Blount Odyssey

The Trojan war(Analysis)

Nov 8, 1200

The Trojan war was caused because Queen Helen of Sparta was abducted by the Trojan prince Paris. The battle lasted 10 years. Odysseus away from home for around 19 years and because he was gone for so long some people thought he was dead. From this event we learn how long Odysseus has been away and how he’s been trying to get back. Source: (https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/trojan-war)

The Trojan War(summary)

Nov 8, 1200

The siege, punctuated by battles and skirmishes including the storied deaths of the Trojan prince Hector and the nearly-invincible Achilles, lasted more than 10 years until the morning the Greek armies retreated from their camp, leaving a large wooden horse outside the gates of Troy. After much debate , the Trojans pulled the mysterious gift into the city. When night fell, the horse opened up and a group of Greek warriors, led by Odysseus, climbed out and sacked the Troy from within.

The Lotus eaters(summary)

Nov 14, 1200

Odysseus and his men were swept of corse by a storm sent by Zeus. They landed on the Island where the lotus eaters lived. Odysseus crew ate the flowers which made them forget they wanted to go home but Odysseus didn’t eat it so he wasn’t affected and forced his men to get on the ship and get back on course to home.

The Lotus Eaters(analysis)

Nov 14, 1200

This showed how much of a leader he was with getting his men back on track and not falling for the trap of eating the plants. It also showed how he had one goal, to get home and for once his curiosity didn’t get him caught up. He was able to overcome the challenge of keeping his men together while they were basically mind controlled. From this event we learn that even if Odysseus’s crew isn’t in their right mind Odysseus will always be a good leader.

Cyclops(analysis)

Nov 15, 1200

Odysseus learned from this event that you can’t always negotiate with people and you should always keep your men safe. He put his men into harms way when it was worth it, but it showed us how brave of a character Odysseus is.

Cyclops(summary)

Nov 15, 1200

Polyphemus is outside with his sheep, Odysseus finds a wooden staff in the cave and plans on using it. When Polyphemus returns, Odysseus gets him drunk on wine that he brought along from the ship.Polyphemus asks Odysseus his name and he told him “Nobody”.As soon as Polyphemus collapses with from the wine, Odysseus and a group of men stab the staff into his eye. When morning comes, Odysseus and his men escape from the cave secretly, by holding on to to the bellies of the sheep.

Aeolus- Bag of Wind(Summary)

Nov 16, 1200

In Odyssey, Aeols gave Odysseus a bag of wild winds. Despite Odysseus saying not to open the bag, Odysseus`s crew opened the bag, thinking there was gold and silver in it. The wind fled and immediately drove them to an island they have went to.

Aeolus- Bag of Wind(Analysis)

Nov 16, 1200

This shows how there isn’t trust in the crew, because they did something he specifically told them not to do. This can also be seen as they have no communication. They thought there was gold and silver in the bag, but Odysseus could’ve easily avoided this by telling them what was actually in it.

Circe(Summary)

Nov 17, 1200

She wanted Odysseus and tried everything in her power to get him like persuasion with food and wine. Circe has magic powers, which she uses to turn some of Odysseus's men into pigs. Circe warns Odysseus that he will not see Penelope or Telemachus ever again if he listens to the sound of the Sirens. In order to make it past the Sirens, Odysseus must plug the ears of his men. Circe tells Odysseus if he wants to hear the songs, he must tie himself to the mast of a ship.

Circe(Analysis)

Nov 17, 1200

This shows us how Odysseus could’ve been home but chose to stay on the island. Odysseus learned how vital using self-control can be. When Odysseus wanted to listen to the Sirens after the goddess Circe told him he shouldn't, that was a lack of self-control on his part.

Sirens(Analysis)

Nov 18, 1200

This can be seen as Odysseus having no self control or not listening. It can also be seen as Odysseus being brave and doing what his men couldn’t. I think he was trying to show how strong he was and how good of a leader he was.

Sirens(Summary

Nov 18, 1200

After being warned by Circe Odysseus still doesn’t listen and does the exact opposite of what she says. Odysseus had instructed his crew to tie him to the mast, and he told them to ignore whatever he may say while under the sway of the Siren's song. While in the Siren trance he told his men to free him and if they would’ve listened he would probably died.

Scylla and Charybdis(summary)

Nov 19, 1200

Odysseus chooses to sail closer to Scylla, the six headed monster, rather than sailing near the whirlpool Charybdis. He decides that sacrificing six men to Scylla is better than chancing his entire ship to Charybdis. He didn’t tell his men about Scylla so they don’t know that some of them are going to die, but Odysseus doesn’t want to raise panic.

Scylla and Charybdis(Analysis)

Nov 19, 1200

This event shows how even Odysseus was perfect. Instead of telling his men everything that was happening, he hid it and then lead them to their death. He basically sacrificed his men and left his self stranded.

Helios’ cattle(Summary)

Nov 20, 1200

Eurylochus persuades the other crew members to disobey Odysseus and slaughter the cattle of the Sun. They do so one afternoon as Odysseus sleeps, when the Sun finds out, he asks Zeus to punish Odysseus and his men. Once they leave the island Zeus kicks up another storm, which destroys the ship and sends the entire crew to its death beneath the waves, except for Odysseus.

Helios’ cattle(Analysis)

Nov 20, 1200

This shows how Odysseus men caused themselves to die. Instead of just not going to the island in the first place they persuaded Odysseus to go. Then they went against his orders and got everyone punished. Odysseus could’ve learned that you shouldn’t trust someone who is already challenging your power. I learned to not trust everyone and sometimes crew can put you in bad situations.

Suiters/Home(Summary)

Nov 21, 1200

While Odysseus is away many men come in try to take Penelopes hand in marriage but she doesn’t agree. Odysseus makes himself a old man and hides his true identity from everyone except his son. He then proceeds to win every challenge in place for Penelope’s hand in marriage, still as the old beggar. After that Penelope’s says to move his bed which cannot be moved and that is the sign that Odysseus is finally home.

Suiters/Home(Analysis)

Nov 21, 1200

Odysseus learned from this that nothing could stop his love and that he never gave up. He didn’t stop until he was home even though he had many delays he always knew what his main goal was. I learned that love is a big deal and some people would do thing for it.