Station 1I am Laertes’ Son

1. Read the story “I am Laertes’ Son” p.1043-1046

2. As a group, discuss the story and the questions.

Use a thesaurus!Connotation: Label your paper with 4 columns: stubborn, persistent, pig-headed, and tenacious. Consult the thesaurus for the meanings of any of the terms that are unfamiliar to you and then choose the term that each person in your group would like to fit under.1. Why does each person fit in this group?2. Refer to Odysseus’ statement, "I am Laertes‘ son, Odysseus, formidable for guile in peace and war…" 3. Discuss whether Odysseus is bragging or apologizing for his conduct.

4. What other words could he have substituted for guile? How are these words different in shades of meaning? What does this suggest to you? 

Station 2Greek Terms in the Odyssey

1. __________: a story that explains an unexplainable event; For example: Long ago, people tried to explain earthquakes by saying that giant monsters were stomping below the surface of the earth.

2. RHAPSODE: rhapsode is the __________ word for a ________ (a traveling storyteller/ poet)

3. ____________ ____ _________: asking the muses for inspiration and help with telling a story. The beginning prologue is called an ______________

4. ___________ _________: an extended comparison using “like” or “as” (usually mounts in excitement as it goes on) and compares something simple and “every-day” to something of epic proportions

5. __________: a descriptive adjective or phrase used to characterize someone or something; for example: “yellow-bellied coward,” “Catherine the Great,” “raider of cities, “loved of Zeus”

6. ____________: a gross exaggeration

7. ________ ________: a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds

1. An epic poem’s narrative opens ____ _______ _____(“in the middle of things”).2. An epic poem’s _________ is vast in scope.

8. _______ ________: a main character in an epic whose legendary or heroic actions are central to his/her culture, race, or nation; a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society;

7 traits of an epic hero:

1. An epic hero is _____________. He is braver, stronger, smarter, and cleverer than an ordinary person is. 2. The epic hero is ____ ___ ______ for something of great value to him or his people.

3. The epic hero _________ _________. The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are usually uglier, more evil, and more cunning than anyone we know in ordinary life. 4. The epic hero is often of mixed divine and human birth and so possesses __________ weaknesses. 5. The divine world (______ or __________) interfere with the human world (called “machinery”).6. The epic hero returns home significantly ___________ by his journey.7. In his journey, the epic hero covers great geographical distances and even visits the ___________, other worlds, and/ or other times.

Greek Values and Themes

1. *value cunning over strength2. *value homeland3. *respect for the gods4. *importance of hospitality5. *value youth and beauty 6. *rhetorical abilities (admiration for those who speak well)

Station 3Odyssey Introduction

1. Read the Introduction to The Odyssey

2. Select five (5) important facts about what you read.

3. Record your five facts and create a picture note for each one.

4. Put your facts and pictures into a chart format.

Station 4 The Island of the Lotus Eaters

1. Read the story, “The Lotus Eaters” 2. As a group, discuss the story 3. Answer the questions in short answer form

THE ODYSSEY: THE LOTUS EATERSREADING FOCUS

Directions: Read the passages below and answer the questions that follow:

Odysseus tells what happens after he and his men left the island of Ismarus:

(1) “From Ismarus we sailed, with heavy hearts for the

loyal friends lost, though happy to have escaped death

ourselves. Nor would I let the curved ships leave till we had

called three times in ritual to each of our luckless comrades,

who died there on the plain, at the hands of the Cicones. But

Zeus, the Cloud-Gatherer, stirred the north wind against our

ships, in a blinding tempest, hiding the land and sea alike in cloud, while darkness swept from

the sky. Headlong the ships were driven, sails torn to shreds by the force of the gale. In terror of

death, we lowered the masts on deck, and rowed the vessels wildly towards land.

          (2) “There we stayed for two days and nights, troubled at heart with weariness and grief.

But when Dawn of the lovely tresses gave birth to the third day, we upped masts, hoisted the

white sails, and took our seats aboard, and the wind and helmsman kept us on course. Now I

would have reached home safely, but as I was rounding Cape Malea, the north wind and waves

and the ocean currents beat me away, off course, past Cythera.

