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Post by Mr. Thomas on Oct 17, 2013 16:54:31 GMT -5
Post responses here.
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Post by chrisnoble on Oct 17, 2013 19:18:00 GMT -5
B. The significance of Circe telling Odysseus all he will need to know about his sailing trip is very important. If Circe didn’t tell Odysseus all of this information, Odysseus and his men would have probably died. “First you will raise the island of the Sirens, those creatures who spellbind any man alive, whoever comes their way” (page 272 lines 44-46). “And halfway up that cliffside stands a fog-bound cavern gaping west toward Erebus, realm of death and darkness-past it, great Odysseus you should steer your ship” (page 274 lines 89-91). This information that Circe gives to Odysseus can be the difference between life and death for Odysseus. Odysseus now knows what to expect during his trip.
E. I feel that Odysseus relies on other people a lot. I believe that if people don’t tell him what is ahead, he would be dead. “They bound me hand and foot in the tight ship-erect at the mast-block, lashed by ropes to the mast and rowed and churned the whitecaps stroke on stroke.” (page 276-277 lines 194-196). If Circe didn’t tell Odysseus what to do when he reached Sirens’ island, then Odysseus would have been attracted toward the music.
G. If I was Odysseus when he is listening to Circe as she tells him all he needs to know, I would be nervous. I would be nervous because I have no idea what to expect and by the way she is describing things, it seems to be very dangerous. I would feel grateful that Circe told me all she knows about these things but I would still be nervous about the trip.
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Post by eddieditolla on Oct 17, 2013 20:12:10 GMT -5
Eddie DiTolla
Mr. Thomas
English 10
17 October 2013
The Odyssey Book 12
D. Some lines that I like in book 12 were “And half way up that Cliffside stands a fog-bound cavern gaping west toward Erebus, realm of death and darkness – pass it great Odysseus, you should steer your ship.” (Book 12 lines 89 – 91) I liked these lines because it kind of talks about death. I figured since the cavern is facing west, since the sun rises in the east then it describes darknes or in other words death. Circe is telling this to Odysseus, and after those lines It talks about the crag on the left named Scylla. Also since the Scylla is on the left I think it would represent the devil because the devil is always on your left shoulder. Another set of lines that I liked were “Don’t be there when the whirlpool swallows down – not even the earthquake god could save you from disaster. No, hug Scylla’s crag – sail on past her – top speed! Better by far to lose six men and keep your ship than lose your entire crew.” (Book 12 lines 117 – 121) I enjoyed these lines because it compares the two rags. The second crag is worse because it compares to Scylla’s crag with is not that bad because he would rather lose six men to Scylla and keep his ship instead of losing his entire crew.
E. My reactions to Circe to helping Odysseus are good because if she didn’t tell Odysseus about the two crags he would have been doomed. Another reaction I felt that irce was good ws that she let sailors and Odysseus sleep there for the night and then give them a great wind, again to get off to their trip home. “And so we saw to his rites, each step in turn. Nor did our coming back from Death escape Circe – she hurried toward us, decked in rich regalia, handmaids following close with trays of bread and meats galore and glinting ruddy wine. Come, take some food and drink some wine, rest here the livelong day.” (Book 12 lines 16 – 20 & 25 – 26) Lastly, my reactions to all of her doings I thought it was grateful for Odysseus that she told that if he didn’t do this thing then there will be consequences, so she kind of told to be aware and make good decisions.
H. The part of Book 12 I chose to make and describe a scene is when they enter Scylla’s crag. For Odysseus I would have Johnny Depp play his part. So the set of the scene would is with dense thick fog on a cloudy day just like many parts in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. They would be on a ship like the Black Pearl (ship that was lost in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies), but there would be no cannons and also there would be long oars. So when they enter the crag/ obstacle course they are really nervous and Odysseus is looking for Scylla and he can’t even see the water. So just out of nowhere Scylla comes and takes six men of Odysseus just like what Circe said. Lastly, the rocks are huge and they are pointy like spears. Sadly in the end Odysseus watches some of his fellow crew mates go and fall into her cavern.
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Post by robertmaruca on Oct 17, 2013 20:22:12 GMT -5
The Odyssey Book Twelve
B. The part when Eurylochus rallies his mates and gets them to kill the cattle while Odysseus was on the mountain is very significant to the book. If Eurylochus just listened to Odysseus and didn’t kill Helos’ cattle then they would be able to sail back easily when the favorable wind came along. When the cattles are slaughtered and eaten Helos cries out to Zeus, and Zeus strikes the lightning bolt which kills all of Odysseus’ mates. Ten the south wind brings Odysseus back to Scylla who tortures Odysseus with her brute force which ultimately sends Odysseus to the island of the nymph Calypso. If the inpatient crew members just listened to Odysseus when everybody would probably be alive and they would already be back in Ithaca
E. I completely disagree with the decision Eurylochus made to kill the cattle. This scene shows how self centered and incompetent Odysseus’ crew members are. I know they were starving but why would they jeopardize their journey back home for sacred cattle that are important to Helos. They obviously didn’t know that the mighty gods were going to get involved, because if they did know that the gods were to get involved I hope they wouldn’t have killed the cattle. Ultimately its Eurylochus’ fault that he and his mates die.
