English I Honors – Group 3 (pp. 857 to 869)
Cover the following items. You may use the computer, Elmo, etc. to project visuals of your
presentation. Explain these items in your own words and use examples in your explanations. Be
sure to utilize the audio pronunciation guide (http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/mycenaean) so that you correctly pronounce the names and words during
your presentation!
Introduction:
To whom did the ancient Greeks often attribute disaster or good fortune? (see p. 857)
While the Greek gods were believed to have magical powers and were immortal, they were also
seen to have human foibles and failings. (give an example—see p. 857)
Summarize the text in italics on page 858. Why might the gods and goddesses inform Odysseus
of what is ahead and warn him about certain actions? (p. 858)
How might Odysseus’s men be feeling at the beginning of this part of the journey? (lines 6-7)
Why might Odysseus feel differently?
THE SIRENS—
As you explain what happens as Odysseus and his men try to avoid the Sirens, please be sure to
tell the story to the class in your own words. Keep in mind the Freytag Pyramid and summarize
the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and moral or lesson of the story in
your own words. Be sure to include the following as you retell this tale:
Review the “plan” to get passed the Sirens on p. 859. Is this a sound plan? What danger is there in
leaving Odysseus’s ears unplugged? What is implied by his being the only man to hear the
Sirens’ song? How has a change in the weather influenced the actions of the men? (See lines 35
to 37) In lines 50 to 53, why do Odysseus’s men disobey him? What would happen if they obeyed
him?
RESEARCH—What did the Sirens look like? What were they known to do? When they failed to
lure Odysseus, what did they do? (Google it!) Can you find a picture of the Sirens?
Read the poem (see below).
Only Odysseus actually heard the Sirens’ Song since all others perished. What do we assume the
Sirens would sing? This is Margaret Atwood’s guess at what the sirens actually sang.
Have one or more female members of your group do an expressive reading of this poem to the
class.
Explain the irony of Atwood’s assumption to the class.
"Siren Song" (first published in 1976)
by Margaret Atwood (Canadian author – most famous work the novel The Handmaid’s Tale)
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:
the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see beached skulls
the song nobody knows
because anyone who had heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
SCYLLA and CHARYBDIS (the original “rock and a hard place”)—
As you explain what happens as Odysseus and his men try to get by Scylla and Charybdis, please
be sure to tell the story to the class in your own words. Keep in mind the Freytag Pyramid and
summarize the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and moral or lesson of
the story in your own words. Be sure to include the following as you retell this tale:
Reread lines 73 to 91 in which Odysseus gives heart to the panicked crew. Relate this to a
situation that students today may be familiar with (a pep talk). Read aloud lines 73 to 91 to the
class and show the appropriate emotion through tone and gestures.
What potential conflict is Odysseus trying to avoid in lines 95-96? Do you think he is being wise?
The men are in conflict with both Scylla and Charybdis. Why are the two a particularly dangerous
combination? Describe them. What does it mean when someone says he is between Scylla and
Charybdis? (see phrase above)
Examine lines 140 through 142. Identify Sequence. How can you tell that Odysseus’s ship has
successfully navigated Scylla and Charybdis?
How does Odysseus feel as his ship rows away? How do you know? (Examine lines 143 to 159)
Provide textual support. (point it out)
Examine lines 160 to 172. Explain how this is evidence that Odysseus is indeed made of tougher
stuff than his crew. How does this mortal reach almost a godlike stature?
RESEARCH—Scylla (Google it!) How is Circe involved in Scylla’s fate as a sea monster?
Explain. Point out the artwork on page 862 of the textbook to the class.
Examine Eurylochus’s argument persuasive argument to land the ship for one night. Go through
his points with the class. (pp. 863-864)
ISLAND OF THE SUN (HELIOS)—
As you explain what happens to Odysseus and his men on the Island of the Sun, please be sure to
tell the story to the class in your own words. Keep in mind the Freytag Pyramid and summarize
the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and moral or lesson of the story in
your own words. Be sure to include the following as you retell this tale:
RESEARCH—Helios (Google it!) Who is Helios? How does Ancient Greek art usually picture
him? Explain to the class.
With whom or what are Eurylochus and the other men in conflict? (lines 241 to 257) Is this
primarily an internal or external conflict? Explain. Do you agree with Zeus in lines 278 to 281
that the bad weather and his sleep have been caused by the gods to force Odysseus’s men to kill
the cattle? Why has Zeus entered the conflict? (lines 295 to 299)
Lines 300-301—Take note that the “frame” of the frame story emerges here. The story is being
told ‘in medias res.’ (English translation – “in the middle of things”) It begins in the middle of
things as Odysseus tells of his adventures to the Phaeacians. Point this out to the class.
Visual Imagery—Call attention to the grim picture of the dead cattle being reanimated in lines
306 to 308. Read these lines to the class. What parallels can you draw between this gruesome
picture and today’s fascination with zombies and vampires?
Is Zeus’s action on p. 868 just? Can you look at it multiple ways? What do you think?
Note the last lines on page 869. (evidence of in medias res) At this point Odysseus will cease to
tell of his past adventures to the Phaeacians and his adventure will begin again. Point this out to
the class.