The wondering part 13…
Tuesday: November 17,2015
[2:10–3:30pm] 1 ½
Today in class we discussed our feelings on Homer’s ending of The Odyssey. I honestly think book 24 was unnecessary. It should’ve ended with the reuniting of him and Laertes. Odysseus showed so much strength and bravery in these last books. He stood up and took back what was his meanwhile it also showed his weakness which was Penelope. She was the only thing that made him weak. Them reuniting was beautiful, it made me so happy. I think the ending showed how powerful Odysseus’ family was and it wrapped up all the lessons learned throughout the poem.
[6–8pm] 2
Similarities between Book One and Book Twenty-four
I think they are similar simply because they both tie up loose ends of themes in the book. Also, it recaps adventures and murders that took place. They were all like simmering down books which are the end of big scenes and wrap up conflicts.They are also similar because they have Athena as a key player. The Odyssey started with Athena asking her father to send a messenger to have Odysseus released while in book 24 she makes them stop fighting and have a truce. Athena was very present in this tale, she stayed right by Odysseus the entire time. They were partners in crime. It is interesting to see what the immortals do for their favorite mortals because Athena protected and did things for Odysseus for his best interest throughout the poem and Odysseus followed because he trusted her. Athena helped him a lot but she was far from a crutch she got involved when she needed to and she also allowed Odysseus to make his own decisions and also show his worth. She taught him many lessons and lead him down path of triumph. Athena is very smart and though she does cause some trouble she always ends things swell and calm.
Book 21 RECAP
Penelope gets Odysseus’ bow from the storeroom and her maids bring axe heads. Penelope explains that whoever can string her husband’s bow will marry her. Telemachus tries first where he can’t string the bow three times. Different try and fail at stringing the bow. Odysseus reveals his identity to Eumaois and Philoitios by showing them his scar as confirmation. He makes them swear loyalty to him, and tells them to give him the bow and lock the door when it’s time. Eurymachos fails with the bow, and Antinous proposes they put off the challenge, make a sacrifice to Apollo and try tomorrow. Odysseus asks to try and Antinous tells him not to. Penelope insists the beggar be involved and if he wins he’ll get clothes and gifts. Telemachus sends her to her room, and requests Eumaois to give Odysseus the bow. Odysseus inspects the bow while the suitors mock him. He easily strings it as Zeus thunders, and after that shoots it through the axe heads.
Book 22 RECAP
After proving his skills he shoots Antinous in the throat, killing him. The suitors look for weapons but cannot find any, the swear Odysseus death but he reveals his identity. Everyone is scared and Eurymachos tries to persuade Odysseus that Antinous was their leader and tricked them into following him and if he lets them live they will give him everything they owe him. Odysseus refuses and they must fight, he shoots Eurymachos first. Now Telemachus gets involved. They catch Melanthios stealing weapons for the swuitors from the storage room which Telemachus knows it is his fault for leaving the door open. Eumaios and Philitios tie him up. Athena appears as mentor and watches Odysseus and Telemachus show their skills and doesn’t immediately get involved. Leodes supplicates himself to Odysseus which he doesn’t believe so he kills him. After all the suitors are dead he asks Eurkleyia wich maids were disloyal and figures out it was 12 of them. He makes them clean and then they are hung outside. His loyal servants embrace him.
Wednesday: November 18,2015
[9–11pm] 2
Book 23 RECAP
Eurykleia tells Penelope of Odysseus’ return and she is in disbelief. She plans to test him about things only the two of them know, he agrees but says they must make up a lie about Penelope’s wedding in the palace so they can flee through the woods. Penelope figures out it is him because of his anger towards the bed made of olive tree and they cry together. She asks him to forgive her of her suspicions. Then he has one more challenge with a sacrifice to Poseidon. She tells him about the suitors while he tells her about his journey. He tells Penelope and maids to stay home while he goes to visit his father Laertes.
Thursday: November 19,2015
[2:10–3:30pm] 1 ½
Today in class we took our quiz on the end of The Odyssey. Then we discussed the end of it again. We discussed which Homer Poem was better and also which was more masculine or feminine. In my opinion The Odyssey wa s definitely better. It seemed like the Iliad was full of fighting and stubbornness. I did not learn the lesson of the Iliad until I read The Odyssey when we see Achilles in the underworld which he expresses that having glory is not what life is about, he would rather live as a slave then be dead. He regrets the mindset he lived with while mortal because his glory did not do anything for him in the long run. The Odyssey is Odysseus’ journey and teaches us a lot of lessons about life. I learned so much by reading about all of his trials. I learned lessons on bravery, leadership, self-worth, holding your composure, character building, etc. Despite being the better poem I do think it was more feminine. The Odyssey has it’s warmhearted moments and showed a lot of power possessed by Penelope. It is more of a family tale while The Iliad was a lot of fighting and blood which is a masculine feel.
Friday: November 20,2015
[7–9pm] 2
Book 24 RECAP
Hermes takes the suitors to the underworld. They come in contact with Agamemnon and Achilles and Agamemnon compares his wife to Penelope. Odysseus goes to his father and proves his identity through his scar and knowledge of vineyard. They embrace and talk about his defeat of the suitors. Half of the town wants to kills Odysseus lead by Antinous’ father, Laertes kills him. Athena make severyone settke down and make a truce.
Next,
We will be reading Plato’s Symposium, I am excited because I hear it was about love and I’m really into it. I also heard Plato was a deep thinker. I’m interested in people’s thinking patterns, their thoughts and different views on values such as love, friendship and more.