F. The relationship between Odysseus and his mates is clearly a fragile one because Odysseus is trying to help the whole crew, while the mates are only concerned about themselves. Odysseus as leader was unable to focus his sailors and that is why they rebelled and did not follow the rules of their captain. No the relationship doesn’t even exist anymore because all of the crew members are dead.
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Post by alfredfrederic on Oct 17, 2013 23:22:10 GMT -5
B) We now know the story of how Odysseus ended up on Calypso’s island. After all the garbage Odysseus went through to get so close to home. His men had to ruin it by killing the animals of Helios. I can understand why he seemed annoyed. Why didn’t he stop them? This book explains a few questions we’ve been wondering the answers to. Now we know that his men caused this mess in the first place, along with the ship wreck and problems. All because of his “loyal” crew and men not heeding his warning.
C) It still doesn’t make sense to me that the men killed the cattle even though they were warned not to. Didn’t Odysseus tell them not to? Did he forget to? What is a siren? Is it another type of Greek god? Are they important to the story? Or is it just another minor part?
G) I would be annoyed by my men at the end of this chapter. I mean after the warning about not to kill the animals, they still do it anyway! Odysseus knows that because of that, now his journey is going to be a whole lot tougher. I would be so annoyed at my men for killing those animals. I would want them dead because that’s what they just got doomed to. Now Odysseus will lose all his men and everything he has because of this mess up on his part. You can tell by what his reaction is, that things will be harder from now on.
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Post by gonzaleza16 on Oct 18, 2013 4:57:58 GMT -5
Anthony Gonzalez
English 10
Book 12
F. It seems to me that the crew mates trust Eurylochus more than Odysseus. They obviously listen to him more than they listen to Odysseuswhich is a problem because it shows a lack of leadership from Odysseus side.
I. Alfred the men killed to cattle because they did not want to starve and in a way they were bored and tired of hunting birds and fish and needed something more than just those things.
G. If I was Odysseus and we were in the scene where Odysseus I was commanding all his crew on what to do I picture Jack Sparrow because he commands all his crew to do something and then things start coming out of the water and grab the crew off the ship and into the sea. It just reminds me of that for no reason.
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Post by VonGarcia on Oct 18, 2013 10:26:14 GMT -5
C.) “First you will raise the island of the Sirens, those creatures who spellbind any man alive, whoever comes their way”. What are the Sirens that are described in this book? Are they some type of mermaid? It also says that they use their sweet voices, which really gives me the picture that they are a mermaid like creature. Also, why did Circe give Odysseus different routes going home? Why couldn’t she give him only one? Is this some type of trap that when he chooses the wrong path he dies? And why on earth did he have to sacrifice six men and hug a cliff? How was that supposed to save him?
E.) As I’ve mention, I don’t think it was logical to hug a cliff and sacrifice six men to save him. But I also noticed how helpful Circe has been for Odysseus. If it wasn’t for her tips and advice, Odysseus would NEVER MAKE IT HOME. I also don’t like how he lost his best men. Why not his useless ones?
F.) In response to @eddie. I totally agree with you when you say how helpful Circe has been for Him. Not only did she tell him to go to the underworld, but she also gives him instructions that would’ve caused his death if he didn’t know what he was supposed to do.
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Post by jcktffy on Oct 30, 2013 20:24:34 GMT -5
One thing that troubles me throughout book 12 was why Zeus punished Odysseus and not just his men alone. Odysseus does nothing wrong and does the right thing by telling his men not slaughter the cattle.Zeus should also punish Eurylochus because he as the one who convinced his men to slaughter the cattle.
I like the part of the book when we finally find out why Zeus ruined Odysseus' ship. I have been wondering for a while now and it finally makes sense as to why it happens. I do not believe that Odysseus should have nearly dies though because he did not deserve it.
I agree with Chris Nobles point that these two quotes are very essential to Odysseus’ life. “First you will raise the island of the Sirens, those creatures who spellbind any man alive, whoever comes their way” (page 272 lines 44-46). “And halfway up that cliffside stands a fog-bound cavern gaping west toward Erebus, realm of death and darkness-past it, great Odysseus you should steer your ship” (page 274 lines 89-91). If Circe did not tell Odysseus these thing he would have most likely been dead.
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