Topic 4
The character Arnaeus nicknames Irus was introduced in book 18. He himself is a beggar and he works with the suitors who have taken over Odysseus kingdom. When Irus was wondering around in Ithaca he came across Odysseus, but he was disguised as a beggar. Irus had no idea it was Odysseus he thought is was just another beggar walking in his territory. He didn't like that so he started to insult the him aggressively. As they continued to verbally abuse one another one of the suitors who was watching this says they should just fight it out and the winner will be given food. So they begin to fight and of course Odysseus being much stronger he took Irus out and threatened him if he was mean to Beggars again that he would kill him next. To me Irus seems like a person who would do anything just to get by. I also think he would do anything to feel accepted amongst the suitors. In a way I sort of feel bad for him because he's living an unfortunate life and he comes off to people as not such a nice person.
Topic 5
The texts treatment of Penelope is not so great. She is not made out to be this bright, pretty, faithful wife. The closer Odysseus is to returning home I guess the more and more people are getting infuriated with the suitors. Athena projects this idea to Penelope that she should give herself to the suitors and make them want her. This is part of Athena's plan to make Odysseus even more angry with the suitors so he would want to kill them. I think the texts makes Penelope look like she is easily manipulated by Athena. Like if she is told to do something she most likely will do it, but also in a way it is helping her and Odysseus get back there kingdom. When Penelope is questioning Odysseus about whether it is her husband or not she talks about this dream she had. When I was reading it, it seemed so bizarre and I thought she was talking nonsense, but the dream actually came true. So it turns out that the texts was making her out to be a little out of the box, but really she wasn't.
Topic 1
There is symbolism of Odysseus bow that is mentioned in book 21. As stated before, Penelope will marry the first suitor who can shoot an arrow through the holes of six axes. She takes Odysseus bow and brings it to the suitors to see if they can string it and then shoot the arrow. There is no surprise that none of them can do it. Odysseus still disguised as someone else takes the bow, strings it, and then shoots the arrow through all six axes. Now Penelope has to keep to her word and marry him/reunite with Odysseus. I think this was a smart move for Odysseus in order to persuade Penelope back into his life. It shows how willing he is to do anything to get his love back.
Topic 3
There is a huge symbolism of the bed that is mentioned in book 23. After the fight had broken out between the suitors and Odysseus many of them were killed. Eurycleia goes to tell Penelope what has just happened and she does not believe it. She thinks that the gods are playing some sort of trick on her. I would believe that too because I think she was becoming accustomed to the way she has been living while Odysseus has been gone and now all of a sudden the suitors are all dead. It probably surprised her. She insists on having her bed moved, but she then hears a mans voice saying it can not be moved because it is made from an olive tree, which the whole house has been constructed around. She immediately knows its Odysseus talking to her because he would be the only to know about these facts. Penelope is happy to finally be reunited with her husband.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
books 11-15
Question one
In book 11 Odysseus's descents into hades. I interpreted this descent metaphorically as a real descent into Odysseus's past as well in a way a descent into after life. I say this because as he travels into hades he is forced to make sacrifices which will then force him to speak to the spirits of the dead. These people are crewman, gods, and even family members of Odysseus. These spirits tell him there stories of how they passed and they also ask about there own family members who are still living. For example Odysseus's mother returns to tell Odysseus about his kingdom and why she passed away. She said she could not stay alive anymore because of her illness and wait for him to return to the land. Odysseus is overwhelmed by all this contact with the dead. I think it makes him relive some things that he does not want to remember like the war in Troy. When Odysseus arrives at Hades he speaks to his mother. He speaks to her because she wants to know what has happened to her kingdom. She is curious to know who has taken it over since Odysseus has left. She also wants to find out more about his wife and son. I also think they spoke because he felt some sort of incompleteness. He missed her.
