VORTES Odyssey

TROY- The Trojan War ANY

Nov 3, 1200

The Trojan War was a remarkable conflict between Troy and Mycenaean Greece. It began when Paris (prince of Troy) took Helen, wife of Menelaus (King of Sparta). As a result of this, Greece then went on a siege of Troy for ten years to retrieve her. The war concluded with Greece’s clever wooden horse trick.

TROY- The Trojan War Odysseus DESC

Nov 3, 1200

During the Trojan War, Odysseus lost a good number of his men, but in a result of this, he gained something far greater than he could have imagined. He gained fame, wisdom, and mastery of war strategies. The plan to make the Trojan horse turned the tables on the opposing side leading to victory for them. He learned the true meaning of perseverance and gained valuable alliances from the War. In conclusion, Odysseus lost his men but gained many things as well which made him wise.

DJERBA-LOTUS EATERS 11/7/1200 DESC

Nov 7, 1200

The Lotus Eaters are a group of mythological people whose main source of food is the lotus plant. The people live on the island of Djerba. The plant causes the consumer to forget their journey and purpose for going somewhere. When Odysseus and his men went to this island, some of his men decided to consume one of these plants and it caused them to forget their desire to go home, making them want to stay on the island. Odysseus had to bring his men back onboard to continue the journey.

DJERBA-LOTUS EATERS 11/7/1200 ANY

Nov 7, 1200

The Lotus-eaters taught Odysseus and his men a valuable lesson. The lotus eaters represent a moral lesson to us as it helps us understand that no matter the temptation, we must continue to focus on the goal at hand. The encounter with Odysseus's men also helps Odysseus become more of a leader as he shows his determination for home. The lotus eater portrays temptation as it causes some of his men to lose "their sight". This not only taught him a lesson, but us as well.

CYCLOPS DESC

Nov 11, 1200

When Odysseus and his crew arrived in the land of the Cyclops after the Trojan War, they meet Polyphemus the Cyclops. When they meet him, he traps them in his cave by blocking it off with a boulder. Each day, Cyclops eat some of his men, Odysseus gives Cyclops a drink and blinds him with a stake. The next day Odysseus makes a plan to escape by hiding under Cyclops sheep when they leave the cave.

CYCLOPS ANY

Nov 11, 1200

The conflict between Odysseus, his men and Cyclops was a valuable life lesson for Odysseus. This conflict made Odysseus think outside of the box and made him cleverer. The conflict also teaches us a lesson that being smart and intelligent is more important than brute strength. This event helps Odysseus become more of a leader; by making him use his brain, Odysseus was able to escape from the Cyclops.

AEOLUS-Bag of wind DESC

Nov 12, 1200

To help Odysseus on his quest back home, Aeolus the ruler of winds gives him a bag containing winds to help him sail home. But due to Odysseus's men being curious, they open the bag causing the winds to release. After this, Aeolus does not allow them to get help again because he thinks the gods oppose him. After this, Odysseus travels to the land of the Laestrygonians.

AEOLUS-Bag of wind ANY

Nov 12, 1200

The event is important to the readers and Odysseus because it teaches us moral lessons while teaching him what it means to be a leader. This event highlights the importance of trust, loyalty, and confidence. Due to Odysseus's men not being trustworthy, it caused them problems in the long run. This also tells us that it is ok to be curious sometimes but not all the time as it comes with danger. This event helped Odysseus learn the importance of trust between him and his crew as it benefits them.

CIRCE ANY

Nov 14, 1200

Odysseus's encounter with Circe was important because it taught Odysseus to have self-control and be resilient. This was important because if he didn't have self-control he would have fallen into Circe's hands. Circe's actions represent the abuse of power and control as she uses Odysseus's men to get what she wants from him. The recovery was important to the story because it allowed Odysseus and his men to rest at ease. This also teaches us the importance of self-control throughout situations.

