2.26.13+and+2.27.13

WU: Essay Brainstorm Spend a few minutes thinking of the main ideas, motifs, themes, character elements, symbols, or any other use of a literary device that you find interesting or frustrating about The Odyssey. For your essay on The Odyssey, you'll have a lot of freedom in what you write about, BUT it will be literary analysis (not historical research), so you will have to take a stance on some element of the text and use quotes (evidence) to support your assertions. In order to start this process, write down three topics you might want to write about.

Examples: If I were to write an essay about The Odyssey at this point, I might focus on...
 * 1) The motif of weaving and how it functions in the text. What does it reflect about gender roles or intelligence?
 * 2) The use of language as Homer/Odysseus describe the "monsters" in the text--how does language affect our responses as readers?
 * 3) The motif of hospitality--why is it so important in the text? What does it allow Odysseus/Telemachus to do or not do?

Notes: Books 17-20 (we're almost done with skipping books, hang in there)

Book 17:
 * In the morning, Telemachus goes to show his face to Penelope and Beggar Odyssues heads to town to “beg” for food and information.
 * Penelope weeps at the sight of her son, and he gives her the information about Odysseus being alive on Calypso’s island (but not that he’s home).
 * Odysseus is abused by the bad suitors and gets some food from the good ones. He sees his old dog who was in his prime when he left but is sadly abused now. The dog recognizes him and then dies with joy. He goes around testing all the suitors for loyalty. Penelope notices him and tells Eumaeus to send the stranger to him so she can question him. Odysseus agrees to meet with her later when no one can notice that they’re talking. Penelope realizes that this is a crafty beggar and agrees.

Book 18:


 * Odysseus has to fight the other beggar who inhabits the court. He, of course, knocks him (and his jaw) out with one punch.
 * Odysseus warns Amphinomous to leave (he’s a “nice” suitor”) but Athena won’t let him.
 * Athena lavishes even more beauty on Penelope and sends her down to parade in front of her suitors. Penelope begins to flirt a bit and demand gifts from them. She also takes a moment to scold Telemachus for letting a stranger (Odysseus as beggar)be mistreated in the house.

Book 19: Book 20:
 * Odysseus commands Telemachus to hide all the weapons away.
 * Penelope (still all beautiful) awaits the beggar to hear news of Odysseus.
 * They chat: he gets her to talk first and tell of her weaving scheme and the suitors in general. She reveals that she’s weary of waiting and taking away Telemachus’ rights to the house, so she’ll give in and marry soon.
 * She asks Odysseus about himself. He lies and makes up a story where he was also fighting at Troy and later he hosted Odysseus.
 * Penelope would love to believe him, but doubts him and asks for proof. She wants to know what he was wearing. Odysseus describes the very clothes that she sent Odysseus off to war with. Tears. He ends his story by assuring her that Odysseus is coming home soon (so he’s heard).
 * She’s still doubtful, but offers the beggar a bath and place to sleep. Odysseus wrangles it so that his old nurse, Eurykleia, will wash his feet. She comments on how much he resembles Odysseus. Odysseus brushes this off saying it “happens all the time”. He remembers a moment too late about a scar he has (boar/story) that she will recognize. Before he can avoid it, she has, but he stops her from calling Penelope, and makes her promise not to tell anyone that he’s home (or he’ll show her no mercy when the killing starts up even though he loves her).
 * When his feet are clean, Penelope wanders back in to tell him about her dreams and ask for him to interpret them. He does, stating that they show that Odysseus is coming back and soon and that the suitors will die.
 * She says maybe.
 * Then, she tells him she’s decided to end it all the next day with a contest. Whatever suitor can string Odysseus’ bow and shoot it through 12 axe heads gets her.
 * Odysseus says he (and the real Odysseus too) will be at the contest.
 * Penelope doesn’t believe him and goes to bed.
 * The book begins with Odysseus sleeping outside Penelope’s wing. He sees the maids slipping out to sleep with suitors. Enraged.
 * Penelope prays for death rather than having to marry a suitor.
 * Odysseus wakes and begins to pray to Zeus for guidance and a sign that he’s doing the right thing. Thunderbolt on a sunny=yes.
 * He goes off to ask Eumaeus and a loyal old cowherd, Philoetius, if they would still be loyal and fight if Odysseus happened to show up. They respond: YES.
 * The suitors are still rumbling about killing Telemachus, but he’s starting to get a bit feisty now that he knows his father is home. He gives the Beggar Odysseus food and drink right in front of the suitors and talks loudly about this being Odysseus’ house. The suitors scorn him and insult Beggar Odysseus. Athena makes them even more insulting than normal to really rile up Odysseus so he’s ready to fight soon.
 * The stage is set for the fight that’s brewing.

Watch: Movie clips for these scenes Reflection/Discussion:

Journal: Movie Reflection

1) Based on what you heard about Book 14-20 how closely is the director following the poem? What are the differences you notice?

2) How well do the actors/actresses and setting match what you’ve pictured in your head while we’ve been reading? Do you like how the movie portrays the poem? Be specific.

HW: Read through pg. 431 in Book 21. I'll summarize the rest.