Great Works I: Remixing Memory

I’m unsure as to why Athena even cares for Odysseus and everything that is going on. Athena’s intentions seem to be very unclear at this point in time and its confusing. Zeus did show that he is slightly concerned about Odysseus and his situation but Athena is mainly the only god that’s really putting in effort into trying to find Odysseus and bring him back. Why is that? Does Athena think she’s going to be rewarded? I wonder this cause why would she put so much effort into someone that doesn’t mean much to them. I’m not so sure as to what Athena is up to but it doesn’t seem right because she is going against the words of Poseidon. Poseidon wished for Odysseus to never return back home yet Athena is trying to get Odysseus back.

In this passage there is a line that gets me quite confused. Line 275 “the great Odysseus, long deprived, so ravenous now-“. Why is he referred to as the great Odysseus? People are worshiping Odysseus for no reason, there isn’t much reason to refer Odysseus as the “great”. There is a lot going on in this book and its getting quite confusing!    

Inside of this passage, Calypso raises concern for an apparent double standard among the immortals. Calypso is upset to see Hermes’s deliverance of Zeus’s message. At first I didn’t realize why she said, “ You unrivaled lords of jealousy-scandalized when goddesses sleep with mortals,” because they can’t be upset about that if Zeus often sleeps with mortals. I thought that him being the god of all gods meant he would be the one who needs to set an example. Then I wondered if he exempt because he is, in fact, the god of all gods. But reading further down I realized that I didn’t notice the goddesses part and that they were talking solely about females goddesses. This distinction was made clearer and more apparent when Calypso brought up Demeter and her love with Iasion that was ended brutally by Zeus. I question what Iasion did that he was given a brutal death. It is obvious that Odysseus is liked by many of the gods, excluding Poseidon, but the differences between the two treatments are miles apart.
Calypso then shows sadness and argues it must have been fate for him to arrive for her. All of his shipmates died, but Odysseus survived and was brought to Calypso by the current. What is so special about Odysseus that he survived? Was this by means of the gods? It seems likely that this would be the case because of the special attention given to him by Athena, but it is also possible that their is a trait about Odysseus that we have not learned yet. Finally towards the end of the passage Calypso agrees to let Odysseus go but even tho she “loves” him she doesn’t give any proper way for him to leave. There is no boat or crew or escort. She gives him the bear minimum. This may be as a backlash to the gods saying, “If I can’t have him, you can’t either.” So she doesn’t seem to care if he makes it to his next destination, and since Zeus was so set on him leaving her grasp it can be his effort to keep him alive on his treacherous trip to his home land.

Demodocus sings to Odysseus, King Alcinous, and other people in the king’s home. He sings about Troy and the situation revolving around the Trojan Horse. He goes on to sing about the great Odysseus and compares him to a “god of war on attack”. This makes Odysseus cry, which seems to me happens quite often. It was said that he would sob every day when he was trapped by the goddess, Calypso. The book even describes his weeping as that of a woman’s, one who has lost her husband and has experienced heartbreak. This makes me think Odysseus is somewhat over sensitive to things. But it may only be because he misses his home and family so much that he is much more emotional than usual and is going through heartbreak himself. He may also be more emotional being reminded of the war because he had lost so many men and it was a tragic experience leading to his capturing by Calypso.

No one noticed Odysseus’ crying but Alcinous. This leads me to believe Alcinous is a very kind, generous man. But I also question the king because if he was truly very kind, why has he not sent Odysseus on his way home yet? It seems that Odysseus has been begging Alcinous and Arete since the minute he has entered their home to be sent home. Alcinous promised Odysseus that he would get a crew to bring him back to his own home and family. But before that happens, it seems Odysseus has to spend time talking to everyone, feasting, watching them run and play sports, and later on be interrogated with many questions about himself. It makes me question why Alcinous did not just prepare a sea crew and send Odysseus home the morning after he showed up at his doorstep. It also confuses me because Alcinous makes Demodocus stop singing because it is making Odysseus emotional, which shows he seems to care about this poor, heartbroken man, yet he takes his time in sending him home. Maybe this is because he doesn’t want Odysseus to leave because he thinks he’d be a good husband to his daughter, Nausicca. But he does promise to eventually send Odysseus on a ship home.

