Jolene

Question:
Howdoesprideaffectpeopleinthe
Odyssey
?
Answers
Jolene On deepexistence.com, it says, Pride makes us selfconscious. When we think
so highly of ourselves, we tend to protect our status rather than strive for something
better. Pride forces us to focus on the downside instead of the upside, no matter how
significant.WhatifIfailedandeveryonesawme?Havingprideinthe
Odysseybrings
attention to yourself and the gods will notice. You would not really want the Gods to
notice you because then they will try to make your life miserable. For example, when
Odysseus stabbed Polyphemus in the eye, which was on Page 110, Polyphemus said,
...grant me revenge on Odysseus ofIthaca!Lethimneverreachhishome,oriftheother
gods decree that he must, lethimcomelate,afterlongsuffering,withallofhiscomrades
dead, and let him find trouble waiting for him at home! He wanted to be famous and
have all this pride but all of that caused him to spend a ten year journey home when it
couldhavebeenabouttwotothreemonths.
Jenna
On page 85, it shows Odysseus throwing a disc to prove that he was not a
merchant because they judged him byhisappearance.Hewaskindofshowingoffbuthe
didnt mean to, he did it in anger but when you have a lot of pride you dont really pay
attention to if you arebraggingorifyouarejusttryingtoshowyourachievements.Also,
according to thesportjournal.org it says, When pride is at stake, individuals are
motivated to work longer and harder to achieve success. Odysseus wanted to get to
Ithaca and if he did not make it back he would lose his pride as king. That made
Odysseusdeterminedtosurvivehisjourney.
Talulla
It is better to have too little pride because then the gods will help you and take
pity on you. For example, on page 45 Penelope says, Athena, child of Zeus, whose
shield is thunder, if ever my husband burned rich thighbones of oxen to you, please
protectmyson.Penelopedoesnothaveanypridebecausesheispleadingtothe godsfor
help. If you have to much pride then you will get into trouble.Onpage39itsays,Ajax
was wrecked. Poseidon drove his ship upon the rocks of Gyrae. He pulled himself from
the sea, and might have still survived, but he boasted that even the gods couldnt drown
him. Poseidon heard this and split the ledge he was standing on so he fell back into the
brine and perished. Ajax was so proud that he could defeat the gods butthegodsheard
this and he died. On brandonsteiner.com it says, Pride can oftenblindyou.
Thatswhy
pride is bad sometimes: Too much of it can preventyoufromdealingwithobstaclesthat
might trip you up. This quote shows that pride will make you think that you can do
anythingwhichisdangerous.
Lauren Having a lot of pride has many pros and cons. However, having less pride is
better than having more. For example, onthewebsite
www.viacharacter.com
,havingtoo

much pride can lead to you making unwise decisions, and judging people incorrectly.
Like Jenna said, on page 85, the manjudgedOdysseusincorrectlybecausehethoughthe
wasbetterthanOdysseus,andconcludedthatOdysseuswasamerchant.
Evelyn Reason 1:
When Odysseus had very little pride, he was able to succeed in
surviving. For example, he acknowledged that he needed help, and pleaded for the gods
forhelpwhenhecrashedintorocksandwasinjuredfromtheimpact.
Book Quote: Hear me Lord of the river. I come to you in great need. Show mercy
calmyourcurrentsandletmeswimtoshore.(pg.71)
Web Quote: Odysseus' pride is demonstrated byhistauntingofPolyphemus.Odysseus
rarely admits guilt...Odysseus, however, is not the only one guilty of pride in
The
Odyssey
. The suitors' prideful behavior does not go unpunished nor does the pride of
Odysseus'crew.
Theme:
Havingalittleprideisokay,buttoomuchprideishurtful
Subject:
Pride
SubjectConnectiontoTheme:
Pridecan helpboostyourselfconfidencebuttoomuchofitand
youwillbegettingintotrouble
Connection to Book: Odysseus had a lot of pride, beingsobrave,strongand clever.Hedidnot
really brag about it but he did show off sometimes. For example, on page 85, he was vengeful
andhethrewadisctoshowhowstronghewas.
Research: Pride makes us selfconscious. When we think so highly of ourselves, we tend to
protect our (selfassigned) status rather than strive for something better. Pride forcesustofocus
on the downside instead of the upside, no matterhowsignificant.WhatifIfailedandeveryone
sawme?
Citation:
the
Odyssey
byGarethHinds
http://brandonsteiner.com/blog/whyprideisbad/
http://deepexistence.com/twowayspridecanruinyourlife/

Jenna
Question:
Did going through so many troubles helpOdysseuslearntothinkthat his
troublesarenotover?

