The Odyssey

 

 

Unit Learning goal: At the end of this unit, students will be able to show an understanding of the Odyssey as an Epic Poem by writing a essay that lists the epic elements of the Odyssey, discusses how Odysseus fits the role of the Epic Hero, and summaries the book into six parts. 

 

Scale/Rubric relating to learning goal:

4 – The student is able to show an understanding of the Odyssey as an Epic Poem by creating a video that not only lists the epic elements of the Odyssey, discuss how Odysseus fits the role of the Epic Hero, and summaries the book into six parts, but also relates the Odyssey to contemporary society. 

3 – The student can show an understanding of the Odyssey as an Epic Poem by creating a video that lists the epic elements of the Odyssey, discuss how Odysseus fits the role of the Epic Hero, and summaries the book into six parts

2 – With some direction/help from the teacher the student can show an understanding of the Odyssey as an Epic Poem by creating a video that lists the epic elements of the Odyssey, discuss how Odysseus fits the role of the Epic Hero, and summaries the book into six parts

1 – Even with help from the teacher the student is unable to show an understanding of the Odyssey as an Epic Poem by creating a video that lists the epic elements of the Odyssey, discuss how Odysseus fits the role of the Epic Hero, and summaries the book into six parts

 

OBJECTIVES:  At the end of this unit students will be able to

 

THEMES:

Be able to show three examples from the text to back up each of the following:

Loyalty

Hospitality

Pride/Arrogance

Coming of Age

Forgetting (or the evils of drugs and women)

 

MOTIFS:

Be able to explain the following and why they are used:

Storytelling

Back story of Troy

Agammenon/Clytaimnestra

 

Other Epic elements:

Starts “in the middle of things”; Odysseus’ tragic flaw; sports

 

SYMBOLS:

 

Be able to explain the following:

Birds (especially eagles); Hades; Odyssey’s Wound

 

GODS (know the following and what they do in the text)::

Athena; Poseidon; Hermes; Zeus; Helios

 

SEDUCTRESSES: (know the following and their purpose)

Helen; Calypso; Circe; Sirens

 

CHARACTERS:

 

Be able to give a description of the following and their roles in the story (perhaps what the symbolize or represent – and connect to a theme)

 

Agammenon                                      Amphinomos

Achilles                                              Telemachos

Helen                                                 Laertes

Menelaus                                           Penelope

Aias (Ajax)                                         Antinoos       

Orestes                                              Eurymachos

Nestor                                                            Lotus Eaters

Mentor                                               Ciconians

Nausicaa                                            Polyphemos

Alcinoos                                             Scylla

Arete                                                  Charybdis

Emaios                                               Aiolos

Theoclymenos                                   Elpenor

Melanthios                                        Teiresias

Arnaios                                              Eurylochos

Eurycleia                                           Cassandra

Tityo                                                   Tantalus

Sisyphus

 

New Vocabulary

Abase
Abhorrence
Scylla
Nereid
Ambrosia
Asphodel
Astern
Azura
Baleful
Bane
Caveat
Colonade
Diachronic
Diatribe
Exanimate

For the Map of Odyssey go HERE