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Post by Mr. Thomas on Sept 30, 2013 6:55:58 GMT -5
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Post by kyleconnolly on Sept 30, 2013 18:10:14 GMT -5
C) I was a bit confused as to who the cicones were. I know Odysseus had sailed to the land of Ismarus, and it describes him sacking the city, plundering not only the city but the women as well, which was to be shared for all of the Trojans with Odysseus, so none of them missed out on the spoils. As for the men, they were killed by Odysseus’ men, which led me to my second question. That is, if all the men were killed, and all the women were captured, how did other ciclones spread the word to the rest of the people in the land? “And all the while the Cicones sought out other Cicones, called for help from their neighbors inland: a larger force, and stronger soldiers too, skilled hands at fighting men from chariots, skilled, when a crisis broke, to fight on foot.” (Book 9 Lines 54-68)
E) In my opinion I think that Odysseus is greedy. It says that he saw the sheeps and goats that belonged to the cyclops from a distance away and he went to the island. He didn’t care about the safety of himself or his crew, he went to the island looking for more, especially right after him and his men had just received a lot of meat from one of the daughters of Zeus. “I’ll go across with my own ship and crew and probe the natives living there.” (Book 9 Lines 93-94)
F) In the book I believe that the men of Odysseus are dependent on him because they will do anything he says. They know they are traveling to an island of a cyclops, and the dangers that come with that journey. Odysseus says “With that I boarded my ship and told the crew to embark at once and cast off cables quickly.” (Book 9 Lines 95-96) The crew members listened to what Odysseus said no matter what the circumstance.
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Post by chrisnoble on Sept 30, 2013 18:39:53 GMT -5
A. “ Quickly we fetched our curved bows and hunting spears from the ships and, splitting up into three bands, we started shooting, and soon enough some god had sent us bags of game to warm our hearts” (page 216 lines 172-175). This reminds me of when I was watching a TV show and people had to survive in the wild. They couldn’t find any food or water, then all of a sudden they found a river full of fish.
D. “And all the while the Cicones sought out other Cicones, called for help from their neighbors living inland: a larger force, and stronger soldiers too, skilled hands at fighting men from chariots, skilled, when a crisis broke, to fight on foot” (page 213 lines 54-58). I liked this quote because it shows that the people of this time weren’t “caveman-like”. It shows that these people were intelligent because it says that the soldiers were able to fight on foot or on chariot and that they were skilled people.
E. I was very surprised that goats were the animals that were on the Cyclops’ island. Why goats? Why not frogs or penguins? “Now, a level island stretches flat across the harbor, not close inshore to the Cyclops’ coast, not too far out, thick with woods where the wild goats breed by hundreds” (page 215 lines 128-131). Although this may seem weird to some readers, that goats are the popular animal, it gives the story a little twist. Instead of a common animal, like birds, goats make the story unique and one of a kind.
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Post by nicholasleong on Sept 30, 2013 18:56:21 GMT -5
E. I agree with Kyle where he says “In my opinion I think that Odysseus is greedy. It says that he saw the sheep’s and goats that belonged to the Cyclops from a distance away and he went to the island. He didn’t care about the safety of himself or his crew, he went to the island looking for more, especially right after him and his men had just received a lot of meat from one of the daughters of Zeus. “I’ll go across with my own ship and crew and probe the natives living there.” I also agree that Odysseus is very greedy and he doesn’t care about his crew or even what would happen to them if the Cyclops got them. However he does end up caring after all his crew dies. I feel like Odysseus was not thinking about the future or really anything except the sheep at that time and it really came back to hurt him.
C. One question that I have is that who was the group of people called the Cicones. Another question that I have is was Ilium the stop where he went out of troy to go back to his home land or is it just a rest stop that he had when he went too coming back from troy.
D. Responding to Chris Noble where he says “I was very surprised that goats were the animals that were on the Cyclops’ island. Why goats? Why not frogs or penguins? The Cyclops had sheep on his islands because of the fact is I think it was what the Cyclops ate for his meal.
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Post by eddieditolla on Sept 30, 2013 19:00:24 GMT -5
Eddie DiTolla
Mr. Thomas
English 10
30 September 2013
Odyssey Book 9 Lines 1 – 287
C. I was confused in the beginning of book nine when it says “But now you’re set on probing the bitter pains I’ve borne, so I’m to weep and grieve, it seems, still more. Well then, what shall I go through first, what shall I save for last? What pains- the gods have given me my share.” Pg. 211-212 lines 12-16 I know that Odysseus is saying these lines but, I am confused on what is he talking about is he talking about that he should talk about where his is from, and why the gods hate? I am also confused about the second part “What pains- the gods have given me my share.” Is Odysseus talking how the gods have almost literally, mentally, and physically killed? I don’t know.
