1. What have you learned about Greek culture, values, and religion? Address the roles of women and men, honor and virtues, gods and goddesses, etc. (250 words)
Ancient Greek culture was very different than our culture of today. For example, most modern religions are monotheistic where the greeks' was polytheistic. The greeks made offerings to the gods and had god for almost everything. Their main gods included Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, and Hades. Greeks would burn offerings to Poseidon before a sea voyage, and would make offerings to all the gods at feasts. Gods could come to earth in physical form and could control things on earth from Mount Olympus. Gods had many children, some by other gods, others by mortals. If proper respect was not paid to a god, the god would make things difficult until offerings were made. There were also immortal demigods, who resided on earth. Women were essentially owned by their husbands. They were carefully treated possessions, but possessions none the less. Wives ran the household when the men were gone. Gifts of livestock and riches were brought when visiting another's palace, especially before courting. Acceptance of these gifts is equivalent to giving permission to stay in the house. Men were expected to fight in wars for their lord and defend their honor. They ran their estates and households when they were home. Slavery was accepted, and slaves were extremely valuable possessions. Men enjoyed singing and juggling at feasts and fought and wrestled amongst themselves for entertainment. Feasts were commonplace and included copious amounts of strong wine and meat from oxen, goats and other animals. A man of honor did not even consider breaking his word and was supposed to do anything for his honor.
2. What resonated with you in reading about Odysseus’ adventures? Why? (150 words)
Several things struck me when reading The Odyssey. The first was the grandiose, yet eloquent language. Few people can use language which is so riddled with long words yet still poetic. Fewer still can use this type of language through a work this lengthy. This, however, was not what struck me. What struck me was that The Oddysey survived translation with this quality of writing essentially intact. Second was the range of culture covered in one poem. I feel I have a real understanding of the greek culture after reading only a few chapters from it. This in its own right is remarkable, but add in the fact that it is a genuinely good story, and it is amazing. Lastly, the characters are simultaneously very human and almost omnipotent, excellent, yet flawed. Odysseus himself is a fine balance between brutality and strength and smarts and cleverness. This masterful writing is amazing for any time, much less one in which the general population was illiterate.
3. This epic poem is dated nearly 3000 years ago, why is it still relevant? (150 words)
The Oddysey is nearly as relevant today for several reasons. The least of these not being that it addresses universal human problems like violence, sex, manhood honor and trials. Any well-written story with these subjects will be at least mildly interesting to most people. When the story is extremely well wrtitten and incorporates these themes perfectly, the story is an instant classic. That in and of itself is enough, but being from a time no one alive actually benefits it. This is because humans are curious creatures and this is especially true when it comes to our history or the history of other people. In addition, it is, if the date is to be believed, the first written literature. Simply for this it has been granted immortality in the world of literature. There may be another great classic, but there can never be a second first.The Oddyssey is worth reading for any of these reasons, and therefore, it will always be relevant whether in 5 years or 5,000.
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?
He was obviously and incredibly gifted writer to be able to write this when there was no precident, no mentor, or body of work for him to draw on. Whenever I picture him, he is always old, but erect, with a flowing white beard and hair. He is wearing a toga and robes, and carries a cane.
5. What kinds of behavior are treated as contemptible in the Odyssey?
First and foremost, having no honor. This is evidenced by the fact that the suitors have none and thus they plan to ambush Telemachus when he was only 13 or 14. Also, Telemachus cannot refuse a challenge to fight from a full grown man, even though he is only a teen. This leads to the other, cowardice. This is shown throughout, as in nearly all warrior cultures, cowardice is a poor personality trait, from Oddyseus's bravery in Troy, to Telemachus's in his palace, to the cowardice of the suitors when fighting Odysseus, cowardice is terrible.
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 wives of the men are depicted as generally wise and level headed but emotionally affected somewhat easily. Helen especially seemed very wise, especially when she is considering her previous behavior. Penelope was wise and clever, unraveling her tapestry at night, and in her dealing with her unfaithful maids. However when they are not being wise, the women are portrayed as emotional, idiotic and unthinking.
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 act and behave essentially like humans. They experience the same emotions as humans and react as humans with their powers probably would. Humans are expected to make sacrifices to the gods or incur the wrath of the unappeased god.
In other religions, gods are essentially emotionless and forgiving, loving all who accept them.