         (3) “For nine days I was driven by fierce winds over the teeming sea where countless sea

creatures lurked all around us. I witnessed with my own eyes every sort of ocean creature

imaginable. I saw an enormous, leathery black tail rise high

above the surface of the sea, monstrous sharks hungrily

followed our ship like greedy children lusting for candy, and

slimy tentacles were seen clinging to the sides of our ship.

Despite our years of experience and knowledge of the sea, the

mystery of the ocean depths was taking its toll on us.

However, on the tenth, we set foot on the shores of the Lotus-eaters, who eat its flowery food.

On land, we drew water, and my friends ate by the ships. Once we had tasted food and drink, I

sent some of the men inland to discover what kind of human beings lived there, selecting two

and sending a third as herald.

(4) They left at once and came upon the Lotus-eaters, who had no thought of killing my

comrades but gave them lotus to eat. Those who ate the honey-sweet lotus fruit no longer

wished to bring back word to us or sail for home. They wanted to stay with the Lotus-eaters,

eating the lotus, forgetting all thoughts of return. I dragged those men back to the shore myself

by force, while they wept, and bound them tight in the hollow ships, pushing them under the

benches. Then I ordered my men to embark quickly on the fast craft, fearing that others would

eat the lotus and forget their homes. They boarded swiftly and took their place on the benches

then sitting in their rows struck the grey water with their oars.”

Questions based on “The Lotus Eaters”

1. What does Odysseus mean when he says that he and his men have “heavy hearts”?a. Their hearts were heavyb. They were angryc. They all had bad heartsd. They were all very sad

2. Why does Odysseus make his men call “three times in ritual to each of our luckless comrades, who died there on the plain”? a. To keep evil spirits awayb. To honor those men who died fighting the Ciconesc. To curse those who died fighting the Ciconesd. To curse the Cicones

3. What does Zeus do to the weather and what effect does this have on Odysseus and his men?

4. Based on the information in paragraph 2, what keeps Odysseus from reaching his homeland?a. White sailsb. Cape Maleac. The strong windsd. Cythera

5. How long are Odysseus and his men “driven by fierce winds”?

6. When the winds finally die down, where do Odysseus and his men land?

7. Why does Odysseus send some of his men inland?

8. When the men of Odysseus meet the lotus eaters, how do the lotus eaters react to the men?

9. What effect does eating the lotus flower have on anyone who eats it?

10. What does Odysseus do to his men who are affected by the lotus flower?

11. Why does Odysseus force all of his men to leave the island of the lotus eaters?

12. CONNECT THIS STORY TO THE REAL WORLD:In the story of the lotus eaters, those who eat the lotus flower lose all desire to do anything but lie around and eat the lotus all day. What in our modern-day real world relates to this story?

13. What message or theme do you thing the story of the lotus eaters expresses?

14. Which word best describes the MOOD (emotional quality) of PARAGRAPH 1?a. Joyfulb. Mysteriousc. Discouragingd. Encouraging

15. In PARAGRAPH 1, what does the author mean when he says that “Zeus, the Cloud-Gatherer, stirred the north wind against our ships”?

a. Zeus is turning the ocean waters with a large spoon.b. Zeus is blowing Odysseus’ ship off course.c. Zeus is helping Odysseus’ ship get back on course.d. Zeus is trying to get the north wind to start a fight with Odysseus’ ship.

16. Based on how the word is used in PARAGRAPH 1, what does TEMPTEST most likely mean?a. Someone who tries to trick another person.b. The goddess of temptation.c. To desire; to want to possess something.d. A powerful storm.

17. What effect do phrases like “sails torn to shreds” and “terror of death” have on PARAGRAPH 1? CHOOSE THE MOST CORRECT ANSWER.

a. They make scene more descriptive and detailed.b. They help create an overall TONE of danger, fear, and helplessness.c. They emphasize the theme of choice.d. They illustrate the internal conflict Odysseus faces.

