"...the Story itself, the series of imagined events, is nearly always passed over in silence, or else treated exclusively as affording opportunities for the delineation of character."
There are two main schools of thought when it comes to what drives a narrative and what causes it to pull on the human imagination. One - that the events are the most important element. Two - that the characters are the most important element. (You may remember that our working definition of 'narrative' is a story plus narrative discourse, and that our working definition of 'story' is that which has both an entity (character) and an event.)
Of course, it's not as simple as either A or B, i.e. it is not ONLY characters which drive a narrative or ONLY events which drive a narrative. Still, most of us are enamored and engaged by one or the other to a greater degree.
Now that you are almost halfway through The Odyssey, do you find yourself leaning towards the character camp or the event (plot) camp? What keeps you engrossed in the book (besides the fact that it's required for the class) - wanting to know what happens next, or wanting to know more about a certain character? Please provide some specific examples from the text (book.line) to explain your position.
In having to choose which “camp” to be a part of, I would say I am more a part of the character camp. Although I agree completely with the idea that it are not only the characters that drive a story, but rather the collection of characters, their personalities, traits and the events they are going through. I think that it is more common to relate to a characters emotion and feelings rather than a major life event they might be going through.
ReplyDeleteIn The Odyssey, I find Penelope to be the most relatable character and it is my curiosity to know what happens to her throughout the book that keeps my interest and keeps me reading. When Penelope learns that Telemachus has gone off to sea to find Odysseus “…her knees gave way on the spot, her heart too. She stood there speechless a while, struck dumb, tears filling her eyes…” (146.192-94). I find this emotion to be very powerful and if you have lost something or someone in your life, this imagery can bring you right back to that time and place and you can almost feel the hurt again.
Another very power emotional scene described in the epic is when Penelope describes Telemachus being alone at sea by saying he is “Just a youngster, still untrained…” (150.920-21). I think that this statement, and the emotion attached to it, is a feeling that parents probably feel when they send their child away to school or marry them off. Parents will always view their children as their baby and even though they may be grown and capable of taking care of themselves, it may be difficult for a parent to believe or see that. By Penelope saying that Telemachus is just an untrained youngster, I believe that she is experiencing the same feeling as a mother sending her child into a new situation where they’re not very sure they’ll succeed to their fullest potential.
I am very curious to see what happens to Penelope as the story progresses.
Especially in The Odyssey where events are often disconnected from each other and the time line jumps around, I find myself drawn to the characters and the relationships between the other characters. My main focus is on Odysseus and Telemachus, as they are both out in foreign lands, attempting to return home. However, though Odysseus is aware that his journey is perilous, Telemachus has no idea that the suitors are out for his blood. The feelings and revelations that they have, and we are privy to, cause me to become attached to these characters, more than I’m attached to the events that they are going through.
ReplyDeleteDuring the scene in Book 9 where the men plot their way out of Polyphemus’ cave, I was more concerned with Odysseus’ safety as opposed to what happens once he is granted leave from the cave (9.515). The safety of Odysseus is perhaps what keeps me interested in the book; although I already know he has survived much and is still alive through years of being away from Ithaca, I am drawn to him. Now that I’ve gotten to know him better, the affection I have built toward him has caused me to be greatly upset with some of the decisions he has made. Odysseus’ pride angers me more than it should, especially when he yells his name, his father’s name, and his homeland back at Polyphemus (9.560-562). I’m not as interested in what peril Odysseus finds himself in next, but how he survives it. As Zeus rightfully believes, Odysseus should no longer blame Zeus for his misfortune now, because he’s gone right ahead and announced to the world that it was he who blinded Polyphemus, Poseidon’s son.
I am also concerned with Telemachus, now that I’m aware of the suitors’ desire to kill him on his return journey home. Once the suitors realized that “the prince had gone to Pylos, Neleus’ city” though they were “certain the boy was still nearby somewhere, out on his farm with flocks or with swineherd,” I become anxious about Telemachus’ safety and silently urge him safe passage back to his mother and home (4.717-720). Telemachus has achieved and grown so much during his journey and I would love to see him return triumphant and best the suitors, hopefully with his father by his side.
This story keeps me enthralled by telling of Odysseus' challenges as a person and Telemachus' growth as a man and a son.
I would say that at this part of The Odyssey, I would put myself closest to the events camp. This is very hard to say because the characters are so deep, and very well organized in the book. However, I feel that the events of everything are some of the most important parts because they help to shape and show the characters. I mean, would Odysseus be the same person had he not met the Cyclops, or been held on the island for so long?
ReplyDeleteFor an example, when Odysseus were so close to home after talking to Aeolus and receiving the bag of wind, the crew were greedy and opened the bag of wind. "Heaps of lovely plunder he hauls home from Troy, while we who went through slogging just as hard, we go home empty-handed" (10.45-48) They then proceed to open the bag, wanting to see what is in there to maybe take some themsevles, however this blows their ship back to the sea while being so close to home. The event, Odysseus receiving the wind, led to characters, the crew being greedy, which led to more events. Later in the same book, their squadron was attacked by the giant people of Laestrygonian. There only Odysseus ship was saved "Clear of those beetling cliffs...my ship alone. But the rest went down en masse. Our squadron sank" (4.144-145) Had the rest of the squadron not sank, the rest of the book would be entirely different.
After the reading for this time, we find out all the events leading up to Odysseus being at Phaeacia. I really want to know what happens next. Do Odysseus and Telemachus fight off the suitors? Do they all live happily ever after? I can not wait to keep reading to find out.
Not only in The Odyssey, but in almost every other book I read, I find myself leaning toward the events camp. As we talked about in class last week, I am like many who always needs some sort of closure, whether it be clean and simple or just enough to keep you guessing. I am always interested in what happens next in The Odyssey. I also think that because the narrative is not in chronological order I find myself wanting to put all the events in order of when they occurred and try to figure out what the next twist in the story will be. This is not say the characters are not as important because they are extremely important in any story. I have to agree with Matt though, that the events can and do shape the characters. I like to read a chapter at a time to find out what happens next, then go back and think about how the events have affected the characters or analyze how the characters have reacted to the events.
ReplyDeleteFor example, in Book 10, things finally seem to be looking up for Odysseus and his men once he befriends Circe. Just when I think they are going to set sail for home, Circe tells Odysseus he must "...travel down to the House of Death and the awesome one, Persephone, there to consult the ghost of Tiresias, seer of Thebes, the great blind prophet whose mind remains unshaken" (245. 539-542). At this part of the story I could not believe he had to go on yet another journey in order to hear about the stages of his travel home. This place sounded like a death trap because of how it was described and how much anguish the men felt. But it also added an interesting twist because if they survived Odysseus would know exactly what his future looked like, and it would be his responsibility to follow his fate or create his own future. At this point in the story I felt like I just needed to fasten my seat belt and hold on, and see what happened next.