These last two similes of the book 5, the recovering father and the preserved fire, could be a subject to many contextual interpretations, but leitmotif of the last pages of book 5 is echoed with the theme of resurrection and renewed life from the spiritual death of Odysseus on the Calypso island. Odysseus first glimpses Phaeacia, the land that offers salvation from the storm and will complete his return to Ithaca: as <“Joy… warm as the joy that children feel when they see their father’s life dawn again, one who’s lain on the sickbed racket with torment, wasting away, slowly under some angry power’s onslaughts – then what joy when the gods, deliver him from his pains. So warm, Odysseus’ joy when he saw that shore…. >”

Odysseus’ joy is like the joy of the children who have been expecting the death of their father, conceivably, the loss of the family. They have watched him suffer for a long time as his life is being eaten away; Odysseus too has been watching his life erode as he sits in a golden cage, weeping in desire for his home even though he is surrounded by an island paradise. The simile suggests that Calypso’s island has been the land of death; the sea is the place where death is only threatened; the land of Phaeacia, with its prospect of return to Ithaca, is the gift of life. If the simile had stated that Odysseus welcomed this land as much as the father welcomed the return of good health, it would have been clear but would have failed to emphasize the perspective of the children who have watched a life decline and draw near its end. That external and impartial view is the position of Odysseus. In book 5 he is presented as a man who can see his own life as an observer and choose from among the paths open to him, while throughout the rest of the poem Odysseus will be presented as the man who seeks to serve not only himself but also his family, wife, son, and father. So this simile has a dual approaching, warmth joy of revivification, from induced submissiveness and spiritual and mental death, and joy from long-awaited returning of the protector and brave warrior.

Also another interesting simile is the symbol of olive tree that provide a shelter to him. “<…beneath two bushy olives sprung from the same root , one olive wild , the other well-bred stock….>” What Homer was trying to sad with this mixture? Interweaving of divine and human providence , fate itself or this is just another allegory that resolve in a future. The olive tree itself is a thoughtfully selected symbol. In Greece the olive tree symbolizes peace and prosperity, as well as resurrection and hope. “This was demonstrated by the events after the burning of Athens by the Persian King Xerxes in the V century BC. Xerxes burned the entire Acropolis city, within which was the centenary of olive trees of Athena, which was also burned. However, when the Athenians entered the scorched city, the olive tree had already grown a branch, symbolizing the rapid recuperation and renovation of the Athenians in the face of adversity.” (Wikipedia, olive tree in mythology) “Odysseus crept beneath the dead lives” as a symbol of rebirth, theme of renewed life.

Another simile that symbolize of  revival or his return could be found in a last passage of book 5: “as a man will bury his glowing brands in a black ashes, off on a lonely farmstead , no neighbors near , to keep a spark alive – no need to kindle fire from somewhere else – so great Odysseus buried himself in lives..” Fire is a traditional symbol of warrior, purity through destruction or rebirth in some religions. Additionally, just as Odysseus feels small and endangered by overpowering forces, so the fire is diminished in size—though not in potential. This is the sign of Odysseus, returning king, the audience is learned through similes, that Odysseus even at his lowest moment is a faithful father to his family , he is returning to life, and he will sooner become that force that will successfully lead his people to reconstruct Ithaca and clean his land from enemies , like fire does.

