Odysseus Tells His Tale

In book VIII we finally learn what adventures and misadventures have kep Odysseus from reaching home in the last ten years.  Which of Odysseus' adventures do you find most intriguing, exciting, confusing or bizarre? This is an opportunity to write about our initial reactions so please be sure to explain why you feel as you did about whichever story you choose.

What Can We Learn About Ancient Greek Culture from The Odyssey?

Thus far we have read four chapters of The Odyssey and we have encountered a number of characters. We've learned about the law of hospitality, about augury, the gods, etc. Based on the chapters we have read and the people we have met in The Odyssey, what other values and customs might you conclude were important to ancient Greek culture? Are there certain personality traits that are important? Are there particular practices that the Greeks seem to honor? Let's use this time and space to gain some cultural insight into the society from which this great epic poem came. In your response, please cite the passage or scene that lead you to the cultural conclusions you write about. Also, please be sure to write about a concept or principle that we have not discussed in class.

Your entry should be four to six sentences in length and you are encourage to engage your classmates in your written discussion, so please read and consider the thoughts of others.