CIRCE DESC

Nov 14, 1200

Circe is a powerful sorceress who lives on the island of Aeaea. When Odysseus and his men come to the island, Circe turns some of Odysseus's men into pigs. Odysseus then goes against Circe with the help of Hemes. Odysseus men turn back into human form as Odysseus wishes. Odysseus makes Circe promise not to harm his men, but because Circe has other intentions, Odysseus has to become her lover. Circe took care of Odysseus and his men for a year until they left.

SIRENS ANY

Nov 17, 1200

The encounter between the sirens and Odysseus's men shows how Odysseus slowly develops as a strategic thinker. This highlights Odysseus's cleverness and determination to get to his homeland. This also shows why Odysseus is a great leader to his crew by gaining their trust through every obstacle. This event also shows the crew's trust in Odysseus by going through with his smart plan. The encounter shows how trust in someone influences their role as a leader and model.

SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS DESC MESSINA

Nov 17, 1200

In the event between Odysseus and Scylla/Charybdis, Odysseus must sacrifice six men to survive. Scylla is a six-headed monster that eats sailors. Charybdis is a massive whirlpool that can swallow large ships. Odysseus chooses to sail closer to Scylla, having to sacrifice six men, to stay out of the way of Charybdis. Odysseus had to have made a decision or he and the whole crew would not have survived.

Helios cattle DESC Thrinacia

Nov 17, 1200

Odysseus and his crew arrive at the island of Thrinacia, which belongs to Helios the Sun God. The crew ignored warnings from Tiresias and Circe to not hurt the cattle and kill and eat the cattle. At the time, Odysseus was praying to the gods for mercy and help on Thrinacia. Helios in an act of revenge asks Zeus for punishment on them, who sends a storm that destroys their ship and kills all the crew members. Odysseus, being the only one alive sees his crew dead due to Zeus's punishment.

SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS ANY

Nov 17, 1200

This decision that Odysseus made contributed to the message of the sacrifices you have to make as a leader. It not only taught Odysseus that a leader has to make hard choices, but it also taught the crew that they must make sacrifices as well. This shows the crew's determination to get to their homeland and highlights the obstacles leaders have to make to succeed. This encounter was very important in character development for Odysseus.

Helios cattle ANY Thrinacia

Nov 17, 1200

This event was important because it highlighted the result of being disobedient and punished. This is why it is important to resist temptations and show how temptation is a two-edged blade and can be good and bad. This is why it is important to not defy their gods or punishment will come forth leading to chaos. Odysseus must now survive on his own in his journey to his homeland now.

SIRENS DESC NEAR CIRCE ISLAND

Nov 17, 1200

The sirens are monsters who persuade sailors to die using their beautiful songs. Odysseus comes up with a clever plan to put beeswax in his ears and make his crew tie him up to a mast so he can hear the song without going to the sirens. The siren's song "reveals" the future, but Odysseus's crew stays loyal to him and keeps sailing past them. Odysseus's clever plan worked just as he imagined it would.

SUITORS DESC HOME ITHACA

Nov 17, 1200

The suitors are a group of men who live in Odysseus' home while he is gone. Many believed that Odysseus was dead due to his long journey. The suitors wanted to marry Odysseus's wife, Penelope, and take his wealth. Penelope hosts a competition with her marriage as the prize, for the suitor who wins, Penelope delays choosing a suitor each time. Odysseus returns home with his son Telemachus and kills the suitors to get him home back and keep balance.

SUITORS ANY HOME ITHACA

Nov 17, 1200

This event with the suitors and Odysseus highlights the importance of loyalty, cruelty, and the importance of respect. Even though the suitors were allowed to go into Odysseus's home, they disrespected him. Although it seemed like Odysseus was dead, many stayed loyal to him believing in him every second. Penelope's choice to delay the suitors represents cleverness and loyalty to Odysseus, this is because she values her marriage. This is why family and loyalty are always important to families.