D. The lines I like in Book 9 lines 1- 287 were “ I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, known to the world for every kind of craft my fame has reached the skies. Sunny Ithaca is my home. Atop her stands our seamark, Mount Neriton’s leafy ridges shimmering in the wind. Around her a ring of islands circle side-by-side, rearing into the western dusk while the others face the east and breaking day. Mine is a rugged land but good for raising sons- and I myself, I know no sweeter sight on earth than a man’s own native country.” Pg. 212 lines 21-32. I like these lines because odyssey is finally explain to Alcinous who he is and he is actually kind of saying it like a poem; at I am thinking that way. He is also explaining how beautiful Ithaca is and that he has sons, and also the chain of islands sitting side-by-side. I like these lines because after reading some of the books we finally get to the point when Odysseus explains his whole life situation in a story to the King.
I. I agree with Kyle Connolly because I was a bit confused as to who Cicones is. I agree with him because I am confused on who or what this guy is there for. I also agree with Chris Noble and why does the animal on Cyclops Island have to be a goat why not any other animal.
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Post by alfredfrederic on Sept 30, 2013 19:41:27 GMT -5
C) I am still wondering, why did Odysseus decide to go to the giant’s island? Why did he only bring a small group onto the island, and why did they bring wine with them? How did he get that wine after saving the priest of Apollo? What did they do to the women and loot they captured from the battle? After dividing them among themselves? What gave Odysseus the idea to sail onto the island in the first place?
E) I am really stunned by what Odysseus said they did to the conquered states. They looted them, killed them men and took the women and children? That is sick and messed up for our time, no one would think of doing that now. It sounds brutal what they did. Why did they do it? Was it common practice back then?
I) Kyle Connolly, Odysseus’ men may seem dependent, however they follow Odysseus out of respect. Odysseus is a brilliant strategist and a highly respected military leader. What he said, his man probably assumed was that right course. I mean, he hasn’t done anything to doubt himself, and has done stuff to win the loyalty of his troops. Its understandable that they would trust him enough to go to the Cyclops’s island with him. You trust your leader if they seem trustworthy. Wouldn’t you, go into battle or do something crazy for a guy who has made it through all of those things? Its pretty much a matter of loyalty in his troops, that is probably why.
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Post by martinsteffens on Sept 30, 2013 20:06:53 GMT -5
The Odyssey Book 9 E) kyleconnolly and @nicholasleaong I believe that Odysseus is greedy too. First off he does not care for his ship or his crew. To prove that he did not care what would have happened if or when the Cyclops had gotten the rest of his crew. The only thing that he was caring were the sheep and I think that is weird because I feel people usually do not care about the animals at all and only care about the people but this obviously shows that I am wrong. C) I see that a lot of people have this question too, who are the people Cicones. I see that they were enemies of Odysseus but I have no clue of why. F) kyleconnolly I also agree with you here. The shipmates are very dependent of Odysseus. I feel they would not be able to return home without the help of Odysseus. They would not have been able to fight the Cyclops. |
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Post by robertmaruca on Sept 30, 2013 21:23:06 GMT -5
The Odyssey Book 9 Lines 1-287
A. When Odysseus is telling King Alcinous the story of his long journey it reminds me of something we do. Usually if we go visit family in another country or state we tell them about our trip. We talk about the difficulties and the things just annoyed us. This is what Odysseus is doing. He is telling the king what happened to him on his journey to Phaeacia. Odysseus talks about Zeus striking his ship, the land of the lotus eaters, and the Cyclops’ island. I connect very well to this scene in the book.
C. Zeus, why would you strike the ship of Odysseus and his crewmates? Did you just make a mistake by misplacing your lightning bolt? Did you do this with any intent because Odysseus did something to you? I just don’t know why you would such a thing without any explanation or reason.
F. I am noticing that the relationship between King Alcinous and Odysseus is getting stronger when each book goes by. Odysseus is placing his confidentiality in the king and the Phaeacians by telling them a very personal story. Odysseus is not ashamed of his story and I think he is repaying King Alcinous for all the hospitality he has been shown by telling the truth. I think it is very brave of Odysseus to tell King Alcinous who he really is, even though we know Odysseus always tries to keep his identity hidden. He has not told anyone who he is without the question being asked first
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Post by VonGarcia on Sept 30, 2013 21:54:48 GMT -5
D. "Now let me begin by telling you my name… so you may know it well and I in times to come, if I can escape the fatal day, will be your host,your sworn friend, though home is far from here." I enjoyed this line very much because he finally tells them the big secret! I've been waiting for this moment throughout the past one and a half book. I also enjoyed the untold stories of his journey between Troy and to being stuck with Calypsso. Also, we finally fern the reason as to why Zeus is furious with Odysseus.