I am overall confused over Odysseus’ situation in The Odyssey by Homer. I understand that he constantly cries over his failed attempt to journey home yet there is no mention as to how exactly Calypso is forcing him to stay with he nor is there any mention of Odysseus attempting to escape. However, I do not particularly hold Odysseus accountable for the latter because I am guessing that a mortal who purposely defies a god will suffer great punishment. It is odd that Odysseus has been referred to as “great” several times and yet there is no real explanation as to why he is so highly esteemed. Hermes did once call him a wicked man but there was no explanation and to why he did so. Calypso does not reveal why she would even bother to make Odysseus immortal or why she wants him as her lover. Penelope has spent twenty years missing her husband and continues to grieve for him everyday; she shows absolutely no interest in any of her very persistent suitors. People almost seem to worship Odysseus and it is so strange because they worship him for no apparent reason. I wonder what Athena sees in Odysseus that enables her to spend so much of her time trying to get him back home. Although Zeus has expressed concern over Odysseus’ situation, Athena is the only god who is actively trying to ensure his arrival back home. She even consoles Odysseus’ wife Penelope when the poor woman worries over her son’s uncertain future. I just do not know why Athena even cares much at all about the whole situation. The character of Odysseus is a mystery but the intentions of Athena are just confusing.

Although I may not know of her motives, I understand that Athena wants Odysseus to go back to his home. I presumed this meant that she wants Odysseus to be with his wife Penelope again. Why she would make Odysseus more attractive so that the princess Nausicaa would take more notice of him, I do not understand. I do not see how tempting Odysseus with the naked body of a young, virgin princess and tempting the princess with a beautiful man is going to help Athena with her original plan. Athena even planted the idea of impending marriage in Nausicaa’s mind the night before she meets Odysseus. At this point, I cannot be sure what Athena’s plan is. Whatever she is trying to accomplish must be important to her since she is willing to disrespect Poseidon’s wish to keep Odysseus from his home; Poseidon may begin to take revenge on Athena for helping Odysseus.  The plot is getting confusing and all the unknowns are a little frustrating.

“A bad day for adultery! Slow outstrips the swift”

Taken from book 8, the act of adultery is a sinful act. One of the many lessons taught in the epic of Odysseus, the novel focuses on the return home of a king and the endeavors he faces. Upon starting the story I focused mainly on the plot, what will happen, who he will meet, etc. The epic is far more a story, instead it teaches readers lessons of life and how to deal with problems. An example being the previous quote. The Odyssey takes such a sin and blows it up, it creates a descriptive painting of anger, revenge and punishment for the crime. Think before you act, the main take away from this scenario, in fact a large takeaway from books 1-8.

Throughout the novel Odysseus encounters a situation that could lead to different outcomes. An example book 5, line 460, as Odysseus is near landfall, any attempt to near the coast line guarantees death. If attempted the waves will either crush him against the jagged rocks or rugged reefs. Instead of swimming into the coast line and hoping for the best, he stops and weighs his options. It seems time has stood still as he talks over what each scenario will lead to if attempted. Doing so the antagonist makes the wiser decision each time he consults with himself. This is done again as he approaches Nausicaa and her maids on the river’s edge and again when he is at sea and the Leucothea tells him to leave his raft and tie a scarf around his waist for safety. Bright minded Odysseus does not jump into a situation, he takes a step back, plays out each scenario and wisely picks the one with low risk. Every time this is done, he comes out on top. It’s no wonder why he was able to come away from Troy alive.

Odysseus has a mind that seems immortal compared to characters he meets. Every obstacle the gods place upon him, he does not doubt himself or go into a panic, determination is automatically programmed into his mind. The main lesson that ties this novel together is his will to push forward. As cliché as it sounds, especially coming from me, he pushes through each task he is given. Odysseus is able to do what many cannot. Once he has something locked into his head, there is no stopping him from prevailing. As mortal as he is, why the gods tinker with this man is beyond his knowledge. It seems he is more god like than they are.

For your second assignment, due Tuesday (2/10), you’ll keep working on the kind of annotating of the poem that we’ve been talking about in class. Annotation not only forces you to respond to the text actively (instead of just passively turning pages, which doesn’t really help much when it comes to critical or analytical reading), it also helps you find important or interesting passages later (whether it be in class discussion or when you’re writing your papers).

First, you’ll want to complete the reading for Tuesday (books 5-8 of The Odyssey), paying particular attention to moments that seem to resist an easy summary of the plot. (You might think about some of the moments we looked at in class, including odd similes or strange encounters between characters.)