Another example, in Book 12, Circe told Odysseus that after getting past the two crags he would come to the island of the Sungod, and was warned to "Leave the beasts unharmed, your mind set on home, and you may still reach Ithaca...but harm them in any way and I can see it now: your ship destroyed, your men destroyed as well! And even if you escape, you'll come home late, all shipmates lost, and come home a broken man" (275. 148-153). For me this part of the story was very exciting because I knew that the cattle were going to be eaten I just didn't know exactly how, and when the men were going to be punished. We have already learned that he lost all his men and ship and was stuck on Calypso's island, so I could not wait to read this part of the story and finally be able to connect all the dots.
Now that I have read all about Odysseus' long journey home, I find myself constantly wondering what is going to happen when Odysseus does return to Ithaca. Will anyone recognize him? Will Telemachus welcome him with open arms? How will Penelope and the the suitors react? Will the story have a happy ending with his family and Ithaca finally at peace?
We are asked to choose a “camp” that we prefer for the Odyssey by which keeps us interested in the book. I have found that I would choose the character camp. The events in the Odyssey, while telling the story of Odysseus, can be broken up into their own stories and they are not very connected with each other. I choose the character camp because throughout the book we see how people are growing or changing throughout the book. I do not think it is only the characters that create the story, but their personalities are what drives them through the events and how they react to situations.
ReplyDeleteThe character that has kept my attention most throughout the story is Odysseus. When we first see him the beginning he is a broken man on Calypso’s island. Odysseus is “weeping, his eyes never dry, his sweet life flowing away with the tears he wept for his foiled journey… “ (157: 168-169). Then he lives the island and he struggles to get home. While he is at King Alcinous’s home, Odysseus tells his story and how he got to their kingdom. He tells what happened after leaving Troy. In the beginning of his tale, Odysseus is full of confidence, even cocky, and it is shown when he taunts the Cyclops. “Would to god I could strip you of life and breathe and ship you down to the House of Death” (228:580-581). Than as his story continues he shows how he is slowly breaking and more carefully continuing his journey home. This is seen as he begs his men not to kill the cattle or sheep of Helios. “But swear me a binding oath, all here, that if we come on a herd of cattle or fine flock of sheep not a man among us will slaughter an ox or ram” (280: 323-326).
Now we have seen how Odysseus has become the broken man he is. I am interested to see how or if his character will change throughout the rest of the book.
Although the events of a story provide the movement and force the pages to turn in a story, I think that the characters drive a narrative. How the characters approach, interact with, and adapt from an event create that feeling of actually being in a story. Sure you can have schnazzy events, such as a World War happening in 1943 with the men of the armed forces stuck there by a crazy general and an unbeatable clause, but switch out Yossarian (Catch 22) for Mr. Darcy. I don’t think Darcy would have handled the events of Catch 22 nearly as interestingly as Yossarian did. And for that matter, I highly doubt Elizabeth would have married Yossarian if he was dropped into the events of Pride and Prejudice.
ReplyDeleteIn The Odyssey, I find that Odysseus is quite the turbulent character. At moments he is the pompous overtly-masculine character that you love to hate, while at others he is easily humbled and grateful. His drasticly proud behavior is exhibited when he is taunted by Broadsea and Laodamas in Phaeacia. After hurling the discus he challenged “all the rest of you, anyone with the spine and spirit, step right up and try me – you’ve incensed me so – at boxing, wrestling, racing; nothing daunts me.” (8.235-237) Instead of pointing out that the young sons and crew were out of line in questioning a hardened war-worn king, he insists on proving himself to these people. If Telemachus and Odysseus were switched for this event, I highly doubt that Telemachus would enter any of these contests with the gifted Phaeacians.
Alongside his demonstrations of egocentrism, his portrays the humbled soldier that you want to understand. When Demodocus tells the story of Troy, “Odysseus melted into tears, running down from his eyes to wet his cheeks.” (8.586-587) This moment is coupled with an intense description of the type of crying Odysseus is doing. Personally, I would not match this mourning man with the prideful fool who thrice taunted Polyphemus after escaping the cyclop’s cave.
I find that these character nuances are what keep me intrigued. Odysseus’ responses to events vary in emotions and who knows how he will react to the rest of his challenges on his journey home. These same concepts can be applied to Telemachus – how will he be changed by his fact-finding mission, will he become the man Ithaca needs? How will Antinous react to a challenge for his power? A story, including this one, keeps me intrigued with changing and unpredictable characters. Such characters can change the events of a story.
Although both qualities, the plot and the "delineation of character," as Lewis puts it, keep me enraptured with the book, I must say that I am most interested in the characters and their subtleties. As I read, I am intrigued by the little nuances of what the characters say and what it betrays about their psyche. For example, as mentioned previously, Odysseus' split mind is revealed in his conversations with his own "great heart: 'Wretched man -- what becomes of me now at last?" (5.329); we also see his pride, as displayed when he competes against the young men of Phaeacia, saying "'Now go match that, you young pups'" (8.233).
ReplyDeleteThroughout the story so far, his speech seems to betray a man who deviates, at least in some ways, from the descriptions of praise from his acquaintances, friends, and family. I am always curious to see what thing Odysseus is going to say next -- will he uphold other people's judgments of his character? Or will he throw more curve-balls that make the reader doubt his heroic persona?
Passing over Odysseus for the moment, another character I am intrigued by is Penelope, although my interest could be classified as being one in both plot and character development -- I wonder how she will react upon seeing her husband again? She seems, from the scenes in which she has appeared, to be emotional. For instance, the text says that "her mind [is] in torment, wheeling" (4.888) and that she is "lost in thought, fasting, shunning food and drink, brooding now" (4.884-885), in reaction to learning that her son has left in search of his father, despite the fact that he is relatively grown up, being 20 years old (although we learn from the text that Telemachus has a bit of growing up yet to do). I can only surmise that when Odysseus, and Telemachus, for that matter, return, she will be a sobbing mess!
This uncertainty as to what each character will do is what keeps me 'tuned in' to the story. However, as I mentioned, it is true (of me at least) that plot plays a role as well. But perhaps this is not because I am so interested in the plot as the character development, but because the character development itself is so inherently intertwined with plot that the interplay between the two becomes part of the focus as well.
In every literature class I have taken since 8th grade, including AP English and Spanish Literature in high school, I have grown used to seeing what the characters have to say and do. After reading the Odyssey in spanish and currently halfway through the english version, I find that the decisions made by the characters can make certian events happen in the story. Sure events do shape character as Matthew Middleton said, but I still feel that there are important or life changing decisions that change the course of the story. For example, the goddess Athena decides to aid Telemachus in his struggle to dismiss the suitors from his palace (1.80), but as everyone is allowed to make decisions for themselves, she could have refused to help Telemachus and go on about her day. This is an instance that defines a character's role in any story.
