Week 3 Syllabus: April 20 on
ONE MIGHT ASSUME THAT THE REUNIFICATION of Odysseus and Penelope would mean the end of Homer’s tale. But it isn’t. The slaying of the suitors and servants who befriended them enrages their surviving families—understandibly so. How has Odysseus’s actions nearly lead to a civil war within Ithaca? Furthermore, why does Odysseus need to test his father Laertes, to see if he will recognize him? What purpose does this test serve? Is that a strength or failing of Odysseus?
MONDAY: GREY DAY/OFFICE HOURS
Today is a grey day, and you can meet with me during Zoom office hours 12:50 and 1:50 pm. Check Canvas for the link to Zoom.
TUESDAY: BLUE DAY
Starting with a Zoom meeting. Check the syllabus on Canvas for a link. First period begins at 10:10, and second period at 11:20.
Check in will be completing “The Tree” writing assignment on squarespace.
How, in book 23, is Penelope behaving “like Odysseus”? What similarities do we see between her and Odysseus? Why does she feel that she must test him?
HW: Read book 24, the last of Homer’s Odyssey.
WEDNESDAY: GREEN DAY
No class today.
THURSDAY: BLUE DAY
Starting with a Zoom meeting. Check the syllabus on Canvas for a link. First period begins at 10:10, and second period at 11:20.
Looking back at book 24 carefully. What does the suitors discussion with Achilles and Agamemnon reveal about the ancient Greek values? Why does Odysseus choose to test Laertes, when the memory of his lost son is clearly so painful? And what does that reveal about ancient Greek values?
HW: Read four sections from the following podcast transcript about Homer’s Odyssey, starting with “The Odyssey’s End” through and including the section, “Heraclitus and the Homeric World View.” That’s toward the bottom of that web page: it’s located here.
FRIDAY: GREEN DAY
We will watch a film version of the Odyssey next week, as we transition to our final text, Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. You will NOT have to purchase a hard copy of the text for our study of the play.