- Please use specific ideas from the story and direct passages to prove your ideas. Also, consider the class discussions that we had.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Book 1-4 Purpose?
What is the purpose for Books 1-4 in the Odyssey? What information from the story allows you to determine this purpose (this means use direct evidence to prove ideas)?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
24 comments:
I think that there were two main reasons for the first four books of the Odyssey. The first reason was to set the general scene for what was going on at the moment, and what life at that place and time was like. “All the survivors, all who avoided headlong death/ were safe at home, escaped the wars and waves. / But one man alone... his heart set on his wife and his return-Calypso” (77-78 lines 14-16). This line introduces one of the main characters, Calypso, and shows that it is a time of war, and sets the scene a little bit for what is currently going on. There is also another reason for the first four books in the Odyssey. That was also to tell about Odysseus and what the life of his family at home was like without him. Telemachus, Odysseus' son, says,”' So, mother,/ go back to your quarters... I hold the reins of power in this house'” (89 lines 409-414). This shows that the condition in his family is very tense and hostile. His twenty year old son is needing to mature very quickly. There is also another factor that in increacing the hostility in the household. “'You suitors who plague my mother, you, you insolent, overweening...'”(89 lines 422-423). The suitors are making life for Penelope and Telemachus very difficult and it is going to make Telemachus need to mature even faster.
I feel the purpose for books one through four were to inform you of the journey to find his father Telemachus took as his right of passage. For example, after Athena went to tell Telemachus about his father being alive, Telemachus set sail on his journey to go to the other kings that had fought along side Odysseus to see if they know anything about his whereabouts. Also, about his first encounter with a king and his people. Finally they also inform us on what kind of changes Telemachus will have to go through to become a man in the ancient Greek culture. That is how they inform us on his right of passage to become a man.
The purpose of Books 1-4 in The Odyssey was to introduce Telemachus and his journey to find his father. The first few books have a plethora of introduction on Telemachus and his character. For instance Athena says, “You are tall and handsome… and brave” In addition it describes not only his inner character but his attitude to his mother and her suitors, “So mother, go back to your quarters… I hold the reins of power in this house” Lastly, the books 3 and 4 cover more of his actual journey and his meeting with the kings of Sparta and Pylos. Not only does this commence his journey, but gives further insight on his character “Your way with words…it’s just like his… I’d swear no youngster could ever speak like you”
The purpose for Books 1-4 in “The Odyssey” is to explain Odysseus’s background and what happened when he was gone. For example, in the book, it talks about his son Telemachus and his wife, Penelope. It talks about their lives without Odysseus. Telemachus is about twenty years old, and never met his father. He was raised by Penelope. So he still holds onto his boyhood, since he was never raised by his father. At Telemachus’s house, there are suitors who are there until the return of Odysseus. Then, the goddess, Athena, comes in disguise to help Telemachus become a man who has bravery and courage. She told him to go on a journey to see if his father’s existence is true or not.
The first four books of The Odyssey were, in my opinion, were included to show what Ithaca and especially Telemachus have become without Odysseus. Athena describes Telemachus when she says, “You’re truly Odysseus’ son? You’ve sprung up so! Uncanny resemblance… the head, and the fine eyes - I see him now.” (Page 84 lines 240-242) The book shows what peril the once great palace of Odysseus has suffered when Telemachus says, “You suitors who plague my mother,” (Page 88 lines 422-423) and again when he says, “trouble has struck my home – a double blow. First, I have lost my noble father…But now this, a worse disaster that will soon grind my house down, ruin it all, and all my worldly good in the bargain. Suitors plague my mother – against her will.” (Page 94 lines 48-54) Athena even says how badly they need Odysseus to return when she says, “Oh how much you need Odysseus, gone so long – how he’d lay hands on all these brazen suitors!” (Page 85 lines 295-296) These books were very important, and without them the reader would never know how badly Ithaca and Telemachus needed Odysseus.
The purpose of books 1-4 in the Odyssey is the transition of Telemachus from boyhood to manhood. What he says on page 89, “‘So, mother, go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks… I hold the reins of power in this house,’” is one example which shows Telemachus’ transition into a man. Another thing that evidences his growth is his actions. “At once he ordered heralds to cry out loud and clear and summon the flowing-haired Achaeans to full assembly… fired up to speak, he took his stand among the gathered men.” Another thing that truly shows his growth is what others say about him. Nestor says, “’Your way with words-it’s just like his-I’d swear no youngster could ever speak like you, so apt, so telling,’” and Helen adds to it with, “’I’ve never seen such a likeness, neither in man nor woman-I’m amazed at the sight. To the life he’s like the son of great Odysseus, surely he’s Telemachus!’” It is obvious that the first four books are about Telemachus, as the sole subject is about the events surrounding Telemachus: Athena’s advice, his journey to Pylos and Sparta, the suitors, and above all, his actions.
