So far, we’ve been talking about the ways that ancient texts encourage us to think about the concept of memory. This is both because they explicitly address memory as a shared cultural value (as Socrates does when he worries that writing will erode memory or as Homer does when he shows Telemachus collecting memories of his long-absent father), and because, in order to understand these texts fully, we have to consider the ways they were performed and shared orally over the course of generations.
First, I’m going to ask you to watch this twenty-minute video by science writer Joshua Foer, who is also a U.S. Memory Champion:
The feats of memory (both ancient and modern) Foer talks about in this video are truly impressive. But it’s also important, I think, to reflect on what he says at the end of the video about the link between memory and meaning. Now, for this assignment, you won’t be memorizing entire novels or a series of thousands of binary digits, but you will be exercising a part of your brain that you may not use very often. And, as you do so, you’ll focus on the ways that considering what a series of words mean might help you retain them.
For this assignment, you’ll first choose a short passage from any book of The Odyssey (it needn’t be from books 17-20, which you’ll also be reading for Tuesday). Your passage should be no fewer than 8 lines, but it may be as long as you like. (Your reward for exceeding eight lines, other than immense pride, will be a boost to your participation grade.) You should feel free to choose a passage you’ve already written about in one of your blog posts (after all, you’ve already read those passages several times). Using whatever technique works for you (it needn’t be the spatial method Foer discusses in his video), you’ll memorize your chosen passage.
Next, you’ll perform your passage in a short video to be uploaded to VOCAT, a platform that will allow you to share your video with me. (Unfortunately, we don’t have time to share all of the passages in our face to face meeting, though we may have time if you’re eager to volunteer!) Here are instructions for using VOCAT.
While you’re recording your recitation, try to keep in mind the role of the ancient Greek aoidos (oral poet). That is, you should avoid rushing through the lines as quickly as possible and instead think of them as advancing the story. Emphasize important words and phrases, use gestures, adjust your tone and inflection to convey as much information as you can in the short time that you have. Don’t be afraid to go slowly, and try to concentrate on enunciating so that your speech is clear. When you’re happy with your result, upload your video to VOCAT.
You will then provide a few brief annotations to your video, explaining the decisions you made in your performance. Why did you emphasize that line? Why did you make that face at that moment? Is there a pattern that you were trying to emphasize? Your annotations may also include reflections on your memorization process. Was there a particular line that gave you trouble? Why do you think so? What finally helped you retain it?
Your video, with your annotations, should be uploaded to VOCAT by Tuesday (2/24). (There’s no additional post to the blog for this week.)