ODYSSEY Quiz #1

Please choose one of the Odyssey-related poems in the packet I distributed on Wednesday. Then, respond to the following:

How does the poet interpret the characters in THE ODYSSEY? In what ways has the poem deviated from a conventional imagining of the character? What is the benefit of doing experiencing/writing a poem like this?

Please type your response (about 500 words) and bring to class on Friday. We will complete questions 2-5 in class.

Extra Credit #1

In order to earn up to 10 points to any of our categories (quizzes, exams, essays), complete the following:

Read Margaret Atwood's novel, THE PENELOPIAD. Then write a 5-8 page paper discussing the novel and THE ODYSSEY. Consider Atwood's vision of Penelope. How is she different? Is this a successful reading of the epic poem? What about Atwood's use of poetry, burlesque, mock trial and music? Why does she use the dead maids this way? What is their purpose? Is the novel successful overall?

DUE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th

The Odyssey as Root Metaphor

Homer's Odyssey (etext here) is often considered a root metaphor for our culture. Certainly, the quest story, as we've discussed is one still found in modern literature and film, and our definition of what makes a hero is only slightly changed from that Achaians. In short, links to THE ODYSSEY can be found everywhere.

Don't believe me?

The Brits love their Homer:



Even Homer loves Homer:



And yes, Clapton loves Homer, too:

Film Response (Quiz)

In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Darmok," Captain Picard and his crew encouter an alien race that communicates only by reference to specific episodes in their history and culture. For example, suppose you wanted to express love. Instead of saying "I love you," you might say "Juliet on her balcony." The person you are speaking to would conjure up a mental image of the Shakespearean scene and thereby understand what you were trying to communicate.

Consider your reading of GILGAMESH in relation to this film. Then, think about the following questions (these are merely prompts. You can answer one or all of them, or go off on your own exploration).

1)Is there evidence that humans communicate in this manner, too?
2)Reflect upon the larger societal implications the Star Trek episode suggests. Apply this understanding to an analysis of your own community's values and expectations.
3)What is the impact of the loss of a story in human society? Conversely, what is the impact of their preservations?

This response will count as a quiz, and should be about 700-1000 words in length. Due Monday.

GILGAMESH Quiz #1

Answer the following question in a well-developed paragraph. Please use specific examples from the text to make your point. Also, please type and double space your response and bring to class on Wednesday. We will complete the quiz with questions 2-5 in class.

When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh goes nearly mad with grief. He even sits by the body until it starts to decay! Afterwards, he puts on animal skins and seeks the underworld and the secret of immortality.

What is Gilgamesh's motive for his search? Is it love? Fear? Something else?

Welcome to Sutton Hoo, your World Literature II weblog. Here you'll find links to supplemental readings, images and videos, as well as your quizzes and essay assignments.

An essential question drives this course: Why is storytelling significant to humans? Is it important to read ancient texts? Will the texts our era produces be significant, too?

Okay, okay. So those are three questions. As the semester progresses, I'm certain we'll come up with a few more.

For now, we begin with the oldest story on record, THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH (click on the title for an online version of the text). Below is an image of one tablet from the epic. It tells the story of a great flood, which many of you will find familiar (more on that later). The tablet was found in Northern Iraq, in what once was Mesopotamia and dates to the 7th century BC. Lucky for you, our textbook isn't in cuneiform.