C. I'm wondering what their reactions will be when Odysseus is done telling them his story. Will they welcome him and help him finally get home? Or will they change their view of him being Odysseus and not help him anymore?
E. I'm surprised why Odysseus wanted to go into the cave. I thought it was kind of bizarre to have wine. Also, all my sympathy for Odysseus just disappeared when he talked about how they "conquered the land". They killed the men and took their women. I feel like he deserved all of this that he's going through.
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Post by victorpasquin on Sept 30, 2013 23:31:57 GMT -5
C) Throughout Book 9, I was confused as to why Odysseus went to the giant's island is the first place. Since he did go to the island, why did he bring such a small group of troops with him? In addition, why did his troops bring wine with them? Overall, out of confusion, my main question is why did Odysseus bring him and his men onto the giant's island?
E) Personally, I think that Odysseus is a greedy person. In Book 9, it says that Odysseus sees flocks of sheep and goats. These had belonged to the cyclops, and Odysseus, not caring about the safety of him and his men, decided to go after more flocks of animals. It says, "I'll go across with my own ship and crew and probes the natives living there."
(Book 9 Lines 93-94).
F) I believe that Odysseus' crew members are too dependent on him. It seems as though they will do anything for Odysseus regardless of the situation that they are in. When Odysseus is traveling to the island of the cyclops, his people know that it is going to be extremely dangerous but they go with no questions asked. Odysseus says, "With that I boarded my ship and told the crew to embark at once and cast off cable quickly."(Book 9 Lines 95-96) In this example, his crew members unwillingly board the ship and go on the trip regardless of the situation.
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Post by luissantana on Oct 1, 2013 22:00:44 GMT -5
D) “Now, a level island stretches flat across the harbor.” This seems like a great sight to see. For some reason there seems to be great imagery. There’s always a description of a place that always makes me imagine some place inside of my head. It is always a great sight to see. It seems like a picture a photographer would take a picture of.
E) I think it is great what Odysseus is doing right now by telling the story. The reason why I think it is so great is because he is finally telling them what they wanted to hear. The reason why I think it is good is because all the people were so good to him, so why couldn’t he just tell them his true story. Another reason why I think it is good that he is telling them is because that is all the people asked him about, but he would never give a straight answer. It wasn’t as if there was anything bad that they would do for him telling them his story most of the people were good to him
G) I am so glad that I was able to tell them my story. They have been asking me a lot about who I am, but for some reason I was just scared to tell them. But I am glad that I am able to tell the people who I really am. I was able to see who they were and now they know my story. It was kind of hard coming out to tell them the story but I felt as if I just had to.
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Post by peterboustani on Oct 2, 2013 23:17:59 GMT -5
Peter Boustani
C. The one point and question that I still have about the story as a whole is why Zeus did everything he had done to Odysseus' crew, such as after their rapid escape from death, Zeus did not let them go easily, causing harsh winds destroying their ship and throwing them off course, causing pain and suffering to the entire crew. We see when Odysseus says "There I sacked the city, killed the men, but as for the wives and plunder, that rich haul dragged away from the place - we shared it round so no one, not on my account, would go deprived on his fair share of spoils." This made me think that maybe Zeus was anger for Odysseus pillaging that village but it still felt very unclear, as they never specify if maybe it was a Zues appreciating city or something that would have made it something Zeus felt he must protect.
D. One part that I enjoyed but felt when reflecting was actually pretty horrific was the fate of some of Odysseus' crew members. "Any crew member who ate the lotus, the honey-sweet fruit, lost all desire to send a message to send a message back, much less return..." this idea honestly scares me as these men who just fought in a tremendous war who are dying to go home literally become brain dead Lotus-eaters as they are called. It reminds me of the idea of the parsecs that is the insect that can take over the mind and all other concerns of another insect, which is why I enjoyed and also felt very frightened from this part.
I. I disagree with what Kyle says about Odysseus' crew because although it is true that Odysseus' crew most of the time follow what Odysseus says, when they are on the Cicones island and Odysseus told them to leave his crew refused and continued to do what they were doing.
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