The purpose of books 1-4 was to show how Telemachus becomes a man. We can see that this is happening when he says “So, mother, / go back to your quarters. Tend to your tasks, / the distaff and the loom, keep the women/ working hard as well. As for giving orders, / men will see to that, but I most of all: / I hold the reins of power in this house.”(Page 89 lines 409-414) this shows that he is taking charge in his house to replace his father. We can also see he is becoming a man when King Menelaus says “Your way with words-it’s just like his-I’d swear/ no youngster could ever speak like you, so apt, so telling.” (Page 111 lines 139-140) Menelaus is saying that he is grown up like his father and is no longer a child. This is the purpose for books 1-4.
The purpose of Books 1-4 in the Odyssey is to explain to you Telemachus’ situation and to give background information of how his adventure begins. When we find out that Calypso is keeping Odysseus from leaving the island and is trying to marry him it show that it is important background information we need to know. Also when Athena goes undercover as a normal pedestrian and tells Telemachus to go on the journey and take the “rite of passage” it foreshadows that for the rest of the book Telemachus will be trying to find his father. Books 1-4 also explain Telemachus’ situation about his mother and how he has to get rid of the suitors because he knows his father is still alive. A final example that explains Telemachus’ situation is Poseidon hate his father, Odysseus because he killed Poseidon’s son the Cyclops so by punishing Odysseus, Poseidon is keeping him captive on the island of Cylipcesin. Those are a few examples to prove that Books 1-4 are there to explain to you Telemachus’ situation and to give background information of how his adventure begins.
In The Odyssey by Robert Fagles, books one through four are very important. To begin with, these books show how Telemachus is like his long lost father, Odysseus. Nestor, the king of Pylos, says (page 111 lines 139-140) “Your way with words-it’s just like his-I’d swear no youngster could ever talk like you, so apt, so telling.” Following this further, Nestor is saying that the way Telemachus is a wise, smooth talker just like his father. Additionally, Helen states, (page 129 lines 164-166) “Now that you mention it, I see the likeness too…Odysseus’ feet were like the boy’s, his hands as well, his glancing eyes, his head, and the fine shock of his hair.” It is easy to see that Telemachus even looks like his father, his feet, hands, eyes, head, even they way his hair is thick and bushy is like his father’s. Not only do books one through four prove that Telemachus is like Odysseus, it also gives us background information about all of the characters. For instance, we find out in these books that Odysseus is the “Hero of the Trojan War” but at the same time sad and being held captive by Calypso. Moreover, Poseidon, the god of the sea and earthquakes, hates Odysseus because he blinded his Cyclops son. This is the main reason why Odysseus can’t get home safely. Therefore, the major purpose for the first four books in The Odyssey is used as an introduction to the rest of the book.
The purpose of Books 1-4 in the Odyssey is to explain to you Telemachus’ situation and to give background information of how his adventure begins. When we find out that Calypso is keeping Odysseus from leaving the island and is trying to marry him it show that it is important background information we need to know. Also when Athena goes undercover as a normal pedestrian and tells Telemachus to go on the journey and take the “rite of passage” it foreshadows that for the rest of the book Telemachus will be trying to find his father. Books 1-4 also explain Telemachus’ situation about his mother and how he has to get rid of the suitors because he knows his father is still alive. A final example that explains Telemachus’ situation is Poseidon hate his father, Odysseus because he killed Poseidon’s son the Cyclops so by punishing Odysseus, Poseidon is keeping him captive on the island of Cylipcesin. Those are a few examples to prove that Books 1-4 are there to explain to you Telemachus’ situation and to give background information of how his adventure begins.
The purpose of the first four books in the Odyssey is to show Telechamus’s journey into man hood. In the beginning of the book Athena goes down to his palace and shows him the path to becoming a man. Also, Telechamus says, “ You suitors … Zeus will pay you back with a vengeance” (89, line 144). This is a highlight in the book because this is when Telechamus finally stands up against the suitors. Lastly, the books 3 and 4 are all about his journey to find out what happened to his father. You can see why the first food books are about his journey into man hood.
