Evans, Odyssey

Trojan War Analysis

Nov 4, 1200

Odysseus gained a win for the Trojan War. He gained a reputation of intelligence and great strategy skills. He was respected for his wise strategy making skills and his creativity. During the war, he lost him with his wife, family, and home due to the war lasting 10 years. Competition with the other Gods rose tension.

Trojan War Description

Nov 4, 1200

Odysseus and his crew fought alongside the Greeks against the Trojans. Odysseus came up the with solution to put a bunch of soldiers in a Trojan Horse wooden structure to infiltrate the city of Troy. They left it outside the Gods gates as an offering to surrender. After the Greeks infiltrated the city, they set the city on fire.

Lotus-Eaters Description

Nov 8, 1200

The men ate the lotus flowers didn’t come back to report what they had discovered and didn’t want to return. They wanted to stay forever on the land and forget about their homeland. Odysseus tied the men to the boat so they wouldn’t escape and ordered the men not to eat the flowers or else they wouldn’t want to go home.

Lotus-Eaters Analysis

Nov 8, 1200

The lotus eaters represent temptation and the will to want to return home. Odysseus represents leadership in the vulnerable moment his men have. The temptation leads to forgetting their important goals to return home. Odysseus and his men encounter many obstacles like this in order to return home.

Cyclops Description

Nov 11, 1200

Odysseus was on his way back home they found the island where the Cyclopes lived. They spent days feasting on wine and the wild goats of the island. They discovered Polyphemus in his cave sleeping, a cyclops. Polyphemus ends up killing two of Odysseus’ men and eats them. Odysseus wants to get his revenge back by getting Polyphemus drunk and stabbing a spear through his one eye. Now blind, Odysseus’s men can escape without harm.

Cyclops Analysis

Nov 11, 1200

Odysseus used his great strategic skills to outsmart the Cyclops to escape. He was seen as a hero to his men for being able to save them. But on the other hand, he was only able to reveal his true name once he was at a distance. This could mean he wasn’t so brave to be beside the Cyclops, even when he was blind.

Aeolus- Bag of Wind Description

Nov 13, 1200

Aeolus- Bag of Wind Analysis

Nov 13, 1200

Circe Analysis

Nov 15, 1200

Odysseus leading his men into Circes hallway was a huge mistake. He was irresponsible with his men and lead them into danger. He showed he cared for them when he risked his life for theirs.

Circe Description

Nov 15, 1200

Circe is a dangerous woman that all men tend to steer clear from. She turns men into her animals once they fall for her traps. Odysseus was guided into Circes hall with his men. She tried to make Odysseus sleep with her, but failed. She turned his men into pigs and tried to feed Odysseus food. Odysseus was skeptical about it, since she turned his men into pigs and tried to sleep with him. He made her oath that he wouldn’t hurt him in exchange for his men. Circe became a good Ally in the end.

Scylla and Charybdis Analysis

Nov 18, 1200

Scylla and Charybdis can represent hard choices where there is no safe choice. Oydsseus has to make tough choices as a part of his leadership. He decides that it is better to lose 6 men to save the rest. Even with his knowledge, he can’t outsmart some things.

Sirens Description

Nov 18, 1200

Odysseus is warned by Circe about the Sirens. That they are irresistible and promise to reveal hidden secrets. Circe tells him and his men to plug their ears with wax, but Odysseus was curious. He decided to tie himself to the boat and listen to their song. The sirens offered knowledge to him, but he resisted.

Scylla and Charybdis Description

Nov 18, 1200

Scylla and Charybdis are dangerous creatures that Odysseus and his crew encounter while navigating through a strait. Scylla has six heads and tentacle-like legs. Charybdis is a whirlpool located on the opposite of Scylla. She sucks in massive amounts of water then spits it back out. Odysseus decides to go closer to Scylla because it is better to lose a couple of men then to lose everyone. In the end, he loses 6 men.

Sirens Analysis

Nov 18, 1200

The sirens are dangerous who lure sailors with promises. They prey on the sailors deepest desires. This represents Odysseus’ self-control and leadership. It shows that even with his curiosity, he has enough self-control to avoid harming himself.

Helios’ cattle Analysis

Nov 19, 1200

Helios’ cattle Description

Nov 19, 1200

Suitors/Home Analysis

Nov 19, 1200

The suitors are greedy, arrogant, and disrespectful to Odysseus’ home. They overstay their welcome and take advantage of Odysseus’ wealth, which violates the principle of hospitality in Greek mythology. Penelope was loyal and clever, which allowed her to steer clear of suitors posing to be Odysseus.

Suitors/Home Description

Nov 19, 1200

The suitors are disgusting men who take control of Odysseus’ home while he is gone. They try hard to take Penelope, while he is gone, but is unsuccessful. They use his wealth and his house to their advantage. Odysseus comes home disguised as an old man. Once he reveals his true form, with the help of his son and some loyal servants, he kills the servants.