Question 4
Eumaeus in a way represents Odysseus's friend. I say this because as soon as Odysseus arrrives he is greeted with hospitatlity. Meaning he is offered food and a nice warm place to stay. Eumaeus asks Odysseus questions that would distinguish a friendship, but Odysseus refuses to tell the truth and lies about who he actually is. He is pretending to be someone else and tells Eumaeus that he has already ventured back home. It doesn't make sense to me why he wouldn't tell the truth. Maybe because he didn't want Eumaeus to make a big deal about it or maybe just didn't want the attention on him. The reason for the move from the seashore to the hut was because that was where the pigs were. He was protecting them. After reading book 14 the transition represents excepting his past and moving forward. Although Odysseus did not reveal himself of who he really was he was able to see how much of a good friend Eumaeus was. I think that brought ease and comfort to Odysseus. I feel like as the text continues to build and build Odysseus starts to except his past.
In book 11 Odysseus's descents into hades. I interpreted this descent metaphorically as a real descent into Odysseus's past as well in a way a descent into after life. I say this because as he travels into hades he is forced to make sacrifices which will then force him to speak to the spirits of the dead. These people are crewman, gods, and even family members of Odysseus. These spirits tell him there stories of how they passed and they also ask about there own family members who are still living. For example Odysseus's mother returns to tell Odysseus about his kingdom and why she passed away. She said she could not stay alive anymore because of her illness and wait for him to return to the land. Odysseus is overwhelmed by all this contact with the dead. I think it makes him relive some things that he does not want to remember like the war in Troy. When Odysseus arrives at Hades he speaks to his mother. He speaks to her because she wants to know what has happened to her kingdom. She is curious to know who has taken it over since Odysseus has left. She also wants to find out more about his wife and son. I also think they spoke because he felt some sort of incompleteness. He missed her.
Question 4
Eumaeus in a way represents Odysseus's friend. I say this because as soon as Odysseus arrrives he is greeted with hospitatlity. Meaning he is offered food and a nice warm place to stay. Eumaeus asks Odysseus questions that would distinguish a friendship, but Odysseus refuses to tell the truth and lies about who he actually is. He is pretending to be someone else and tells Eumaeus that he has already ventured back home. It doesn't make sense to me why he wouldn't tell the truth. Maybe because he didn't want Eumaeus to make a big deal about it or maybe just didn't want the attention on him. The reason for the move from the seashore to the hut was because that was where the pigs were. He was protecting them. After reading book 14 the transition represents excepting his past and moving forward. Although Odysseus did not reveal himself of who he really was he was able to see how much of a good friend Eumaeus was. I think that brought ease and comfort to Odysseus. I feel like as the text continues to build and build Odysseus starts to except his past.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Books 6-10
Question one
After reading the assigned readings, we are introduced to Calypso. She is one of the goddesses and holds Odysseus captive on her island for seven years. While he is there she is her immortal husband. They take part in things that a married couple would take part in. Specifically sleeping together. As this relationship continues Odysseus begins to feel bad about what he has been doing and wants to return home to be with his wife Penelope. Calypso is a very seductive goddess as well as being maybe like a hopeless romantic. Meaning that she has really persuaded Odysseus to have this fake relationship with her because one she wants it and also I think because she knows its forbidden. He island represents this home away from home. Odysseus misses his home with his wife and Calypso has made it her job to create the atmosphere that he has been longing for. In a way I feel like she is the other woman. He has his life at home and then this life with her on her island that no one knows about. It very secretive. I can understand why Calypso would be an ambiguous character because at times she seems like she really cares about Odysseus and other times it seems as if she is working with the other gods to like plot something. Possibly his death. Calypso portrays an anti-penelope because she is young and beautiful. She also is very sexual and maybe more attentive then her. Or another way of looking at is that she does not take Penelope and Odysseus's marriage seriously because if she had she would have never made moves on him.