Then, for your blog post, upload an image of a passage (no more than a page) that you’ve annotated. Try to make the image as clear as you can, so that the text can be read. (Don’t worry about your handwriting! And don’t worry if some of the marks you’ve made aren’t intelligible to other readers.)

Here’s a handy link to the help page: Uploading images

Your page might look something like this:

You can click on the image to make it bigger.

Try not to self-censor! Just mark anything you see, however obvious it might be to you at first. Ask questions, highlight odd or repeated word choices, or look up references if you find that helpful.

Here’s a useful online resource on annotating poems, if you still feel like you’re not sure what you’re looking for:

How to Read and Annotate a Poem

Then, in a post to accompany the image (again, no more than 500 words), discuss what you’ve noticed about the passage. What patterns do you see? What choices stick out? What questions are raised for you? Note: you don’t have to have all of the answers! The aim for this step is to unpack some ways that the text is more complicated than it might seem at first. It’s not to have a definitive interpretation of the passage (though you should feel free to start to offer preliminary thoughts).

For the passage I uploaded above, for example, I would point out the ways that Odysseus’s exchange with Calypso raises questions for the reader about his personality, especially since this is one of the first times we encounter him in the poem. He seems to pick up on and repeat certain phrases when he speaks with her—is this because they’re just in sync (after all, they’ve spent years together on this island)? Or is he, instead, just telling her what she wants to hear? He’s called “worldly” by the poet here, which seems like an important variation on what he’s usually been called so far (“wily” or “cunning”); what exactly does “worldly” suggest? The comparison of Calypson and Penelope is important, not just because it brings up the whole mortal/immortal divide that’s central to how we understand the difference between all of these characters. It also reminds us that Penelope is home waiting for Odysseus while this very conversation is taking place. His conversation with Calypso seems pretty loaded, especially since his (half-hearted? or diplomatic?) defense of his desire to return home is followed by his (seemingly willing) trip straight to Calypso’s bed! (I would definitely argue that they have sex here when it says “lost themselves to love.”) So, among other things, this passage raises questions for me about what we’re supposed to make of Odysseus’s lack of faithfulness, since Penelope’s faithfulness is so important. What exactly do we mean when we say he’s being “imprisoned” by Calypso? How hard has he been trying to get home, anyway?

Finally, a reminder:

This should be a new post of your own (not a comment on this post); you can start a new post by going to the “+New” button at the top of this screen. Before you “Publish” your post, be sure to proofread it carefully and please tag your post (in the window to the right)—you can use existing tags or create new ones of your own. If you’re still learning how to use the blog platform, check out the “Help!” button at the top of the screen. A rubric for how blog posts are evaluated can be found on the syllabus and under the “assignments” tab.

In the first article “Phaedrus”, Socrates talks about how writing is bad because he states that when the author writes something, he has a specific idea or concept in mind when he is writing. When the author dies, his writings are left to be read by others but unfortunately, that is where the problem with writing arises. Since the writer is gone, no one can accurately know what his original idea was and therefore the writing can be mistaken by and abused by those who don’t understand what the article is talking about.

While I agree with Socrates that writing can cause problems because of the way readers can misinterpret what writers have written, I don’t believe that simply passing knowledge through oral means is a perfect solution to this problem. Writing is a very efficient way to record the history and events of the past and a way for people to bring their ideas to others in an easy to understand way even if they may not understand it. Passing of information purely through oral communication can cause problems because no person’s memory is perfect and as a result, information can be lost or broken apart over time. The best way of passing information should be the usage of both oral and written information.

With Nicholas Carr, his idea that the internet is affecting our intelligence is acceptable according to how he points it out. As a result of people having to scan websites for information rather than doing research in a library like in the past, people have become accustomed to not reading entire books or articles but rather skim through it looking for essential keywords for what their looking for. Its very noticeable when many people around you are constantly looking at their phones and computers intently but rarely seem to be able to hold attention when reading any sort of book or newspaper. In order to fix this problem, it is important that people should use their free time instead of going on the internet to read a book in order to regain the ability to read long texts and articles.

