Journal Topic
The ways technology makes life
better…and worse!
Review: Paperless Day and
Technology in the classroom
 Helpful
 Problems
Journal Topic
“A time I fooled someone”
or
“A time someone fooled me”
Journal Topic
“The Biggest Threat to My Future”
Lesson 32
What does the reader learn about Greek
culture from the story of The Cyclops?
Review
 Odysseus – Epic Hero
 The Trojan War
 Odysseus – a man in search of home
 His story is the story of man’s search for his place
in the world
 Odysseus – a man facing obstacles and
temptations
 Life involves overcoming barriers to our goals
Review
 Greek Culture and Values
 Intellect
 Resisting temptation
 Humility (not pride)
 Hospitality
 Education
 The Odyssey illustrates Greek values
 “Train up a child in the way he should go…”
 Ithaca…”A rocky isle, but good for a boy’s training.”
Web Assignment
 Assigned page
 Per. 1 – “I am Laertes’ Son”
 Per. 2 – “The Cyclops”
 Per. 4 – “The Enchantress Circe”
 Posting to Discussion Tab
 First Name, Last Initial – Per. _
 Ex.: JohnS-Per1
 Scoring




3 sentences – 70
5 sentences – 80
7 sentences – 90
9 sentences – 100
Today’s Assignment
 Be sure you have posted your reaction to “I
am Laertes’ Son” on the Web-Site
 Read “The Cyclops” pp. 660-670
 Complete Quiz and turn in before you leave
 Post your reactions to this section and “I am
Laertes’ Son” (for homework)
 Odysseus and his men are trapped in a cave by




Polyphemus – a one-eyed Cyclops (son of
Poseidon)
Cyclops is strong, proud, cruel and feeds on
Odysseus’ men
Odysseus and his men make a spear from an olive
wood pole and blind the Cyclops
Odysseus comes up with clever plan to escape
Once safely on board, Odysseus reveals his true
identity to the Cyclops and he and his men are
cursed
 Cyclops violates the Greek custom of xenia
(hospitality)
 “Here we stand beholden for your help, or any
gifts you give—as custom is to honor
strangers.”
 “We Cyclops care not a whistle for your
thundering Zeus or all the gods in bliss…”
 Cyclops demonstrates excessive pride (called
hubris)—a character flaw
 Symbolism: The spear made from olive wood
 According to myth, Athena and Poseidon
competed for sovereignty (rule) over Attica by
offering gifts
 Poseidon gave water to the barren land
 Athena gave olive trees
 Athena’s gift was deemed best Attica becomes
Athens
 The olive wood pole used by Odysseus to blind
Polyphemus represents another victory for
Athena over Poseidon
Character
 Odysseus’ character
 Not deceived by Polyphemus and lies about his




ship’s whereabouts
Smart – doesn’t kill Polyphemus while he sleeps
Clever – gives his name as Nohbdy (the Greek
word is ‘outis’—sounds a bit like Odysseus)
A strategist – comes up with the plan to escape
the cave
Pride– shouts out his name to Polyphemus
Key ideas in the story
 Kleos - the glory or renown that one earns in the
eyes of others by performing great deeds
 Odysseus announcement of his name (act
associated with xenia):
 “Ransacker of cities” – description of his deeds
 “Laertes’ son” – paternal heritage
 “Whose home is Ithaca” – reference to homeland
 By blinding Polyphemus and announcing his name
he is proclaiming his greatness (kleos)
 Story further illustrates the Greek view of the
superiority of intellect over physical strength
Comparison
Polyphemus
Odysseus
 Pride
 Pride
 Overestimates his
 Overestimates his
own strength/power
 Underestimates his
opponent
 Blind to Odysseus’
cunning
own wisdom/power
 Revelation of his
name is foolish (lacks
foresight/wisdom)
 Telling the son of
Poseidon his name is
an act of hubris