Question three
Book eight introduces Demodocus, the blind singer. This book introduces the important theme of competition. I say this because whenever Odysseus stops at these island on his journey home he is always faced with some sort of task that will either set him free and be excepted by the gods, or end in death or permanent stay. For example the athletic games. I think there is also another theme in this section of the assigned readings. It is reliving your past. As Odysseus goes on this journey back home he faces a lot of challenges. In Book eight for example when Demodocus starts singing it is extremely painful for Odysseus to hear this because it reminds him of when he was fighting in Troy, but in a way these challenges are good because he is able to work through them and kind of gain a better understanding of things that he went through. Demodocus becomes a key player in Odysseus's journey home because he reminds him of his past years. I think in a way this whole journey is a growing experience for him and Demodocus is finally letting those triggers out that will in a way help Odysseus grow.
Question three
Book eight introduces Demodocus, the blind singer. This book introduces the important theme of competition. I say this because whenever Odysseus stops at these island on his journey home he is always faced with some sort of task that will either set him free and be excepted by the gods, or end in death or permanent stay. For example the athletic games. I think there is also another theme in this section of the assigned readings. It is reliving your past. As Odysseus goes on this journey back home he faces a lot of challenges. In Book eight for example when Demodocus starts singing it is extremely painful for Odysseus to hear this because it reminds him of when he was fighting in Troy, but in a way these challenges are good because he is able to work through them and kind of gain a better understanding of things that he went through. Demodocus becomes a key player in Odysseus's journey home because he reminds him of his past years. I think in a way this whole journey is a growing experience for him and Demodocus is finally letting those triggers out that will in a way help Odysseus grow.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Odyssey books 1-5
Question 3
In the beginning chapters of the Odyssey we are introduced to the character Telemachus. He is the son of Odysseus and is only a young teenager. He feels responsible for the kingdom his father has left behind because he does not want anything bad happening to it. For example keeping it from the suitors. Having the responsibility of protecting the kingdom Telemachus has gained a lot of control and power, as well as confidence to stand up to people. Although he has gained this high amount of confidence he still does not compare to his father. Before Telemachus ventures on his journey he speaks to his mother and is very forward in what he says. He says, " mother go back to your quarters and tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well. As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house." This quote really represents the power Telemachus has taken on. He is the one who is in control and he expects everyone to obey him.
Question 4
I think it makes complete sense that we would hear Telemachus story before Odysseus. I think this because in order to get to the really important things you need all the history/facts before. Telemachus story is like the prelude to the Odyssey. It talks about how his father has not returned back home and poor Telemachus a young teenager has been left to take control over his fathers kingdom. It's a lot of pressure for such a young kid. The story wants you to get familiar with him first rather then the father because Telemachus is an offspring of Odysseus so in a way if we get to know him first then we assume that Odysseus is similar in personality.
In the beginning chapters of the Odyssey we are introduced to the character Telemachus. He is the son of Odysseus and is only a young teenager. He feels responsible for the kingdom his father has left behind because he does not want anything bad happening to it. For example keeping it from the suitors. Having the responsibility of protecting the kingdom Telemachus has gained a lot of control and power, as well as confidence to stand up to people. Although he has gained this high amount of confidence he still does not compare to his father. Before Telemachus ventures on his journey he speaks to his mother and is very forward in what he says. He says, " mother go back to your quarters and tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well. As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house." This quote really represents the power Telemachus has taken on. He is the one who is in control and he expects everyone to obey him.