ReplyDeleteAside from character decisions, relationships are also paramount in creating a good story. Betrayal, love, lust, and life long friendships play big parts in the Oddyssy as they do in countless works of literature. We can obviously see that Telemachus and Antinous have a very poor background which explains the not so copacetic behaviors they have toward eachother (2.97). Personally, this is something that draws my attention when reading any story, knowing someone may get killed by thirty or so men because there is bad blood between them. In the spanish version of the Odyssey, the translator/author Alberto Bernabe is so descriptive of every character, it seems like you know everyone's personslities from the start. That alone was very helpful in being able to relate to the story. The plot was just the plot as you read along.
In conclusion, I choose the "character camp" because I belive the character along with personalities and relationships create the story, not so much the plot(even though I already read the Odyssey, I hope it's not cheating).
Like it was stated, it is really difficult to say whether it is the characters or the chain of events that are keeping me engrossed in the book and wanting to read more. After much thought, I have come to the conclusion that it is the event that drives the narrative for me. There are so many characters to keep up with and trying to keep them all straight and boil them down into a few clear, concise attributes seems to be more of a chore for me then a reason to keep reading. It’s not that I don’t care about the characters or that I can’t sympathize for them, it’s simply just the way the book is written, I think. The way that the chain of events are not chronologically in order makes me want to put all of the pieces of the story together, and the quicker I can do that, the better. This is what keeps me reading.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 11 when Odysseus is giving brief descriptions of the “array of women all sent before me now by august of Persephone, and all were wives and daughters of our princes” (256.257-260) I found myself getting bored with the descriptions of all the different women. I am not sure if it was because they seemed unimportant to me of if I just didn’t care about the characters because they weren’t main characters. All I know is that I found myself skipping ahead of what seemed less meaningful to me to try and find out what was going to happen next. Once I skimmed through to “Odysseus paused… they all fell silent, hushed, his story holding them spellbound down the shadowed ‘til the white-armed queen Arete suddenly burst out, “Phaeacians!”(260.378-381) I finally felt that I had reached a significant point of the book again and that more important chains of events were soon to come. This is the moment I realized that I was more concerned with the chain of events than learning details about characters.
This is a hard decision for me because obviously I feel that you need both the characters and the events to complete the book and understand the story line. However, in the Odyssey I lean more towards the events or plot. It is interesting to find out what happens next or what event lead to the next event that we read about. Even starting in Book 1 (86.320-336), Athena comes to Odysseus’ palace to urge Telemachus to search for his father and to find the answers of Odysseus’ whereabouts. That event needed to happen in order for us to follow Telemachus through the other events of learning more information about Odysseus and what he has gone through in the last 20 years.
ReplyDeleteOver the course of the next books we hear stories and recollections of events that happened in the time that Odysseus has been away from home, more specifically from those who were close to Odysseus and saw the events specifically happening. Even in Book 3, (113.206-212) Nestor only knows about what happened in Troy and that Odysseus did not die in battle, but he tells Telemachus what he has heard and directs him to Menelaus who could know more about what happened to Odysseus, “Still I advise you, urge you to visit Menelaus” (117.358). In the same aspect we are hearing events from Telemachus’ journey to find his father; we start to hear stories directly from Odysseus telling Alcinous about the struggles he has faced in the course of coming home. “But come, my friend, tell us your own story now, and tell it truly” (209.642). Odysseus tells of fighting with the Cicones’ (213.68), coming to the land of the Lotus-eaters (214.95), reaching the land of the Cyclops (214.119), finding themselves at the Aeolian island (230.1), dealing with the crew opening the sack of wind, from the Aeolian king, out of their own self-greediness (232,52), and losing another crew member on the Laestrygonian land (234.27). Odysseus continues the story of his travels by telling of how he and his crew ended up on the Aaaean island and Circe’s hall (237.229), he told of how she turned his men to pigs (237.262), how Hermes helped him to get his men back (239.317), and Circe told Odysseus that he would have to visit the House of Death (245.540). After leaving the House of Death and venturing back to Circe’s hall she tells him once more that he and his crew would suffer more on their journey home. They would have to sail past the Sirens’ singing (272.50), go past the Amphitrite facing disaster of some sort (273.67), and also sailing past Scylla (274.109) and Charybdis (274.115), then his men again disobey orders by killing Helios’ cattle (281.371) and Zeus punishing them by death for what they had done, “and the god cut short their journey home forever” (284.452), and again Odysseus ends up on Calypso’s island (285.485).
In all of these events we are learning more about Telemachus and Odysseus. These events make the men that we are reading about and they give us more insight about the men’s lives and what they have endured. The book keeps me interested by playing out these events and making the events a huge part of the journeys that these men are on. Every event leads to another event that keeps me guessing through-out the books that we have read so far in The Odyssey. At the end of every book I get more interested in the outcomes of the events, and want to know what else could there be to come...
Kaitlyn Smith
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to reading, I agree that both the event and character plots are important to drive a story. For me, it depends on the type of novel as to whether I favor one or the other. In the Odyssey, I find myself more interested in the character camp because I am a person that likes closure for the characters. While there are many twists and turns throughout the storyline, I connect more with the emotional trials of the characters and want to see how they overcome all of this in the end.
Throughout the novel, I have been most interested in the different gods. Their decisions to help or hurt specific characters are the main reason this story even exists. Without them, Odysseus would have been able to make his voyage home much sooner. The gods are very hard to pinpoint, and seem very “wishy-washy” when it comes to choosing what side they are actually on. In the beginning of the novel, Zeus responds to Athena by saying, “how on earth could I forget Odysseus? All of us put our heads together now, work out his journey home so that Odysseus can return,” (1.78,91-92). This made it seem like Zeus had always been on Odysseus side and in favor of him, yet later we read of a different side of Zeus. In Book 11, Zeus replies to the Sun god by saying, “…and as for the guilty ones, why, soon enough on the wine-dark sea I’ll hit their racing ship with a white-hot bolt, I’ll tear it into splinters,” (11.416-418). In that chapter, we see that Zeus was the reason that Odysseus lost the rest of his crew along with his ship and almost died himself.
Athena is another god that keeps me interested in the story. She has shown time and time again that she wants nothing more than Odysseus to be home safe, and has went to great lengths to help this get accomplished. In the beginning of the book, she propels Telemachus on a voyage of his own, stating, “I have some advice if only you will accept it. Fit out a ship with twenty oars, the best in sight, sail in quest of news of your long-lost father,” (1.321-323). While no one knows why this is important currently, she makes it perfectly clear to Telemachus that it is what he must do. Athena also aids Odysseus in many situations along his voyage home. While she convinced Zeus to finally make Calypso set him free, she also helps him in Phaeacia, “shielding him from any swaggering islander who’s cross his path and leading him through the city,” (7.17-18, 31). This makes me wonder what else she will have to do to help Odysseus make it to Ithaca and why she wants him home so badly.
It is the nature of the gods that keeps me interested to see what they will do next and if Odysseus will ever in fact make it home.
