After reading about what a day of contests or festivals was like in the Greek Culture, do you think it reflects in our ways of celebrating? If so, how? When we first see Odysseus in the book, he is crying. Why do you think this song made him so emotional? Alcinous could not stop talking about how lovely Phaeacia was and how Odysseus needed to tell people about it when he finally returned home. Why do you think King Alcinous did this? On page 195, the second paragraph, what do you think of the way action is shown through out this book? Do you like the way Homer tried to pursue it? Also what do you think of Broadsea? Does his name reflect his personality? In the end of the book we see Odysseus crying again. On page 208, the second paragraph, the way Odysseus us presented is very powerful. What do you think lines 588- 596? What do you think they mean? Feel free to answer all or none and go off in a completely different topic that I didn’t touch on if you would like.
The Ancient Greek celebration and our own are not very different. We both play games and have entertainers come. The actual activities vary slightly, but all in all things are similar. As for the song, it stirred many memories for Odysseus, but mainly, it reminded him of all the companions he had lost in the fight, and how desperate he was to get home. It also reminded him of all the pain that he had endured.
ReplyDeleteThe king continually talks of how great Phaeacia was because he wants Odysseus to go home and tell everyone that the island is an incredible place. This is because of the Greek pride that all of these people feel. Odysseus feels pride towards his athletic ability, the king is proud of his country.
Broadsea is an interesting character. He is a proud prince, but he is very willing to admit Odysseus is stronger, and then he becomes quite courteous. This is a good model for the Ancient Greek. His name is very Phaeacian, for it reflects the sea and the long broad oars they use.
I think the Greek culture definitely reflects on how modern day events are celebrated. For the most part they are the same, but activities differ a little bit. Ancient Greek times and modern times both share the similarities of having guest, events, and basically the same structure. When we first see Odysseus crying over the song, he shows his sensitivity side once again. I think the song definitely made him emotional because it reminded him of home, and how much he was eager to get there. He probably missed everyone and the lifestyle he used to have before he left. However, I think the king kept bringing up Phaeacia, so people in Ithaca, would want to go there, as Jack said. During this time everyone wanted to be royal and powerful within society, and the king was definitely trying to pursue this passion. He takes dignity in his palace and enjoys the pleasure of being able to call it his own
ReplyDeleteGreek partying (yes I just used 'party' as a verb) - has its similarities to partying today. There is lots of feasting, games, etc. I think that Odysseus was crying because all those bad memories being spoken to him all at once was dramatizing. The name Broadsea, hm. This is a interesting topic because it seems that a lot of names in greek mythology reflect the actual person. Lines 588-596 are very interesting. Odysseus is recalling horrible experiences in the war, and no one around him has any empathy, they must think he's crazy for bawling like that.
ReplyDeleteDuring King Alcinous' celebration, Odysseus breaks down in tears. The music and talk of the Trojan war brings back memories of his fallen comrades and how dearly he wants to go home. Odysseus has suffered very much in the past years; however, in our day, a strong, calloused man is not "supposed" to cry. And it seems as though that It wasn't strange for men to cry or show their emotions in public.
ReplyDeleteAs maggie mentioned, Alcinous is constantly reminding Odysseus about how beautiful and wonderful Phaeacia is. It is because Alcinous wants a legacy and wants to be rembered of helping Odysseus, the great warrior, home. Not to forget, when Odysseus arrives home and he tells everyone of Phaeacia, the number of visitors and the trade will increase.
When reading the book, Broadsea's name completely gave away his character. The "Broad" part of his name described him: a big, powerful, athletic guy.
The events of ancient Greek celebration were similar to celebrations that we have today. There were games, feasting, contests, music, stories, all of which can be found in modern celebration. The bard’s songs evoked such emotion from Odysseus because they described the events of the Trojan war, obviously a series of troubling memories for Odysseus, in great detail. Odysseus even complements the bard for his accuracy and ability to get the feeling of the war across in his song.
ReplyDeleteAlcinous probably was so eager to tell Odysseus of the splendor of Phaecia because he can probably tell that Odysseus is an important person. Either by his build or by his obvious intelligence, Alcinous must expect that wherever is home for Odysseus, he must have some power or wealth. I think that Alcinous wants Odysseus to remember his time on Phaecia and the gifts that the Phaecian people bestowed upon him primarily as a diplomatic move. Odysseus and his descendants may be less inclined to attack Phaecia after the kindness of Alcinous.
Broadsea's name does describe his personality and his place in the story mainly because the sea is the primary antagonist of Odysseus, and Broadsea is pretty antagonizing. Broadsea’s personality can also be applied to Poseidon and the sea because both are strong but arrogant.
I think that the kind of celebration of King Alcinous hosted is much like the celebrations that we have today. There is eating, singing, dancing, and competitive entertainment. Compared to our modern day parties, they have many similarities. During the party, the song makes Odysseus emotional and forces him to think back on how many fellow comrades he lost during the long years of war and how much he craves to return home from his long journey. I agree with George on how it is surprising how men showing their "soft side" in public is not unusual compared to modern day.
ReplyDeleteAfter meeting the character Broadsea, I started to enjoy how he interacted with Odysseus because it showed how competitive he is. He begins to mock Odysseus and teases him on having the right skills in sports and games. I think his name suits his character perfectly because he acts like a tough guy that is able to rile up others, just like the sea has previously "done" to Odysseus (from Poseidon.)
I believe that Ancient Greek celebrations and our own are fairly similar. As Jack mentioned we both play games and hire entertainers for our needs; however the games themselves are very different. All in all our version of celebrating and feasting is actually very close to what the Ancient Greeks did.
ReplyDeleteWhen Odysseus was listening to the song it stirred many memories of the Trojan war. These memories, most of which consisted of him losing many of his comrades, brought back a lot of painful and sad memories. The result of this was that he began to cry, which to us may not seem very manly, but as George said to the Greeks it was not strange for men to let their emotions show.
When I came across Broadsea's name I could already tell that he was this big, strong, dumb man. His very name as George says, tells us exactly what to expect before we even meet him.
For so long Odysseus has been on an epic journey struggling each step of the way. He always was busy trying to get home or thinking about getting home. Finally here in Phaeacia he is relaxed in a lively party where he finally has the means to get home. His vulnerable state allows the songs about the Trojan War to have an effect him, and he is forced to relive the horrors that he hasn't thought about in years. This segways nicely into the king's curiosity regarding Odysseus' past which allows Odysseus to retell, for all the readers and listeners, his legendary tale. I thought it was interesting that Homer likened Odysseus to a helpless woman when he was crying, yet in the same breath he calls Odysseus great.
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