“Phaedrus” is a dialogue between Socrates and Phaedrus. Here Socrates argues that, writing makes human being unwise. He told Phaedrus a story about an Egyptian God Theuth and Egyptian king Thamus. Theuth first discovered the use of letters in Egypt. He showed his invention to king Thamus and said that, “This will make the Egyptians wiser and given them better memories; for this is the cure of forgetfulness and folly (96)”. Thamus said, “This invention will create forgetfulness in learner’s souls, because they will not use their memories (96)”. I agree with Theuth’s statement that writing makes us wise and makes our memory better. Writing does not create forgetfulness in human rather it helps people to remember. When we read something, for example: any article or poem and write it down then that thing remains on our mind for a long time and whenever we look at the writing, it reminds us about that thing. This is how writing helps us to remember things. In addition, today we are able to know about Socrates and his great thoughts only because of writing. Plato wrote down Socrates conversations, his thoughts and opinions, and that’s why we are being able to know about him.

Plato wrote about Socrates point of view about writing. According to Socrates, “writing threatens to make us shallower thinkers, preventing us from achieving the intellectual depth that leads to wisdom”. In Socrates view, writing is making us shallow thinkers and preventing us from achieving true wisdom. Plato is a great and thoughtful writer, he wrote about Socrates negative opinion about writing. Socrates had this conversation with Phaedrus centuries ago. Today we can read it only because of Plato’s writing. If Plato would not write it down then we could not know about his point of view and his opinion. From this, one thing has proved that “written word has more advantage than spoken word”.

Carr argues that Google has changed the way we think and it is ruining our concentration power. Nowadays, we have become very dependent on Google. Whenever we need to search something, we simply go to Google, and search it in few minutes.  Google does everything in a fast and easy way, and we have become use to with this system. Now we want to do everything like this, in an easy and simple way. Usually, it takes two to three days to read a storybook. Now there are short summaries of long stories available on Google, and most of us prefer to read those summaries. Those short Google articles or summaries are not as details as a book. In addition, when we read a book, then we can feel the writer’s words, his thoughts, and it influences us to think like him. However, when we read an article on Google we do not feel the same way. In addition, looking at the computer screen for a long time makes us tired, and spoils our concentration.

After reading these three articles I have another perspective of more effective ways of learning. I studied Philosophy couple years ago and I was concerned that Socrates’ method for learn more was based in oral conversations and not in writing. Socrates has an interesting point of view were the only way that we are able to learn is through talking and conversation, that was the way that he use to teach to his students. In a sense I think that it is a good point of view because you will pay more attention to the people when they talk since is the only resource of knowledge, also you will hang around wise and people with the same interests as you for obtain more information of what you will like to know. It also true that the human being has limits and ¨you are limited to what you can hold in your mind¨(1) and as I said I think it is a good idea to get knowledge from the oral conversations but it is not the better one. Sometimes we need to retain some information or others we will like to leave alive some of our memories by writing them because by talking everything could change.  I think it’s a good way of ¨reminiscence¨ (2). Plato, Socrates’ student is writing the dialogues that Socrates was having. For me is not contradicted, as I think he could thought that the wise Socrates had to be remembered by everyone and known in the future therefore he had to write down their wisest and complex ideas about the knowledge.

Nowadays this writing has become excessive and not even in a proper grammatically way. The new technologies as Internet has become as in machines were we find the information rapidly that in old ages ¨but it comes at a price; we lost the ability to read and absorb a longish article on the we or in print¨(3) We are so use to read over the paragraphs, to get hundreds of sources on Internet to find what we are looking for, that we became lazy  and once we have to read more than one paragraphs to get the content we need we get tired and change the page. That’s so true and I TOTALLY AGREE, with the LAZINESS that the INTERNET had created. I love it, but it had create a great problem among the people, specially has the teenagers. Personally I lost the ability, if I had it before, of reading long texts or of searching through a long prose without changing of article or website as soon as I don’t see what I need right away. This great article open my mind, and if you don’t exercise your brain reading it will not come naturally to us because it is not a characteristic that we need to live that is why we do not born with that ability and we have to work on it.