Wach week, I will post four - six assignments for you to complete during the week. One will be a discussion board.
The first entry on the discussion board will be your personal post. It is due by midnight on Thursday of each week. The other two posts are reactions to the origninal posts of two others. This will make more sense as you actually get onto the discussion board.
The other three to five assignments will further your knowledge of mythology.
I noticed that most of you had not completed several of the assignments for the week before the world went crazy. Those assignments will be opened and will count toward the work this week. If you submitted earlier, please review your work. and the assignment. Make sure that you did everything asked. You have the week to revise and repost.
Note: Assignment #2 gives you the option of sharing with the group via ZOOM on Tuesday
Week A - Assignment #1 View and React to The Odyssey
What is going on in Ithaca: The Odyssey Books 1-5
The Voyage of Odysseus in 11 minutes: Odysseus King of Ithaca (3 of 3) - The Odyssey: Return to Ithaca | Greek Mythology Explained
The Lotus Eaters: Odyssey The Lotus Eaters
Cyclopse Part I: 902) Odysseus and the Cyclops Part I
Another version: Hal the Cyclops
Kirk Douglas version: Hal the Cyclops
Aeolus: Aeolus God of Wind The Odyssey
The Lastrygonians: The Laestrygonian Giants - Greek mythology
Cierce: Part 6 Pigs to Circe
Hades: The Odyssey Books 11-13
Scylla and Chrybdis: The Odyssey: Scylla
The real Chrybdis: Charybdis: The Gigantic Whirlpool Monster of Greek Mythology - (Greek Mythology Explained)
Passing the Sirens: The Odyssey Book 12 "Passing the Sirens" and Margaret Atwood's "Siren's Song"
The battle in the great hall: Hal the Cyclops
Overview of The Odyssey with modern links.
Map and Pictures and Overview of the journey
A 40 minute overview of the entire voyage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDliBj63nmM
These links are not the only links available on YouTube. You might be able to locate the entire 1950 something movie staring Kirk Douglas . That would be worth a look, but it is not required.
Do keep a log of the videos you view. Write a brief summary for each. Use the links here or look for links that are of interest to you for SEVEN of the episodes. You may do more for extra credit.
Be sure to provide the link along with your summary and evaluation of each episode/video you view.
(70 points)
Select an episode/book from The Odyssey to study in detail. For example, did you know that Polyphemus was the son of Poseidon? (Sorry - I do not know the name of the mom. That is something for you to discover.)
Here is the list of chapters: If you do not remember your choice, contact me via Canvas message. I have the list.
- The Lotus Eaters
- Aeolus
- The Lestrygonians
- Thrinacia
- Charybds
- Calypso
- Scylla
- The Sirens
- Cierce
You will need to write our the answers to questions A-E.
A.Identify any gods or goddesses associated with the episode.
B. Read three versions of the story.Remember our own EMCC library has excellent resources! Briefly summarize each. Share the ways they differ and the ways they are the same. For example, they might all have the same basic plot. Tell what that plot is. In contrast, there might be a difference of opinion as to how or why the event happened. Some versions might mention additional gods or goddesses. Others might say that it was all up to Odysseus to survive - no help needed!
C. Watch a video from YouTube or other source. Take notes. Does the visual version agree with, detract from, or add to the written versions you discovered? Include the URL.
D. Locate a work of art associated with your episode. Study it. Here are some things to consider when looking at art:
1. To where is your eye first drawn?
2. What colors are used? Are they symbolic? Would thepainting be more or less powerful or meaningful if the colors were changed?
3. Overall, what is going on in the art?
4. Where and when was the work of art created?
5. Overall, how accurately is the story told through the art? Explain
E. Try to find out "the rest of the story." For example,did you know that Cierce ultimately marries Telemachus, the son of Odysseus? Did you know that the son of Cierce and Odysseus eventually marries Penelope, the wife of Odysseus? Did you know that Cierce is a witch? There's even more!
F. Prepare a PowerPoint to present if you are meeting live on Zoom with the class on Tuesdays at 1:30. You will need to share what you found in A-E. Be creative. Feel free to create a PowerPoint, dress up, etc. Or write a song, make a game to quiz us after your presentation, create your own work of art .... just have a bit of fun.
If you are submitting only and do not plan to share on Zoom, you are required to prepare a PowerPoint that answers A through E.
Do explain what you plan to do to present to the class for F if you will be joining us live.
I do realize that some of you have limitations with technology. Submitting on Canvas only will not detract from your grade.
Week A - Assignment #3 What happened to Odysseus?
For this assignment, you will be reading several predictions from more modern literature as to what might have happened to Odysseus/Ulysses once he had been home a while. For each, answer questions.
Reading a: Ulysses by Tennyson https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45392/ulysses
What is it about Odyssues's character that would lead the author to predict this "next adventure" for Odysseus? (Paragraph(s), please. Provide at least one example for Odysseus's adventures in the Trojan War and/or on his journey home.)
Reading b: Ulysses and the Siren by Samuel Daniel
This poem presents a conversation between Ulysseul and a Siren. Daniel https://englishverse.com/poems/ulysses_and_the_siren
1. Rewrite each stanza in your own words. What is going on?
2. What do you think - will the Siren get her revenge? Explain.
Reading c: Runes: II by Howard Nemerov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4HYEGbK5Zo Start at 1:05 for Rune II - you only need to read and react to Rune II.
1. The author presents two possible endings for Ulysses. Which of the two seems most possible? Explain your choice.
Final Odysseus activity: . What is your prediction for the further adventures or life of Odysseus? Explain by writing an 8-10 line poem to share your thoughts. It may be longer if you wish!
In this course, we look back at the events and beliefs of the ancients from a variety of cultures. In some instances, there seem to be common world-wide events such as a great flood. Different cultures tell the story in slightly different ways, yet the theme of a great flood that filled the earth is common. Take a look at these brief stories at https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/a-flood-of-myths-and-stories/ .
Now, hop into your trusty time machine and travel 5,000 years into the future. Look back at our current world-wide situation with the COVD-19 virus. Think of two cultures that might explain the situation a bit differently. For example, would the Chinese focus on the beginning of the pandemic? Which culture might be the one to tell of the victory?
These are your thoughts. There are no right or wrong answers. Simple share and then discuss with others.
Here are the rules:
Post your original thoughts by midnight on Thursday, April 9, 2020. Then you have until 6:00 am on Monday, April 13, 2020, to respond to at least two others. Do not respond with a single word. Reflect, react, and discuss. Be respectful. Again, there are no right or wrong answers. Do ask questions!
Your original post is worth 30 points.
Each reaction to others is worth 10 ponts.
Total: 50 points for the Discussion Board.