The purpose of books 1-4 of The Odyssey is to provide background about the characters and set the scene. These books are all about what happens before the real story, the story of Odysseus’ return and all of the events that follow, begins. It provides the reader with information about how Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, grew up. On pages 81-82 of book one, the text reads, “First by far to see her (Athena) was Prince Telemachus, sitting among the suitors, heart obsessed with grief. He could almost see his magnificent father, here…in his mind’s eye…He hoped, what’s more, to ask her about his long-lost father.” From this quote you can conclude that Telemachus never knew his father and was saddened and intrigued by this fact. Also, in another quote from book one, Telemachus says, “So, mother, go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well. As for giving orders, men will see to that, but most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house” (89). From this quote you can see how Telemachus had grown to be a strong young man who, like his father was, is the “man of the house.” Therefore, the first four books of The Odyssey are included to provide the reader with background information about the characters’ lives before the story really starts.
There are many purposes for books one through four in The Odyssey. One purposes for books one through four is to show how Telemachus grows as a man. In the beginning, before Athena visits Telemachus, he was timid and didn’t say anything to the suitors who were eating out his house and taking advantage of him. After Athena’s visit Telemachus he “grows up” and takes a stand for his house and his mother. "So, mother/go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks,/the distaff and the loom...I hold the reins of power in this house" (89,lines 309-414). This quotation shows how Telemachus stands up and takes charge of his house. The other purpose for books one through four in The Odyssey are to show that this story will be an adventure story.
I think that the purpose for Books 1-4 in the Odyssey were to give background information about why Odysseus and Telemachus both took big journeys. Book 1 and 2 were show you why Odysseus was trapped on Calypso's Island to begin with and why Telemachus had to take his journey in order to "become a man." In Books 3 and 4 it shows how the beginning of their journeys went. I can tell this information from when Athena convinced the Gods that they needed to help Odysseus and Telemachus. Zeus then sent Hermes to free Odysseus and Athena went to encourage Telemachus and give him guidance. Books 1-4 are very important because if they were not included then we would begin the story not knowing what was happening and why it was happening to Telemachus and Odysseus.
Books 1-4 in The Odyssey are there to give background information about previous events and happenings to the characters that will help the reader to understand what events will happen next. For example, we learn in these first four books about the disappearance of Odysseus, Telemachus’ father. By reading about this, it is easy to then understand why Odysseus suddenly appears in the Fifth Book, finally getting the chance to return home to his loved ones from the place where he was held captive, which was also explained in Books 1-4, on page 78. There, it says, “Calypso, the bewitching nymph, the lustrous goddess, held him back, deep in her arching caverns, craving him for a husband.” Also in Books 1-4, we find out that Poseidon holds a grudge against Odysseus. Says Zeus on page 79, “…It’s the Earth-Shaker, Poseidon, unappeased, forever fuming against him [Odysseus] for the Cyclops whose giant eye he blinded: godlike Polyphemus, towering over all the Cyclyops’ clans in power.” Without knowing this, we would not understand why later, in Book 5, Poseidon causes treacherous storms while Odysseus is at sea. These passages and many more in Books 1-4 help the reader understand the reasons for what is to come in later books.
Books 1-4 in The Odyssey, by Homer, are very important. The first book gives us some background information, telling us about the hero, Odysseus, and where he has been for the past twenty years. He has been fighting in the Trojan war for ten years, and up until now in the book he had been kept captive on Calypso’s island, to be her wife. We learn about the suitors who want to marry Penelope, Odysseus’s wife. Finally, we are informed about Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, who is encouraged to go on a journey to find news of his father, whether he is alive or not. He goes to Pylos and Sparta, meeting King Nestor, King Emanuel, and Queen Helen. These four books provide a background and “prepare us” for the adventure to come.
The purpose for Books 1-4 in the Odessey were to explain the story and the situation. Also I think that it was to show the background of Telemachus and how he grew up without his dad and how they are alike. For example, “So, mother / Go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks, / the distaff and the loom, and keep the women / working hard as well… / I hold the reins of power in this house” (page 89 lines 409-414). This quote explains Telemachus’s change from boy to man. He shows authority in the house like his father had. Another quote was, “Odysseus’ feet were like the boy’s, his hands as well, / his glancing eyes, his head, and the fine shock of hair” (page 129, lines 165-166). This shows how Odysseus and his son are so much alike. One thing that explains the situation is, “But my heart breaks for Odysseus, / that seasoned veteran cursed by fate so long- / far from his loved ones still, he suffers torments / off on a wave-washed island... / Atlas’s daughter it is who holds Odysseus captive” (page 79, lines 57-65). This explains how Odysseus is captured by Calypso on an island and can’t escape. This is what the purpose of Books 1-4 were.
The purpose for Books 1-4 of the Odyssey is to show the change in Telemachus. The quote, "So, mother/go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks, /the distaff and the loom...I hold the reins of power in this house" (89, lines 309-414), shows how Telemachus is becoming a man and a leader. This is very important because in the beginning he seems a little weak, but now he knows he has a duty and needs to grow up. Throughout these four books Telemachus has changed a lot and has really grown.