When trying to decide whether I am more intrigued by characters or events in a book, it is difficult to decide. I try to recall books I have read in the past to see what made me more apt to continue to read them. The events in the story are extremely important and will contribute to the amount of attention a reader gives to a book. However, I believe it is the characters that really make the story. They pull readers in and continue to intrigue them in many ways. Where events can be exciting, sad, etc., readers can continue to discover things about characters and peel back layers. While one character may first appear mean and ruthless, further along in the story, readers may see small glimpses of that character in a completely different light. And in my opinion, that is what is most interesting. The complexity of characters makes the story richer and easier for readers to relate to.
ReplyDeleteFor example, in The Odyssey, Odysseus appears to be a completely heroic, honest, trustworthy, loving, king, father, and husband. However, as we dive deeper into the story, his flaws are revealed. Some people described him as the following, "godlike" (1.260), "great-hearted" (2.92), "mastermind of battle" (1.193), "hero" (3.159, 173) "fearless" (3.303), "god-appointed" (3.778), and "excelled in every strength" (3.817). These are obviously honorable characteristics, but after being introduced to him, we learn that he has been unfaithful and that he may not be as much of a hero as we as readers originally thought. "In the nights, true, he'd sleep with her in the arching cave..." (4.170,171). This describes his affair with Calypso. He also comes off as an arrogant man when Ino tries to help him and he replies to her, "No, here's what I'll do, it's what seems best to me" (5.397). This just shows that he may think he is a God when in reality he is far from it.
Odysseus’ character is just one example of how intricate a character can be and how interesting and intriguing it is to find out who they really are. I definitely believe in character camp rather than even camp because although events do contribute to the excitement of a book, the characters are the real reason people read.
I believe I find myself in the characters camp. Most events in the novel arise through the character's emotions. From war on Troy, due in part to Helen, to the suitors never ending drive to attain Penelope. Reputation and Pride seem to be what consumes the character's in the Odyssey. They seemingly play off each other's emotions, for example, Telemachus and the suitors upon his home. Just as Telemachus finds the strength to speak out to his father's people, the suitors return just that. As Eurymachus' rebuttle to the people states, "Who's there to fear? I ask you. Surely not Telemachus, with all his tiresome threats"(2.99,221). This event leads to Telemachus mustering up whatever courage he may have at the early age of 20 to set out and discover what happened to his father. Without this surge of emotions in Telemachus, he might succumb to the suitors wishes turning the plot a completely different way.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the God's emotions have a hand in shaping the plot as well. Calypso's stubborness to let Odysseus return on his way makes Zeus, the God of Gods, to intervene as he sends Hermes to command Odysseus' freedom( Along with Athena keeping the bug in his ear). Calypso must oblige regardless of her feelings for the mortal man.
I find such emotions to help and somewhat shape the plot of the novel. Without the drawn out look into each character, the Odyssey would read like something out of a strictly historical context. Seeing how character's emotions in this novel either lead them to victory or dismay, keeps me attentive and engrossed in this novel.
It is stated in the prompt that there is no way to determine whether it is characters or events that drive us as readers and I find this to be very true. In my opinion this fact is proven because all books and stories are not the same with regards to this point. Some stories are interesting to me because the events are detailed and interesting and others are compelling because I can see some of myself in the character and feel as if I am learning more about who I am based on how I sympathize with certain parts of characters. "The Odyssey" is no different that any other narrative in this way and I feel as if I am compelled to finish the story because of the characters and specifically Telemachus.
ReplyDeleteTelemachus is a young man who is coming into his own and this story is a coming of age tale for him. I feel as if, like me, he is in a transitional phase in his life. There is a part in which Telemachus says "Mother has always told me I am his son, it is true but I am not so certain" (P.84 248-49) and I can identify with this statement because as I take a step forward into the real world I can't help but question my abilities a bit. Like Telemachus I hope to press forward and begin to take initiative a little at a time knowing that there will be people there to guide me along the way. At this point in my life I am being given advice, whether warranted or not from almost every adult that I meet and it is difficult to decide who's ideas to follow. Likewise Telemachus is dealing with this when characters tell him, “Still I advise you, urge you to visit Menelaus” (Pg 358 Line 117)or “I have some advice if only you will accept it" (Line 321). I am happy to see that Telemachus does not follow advice blindly but makes some decisions of his own on his way to becoming a man and I can identify with him and others in many ways.
In conclusion I agree that in any story either events or character drive the reader to continue and in the case of "The Odyssey" I am driven by Telemachus.
I have a hard time deciding between whether I follow the events or the character more in the story. To me, they both give so much to each other that I cannot tell at time which I like more. In the Odyssey, I will go with the events camp over the character camp, and here’s why.
ReplyDeleteThe events allow us to see who a character really is, and they can, and sometimes do, change the way a character evolves. For instance, in book 9, lines 252 – 258, we see that Odysseus does not listen to his companions. He stubbornly wants to see what the Cyclops are like, and thinks that he is wiser than his companions by thinking that the Cyclops will follow the same code of honor they do. He finds out that he is wrong in this. This story I see as a direct impact upon how he listens and follows the advice of the prophet Tiresias (11.111-157) and to Circe (12.41-153) on how he should go about traveling home and in the warnings of the trials he will face. He does listen to them in all but the instance with the Scylla where he arms himself to fight (12.245-251), but even that could be seen as him looking to defend himself in whatever way he could. The lesson that he learned in the event at the Cyclops cave to listen to advice he heeded in at least his next few adventures, but he forgot this as he left Calypso and still attempted to do what he thought was best. But, for that brief amount of time, the event molded and changed his character
Also, in looking at the development of the character of Telemachus, we can see him literally moving from the adolescent teen to the young adult man. In book 1 when he is talking with Athena, he is shown as shy and reserved, very much afraid to do anything to the suitors because of what they might do to him. However, after Athena is done talking with him, we see him telling off his mother, and then telling off the suitors (1.396-414, 422-439). Later on in book 2, we continue to see him grow bolder in his speech and actions as he defends himself before the council, and when he leaves Ithaca to go to Pylos. This development is directly impacted by his visit from Athena, who emboldens him to act out against his mother’s suitors.
The events in a story allow us to see the character in all his/her triumphs, and failures. They mold the character into what we love or hate, and give us something to look forward to. What is the next big adventure that the character will have to go through? And, how will this adventure shape who they are and what they will become? Those two questions are why I think the events hold me enthralled with the Odyssey.
When it comes to reading a novel, I certainly find both plot and characters to be vital. Without one component or the other there wouldn't be a story in the first place. However, as I've come to find in reading The Odyssey and any other novel, I am more prone to lean towards the character camp. Of course what the characters are doing in the storyline is very important, I usually find myself wanting to know how the character is feeling during the event, and how they end up resolving the issues that come along. I also really enjoy being able to connect to the characters in a story; it helps me feel a little more involved.