Answers:
Jolene Asyoumayknow,Zeusdidnotliketheothergodstobeoverlyhappyortothink
that they can finally relax and think that their troubles were over so you can never be
truly happy. That helped them think differently to think that theycouldnotslackoffand
they always had to be onguard.Forexample,onpage59whenOdysseusleftCalypsohe
probably thought, Oh finally I can go home, but he did not think about that Poseidon
wouldpunishhimforleavingCalypsosisland.

 Jenna
No, because on page112it says,WesightedlandIthaca!Ithoughtmytroubles
were over, and I left the helm tositandrestmylegsThewindsunleashed,batteredour
ship and blew us, wailing, back from our homes, all the way back across the sea to
Aeolia. Odysseus thought that he could rest and let his crew do the rest of the work
because they were so close to Ithaca. Resting caused the ship to go elsewhere and delay
them getting back home. I think Odysseus thought nothing else could go wrong but he
shouldhavebeenmorecareful,especiallybecauseheknewPoseidondoesntlikehim.
Talulla
Yes, he did become more aware thatthetroublesthatthegodsaregivinghimis
not going to finish anytime soon. Odysseus did not know that his journey to get back to
Ithaca was going to take tenyearssothegodshadtohavesomethinginstoreforhim.On
page 94 it says, As we approached,wesawagreatcaveneartheshore,withsheeppens
surroundingit.Somethingmademeuneasy,soIpickedtwelveofmybestfighters,armed
myself well Odysseus was kind of suspicious because somethingbadalwaystendsto
happens to him. He is being more aware which helps him have a greater chance of
survival.
Lauren
Yes, because with all the troubles and obstacles Odysseus had toface,itmade
him stronger, and made him more aware. With the strength and intelligence Odysseus
learned from his troubles, he knew he would be ready for anything that the gods made
him face. Like it says on
www.wishesgreeting.com
,troublesthatonefacescanbeturned
into strength. Like Jolene said, on pg 59, he knew Poseidon would have obstacles
awaitingforhim.
Evelyn
Yes, for Odysseus learned to always be on his toes. His comrades decided to
leisurely feast on delicacies in Cicones, instead of coming straight back to Ithaca. They
paid severely for lettingtheirguarddown.ThealliesofCiconescameandgot revengeon
the army by taking the lives of many men before everyone could retreat. After this,
Odysseuslearnedtoneverlethismenhavetheirguardsdown.
Book Quote:
While I argued with them and they loitered, ignoring me, those Cicones
who had escaped the city went quickly to their neighbors and gathered up an army to take
revengeonus.(page90)
Web Quote:
enotes.com states that Over time, Odysseus learned to not let his guard
down. When he visited the lotus eaters his on guard nature and his longing for the reunion
withhisfamilycausedhimtonoteatthelotusseeds.
Theme:
Donotgiveup
Subject:
WinnersneverquitandquittersneverwinVinceLombardi
Subject Connection to Theme:
When you do not give up yougrowstronger.Ifyouarealways
quittingornottryinghardyouwillneverfeelsuccessful.
Connection to Book: Even after Odysseus had gone through so many scary and tough
situations,hedidnotgiveupandwantedtofindhiswayhome.LetthesePhaeaciansreceiveme
withkindnessandhelpmereachmyhomep.77

Research: So, why is it so easy for so many people to quit on their goals? The answer is
simple: Its easy. The harder choice would be to push through the obstacles and the
challenges...What if Thomas Edison gave up on his attempt to improve the light bulb? What if
Michael Jordan quit when he got cut from his high school basketball team? What if Martin
Luther King quit on hismarchforfreedomwhenthingsgotalittlescary?Wherewouldwebeas
a society if the leaders from our pasts quit on the greatness they pursued in their livesthathave
changedandaffectedsomanylivesthereafter?
Theonlywaytofailatanythingistoquit
.

Citation:
the
Odyssey
elitedaily.com

Talulla
Question:
How does gettingwhatyoudeservefromyouractionsaffectcharactersin
the
Odyssey
?