Question 4
I think it makes complete sense that we would hear Telemachus story before Odysseus. I think this because in order to get to the really important things you need all the history/facts before. Telemachus story is like the prelude to the Odyssey. It talks about how his father has not returned back home and poor Telemachus a young teenager has been left to take control over his fathers kingdom. It's a lot of pressure for such a young kid. The story wants you to get familiar with him first rather then the father because Telemachus is an offspring of Odysseus so in a way if we get to know him first then we assume that Odysseus is similar in personality.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Chapters 37, 39-50
Topic one
The theme that I found to be most prominent in my readings was family feuds. We see this through out the book of Genesis but it really caught my attention in chapter 37. All I have to say is poor Joseph. I honestly feel bad for him because it is not his fault that his father favors him more over his other siblings. Because of this favoritism his brothers hated him. They hated how he received a coat of many colors and they hated him because of the things he would lecture them about. They started to feel as if Joseph thought lower of them, but he didn't at all. The brothers decided to do something horrific to Joseph. They thought about killing him which has been a common act throughout Genesis, but decided to sell him instead and pretend that he was killed by some animal. I do not agree with all of the favoritism that goes on in this story, but I can certainly relate to it. Although I'm the second born in my family I do always feel like I am the favorite because I usually get what I want, but I do no that is not completely true because my older brother could get what ever he wants, he just never asks for anything, but all in all my parents do love both of us equally and I wish that was portrayed more in these mythical stories.
Topic two
The second theme that I found to be interesting was death and forgiveness. At the end of the chapter and the completion of the story Joseph dies and is finally with god. His brothers are sadden by his death because they know they weren't the kindest to him. Joseph is quite understanding and has no grudge on his brothers for treating him poorly he basically forgives them. I think this takes a very unselfish person to forgive so easily. I know of people who have had problems with there siblings and it takes some time for them to forgive one another. I would be the same way. I don't forgive that easily especially when I have been betrayed so badly.
The theme that I found to be most prominent in my readings was family feuds. We see this through out the book of Genesis but it really caught my attention in chapter 37. All I have to say is poor Joseph. I honestly feel bad for him because it is not his fault that his father favors him more over his other siblings. Because of this favoritism his brothers hated him. They hated how he received a coat of many colors and they hated him because of the things he would lecture them about. They started to feel as if Joseph thought lower of them, but he didn't at all. The brothers decided to do something horrific to Joseph. They thought about killing him which has been a common act throughout Genesis, but decided to sell him instead and pretend that he was killed by some animal. I do not agree with all of the favoritism that goes on in this story, but I can certainly relate to it. Although I'm the second born in my family I do always feel like I am the favorite because I usually get what I want, but I do no that is not completely true because my older brother could get what ever he wants, he just never asks for anything, but all in all my parents do love both of us equally and I wish that was portrayed more in these mythical stories.
Topic two
The second theme that I found to be interesting was death and forgiveness. At the end of the chapter and the completion of the story Joseph dies and is finally with god. His brothers are sadden by his death because they know they weren't the kindest to him. Joseph is quite understanding and has no grudge on his brothers for treating him poorly he basically forgives them. I think this takes a very unselfish person to forgive so easily. I know of people who have had problems with there siblings and it takes some time for them to forgive one another. I would be the same way. I don't forgive that easily especially when I have been betrayed so badly.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Chapters 25-28, 32-33
Question 1
There are many problems that arise from these two firstborn sons. Some examples are that the Lord made one stronger then the other. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Each son was favored but one person in particular. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game. Rebekah loved Jacob. I think twinship seems to compound the problems we have already seen with brothers because each son should have been equally loved by the same person and by creating extreme differences between the two, that would cause some sort of jealousy amongst each of the brothers.
Question 2
Both Isaac and Rebekah are parents who are looking for satisfaction out of there two sons. Except Isaac favors Esau and Rebekah favors Jacob. I would say that Isaac is a more straight forward kind of father. He expects a lot out of his first born son but not so much out of Jacob. Therefor he does favor one more then the other. I think Rebekah feels bad for Jacob and wants him to be excepted by his father too. She tells Jacob to go hunt for game and prepare it and then your father will bless you. Jacob ends up hunting it and dresses up like Esau to trick his father into blessing him instead of Esau. I dont blame him for doing what he did he just wants to be excepted by his father.