ReplyDeleteOne character who I am particularly interested in is Telemachus. I believe that I can relate to him. For example, at the present time in the book, he is on his journey looking for any information he can as to his fathers whereabouts. At the same time he is growing as a person and working on finding himself. I too find myself on a journey right now and am trying to find myself. The journey being college in a place I was completely unfamiliar with, and I am trying to find myself through exploring the options of what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I marked a particular passage in my book where he seemed to be a man and I found this particular quote empowering on his part. The context of the situation is the male suitors in Book 2 and he is working on getting them to leave his home. It is lines 143-163 on pages 97-98. Since it is such a long passage I wont write all of it but just pick what I liked the best. "Antinous, how can I drive my mother from our house against her will, the one who bore me, reared me too? My father is worlds away, dead or alive, who knows? Imagine the high price I'd have to pay Icarius if all on my own I send my mother home. .... And you, if you have any shame in your own hearts, you must leave my palace! See to your feasting elsewhere, devour your own possessions, house to house by turns".
From this quote it seems as if Telemachus is very protective of his family, it also seems as if he finds them to be a very important aspect of his life. I am also similar to Telemachus in this way. I come from a big family of four siblings (including myself) and they mean more to me than I can put into words. With this particular passage Telemachus is telling the suitors off in a way, and explaining why they are terrible for staying as long as they have. I feel as if I would defend my family in the same way if I were in his shoes.
Athena is another character that I am interested in. Now her I don't believe that I can relate to, I just find her to be intriguing. From the moment we are introduced to her, we see she is very adamant on having Odysseus return home safely. However, it seems as if she is taking the most indirect route to have him return home! She has disguised herself in numerous ways, told different people different information about Odysseus, but she will never come out and give information point blank. It's almost as if she wants the character themselves to discover the information on their own.
An example of a situation such as the one I described above falls in Book One on pages 83-84 lines 226-231, which read as follows, "And now I've come--and why? I heard that he was back....your father, that is. But no, the gods thwart his massage. Yet I tell you great Odysseus is not dead. He's still alive, somewhere in this mid world, held captive, out at sea on a wave-washed island, and hard men, savages, somehow hold him back against his will". She goes on to tell Telemachus more vital information on his father, but nothing of his exact location. She knows where he is, so why won't she simply help Telemachus to find his father? It's a very valid question and one that I hope to find the answer to.
I find myself leaning more towards the ‘camp’ of events now that we are about halfway though The Odyssey. I feel that, as we have discussed in class, the book is so episodic and it is not the characters in each little episode that matter it is what is happening. Granted, the story comes together better when you have the context of all the characters. But you can see this even more clearly when Demodocus sings the songs on pages (193-194). He sings these songs that are in themselves very short stories that have charters that we have little to no knowledge of yet I am still enticed by what is happening in the stories. What is truly keeping me engrossed in the book so far is the fact that the storyline is on such separate tracks. I know that eventually Odysseus is going to get home. Frankly I want to know when, and how, and what will happen when he gets there. But thus far in the book I am only learning more about what happened to him while he was gone, as he gets slightly closer as I turn each page. Yet, while all of this is going on there is an entirely different story line of the people back at home taking place at the same time. I also am keen to believe that because of all these separate stories in the one book, my attention is kept more because of the jumpyness of the mix.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though I am already over learning about the characters. I think this is because of two reasons. The first being the descriptions in the book are often repeated and rather unhelpful to me as to learning more about the character. Such as “when young Dawn with her rose-red fingers shone once more” (10.205, and many other places) and then the description is only ever slightly changed to “Dawn soon rose on her splendid throne”(6.53) even though ‘Dawn’ is not a character in the book this gets my point across that the descriptions are repetitive and unhelpful as to character development to me. And secondly I already feel that I know everything I need to about these characters. I know this may not be true at all but just from the way the story is told and though prophecies they tell I feel this way reading.
I am engrossed by the characters in the book. The plot is very confusing due to all the islands, battles, castles, etc. so the characters are what keeps me hooked. In particular, Odysseus never ceases to amaze me, so he by far is the character that keeps my intrigued.
ReplyDeleteOdysseus struggles with being very selfish and standing up for his men. "Circe, Circe, how dare you tell me to treat you with any wartmth?? You who turned my men to swine in your house..." (241.373) Odysseus for once stood up for his men. But then several lines down, Odysseus becomes very selfish. (241.383) "At last, I mounted Circe's gorgeous bed." Here Odysseus sleeps with Circe for selfish reasons. WHY! He changes so quickly with whom he stands up for, himself or others.
Odysseus always surprises me with his emotional state. In book 9 Odysseus cried and was very touched by the song that was sang. But now in book 10 Odysseus is very manly and confident in his abilities. (236.195) "My hardy urging brought them round at once.." Odysseus is now toughening up and is proud of how they entered the house of death.
Overall, the characters keep me entertained in this story. Odysseus is all over the place emotionally, and is very bipolar with who he loves more, himself or his crew.
At the halfway point of The Odyssey, I find myself agonizingly in the ‘event camp’. Up to this point, we have heard all about each of the characters. We have brave Odysseus, who is so eloquently described by every third party involved in the book (Nestor, Menelaus, etc.). We also have the ‘real life’ Odysseus who we find to be a broken and battered man, as could be seen from how he spent his days on Ogygia, “wrenching his heart with sobs and groans and anguish” (157.174). We also have heard all about Penelope, and her undying devotion to waiting for her husband’s delayed return. In the same way, we have met Telemachus, and have seen how he has grown up and taken on the quest to learn of his father’s whereabouts.
ReplyDeleteAll these main characters have been developed quite a bit, with books nine through twelve focused almost solely on the character development of Odysseus. Yes, these books were about events that had taken place, but their purpose was not to drive the plot of the story, but rather to show Odysseus’ great struggles so that we might sympathize with him as readers. The stories certainly help draw us closer to Odysseus. We get to see all of his faults, including his recurring unfaithfulness to his wife with Calypso and with Circe as he “mounted Circe’s gorgeous bed” (241.386). This and other faults have allowed us as readers to be able to relate to his inability to abstain from temptation, and are critical for the character development of the story.
However, there comes a time for the details to stop and the plot to move forward, and for me that time is now. I feel as though we have more than enough evidence to develop an opinion on each of the characters, and now need to know what is going to happen to them. Will he be welcomed back? What will happen to the suitors? These are the real plot lines and they should be developed sooner than later in my opinion. As seen in the title of book thirteen, I think Homer would tend to agree with me!
Alicia Smith
ReplyDeleteWhen I am reading about Odysseus, his character is what drives me to read further. Any story can have an event that happens to a character, but it is how the characters deal with those events that make the story interesting for me.
An excellent example that distinguishes a plot element from a character element is the scene where Odysseus left Calypso’s island and was being tossed around by the ocean in Book 5. “He went under for a good long while, no fast way out, no struggling up from under the giant wave’s assault,” (162. 351-353); this line is describing the event occurring to Odysseus. Soon after he was helped by the goddess Leucothea who gave him a scarf that could make him immortal until he reached the safety of the shore, “Here, take this scarf, tie it around you waist – it is immortal,” (163. 381-382) To me, this is a pointless scene that could have easily been omitted from the story and replaced with, ‘Odysseus eventually made it to shore by his own strength’.