Answers
Jolene
On page 27 it says, No matter how far away you live, you will have heard the
songs about Agamemnon and his gruesome death at thehandsofAegisthus.Buthisson,
Orestes, avenged the murder, and proved that the line of Atreus is still strong. This
shows that Aegisthus, the murderer, did a bad deed, and that bad deed eventually
happened on himself. As the Golden Rules states, treat others the way you want to be
treated so if you treat someone bad you shouldnt expect that person to be nice to you
unlesssheorheisreallykind.
Jenna
According to gradesaver.com Odysseus makes a far more egregious error then
he taunts Polyphemus not once but twice Odysseus actions put him in a bad situation.
Also, on page 109 Odysseus says Cyclops, if anyone asks who put out your eye, tell
them it was Odysseus of Ithaca! Polyphemus prays to Poseidon and the god gets mad
and tries to kill Odysseus. He got what he deserved because his pride took over and he
wanted to brag about howhegotaway fromPolyphemus.Hisactionsdidnotbenefithim
andhisjourneyhome.
Talulla
If your actions were good, then they would benefit you later in life,andifyour
actions were bad, then they would not benefit you later on life. On page 17 it says,
Quiet, old man. Not all birds areomens...Wefearnoone,leastallofyou,Telemachus.If
youwanttoridofus,tellyourmothertomarry.Thisquotesupportsmyopinionbecause
the suitors are taking advantage of Odysseus's home so Zeus sends eagles to hurt the
suitors. As the old man says, A sign of doom! Odysseus will not be long gone, and he
brings bloody slaughter forthesesuitors!Thesuitorsarebadsoitwillbackfireonthem.
Another example is from page 4. Zeus says, Could I forget that wily hero Odysseus?
You know I bear him no grudgebut Poseidon does, hates him for blinding his son

Polyphemus the Cyclops. Because Odysseus blinded Poseidonsson,Poseidoncasthim

on the island of Ogygia with nothing to take him hometo Ithaca.Inabookcalled
Justice
and Conflicts: Theoretical and Empirical Contributions
it says, The just world hypothesis
states thatpeopleneedtobelieveina justworldinwhicheveryonegets whatthey deserveand
deserves what they get. This belief enables them to deal with their social environment as
though it were stable and orderly and thus serves adaptivefunctions. Thisquote showsthat
peopleneedtojustgowiththeflowandexceptthattheydeservewhattheyget.

Lauren
Making good choices is very important. Like the website

www.huffingtonpost.com says, making good choices can shape your future. Like Jenna
already said, on pg 109, Odysseus told the the son of Poseidon,(orthecyclopes)totell
his father that Odysseus is the one who blinded his son. If Odysseus didnt tell the
cyclopes that it was he that blinded him, then the cyclopes would not haveprayedtohis
father.Withoutthisaction,thenPoseidonwouldnthavedislikedOdysseusthatmuch.
Evelyn Reason 1:
Your actions and words in Ancient Greece could offend the Gods.
Therefore, people were careful to speak and act wisely so that they would not be
punishedseverelyforonlytheirfoolishactions.
Book Quote: After Calypso rants about the cruel gods, Hermes advises,AndCalypso...
Id bemoregracioustowards thewillofZeus,ifIwereyou.Hemayhearyourwordsandpunish
you.(pg.49)
Website Quote: ...show due respect tothe godssothatonedoesnotinvitedisasterorto
appease an angry god or goddess whom one has offended. One did not askforthegods
help but rather one hoped the gods would not hinder ones efforts. by
originalliterature.wordpress.com
Theme:
Everyonegetswhattheydeserve
Subject:
Karma
Subject Connection to Theme:
Allyouractionswilleitherbenefitornotbenefityoulateronin
life
Connection to Book: Quiet,oldman.Notallbidsareomens...Wefearnoone,leastallofyou,
Telemachus.Ifyouwanttoridofus,tellyourmothertomarry.(Page17)
A sign of doom! Odysseus will not be long gone, and he brings bloody slaughter for these
suitors!(Page17)
No matter how far away you live, you will have heard the songs about Agamemnon and his
gruesome death at the hands of Aegisthus.Buthisson,Orestes,avengedthemurder,andproved
thatthelineofAtreusisstillstrong.(Page27)
Could I forget that wily hero Odysseus? You know I bear him no grudgebut Poseidon does,
hateshimforblindinghissonPolyphemustheCyclops.(Page4)
Research:
The just world hypothesis states that people need to believe in a just world in which
everyonegetswhat theydeserveanddeserveswhattheyget.Thisbeliefenablesthemtodealwiththeir
socialenvironmentasthoughitwerestableandorderlyandthusservesadaptivefunctions.

