Mrs.

Scheetz SY 2007/08

The Odyssey
Movie Activity Teacher Edition
DAY ONE: The Intervention of the gods

Movie Chapters
1-5

Reference to Epic Poem

Books 1-8

Skill Focus for Student Practice

Student Activity

This movie segment begins with the birth of Telemachus, continues through the end of the Trojan War when Odysseus recognizes his great strength and ends up defying the gods. It should be stopped just as Penelope begins her desperate plea on the shore for her husbands return, since it is a bit too sensuous for students. 25 minutes of movie 10 minute set up/prep 5 minutes to complete and turn in activity

One of the main ideas that students should have grasped when they studied the epic poem was that the gods intervened in the lives of the Greeks. This activity should reinforce this concept. At times Odysseus welcomed the intervention and help of his patroness, Athena. At the same time, he believed that he was alone responsible for the success he achieved in the Trojan War and caused Poseidon to roar from such arrogance. Students should recognize and be able to identify how the gods intervened in Odysseus life and recognize that he struggled with being able to give credit to the gods for his greatness. The gods were part of the lives of Greeks, and considered integral to their success. This segment establishes that Odysseus must come to realize that he is dependent on the gods to be a great mortal.

1. From the viewing of the first portion of the movie, provide three specific examples of the intervention of the gods in Odysseus life. 2. Think carefully about Odysseus attitude toward the gods. Was it respect, fear, gratitude, resentment, disrespect, or any other attitude? Tell what Odysseus attitude toward the gods was and provide three specific examples from the movie to support your response. Student responses could include: 1. Athena tells Odysseus that she wanted him to go to the Trojan War to achieve great glory; Poseidon intervened when the Trojan prophet was about to expose the Greeks plan (hiding in the wooden horse); Poseidon intervened when Odysseus proclaimed that he didnt need the gods. 2. Odysseus showed respect when he offered a goat head to Athena; Odysseus showed arrogance when Athena told him that he actually did seek glory; Odysseus showed defiance and arrogance when he told the gods he didnt need them because he alone had defeated the Trojans.

Mrs. Scheetz SY 2007/08

Day Two: The Epic Hero

Movie Chapters
5/6; 8-10; 14; 16

Reference to Epic Poem

Book 9, Book 12

Skill Focus for Student Practice

Student Activity

This movie segment begins with Odysseus and his men in the fog on their way back to Ithaca. They encounter Cyclops and Odysseus cleverness gets them out of the ordeal, but not unscathed. The segment of the movie with Aeolus and their mishap of being blown off course should be skipped. tudents see Odysseus on the far side of the world and his adventure with Circe, the trip to Hades, and the devastation of his crew when they meet Chyribdis and Scylla. Stop the movie right after the students see Chyribdiss destroy Odysseus men. 25 minutes of movie (Ch 5-10) 10 minutes of movie (Ch 14) 10 minutes of movie (Ch 16)

One of the main ideas that students should have grasped was the epic hero as having larger than life qualities and equally large flaws. This is the duality of the epic hero. As such, Odysseus does display great strength, bravery, cleverness, and courage in the encounters and adventures he faces on his way back home. Students should see, however, that it is also part of the epic heros make-up to have incredible flaws that result in his downfall. He hears from Tiresuis that he needs to learn that the journey is more important than the destination. This is his flaw; he is blind to only what he wants (home) and not the polishing of his character that he needs to make it home.

1. When Odysseus meets Tiresias in Hades, he intends on getting the directions to Ithaca the way home. Tiresias does tell him of his future fate. However, Tiresias is more interested in telling Odysseus about his flaws. He tells Odysseus that he is clever but not very wise. What do you think it means to be clever but not wise? 2. Give one example from this portion of the movie, with specifics, that support Tiresias claim that Odysseus is clever but not wise. Student responses could be: 1. While Odysseus may have the cleverness to get out of the troubles, he created these woes with his unwise decisions and arrogance. 2. Odysseus ventured onto the island of the Cyclopes. Odysseus.

Mrs. Scheetz SY 2007/08

DAY THREE: The Values of the Greeks

Movie Chapters
14(after Hades)-15; 16 (after Chyribdis), 17(after Penelope takes out the weave)22 (fast forward to Penelope taking out the weave again)

Reference to Epic Poem

Books 21-23

Skill Focus for Student Practice

Student Activity

One of the main ideas that students should have grasped was the values of the Greeks. The epic hero embodies these values. The glory of the warrior as one such value was already evidenced as Odysseus set out in the beginning for the glories of war. He achieved that glory. Honor is also highly valued by the Greeks. The Greeks also highly regarded hospitality. They believed the gods would punish those who did not show hospitality to any stranger, that it was really dishonorable not to be entirely hospitable. Since the suitors abused the hospitality of the queen, they would be punished. Students should recognize the error of the suitors, but the significance of the anger of Odysseus.

1. Odysseus tells the suitors that their crime was that they tried to steal his world. Do you think that the suitors tried to steal Odysseus world? Why or why not? 2. At the end Odysseus told Penelope that she was his world. What does that statement indicate Odysseus learned from the past 20 years of his journey? Student Responses Could Be: 1. Yes, the suitors tried to steal Odysseus world because they plotted to kill Telemachus, plotted to get Penelope to marry one of them, and ate his food. Even though she tried to get them to leave, they refused. No, the suitors were within their rights to be there. Odyseuss was gone 20 years, so they made a bid to get Penelope to marry them. By accepting their gifts, she accepted them as suitors and was required to make a decision. 2. His statement to Penelope indicated that he learned the world was really just her, his son, and their love. Before he left, the world was a place for him to make a name for himself; it was about war and glory. Now, it was about love.

Mrs. Scheetz SY 2007/08

The Odyssey: Movie Activity Directions: You will view the movie version of the epic poem, The Odyssey, in three class periods. There will be three focuses in these activities from our study of the poem. The focuses, one per class period, will be: The Intervention of the gods The Epic Hero The Values of the Greeks The movie activity will take about 40 minutes of the class period. You must read the activity questions prior to viewing the movie so you are prepared to complete each days activity accurately. DO NOT WRITE ON THIS WORKSHEET. Use a separate sheet of paper each day to complete your response. The daily movie activity is due by the end of the class period. Each day the response will be worth 10 points. This is a 30 point assignment over three class periods, so do not underestimate its value and significance. Day One: The Intervention of the gods 1. From the viewing of the first portion of the movie, provide three specific examples of the intervention of the gods in Odysseus life. 2. Think carefully about Odysseus attitude toward the gods. Was it respect, fear, gratitude, resentment, disrespect, or any other attitude? Tell what Odysseus attitude toward the gods was and provide three specific examples from the movie to support your response. Day Two: The Epic Hero 1. When Odysseus meets Tiresias in Hades, he intends on getting the directions to Ithacathe way home. Tiresias does tell him how to get home, and what his future fate will be. However, Tiresias is more interested in telling Odysseus about his flaws. He tells Odysseus that he is clever but not very wise. What do you think it means (in general) to be clever but not wise? 2. Give two examples from this portion of the movie that support Tiresias claim that Odysseus was clever but not wise. Day Three: The Values of the Greeks 1. Odysseus tells the suitors that their crime was that they tried to steal his world. Do you think that the suitors tried to steal Odysseus world? Why or why not? 2. At the end of the movie Odysseus told Penelope that she was his world. What does that statement indicate Odysseus learned from the past 20 years of his journey? What was his world 20 years before?