However, the next stanza in the story revealed that Odysseus did not want to obey the words of Leucothea. “But battle-weary Odysseus weighted two courses, deeply torn, probing his fighting spirit: ‘Oh no – I fear that another immortal weaves a snare to trap me, urging me to abandon ship! I won’t, not yet.’” Instead of following a plot-induced event (the immortal scarf could have gotten him to shore right when he got it), Odysseus decided that he wanted to stay with his ship and try to battle the waves on his own, “I’ll hold out aboard her and take a whipping – “ (163. 399) These lines character Odysseus and emphasizes his arrogance; he still had pride enough to think that he could fend for himself on the ocean against Poseidon, the god that controls the ocean.
A more recent line of action involves Book 10, which gives another interesting aspect of Odysseus’s character. He beat Circe at her potions’ game (with the help of Hermes) and freed his men from being enslaved as pigs in Circe’s house. After Odysseus freed his men, he could have left Circe and been on his way. He didn’t. “And there we sat at ease, day in and day out, till a year had run its course, feasting on sides of meat and heavy wine…” (245. 414-416) Odysseus had to be coaxed into leaving by his men. “’Captain, this is madness! High time that you thought of your own home at last, if it really is your fate to make it back alive and reach your well built house and native land,’” (245. 520-523). We, as the readers, know of Odysseus’s misery on Calypso’s island (even though this happened later time wise) and how he wept to be at home again. It comes as a shock to find that Odysseus was completely willing to stay with Circe when couldn’t stand to be held on Ogygia. Odysseus didn’t do what the reader expected after he saved his men from Circe. He stayed with her instead of continuing the story and in essence, stopped the plot for a year in the story time-line. This is an example where there wasn’t an event at all, yet there was a characterization made that was interesting to think about; why was Odysseus being contradictory in that moment? The contrast in his personality makes him a more dynamic character.
I realize that plot is important to the story, but it equally important to understand that there is a lot of rich, characterization material that can be woven into a story as well. I like to think that there is a spectrum that incorporates both the plot and the character, though I like to camp out with the characters. They are more fun to talk to.
I find that I lean toward the side of the character camp. I do this not only because the best books I have read along with the best tv shows and movies I have watched have all revolved around character development. I feel that character’s growth and development are the main string that pulls in the reader and or the viewer. Imagine a story in which there are no characters and the story plot only has different events happen with different characters switching in and out who mean nothing to the reader. That story would feel void and empty, at least to me. Character development brings the reader into the story’s events and not vice versa.
ReplyDeleteIn the Odyssey I find that I am more enamored with the character development, even though the events in the book are great. I read the book and find myself enjoying it because of Odysseus’ journey. I enjoy it because Odysseus has many great flaws but also has great strengths both of which make him a human. His humanity and the fact that this humanity leads him through many great adventures and events in The Odyssey lead me to the conclusion that character development is way more important than the events in the story.
Well for me, I find myself definietly leaning more towards the plot camp. The story will not be what it is if it was not for the events that takes place. I mean would the story really be the same if it were not for Odysseus' run in with the Cyclops, or his battles fought at Troy, or even his many years spent trapped on an island with Calypso. These events not only make the story more interesting but it helps me to map out who Odysseus really is.
ReplyDeleteFor me personally, I think that what keeps me coming back for more is the question of what is going to happen next. For instance, when Odysseus is getting his men out of the Cyclop's cave by hanging on to his rams and then all the sudden Odysseus and the ram is stopped by Polyphemus, "Oh if only you thought like me, had words like me to tell me where that scoundrel is cringing from my rage!..."(9.510-511). At that point I am clinging to the book wondering if Polyphemus will realize that Odysseus is there under the ram.
Odysseus is a very unpredictable, arrogant man. You never know what Odysseus' arrogance is going to bring. A perfect example of this is when Odysseus begins to taunt Polyphemus because he got away (9.530-537). Odysseus is displaying his arrogance and then repeats to do so three more times. The question that i am looking forward to answering is, where will Odysseus' arrogance take him next?
When I first read the question, I had no idea what truly drew me in to the book. After thinking about my favorite scenes from the book and why I liked them, I came to a decision. The camp I chose to belong to were the people. It is the individuals in the book who really draw me in. It is because we spend time getting to know the people (their family, friends, and so forth)and begin to feel like one of their friends or even sometimes an enemy, depending on likeness of character. An example would be with Telemachus in regards to the loss of his father. "First, I have lost my noble father who ruled among you years ago, each of you here,and kindly as a father to his children" (94.49-51). Telemachus also had to deal with the visitors his mother was getting. "But now this, a worse disaster that soon will grind my house down, ruin it all, and all my worldly goods in the bargain. Suitors plague my mother -- against her will." (94-95. 52-55). It let me understand the family attachment he had and it was due to that attachment, a great moment was made.
ReplyDeleteTo a narrative book, both events and characters are important and catch up our eyes. I pay more attention on characters. I think read those characters can let me know different ways people deal with problems for different personalities.
ReplyDeleteIn The Odyssey, I always focus on those women characters, such as Helen and Penelope.
Helen is very famous in the Greek mythology, and I knew her before reading The Odysseys. I think Helen is tender and considerate. In Book four, after Menelaus and Telemachus talked about Odysseus and people felt sorrowful, “Into the mixing-bowl from which they drank their wine she slipped a drug, heart’s ease, dissolving anger, magic to make us all forget our pains…” (131.244). She thought for others. It shows her considerate. After talking, “Helen briskly told her serving-women to make beds in the porch’s shelter” (133.332). She was also very brave. She could face her past that she used to leave her daughter and husband. She also helped Telemachus to find his father. She could show her emotion.
In many articles which describe Helen, lots of authors writes Helen as a women who just love sex and very bad. I would like to know more about Helen in the future reading.
The character, Penelope is a line of this story. I always worried about what happened to her. I would worry how she would feel when she know her son left to find her husband, what she will feel when she could not hear any message about her husband for years, and will she marry other people during reading. I think she is brave, loyal and full of love to her husband and son. After she knew suitors plans, she said to the herald,” but you, you and you ugly outbursts, shameful acts, they’re plain to see. Look at the thanks he gets for all past acts” (146.781). She is so brave. She waited her husband for ears shows her love.
When having to choose whether events themselves or the characters involved are more important or engrossing, it tends to depend on the specific audience and their desires and goals pertaining to the particular text. In my opinion, whether it is in The Odyssey or any other work, I find the development or maturation of the main characters to be the most enthralling piece of the narrative puzzle. The characters give events or the development of the plot importance. Without the intrigue or interest in the characters, events lose their sustenance. Furthermore, we are human beings, and unless we share an uncharacteristically large number of events in common with a character we are much more likely to be drawn to the individual character and his or her traits, thoughts, actions, wishes, etc. That being said, a large component of any character involves his or her experiences and what he/she has been through, namely, the plot of the story. So while it would be rather brash to completely ignore the significance of the plot and its affect on the characters, I still feel that the reason I am engrossed with this book is Odysseus and his desperate desire to return home.