Citation:
the
Odyssey
byGarethHinds
JusticeandConflicts:TheoreticalandEmpiricalContributions
byElisabethKals,JrgenMaes

Lauren
Question:
DoeshavingherotraitsbenefitOdysseus?

Answers
Jolene It benefitted him by being goodunder pressureandquickonhistoesAlotofthe
times that he would get into trouble, he wouldalwaysmanageawaytogetoutofit.One
example was when they went to the landoftheLotusEaters,onpage92,hewasthought
that itwassuspiciousthattheydidnotcome backwhiletheywereadventuringtheisland.
He did not partake of the fruit and they must have been hungry toosoitwasareally big
temptation and he was smart to know it was a trap. On the other side though, heros are
usually leaders, and on page 90, when they went to the land of the Cicones and raided
them, the men wanted to rest and party but Odysseus warned them that it would be
dangerous. A good leader is someone that would make people listen to them no matter
whatandbecauseagoodleaderwouldknowwhatisbestforhiscrew.
Jenna
Because Odysseus has many hero traits, he canoutsmarthisfoeseveniftheyare
much stronger or bigger than him. For example, on page 106, Odysseus is trying not to
get killed by Polyphemus, the cyclops, and instead of killing him he hides beneath a
sheep as it says, ...digging my fingersintohisthickwool,Iswungbeneath hisbellyand
waited as the young Dawns fingers touched the eastern sky. This quote shows that his
intelligence saved him. Also, according to lifehacks.org, Heroic leaders have the
determinationtoachievethegoal,regardlessofthechallengingobstacles.Determination
is another trait of Odysseus because he is wants to get back to Ithica so he never loses
hopeeveninbadsituations.
Talulla
Having hero traits makes Odysseuss chance of survival greater. For example,
on pages 5456 his strength helps him so he can build a sturdy raft in about two days.
Also, if you are a hero then the gods will notice you more, and they might takes pityon
you and help you. On page 64itsays,Here,takemyveilandwinditaroundyourwaist.
It will protect you. The goddesshelpshimbecausePoseidonhateshimsomuchandshe
pities him. Another time a god helps Odysseus is on page 71. It says, Hear me, lord of
the river. I come to you in great need. Show mercycalmyourcurrentsandletmeswim
to shore. The river god takes pity on Odysseus and answers his plea because Odysseus
hassufferedsomuch.
Lauren
I think these heroic traits do benefit Odysseus. I think this, because with these
traits: intelligence and the ability tospeakwell,helpedOdysseusgainthepityfromother
kings and queens. For example, on pg 81 and 111 these kings and queens helped
Odysseus greatly. On the website
www.viacharacter.org it says,
Braveryfallsunderthe

virtuecategoryofCourage.Odysseushasthesetraitsandisveryluckytohavesuchimportant
ones.

Evelyn
Odysseus has many heroic traits such as nobility,strength,bravery,andloyalty.
However, his perseverance and determination gets him through the most impossible
situations. For example, his determination to return home keeps him on his guard,ready
for any enemies. He was the only one that wanted to return home immediately after his
comradessackedthecityofCicones.
Book Quote: They wanted to stay and drink from the great casks of wine, gorge
themselvesonplundereddelicacies.(page90)
WebQuote:
classroom.synonym.combyKristineTuckersays,Odysseus'sperseverance
isn't based on physical strengthalone.Heuseshisintelligencetooutwitthosewhotrytoensnare
him. From the very beginning of the poem, Odysseus shows his determination by escaping the
gripsofCalypso.
Theme:
Bestrong,bebrave,beintelligent,beproductive,speakwell,beselfless
Subject:
Heroes
Subject Connection to Theme:
Heroes are brave, strong, and honest to surpass the obstacles
theyface.
ConnectiontoBook:Odysseushadtobebrave,strong,andusedthosetraitstowinhisfoes,and
get
overhisproblems.
Citation: pg 1 ... that man of many troubles, Odysseus skilled in many ways of contending,
whowanderedfarafterhehelpedsackthegreatcityofTroy.
Research:
the
Odyssey
www.viacharacter.org
,Bravery,April21,2015

Evelyn
Question:
Why may have hospitality been moreimportant inOdysseusstimes than
inourtimes?

