Block, 11/30 - Book 2

Don't forget your Leithart!

*P&P

*Discuss Book 1

*Begin Book 2 

HW: 

1. Finish Books 2 and 3 
2. Do journal for each book
1. Favorite quote
2. Why it's your fave
3. One question or additional insight about the book  
3. Read Leithart (213-227), taking notes on the following questions:

1. Why does Virgil invoke the Muse for a second time in Book 7?
2. What is the main difference between Odysseus’ journey and that of Aeneas?
3. In what ways does the second half of the Aeneid reflect the Iliad?
4. How does the Aeneid reflect Virgil’s historical situation?
5. Explain how and why Aeneas is different from the Homeric heroes.
6. What is pietas? How does Aeneas symbolize pietas in his escape from Troy?
7. What is furor? How is the conflict of pietas/fatum and furor reflected on various levels in the Aeneid?

Wednesday, 11/28 - The Odyssey and Iliad without the Windex ; )

*P&P

*Today we begin a Windex-less version of Homer's epics . . . smashed together, inverted-ly, in one package of Roman rule and reign over the whole world. Ironically, this is the very milieu or matrix into which our Lord was born in a manger and which implicitly critiques the Roman way of "lording power," a Gentile way to rule, not Christ's gentle way of rule. I do so hope you enjoy this fabulous read.

HW: 

1. Finish the Aeneid, Book 1 (posted on Focus)  
2. CWP (Friday) - your work should include the following elements below:
1. MLA format
2. Select one quote from Homer's Odyssey  
3. Explain in one intro paragraph of several sentences how it has "inspired" your creative work 
1. If verse (poetry), single space
2. If prose (short story, vignette, etc.), double-space
4. Include your creative work of at least two pages

Tuesday, 11/27 - An Odyssey to the Recesses of Your Nous

*P&P

*Exam - Odyssey and Leithart

 HW: none . . . unless you avoided today's exam like the . . . what is that overwrought simile? Oh, yes, "plague."

Monday, 11/26 - The End of Our Odyssey

*P&P

*Discuss Leithart and take any questions on the Odyssey

HW: prepare for exam (Tues), get a copy of Virgil's Aeneid (Wed. Fagles' version), and finish CWP (due block) 

Block, 11/16 - The Beginning of the End

*P&P

*Finish Homer's Odyssey

HW: 

• Finish Homer's Odyssey
• Read Leithart on the Odyssey, keeping in mind that you have a test covering both Leithart and the Odyssey on Tuesday
• All journals are due Monday, no exceptions; I will grade what I'm given in class    

Wednesday, 11/14 - Book 21, "Odysseus Strings His Bow"

Slaughter in the Hall

*P&P

*Discuss Book 21

*Read Book 22, "Slaughter in the Hall"

HW: Wrap up any remaining journals you've not yet finished

Monday, 11/12 - Books 17 & 18

"Someone has mistaken me for this ferocious chap! I didn't do it!"

*P&P

*Discuss Books 17 ("Stranger at the Gates") and 18 ("The Beggar-King of Ithaca")

*Begin Book 19 ("Penelope and Her Guest")

HW: Book 19

Block, 11/9 - Books 15 & 16

*P&P

*Let's discuss Books 15 & 16

*Watch clips of Tangled, or whatever that movie is . . .

HW: Read Books 17 & 18

Wednesday, 11/7 - Book 14 ("The Loyal Swineherd")

Jacque Charles Emile's The Swineherd (1890)

*P&P

*Today we discuss a pretty sweet chapter, a tender musing upon the twin traits of lowliness and loyalty as embodied in Odysseus' swineherd. Notice that the shift in authorial voice from third to second person ("And you replied, Eumaeus, loyal swineherd") most likely denotes, according to many critics, "a mark of the poet's special affection for Eumaeus." What does this imply about the foundation for Achaean society for Homer? Is it found in aristocracy, rhetoric? Or . . . is it something more fundamental, earthy?

HW: Finish Book 15

Tuesday, 11/6 - Book 13 ("Ithaca at Last")

*P&P

*Discuss Book 13

HW: Book 14

Monday, 11/5 - Book 13 ("Ithaca at Last")

Odysseus Arrives Home to Hunt the Young Swine . . . er, Suitors

*P&P

*Discuss Books 11 & 12.

*Begin Book 13, "Ithaca at Last."

HW: Finish Book 13