ReplyDeleteIn The Odyssey, I find myself drawn to and empathizing for the character of Odysseus and all the anguish, sorrow, and internal conflict he must battle throughout this story. While he certainly doesn’t lack confidence or pride, you can’t help but feel for him in certain situations. For example, as a reader it tugs on your heart to read of Odysseus meeting his mother in the House of Death, “how I longed to embrace my mother’s spirit…desperate to hold her…the grief cut to my heart” (11.233). For me personally, this was one of the most emotional parts of the book. I could just imagine the pain and misery one would feel at the sudden loss of a mother. Additionally, Odysseus’ sheer cunning and crafty, strategic thinking urges me to read more and witness even more quick wit and brilliance. Whether it is the wooden horse in Troy or “Nobody’s” escape from Polyphemus (9.410), Odysseus continually used his wits to outlast or evade any potential problem. The heroic nature of his being, along with the anguish he suffers at the loss of comrades and loved ones, enchants me as a reader and motivates me to continue reading.
With the “On Stories” it talks about all different types of works of books that authors choose to write on from experiences or just an interest at heart. I tend to like stories that have event to camps. It doesn’t have an end with closure to back off from the story. I like books that keep me going that aren’t such a fast or difficult read but they can’t be dragging and going really slow wither. Usually when I finish a book I like to feel that it wasn’t a true waste of time and that I found something that I got out of it. I am not a huge reader but I do enjoy most of my reads.
ReplyDeleteThe Odyssey is ones of these books that keeps me going but is more on the difficult side to read. I really have to pay attention to what is being said and pay attention not to lose focus about which character is which because with all the long and awkward names it makes it difficult to follow. In The Odyssey Book 11 Odysseus has a “battle” scene where a creature had an eye ripped out as they monster screamed with pain and agony. The book would often state “one eyed creature” and I would have to think if it was talking about Poseidon or the other individual.
I would most have to say that character identifications are the hardest out of the entire book. I can catch the metaphors that are stated with the book referring in The Odyssey.
Being halfway through The Odyssey has made me realize that it is the plot that draws me further in the adventure. But I think this opinion is only based on The Odyssey. Not that I don’t feel that the characters are well developed or interesting, it is just that I don’t feel enough connection to the text to relate to the characters. I think the story is more farfetched then realistic and because of that there is some distance between me and for example Odysseus. I mean I can’t relate to being a man, husband, warrior, king, or such an adventurer. I just don’t live that life and if the plot was static then I wouldn’t even finish the story. But it’s the adventures that draw me in. The “what happens next” kind of excitement makes me turn the page. The way the plot is set up also keeps the story flowing and intriguing. In The Odyssey there are a few stories happening simultaneously and almost in a backward fashion. It's this creative writing in the plot that makes The Odyssey great, not the characters and for this fact I am interested in the plot and not the intimate details of the characters.
ReplyDeleteHaving read halfway through the book, I would have to say that the plot is what keeps me reading. The jumps to different characters travels keeps me from getting bored of just reading about one man and the things he is going through.
ReplyDeleteThe story makes you wonder what is going to happen next, guessing the next step in the plot is what keeps me reading. Trying to find out where Odysseus and Telemachus are going to end up next. And what other stories they are going to tell about their past. In the latest reading when Odysseus is trapped in the Cyclops's cave you want to continue reading in order to find out how he escaped. I feel that reading about the characters and seeing what they are like adds more depth to the story, but the part that keeps you reading is the urge to find out what happens next.
As I continue to read the book, I feel that my questions about where Odysseus will only get stronger and make me continue to want to read the book. The plot is what makes this story and I will continue reading it until I finally get to see what happens next.
For me, the characters of The Odyssey are the most intriguing part of the story. Having previously read the book in high school, I already know the plot. And while the plot is still intriguing to me, it is the development of the characters that got me excited to re-read the book. Among all of the characters, Telemachus intrigues me the most. It is his emotional and mental journey of becoming a man that overshadows his physical journey to find his father.
ReplyDeleteTelemachus starts out as a weak, timid, young man. He is getting to the age where he is old enough to want to deal with the problem that the suitors are causing, however he has also grown up without a father, and has not earned the respect of others to have any control over the situation. Slowly, he starts to grow up and assume responsibility and take action. The first instance being when he addresses his mother, "As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house" (89.412). So far, he continues to progress. He confronts the suitors boldly, "...you must leave my palace!" (97.156). He overcomes timidness before meeting with Nestor. He grows from "I'm hardly adept at subtle conversation"(108.25) to "Poised Telemachus answered, filled with heart ... to ... make his name throughout the mortal world" (110.84-87). His character progression is one that I followed intently when I originally read The Odyssey, and is one that I continue to be enraptured by.
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ReplyDeleteIf I were to pick from one of those two fighters I would have to say the guy with the black mustache has best odds of winning. Honestly both the characters and the plot seem equal in importance when reading a story, but what keeps me going in a story is the plot. The Odyssey is a fantastic story about a father trying to get back home going through many trials on a brilliantly laid out adventure. Reading all of chapters nine through twelve kept me in suspense all the way through. I kept wondering when is Zeus going to strike down at Odysseus? What could he have done to anger the gods? When and how are Telemachus and Odysseus going to meet? Through both characters and plot are important I feel that both of them have different roles in the story and the plot is to keep the story moving forward because without anything happening what is the point of having characters?
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned before my favorite chapters are nine through twelve because it is all about the adventure Odysseus and his “trusty” crew went on. I thought it was really interesting that the author kept making Odysseus’ crew dwindle one after right before his eyes until everything was finished for them all. I wanted to see how Odysseus would handle everything after losing what he had one after another. As Odysseus mentioned after different adventures “And from there we sailed on, glad to escape our death yet sick at heart for the comrades we had lost” (9.629-630). Also Odysseus’ travels would have ended early if it weren’t for that “trusty” crew of his. Twice they ruin their chances of returning home. I’m angry and confused why they had to be so curious after so many days, with their land in sight, to open that bag. “Nine whole days we sailed, nine nights, nonstop. On the tenth our own land hove into sight at last—we were so close we could see men tending fires.” (10.32-34). “‘Hurry, let’s see what loot is in that sack, how much gold and silver. Break it open—now!’ A fatal plan, but it won my shipmates over. They loosed the sack and all the winds burst out and a sudden squall struck and swept us back to sea, wailing, in tears, far from our own native land.” (10.49-54). The second time they ruined their chances was when they were at Helios’ cattle farm. They were warned not to kill any of Helios’ cattle or else they will all suffer. You can feel the foreshadowing of that warning coming to life at some point which it did. “All ways of dying are hateful to us poor mortals, true, but to die of hunger, starve to death—that’s the worst of all. So up with you now, let’s drive off the pick of Helios’ sleek herd, slaughter them to the gods who rule the skies up there.” (12.367-370). Afterwards Odysseus suffers Zeus wrath and is stuck on Calypso’s island for many years to come.