The purpose for the books 1-4 in The Odyssey are, they give background information of Telemachus, Odysseus and many other characters lives in this story. Also, books 1-4 give information about the town and what has happened in the past, specifically the Trojan War. We find out that Telemachus is in line for the crown of Ithaca because his father, Odysseus is told to be “dead.” Telmachus says, “ I hold the reins of power in this house” (89, 414). The books also explain Odysseus life. Telmachus went to Menelaus and found out much about his father. Helen states, “ The boy that hero left a babe in arms at home when all you Achaeans fought at Troy, launching your headlong battles just for my sake, shameless whore I was” (129, 159-162). In that passage, Helen tells us that Odysseus was a hero and fought just for her. Books 1-4 was explaining chapters of the lives of the characters in the story.
The purpose of books 1-4 in The Odyssey was to set the stage for the book. It gave the reader background information about what had happened previously. The first part of the book gave us a little information about the important characters in the book, as well. For example, it talked about Telemachus and his similarities to his father: “I’ve never seen such a likeness…” (p. 129)
I think that the purpose for books one through four is to show Telemachus’s rite of passage. In ancient Greek culture, a boy was usually taught how to be a man by his father. Telemachus however grew up without a father, so Athena says that he needs to drive the suitors out of his house and plot a course for Sparta to become a man. In ancient Greek culture, men had the power in his house, so he had to assert himself as the one with power. He even says to 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.” (Pg 89 Line 409) He stands up to the suitors too. By the end of the four chapters, many people start to see the resemblance between Telemachus and his father, showing that he has become a man and gone through his rite of passage.
I believe books 1-4 were about Telemachus and his rite of passage into manhood. For example, Telemachus tells his mother to "... go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well... I hold the reins of power in this house." This shows that Telemachus is reaching that point where he is now a man. Another example is when Telemachus calls an assembly. Aegyptius even says "He's a brave man, I'd say. God be with him, too! May Zeus speed him on to a happy end, whatever his heart desires!" He then takes his father's seat, thus showing that he is becoming like his father. Nestor, the King of Pylos, even says "...how tall and handsome I see you now - be brave, you too, so men to come will sing your praises down the years." In the next book, King Menelaus says "Not even an older man could speak and do as well. Your father's son you are - your words have all his wisdom." It is clear that the first four books of the epic is about the rise of Telemachus.
The main purposes of the first few books in the Odyssey are for setting up the plot and tone for the rest of the book and this can be seen when Athena is arguing with Zeus,”…While I myself go down to Ithaca, rouse his son to a braver pitch, inspire his heart with courage to summon the flowing-haired Achaeans to full assembly, speak his mind to all those suitors, slaughtering on and on his droves of sheep and shambling longhorn cattle. Next I will send him off to Sparta and sandy Pylos… (Pg 80 Ps 104-109). This shows what Telemachus will be doing for the beginning of his own odyssey. The next reason is to explain what has happened and can happen in the very near future. This is seen especially when Athena is now explaining to Zeus what has happen to Odysseus “The nymph Thoosa bore him… she met Poseidon once in his vaulted caves and they made love. And now for his blinded son the earthquake god … drives him far off course from native land.(Pg 80 Ps 85-90)” This shows how the nymph and the Poseidon are making it impossible for him to get back to his native land. Also other place the book states the setting of the scene is when the suitors are inside of Telemachus’s house and are eating and partying. “There she found the swaggering suitors, just then amusing themselves with rolling dice before the doors, lounging on hides of oxen they had killed themselves...(Pg81 Ps125-127)” This shows the situation Telemachus finds himself in and what he hates. These are the two reasons of the first few chapters of the Odyssey.
Books one through four were included in the Odyssey to show that Telemachus has matured from a boy to a man. This pattern of 'growing up' can be seen in what Telemachus says. For example, he told his mother to "Tend to your own tasks..." Proclaiming to her, "I hold the reins of power in this house." Additionally, Telemachus acts in a way that suggests he is becoming a man. For example, he calls an assembly of the suitors, a very manly act that shows that he believes he has professional power. And he does obtain respect as the book suggests,"the elders making way as he took his seat." Furthermore, other characters proclaim things about Telemachus suggesting his manliness. For instance, Nestor says, "Your father, yes if you are in fact his son… I look at you and a sense of wonder takes me. Your way with words- its just like his- I'd swear no youngster could ever speak like you, so apt, so telling." The fact that Nestor said that no youngster could speak in the way Telemachus does suggests that he is no longer a youngster, and has successfully bridged from a youngster to a man.
Post a Comment