Question 3
When Jacob has his dream he dreamt that
There are many problems that arise from these two firstborn sons. Some examples are that the Lord made one stronger then the other. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Each son was favored but one person in particular. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game. Rebekah loved Jacob. I think twinship seems to compound the problems we have already seen with brothers because each son should have been equally loved by the same person and by creating extreme differences between the two, that would cause some sort of jealousy amongst each of the brothers.
Question 2
Both Isaac and Rebekah are parents who are looking for satisfaction out of there two sons. Except Isaac favors Esau and Rebekah favors Jacob. I would say that Isaac is a more straight forward kind of father. He expects a lot out of his first born son but not so much out of Jacob. Therefor he does favor one more then the other. I think Rebekah feels bad for Jacob and wants him to be excepted by his father too. She tells Jacob to go hunt for game and prepare it and then your father will bless you. Jacob ends up hunting it and dresses up like Esau to trick his father into blessing him instead of Esau. I dont blame him for doing what he did he just wants to be excepted by his father.
Question 3
When Jacob has his dream he dreamt that
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Sunday, February 5, 2012
Cahpters 12, 16-18, 21-23
Question 1
Abram/Abraham reacts the way he does before going to Egypt because I think he is scared of what he might face once he gets there. Another reason why I think he reacts the way he does because he is lying. I think he is scared of getting caught in his own lie, which does end up happening. Instead of lying from the beginning about his wife pretending to be his sister he should have told the truth even if the consequences were not so good. By him lying his consequences were worse I think. When a person is meeting someone for the first time they want to impress and they would do anything in order for that to happen such as lying, but lying doesn't benefit anyone. It is best to be who you really are and always tell the truth because it gets you further in life.
Question 2
When reading the story from Sarahs perspective I believe she remains quite because she is just obeying her husband. By obeying him it is somewhat protecting him. Another way of looking at her perspective is that maybe secretly she wanted to be with Pharaoh. I don't think she gained anything here in this situation. Lying just got both her and Abraham into bigger trouble.
Question 4
I think god test Abraham with killing his son because he is the ruler and whatever he says should go. God was seeing if Abraham was loyal to him and willing to do whatever he told him to do. By listening to what god ordered him to say is in a way really believing in him. God now sees Abraham as a loyal follower. I think god needs more proof from Abraham about how loyal he really is even though he has already done so much because its like the constant reassurance. People in power need to know 24/7 how powerful they really are because it builds up there confidence. The story really states that Abraham is very loyal to the divine one. I think Abraham believes that if he does all of these things for god then he will somewhat be rewarded. Like for example
Abram/Abraham reacts the way he does before going to Egypt because I think he is scared of what he might face once he gets there. Another reason why I think he reacts the way he does because he is lying. I think he is scared of getting caught in his own lie, which does end up happening. Instead of lying from the beginning about his wife pretending to be his sister he should have told the truth even if the consequences were not so good. By him lying his consequences were worse I think. When a person is meeting someone for the first time they want to impress and they would do anything in order for that to happen such as lying, but lying doesn't benefit anyone. It is best to be who you really are and always tell the truth because it gets you further in life.
Question 2
When reading the story from Sarahs perspective I believe she remains quite because she is just obeying her husband. By obeying him it is somewhat protecting him. Another way of looking at her perspective is that maybe secretly she wanted to be with Pharaoh. I don't think she gained anything here in this situation. Lying just got both her and Abraham into bigger trouble.
Question 4
I think god test Abraham with killing his son because he is the ruler and whatever he says should go. God was seeing if Abraham was loyal to him and willing to do whatever he told him to do. By listening to what god ordered him to say is in a way really believing in him. God now sees Abraham as a loyal follower. I think god needs more proof from Abraham about how loyal he really is even though he has already done so much because its like the constant reassurance. People in power need to know 24/7 how powerful they really are because it builds up there confidence. The story really states that Abraham is very loyal to the divine one. I think Abraham believes that if he does all of these things for god then he will somewhat be rewarded. Like for example
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