The big question that a lot of people ask “what’s going to happen next?” is a key point as to why I think the story is more important than the characters. One part in the story when Odysseus was getting ready to fight the Scylla got me excited thinking he will fight it after all of the warnings he received from Circe “Scylla lurks inside it—the yelping horror, yelping, no louder than any suckling pup but she’s a grisly monster, I assure you. No one could look on her way with any joy, not even a god who meets her face-to-face…” (12.94-98). “I donned my heroic armor, seized long spears in both my hands and marched out on the half-deck, forward, hoping from there to catch the first glimpse of Scylla, ghoul of the cliffs, swooping to kill my men.” (12.247-250). Soon afterwards we found out that a grand fight did not occur but Odysseus losing more men to the Scylla “now Scylla snatched six men from our hollow ship,” (12.264). It’s true without the characters the story is just events but depending on the events can change the outcome of it being a wonderful story to being a boring one.
It's hard to say which of these main ideas is most important to me in stories but for the Odyssey it is the story that drives my interest in the story. The way the story is presented with its different timeline it brings more interest toward the storyline itself. The way the characters are presented in the storyline there are different times when you will not see main characters for an extended time. I find it harder to get interested in the specifics of a character directly when they are not in the main focus of the story as there are more tangents in the story. Despite the fact that I know the story of the Odyssey before reading this translation I still find the story to be the most prevalent driving force, especially in this book. I believe that it is the actions that we see in the story that drives what the characters are and what they mean to us. Without the story behind the characters there is no motivation in the story and we cant find ourselves in touch with the characters as much. So although it may seem like a character is what drives our interest, it is really the actions of that character that makes the story what it is and really holds our attention.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the events that have happened in the book are exciting and important, I am more interested in the characters and the ways they develop. It is hard for me to keep up with the events and when they actually happened because the book is not written in chronological order. Even though this makes the book even more interesting because it is not like other books, I still rather pay more attention to character development because it is easier for me. Waiting to see how Odysseus and other characters evolve keeps me interested in the book and keeps me reading to find out more about them.
ReplyDeleteBecause the story is about Odysseus, so far he is the character who has developed and evolved the most. In the beginning people tell of him as this noble, cunning, strong man (133.303) who is almost godlike (100.261-262) and heroic. All the descriptive words people use to describe him paint this picture of him being different from everyone else; someone who stands out in a crowd and is always above everyone else. I could almost picture him as this very muscular, tall man with a glow around him. Then the tables turned when we find Odysseus on Calypso’s island where he is weeping on the headland, longing to be home (155.93-94). This shows Odysseus is nothing but a mere human that has feelings and can be emotional. Another way Odysseus evolves is when we find out he has cheated on Penelope and more than once to make it worse (157.170-172 and 212.36-37). This just shows he can fail like a human and is not so godlike after all. His character also evolves one again when we see how he acts with Polyphemus (227). His cocky side shows through and makes you almost hate him for acting that way. However, I know that Odysseus is multi-dimensional and can’t wait to see how else he evolves.
I choose the event “camp” even though I think both event and character are needed to make an interesting story. For me personally, I am always attracted to the event of a book. All the events happening in a book is like a cake and characters of the story is the topping of the cake to make the cake look nicer and more interesting. Especially in ‘The Odyssey”, I find that the event develop the character. Without the entire events the characters would not be developed.
ReplyDeleteIn “The Odyssey”, the plot and events are disconnected with each other. This is the writer’s way to make reading more interesting. Whenever the events are disconnected, I really cannot wait for other events that will connect the plots. For example in the beginning of the book, we were introduced to Telemachus that was trying to find his father that went to Trojan War. After reading book 5, we were introduced to Odysseus that is trapped in Calypso’s island. But readers still do not know what happen to Odysseus before he was trapped. Then in book 9, Odysseus told the story about the Cyclops that connects the events between Trojan War and being trapped in Calypso’s island. This way of writing make readers want to continue reading to connect the events.
Events also help to develop characters. As we all know, in the beginning of the book, Odysseus was describe as "godlike" (1.260), "mastermind of battle" (1.193), "fearless" (3.303), , and "excelled in every strength" (3.817). Even Zeus talked about him, "Now, how on earth could I forget Odysseus? Great Odysseus who excels all men in wisdom, excels in offering too he gives the immortal gods who rule the vaulting skies?" (1.77-1.80). But as the story continue and we were introduced to more events, we know that Odysseus is not as great as we was described as. For example, he was unfaithful to his wife when he sleep with Calypso, “And now, withdrawing into the cavern’s deep recesses, long in each other’s arms they lost themselves in love”( 5.250-251). He intentionally made Polyphemus mad and made Polyphemus prayed to Poseidon so that Odysseus would not get home, “ So , Cyclops, no weak coward it was…”( 9. 531). So through the events, Odysseus character was developed.
I am still looking forward to see how the events will develop Penelope and Telemachus characters.
As we work through the Odyssey, I find myself drawn more towards the events camp. In the first four books, we heard nothing of Odysseus' whereabouts. As Menelaus said, "No one, no Achaean labored as hard as Odysseus labored or achieved so much. And how did his struggle end? In suffering for that man; for me, in relentless, heartbreaking grief for him, lost and gone so long now--dead or alive, who knows?" (127-128.119-122). Comments like these kept me engaged in the story and wanting to keep reading. Even once we finally met Odysseus, crying on Calypso's island, we still had no idea what sort of trials he had endured up to that point. Something had caused a devastating change in him, and finding out what that was is what drives the story for me.
ReplyDeleteI must say finishing The Odyssey; I feel it is quite an accomplishment. I found this novel to be a difficult read and often re-read lines that didn’t make sense the first time. That was very struggling and irritating for me that I had troubles keeping a steady pace of reading. But of course with any book, you find yourself asking questions at the end. The writer doesn’t want the reader to be disappointed when they get to that part of the book leaving it open ended, but also not totally closed. This book I felt left more of a closed ending meaning I don’t see a sequel coming in the future.
ReplyDeleteA question I pondered was “why did Agamemnon all of a sudden show up the last book after being killed?” I had to read pages 469 to 472 about 3 times to finally get the full grasp of the meaning. I knew that they were seeing the ghosts and pressed up where the bodies laid. As in the 24th book “So we died, Agamemnon . . . our bodies lie untended even now, strewn in Odysseus’ palace” (24.204-207).
Not that I really had any questions at the end of the book, I came across a line in the book that was unclear to me who they were talking about. The line reads, “Her very words, and despite our pride and passion we believed her” (24.152). I assumed it was Penelope; however, it could have been Athena. That part is still not clear to me.
I enjoyed The Odyssey as past book twelve; it had some thrilling plots and had adventure throughout. The last books of the classic novel made it worth my while to read finding out everything about the journey and the people that returned home with Odysseus.