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.
The Greek culture to me is like one big family. When one goes to war, they often call upon their allies in other Greek cities. Whenever someone is a visiting guest in their city they treat them just like family, they lavishly provide food, shelter, clothing, and bathing. Greeks also seem to love the finer things in life but are quite fine without them as well, they take pride in what they create and are ever vigilant to fight for their countries. The Greeks value a strong household and quality goods. They don’t make lousy equipment; whenever they make something they put their hard work and effort into what they are doing and never cease to do so. Men in Greek culture are real men they are strong providers, soldiers, hunters, sailors, men are the real physical aspect of the Greek world. The men in the Greek world are renowned for great feats of heroism and courageous deeds in the face of danger. Women in Greek culture have many roles some are worshiped as deities and some are powerful warriors as well. One thing that all women are in Greek culture is a Beautiful, spellbinding enchantress, although mortal women were not as adapt as goddesses to perform magic. Their Beauty and sway over men affected the course of Greek history. There were 12 different main Olympian Gods in ancient Greece, the supreme ruler of the gods was Zeus, and his wife was Hera, his sister. The other 10 were Poseidon god of the sea, Hades god of the underworld, Dionysus god of wine, Hestia goddess of Home, Hermes the gods messenger, Ares god of war, Aphrodite goddess of love, Demeter goddess of fertile earth, Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, Apollo is the god of prophecy, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, and Hephaestus is the god of fire, and workmanship. All the gods played a pivotal role in Greek culture and values. Each god is centered on a very important aspect of Greek life. The more important the aspect of culture, the more important the god is.
2. What resonated with you in reading about Odysseus’ adventures? Why?
I was deeply affected by his heroism in the face of danger. Odysseus had a blatant disregard for his own life when it came to saving the lives of his own men. He showed great determination in getting back to his wife even in the direst of circumstances. Two parts in the movie, and the book were really interesting because it showed how much the gods liked to play with mortals like they were just little toys sometimes. The two parts also showed me how much women in the ancient Greek world could throw a trance over men with beauty. The two goddesses held Odysseus on their islands for elongated times each venture. They used all their tricks on him to stay; they offered him endless sex, power, immortality, and more. But Odysseus refused the great gifts he had been offered and returned home to his wife Penelope.
3. This epic poem is dated nearly 3000 years ago, why is it still relevant?
The Odyssey shows people today what the human race is capable of, facing great challenges and winning despite all odds. People read it because it inspires hope and heroism, things that many people lack today because our low self esteem. When people read the Odyssey maybe they are hoping that some of it will rub off on them. Historians might also read the Odyssey to better understand Greek culture and draw from it a better picture of what life was back then, because of them studying the odyssey and other epic poems we are able to draw a better mental picture of what life was like back then. Because we know more about how it looked like and how people acted, people can them make feature films about epic poems like the Odyssey.
4. How would you characterize the narrator, the fictive “Homer” whose voice we imagine as singing the verses of the Odyssey?
I would make Homer out to be an old man, maybe not as wise as people make him out to be but maybe an innovator of his time. He chose to write down the odyssey to make it easier for future generation to remember. But we really know no credible evidence of his existence or anything about him.
5. What kinds of behavior are treated as contemptible in the Odyssey?
One aspect around Greek culture that has special importance is how you treat your geust. When you receive geust you treat them with respect and offer them food and what you can and be as gracious as you can.
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.)
Women in ancient Greece share a wide spectrum of archetypes. Penelope and Eurycleia are both loyal while some of Odysseus’ maidservents are unfaithful and throw away their homes for lust. Helen of sparta in the poem is expressed as a beautiful woman yet slightly promiscuous.
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?
The Gods and Goddesses of ancient Greece act like humans, most base their actions on emotions they have like lust, or anger. They can interfere with ventures people set forth on. They seem to just play around with humans, they often mate with humans and bring forth offspring that are often stronger, smarter, and overall better humans. The Gods believe the humans owe them everything and they are just there because the Gods allow them to be.