18. Which phrase from PARAGRAPH 2 best represents the MOOD of PARAGRAPH 2?a. troubled at heart with weariness and griefb. the ocean currents beat me awayc. we upped masts, hoisted the white sails, and took our seats aboardd. There we stayed for two days and nights

19. Based on how the word is used in PARAGRAPH 3, what does TEEMING most likely mean?a. abundantly full of lifeb. lifeless; deadc. musicald. to work together

20. Read the line below and indicate which literary term BEST applies to this line:“monstrous sharks hungrily followed our ship like greedy children lusting for candy.”

a. Metaphorb. Similec. Personificationd. Allusion

21. In paragraph 3, Odysseus says, “Despite our years of experience and knowledge of the sea, the mystery of the ocean depths was taking its toll on us.Based on this line, what can we most logically INFER about how the sea is affecting Odysseus and his men?

a. They are motivated even more than ever to find their way home.b. They are not as experienced and knowledgeable as they claim to be.c. They are becoming overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty.d. They are losing their desire to return home.

22. Which phrase below BEST ILLUSTRATES the consequence of the lotus flower?a. They left at once and came upon the Lotus-eaters, who had no thought of killing my comrades but gave

them lotus to eat. b. Those who ate the honey-sweet lotus fruit no longer wished to bring back word to us or sail for home. c. I dragged those men back to the shore myself by force, while they wept, and bound them tight in the hollow

ships, pushing them under the benches.d. Large warts formed on my nose and toes.

23. Based on how the word is used in PARAGRAPH 4, what does EMBARK most likely mean?a. to get onboard a ship.b. to leave a ship.c. to take in or ingestd. to cut in half

Station 5Cattle of the Sun God

1. Read the story, “Cattle of the Sun God.” 2. As a group, discuss the story’s meaning.

3. Choose five (5) key sentences in the story to illustrate. That means find a quote and citation.

Italics= (Holt page #).Poem= (Homer line #).

Station 6Calypso

1. Read the story, “Calypso, the Sea Nymph”

2. As a group read the song “Calypso”

3. As a group, discuss the story’s meaning. Did you notice a difference in the two Calypsos?

4. Discuss and answer the questions in complete sentences.

STATION 6“Calypso” Questions

Directions: After reading Suzanne Vega’s poem/song, “Calypso,” answer the following questions in COMPLETE sentences:

1. What narrative point of view is used in this song?

2. What narrative point of view is used in The Odyssey?

3. Who is narrating the song?

4. Who is the man Calypso is referring to in the song?

5. Is he a guest or prisoner on Calypso’s island?

6. In The Odyssey, what does Calypso offer Odysseus to stay on her island?

7. In the song, Calypso, says, “I let him go.” How does this differ from her action in The Odyssey?

8. Would you consider this a love song? Explain why or why not.

9. Suzanne Vega was born in 1959. Why do you think she wrote asong about a story that is more than 3000 years old?

Station 7Travels of Odysseus Map

Directions: 1. Google “Map of Odyssey Tale” map locations

2. Use the Internet to find events that occurred at each numbered location on the map.

3. Briefly describe the events (summarize) that correspond to the numbers on the map and write them down. (15-18 are optional)

Station 8Odyssey Letter Home

For this assignment, you will be pretending to be a member of Odysseus’ crew. You are distressed at the realization that you will not be returning home anytime soon, given what the gods have been doing.

Pretending such a thing could even make it back to Ithaca, you write a letter to a family member.

FIRST: Pick a name. Look at the list of names at the beginning of the Odyssey, and create a new Greek sounding name for your crew member.

SECOND: Select at least three SPECIFIC details from Part One stories to use in your letter, as you share with your family information about what’s happened. You must reference at least two stories.

I will be watching for your specific knowledge of the reading here, so be careful!

Don’t select a moment that a crew member may not have seen!

THIRD: Write your letter home. Be sure to remember that this individual is writing to a person he cares about, so remember to think about your audience as you write!

Select specifically who the audience is, create a second Greek name for that person, and use the name and the person’s role in the salutation, such as:

Dear Mother Athena,