The Odyssey

M 8.29
Due: Book 4
Period 1: Unbroken paper revisions are due. / T 8.30
Due: Book 5
PICTURE DAY  / W 8.31
Due: Book 6 / Th 9.1
Due: Book 7 / F 9.2
No School

Point of View
Any situation can be viewed differently depending on what point of view you are looking from.
This week, we will examine how and why characters view the same situation differently.
Reading and Notes on Book 5.
In book 5, we are in “real time” with Odysseus who is stuck on Calypso’s island.
Even #: As you read, take brief notes to explain Calypso’s point of view about herself, Odysseus, and Odysseus’ stay on the island.
  • List of specific words
  • Identity (post-it) one powerful quote.
Odd #: As you read take brief notes to explain Odysseus’ view of himself, Calypso, and his stay on Calypso’s island.
  • List of specific words
  • Identity (post-it) one powerful quote.
ALL: Summarize Odysseus’ journey from Calypso’s island to the Phaecian islands. / Reading and Notes on Book 6.
In book 6, Odysseus arrives at the Phaecian islands and meets Nausicca.
We are going to examine Nausicaa & her womanhood. So, your notes should focus on evidence to show what sort of woman she is / Reading and Notes on Book 7.
In book 7, Odysseus speaks with the Phaecian King (Alcinous) and Queen (Arete).
Notes to be determined. / Period 7 – Unbrokenpaper revisions are due on Tuesday 9/6.
Reading and notes on Books 8-9 are due on Tuesday 9/6.
WARNING: This is A LOT of reading – 32 pages in the 4 days you have available.
Book 8 : No notes required. Read and enjoy the songs and the contests that happen in Phaecia.
Book 9: Odysseus tells the story about that one time when he and his men landed on the Cyclops’ islands. You should take enough notes to be able to recount the order of events on the island.
Central Question:
Even #: Based on the evidence in Book 9, does savagery happen because of one’s mindset or because of one’s environment?
Odd #: Based on the evidence in Book 9, if your job is to commit savage acts or if you must commit savage acts in order to survive, are you savage? If not, what are you?

Inquiry Questions & Big Thinking:

Manhood

  • What effects do tangible vs intangible things have on a person’s manhood?
  • Is manhood something that can be earned or taken away?
  • How closely related are the aspects of internal manhood (dignity, rebellion, leadership, maturity, wisdom) and the stereotypical, exterior image of a man (bravery, build, strength)?
  • Do others’ stereotypes of you affect your journey to reach manhood?
  • What forces can strip you of the innermost aspects of manhood?
  • How do different societies define manhood?

Reasonable Conclusions
  • Loss of or gaining manhood is a process that occurs over time.
  • Faith or belief in something (intangible) like dignity or religion can help one preserve his or her manhood.
  • Both tangible and intangible things affect a person’s manhood.
  • The process of earning manhood is different for each individual.
  • Manhood is something for which one must continually fight.
  • Manhood is easy to lose and difficult to regain.
  • The point at which you reach internal manhood does not rely on the point that you become a stereotypical man.
  • Many people find success in reaching manhood by becoming the stereotypical man, but the true success is in finding your path according to your experiences.

Savage

  • Does considering the victim to be a savage justify the mistreatment of the victim in the eyes of the abuser? In the eyes of society?
  • How has the definition of “savage” changed over time? Are there any qualities that have remained the same?
  • How does propaganda affect someone’s view of savagery (especially in wartime)?
  • Does savagery happen because of a one’s mindset or because of one’s environment? Or both?
  • If your job is to commit savage acts (like a soldier) or if you must commit savage acts to survive, are you savage?
  • How do cultures differ in their definition of savage?
  • What effect does savagery have on people?
  • If someone does something savage for a rational reason, are they still savage?
  • If you are given orders to do a savage act, does it make it rational to complete them?
  • Do people lose their dignity when they act savagely?

Reasonable Conclusions
  • The war and extreme circumstances can make soldiers feel justified in their savage acts – especially if accompanied by national pride and pressure from the government).
  • By not mistreating those people who abuse you, you end the cycle of violence.
  • Someone’s environment can cause him or her to be uncivilized or rebellious.
  • Savagery is different in different cultures and even to differently to individuals at different times.
  • Often, one community sees another as savage, so they act savagely towards them.
  • If someone believes that what they are doing is reasonable, rational, or necessary, then they are more likely to do it even if it is savage.

Hero

  • How does perspective affect who a hero is?
  • Do heros always seem like people to someone else?
  • Is a person a hero because of a quality of who they are, or are they heros only because of how someone else views them?
  • If you do something heroic but no one knows, are you still a hero?
  • Are some heros greater than others?
  • What makes someone a hero? If you aren’t a hero, does that automatically make you a coward?
  • If you are a good person and you do something bad, are you a coward? Not a hero?
  • Also, if you are a bad person and you do something good, can you be a hero?
  • How do people become heroes, and can someone still be called a hero even with only one moment of heroism?

Reasonable Conclusions
  • When you know someone from every angle, you realize they are neither heros orsavages, but humans.
  • You have to have done a successful action to be a hero.
  • A hero is when a person does something not for the recognition, but for the good of others. Since heroism is not measured by the amount of recognition that you get, nobody has to be aware that you are a hero for you to still be a hero.
  • To be a hero, one has to have both good intentions, actions, and carry them out well. Also, one must be selfless. There is a space between a hero and a coward.
  • It takes a great deal of selflessness, bravery and compassion to have a moment of heroism.
  • However, without living one’s life with selflessness, bravery, and compassion, one shouldn’t be called a hero.
  • There is a difference between one moment of heroism and living one’s life heroically.

Loss

  • How does what you lose define or illustrate who you are?

  • It is more difficult to lose something intangible than something tangible.
  • Memories help a person keep a sense of self, especially when a person loses the other things that helped him express his identity.