Odysey Test 1/23/07

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)

In the Greek cultures I have learned that most men thought themselves higher then women. They were always the ones who had to out to war and the ones that had to go out and bring home the bacon. Honor and virtues played a tremendous role in this for the men, as well as the women. People would be honorable if they had been in many wars and if they were wealthy. Say a wealthy man was riding down the road and he saw an old beggar man, he probably did not feel any motivation to help the beggar neither did he feel compassion or sympathy to the beggar. The wealthy man would just keep going on his way as if nothing out the ordinary had just happened. For example a royal family would look down upon the poor or the less fortunate. Of course there were, and still are, the few who respected those less fortunate.
The gods and goddesses on the other hand, they are like one group that is respected with any thought. From the moment Greek children were born they were taught about the gods and goddesses. All Greeks prayed as often as possible at any time in their lives they needed extra help. Offerings were giving, such as sheep and goats. It seemed as if an offering should be given as sign of respect toward the gods.
What resonated with you in reading about Odysseus’ adventures? Why? (150 words)
It is hard for one to endure the thought of leaving the one they love without the knowledge as to whether or not they would ever see each other again. It is even harder to leave home on the day your first child is born.
Odysseus had to endeavor both these feats. Odysseus did not only leave the woman he was in love with but also his first born son, and one day ere to his thrown. The day his son was born Odysseus could not have been more proud. Odysseus brought his son on top of a hill and showed the kingdom to its future king. As he did so, Odysseus realized he would be leaving his pleasant home in Ithaca to right in the Trogon War.
Imagining the strength Odysseus must have had to be able to leave him wife and new born son. Everyone new he was strong but this seems almost impossible. Not knowing when my return would be if there were to be one, that alone would prevent my going. Before Odysseus left he made his wife make him a promise; If he did not return she must remarry. Odysseus was not only physically empowering but also mentally.

3. This epic poem is dated nearly 3000 years ago, why is it still relevant? (150 words)

3000 years ago or modern day, people seek a hero. Everyone needs someone to look up too. Now that does not mean everyone needs Odysseus as their hero, but the few that enjoy Greek mythology, Odysseus is a rightful hero.
The poem subtly teaches the act of leadership, honesty, and bravery. The way Homer wrote about Odysseus leading his armies into epic battles and returning home victorious. Homer wrote about how Odysseus and his men got along and respected each other. Odysseus treated his men equally and acted how he felt. The odyssey teaches these things.
Life is an odyssey, it has twists and turns. One minute your in one place another minutes you somewhere totally different. The odyssey fallows Odysseus on journey through life. From the good to the bad Homer recorded it for us to share amongst each other. Life never stops, be careful not to waste is. Odysseus never spared a moment, neither should we.

4. How would you characterize the narrator, the fictive "Homer" whose voice we imagine as singing the verses of the Odyssey?

It is almost as if Homer is telling a tale of himself through the name Odysseus. He made Odysseus more exciting. If you look close enough and really think about it, the phases Odysseus went through may have been over exaggerated tales of phases Homer went through.

5. What kinds of behavior are treated as contemptible in the Odyssey?

A women being untrue to her husband, and acting out of place.

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.)

Mortal women age, unlike goddesses who live forever. I believe more is expected of them because they are mortal. They must marry and work harder.

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?

Homers god are more interactive. They will show up when a human is in need to lend some advice. Most people just pray to a god and hope for the best. With Homers gods they actually appear and communicate with mortals. Homers gods are respected with an offering of some sort, which I understand but I don’t know how it started to become a routine.