 The Journey Begins
From Nestor: From Menelaos: Wisdom & History Learned
Helen of Troy • What 2 stories does Helen tell of her time in Troy and meeting up with Odysseus? • Was she a victim of abduction or a willing participant with Paris? • How do you interpret her role among the Greeks in Troy? • What are her traits in Book 4 now that she has returned as the Spartan Queen?
Modeling Behaviors • Explain the causes and outcomes of Agamemnon’s death. • Detail the myth of Aphrodite and Ares being “caught” in bed by Hephaistos (Book 8) • Discuss why these stories are repeated several times in the epic • List major themes that emerge from these scenes
Telemakhos’ Timeline Book 1: Home on Ithaka with suitors Book 2: Speech to elders to search for Ody Book 3: Pylos to speak to Nestor about Troy/Ody Book 4: Sparta to speak to Menel about Troy/Ody Book 5: Journey back to Ithaka to retake home Present Day Continuum
Books 5-8 The Man Himself
Hero’s Characterization • What character traits does the reader discover first-hand about Odysseus? • How does this match up with the perspectives of him from others? • What major themes emerge in Book 5?
Odysseus’ Timeline Book 8: Cries during feast and king asks name Book 5: • Ody on Ogygia crying; Hermes releases him • Flees on raft, but almost dies at sea Book 6: Nausikaa finds him and brings home to Alkinoos Book 7: Meets king and asks for passage home Present Day Continuum
Poseidon’s Influence Athena’s Influence Man Against the World
Survival & Renewal How does Odysseus manage to survive Poseidon’s rage? What role does Nausikaa play for Odysseus? Discuss Odysseus’ transformation from his first emergence on the shore to his invitation to the palace? What fairytale does this relate to? How do both Arete and Alkinoos receive him? Why is Demodokus’ role significant? What prior tale is sung as a thematic warning? Why does Odysseus finally reveal his identity? What is significant about this revelation?
Power of Prophecy • What were the Phaiakian people warned of earlier in their history? • Why would that be so devastating? • How do they choose to proceed hearing of this prophecy again? What does that say about younger generations? Where do we see a similar example earlier? • What is the outcome of their actions?
Present Day Continuum Odysseus’ Flashback Book 10: King Aeolias (wind) & Laestrygonians Book 9: Lotus Eaters & Polyphemos Book 11: Hades to see Teresias Book 12: Sirens, Syklla & Kharybdis, & Helios Book 13: Homeward by Phakians
“Caught between Skylla & Kharybdis” • What does it mean when we say, “It’s the lesser of two evils”? • What other sayings do we use? • What is Skylla’s threat? • What is Kharybdis’ threat? • How does Odysseus’ situation mirror this dilemma? What does he choose? • Ironically, what does he personally face later?
“Wrapped Around Your Finger”The Police You consider me the young apprenticeCaught between the scylla and charybidisHypnotized by you if I should lingerStaring at the ring around your finger I have only come here seeking knowledgeThings they wouldn't teach me of in collegeI can see the destiny you soldTurned into a shining band of gold I'll be wrapped around your fingerI'll be wrapped around your finger Mephistopheles is not your nameBut I know what you're up to just the sameI will listen hard to intuitionAnd you will see it come to it's fruition
Role of Women • Give instances where we see female “characters” that impact Odysseus during his voyage. • What role do they play for Odysseus’ and his crew? • What end results and themes emerge from his engagements with these various females?
Books 13 ~ 16 The Homecoming
Theme of Testing • What are Odysseus’s reasons and logic for testing? • How do these reasons add to his character traits? Are they positive or negative? • What is the outcome of testing Athena? • Who else does he test and how do they each fare?
Eumaios the Swineherd • How Does Odysseus test Eumaios? • What does it say about his character? • How does the test pan out? • What themes does Eumaios embody?
The Father Quest Complete: Father and son finally meet as Athena watches over them.
Books 17 ~ 20 The Strategist Begins His Plot