Answers
Jolene During the time that Odysseus lived the people around were usually very
welcoming andtheywouldgiveyougiftsif you wereaguestattheirhome.Onpage75it
says, Stranger, I can tell by your words that you are neither a fool nor a rascal. If the
gods wish you to suffer, there is nothing to be done but endureitbuthereonthisisland,
you will not lack for hospitality. But now in the moderndayifyougoknockingaround
on peoples door asking for a place to stay they would think youre crazy and/or
homeless. We also have places that providehospitalitycalledhotelsandyoupaythemto
haveaplacetosleepandeat.

 Jenna
Today it is not as common to go on long journeys asitwasinOdysseusstimes.
People back thensortofknewthatsomeonemight comeandaskthemforhospitality,but
today no one expects a random person to come asking for food or clothes. Hospitality
was important because it gave people with almost nothing a place to sleep and food.
Also, on page 76 it says, Remember that all beggars are sent by Zeus. Lets feed this
man, bathe him and give him a clean, dry tunic and cloak to wear. Everyone in
ancientGreecewasexceptedtohelpbeggars.
Talulla
On page 81 it says, Zeus watches over all beggars, and to honor him, we will
grant your plea. People believed that everyonewassentbygodsandtheydidntwantto
go against the gods. Nowadays, people can be a lot dangerous. Also, if offering
hospitality was regular in our times then people might take advantage of that since we
have so many homeless and dishonestpeople.Mostpeopledonotfollow the
rulethatyou
have to welcome everyone into yourhome.On
httphotelexecutive.comitsays, Weallagree
that running a business today is more complicated and requires more resources (financial,
human, technological, etc.) than in the past.This quoteprovesthat nowadays peopleexpect
more than whattheydidin thepast.Itishard toprovideallthe necessariesfor everyone that
knocksonyourdoor.

Lauren Alotofpeoplecanfendforthemselvesthesedays,andcommunicationisalot
easier with cell phones. However, the people in the old days needed more hospitality
because of the lack of communication. Like on the website
www.technologyreview.com
says, with our great advancement in technology, fendingforourselvesisntashard.Like
Jenna said, on pg 76, Remember that all beggars are sent by Zeus This shows that
because of their belief, there areprobablymorebeggars,becauseofthehospitalitythatis
showninthesentence.
Evelyn Reason 1:
In Ancient Greece, its was custom to protect, shelter, and feed a
traveler for free. If they did not, they were considered cold. Many people were
reluctant to provide free shelter, or food, but were pressured by other people, or took in
travelerstoprotecttheirreputation.
Reason 2: Also, in ancient Greece, hostsor hostessesshelteredatraveler,fearingthethe
Gods would punish them for breaking tradition. Also, they feared that the stranger would be a
god! Ifahostsheltered astrangerwelltheywouldsometimesberewardedfortheirgenerosityby
theGods.
Book Quote: In the
Odyssey
, Telemachus furiously retorts to the suitors, making them
shout back at him, The Gods themselves must be teaching you this high and mighty manner,
Telemachus!(page12)
Internet Quote: Classroom.synonym.com, states that, ...the host was forbidden to ask
any initial questions of a guest, even complete strangers. Moreover, the host was expected to
offerhisguestrefreshments,abathandcleanclothes.

Book Quote 2:
O great King and queen, you are matchless in your generosity, beauty,
and wisdom. May the gods bless you in your health, long life, and happiness for all your
children(page81)
Theme:
Hospitality
Subject:
Hosts/Hostesses
Subject Connection to Theme:
Hosts, or hostesses, are responsible for the proper care and
entertainmentofguests.
Connection to Book: Hospitality is an important part of Ancient Greece.Peoplewereexpected
to feed travelers, for they were brought by Zeus, the king of all gods. If not for hospitality of
AncientGreece,Odysseuswouldnothavemadethejourneyhome.
Citation: To maintain order and civility between Greeks from various regions, hospitalitywas
not just a kindness it was an unspoken cultural law that preserved order for a peoplewhowere
simultaneouslycountrymenandstrangers.byclassroom.synonym.com
The Queen of the Phaeacians said to Odysseus,Rise stranger, you speak well. Zeus watches
overallbeggars,andtohonorhim,wewillgrantyourplea..(pg81)
Research:
the
Odyssey
byGarethHinds
Shilling, Alana. "Hospitality in Ancient Greek Culture | The Classroom | Synonym."
The
Classroom
.Synonym.com,2001.Web.20Apr.2015.