fandomhigh | Introduction to Western Literature, Lesson Five

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Introduction to Western Literature, Lesson Five

Tuesday, November 22, 1:00PM FST

[Professor Chaucer is sitting in his usual spot behind the desk, writing. The room appears to have been decorated with dozens of multi-colored origami cranes.]

In light of the upcoming holiday, I'm going to keep the lecture and discussion brief and give you part of the class period to read or catch up with your classmates.

[Lecture] The Odyssey is the second of the two great Greek epic poems ascribed to Homer, the first of which is the Iliad. The 11,300 line poem follows Odysseus, king of Ithaca, on his voyage home after an heroic turn in the Trojan War. It also tells the story of Odysseus' wife Penelope who struggles to remain faithful, and his son Telemachus who sets out to find his father. In contrast to the Iliad, with its extended sequences of battle and violence, all three are ultimately successful through use of cleverness, and the support of the goddess Athena. This cleverness is most often manifested by Odysseus' use of disguise and, later, recognition. His disguises take forms both physical (altering his appearance) and verbal (telling the Cyclops Polyphemus that his name is "Nobody" then escaping after blinding the Cyclops because Polyphemus cries foul at the hands of "nobody").

The poem is considered one of the foundational texts of the Western canon and continues to be read in both Homeric Greek and translations around the world. While today's Odyssey is usually a printed text, the original poem was an oral composition sung by a trained bard, in an amalgamated Ancient Greek dialect, using a regular metrical pattern called dactylic hexameter. Each line of the original Greek was composed of six feet; each foot a dactyl or a spondee. Among the most impressive elements of the text are its strikingly modern non-linear plot, and its elevation of the status of women and the lower classes. In the English language as well as many others, the word odyssey has come to refer to an epic voyage.

[Discussion] Choose an episode from one of the three 'books' you read for class today, and give me an example of how the Odyssey has influenced modern popular thinking or culture.

Taking a page from the Doctor's book, I'm also going to give you the opportunity to ask me one question about myself if you feel so inclined -- which I will, of course, reserve the right not to answer if I feel it's likely to incriminate me.

Once you've participated in the discussion, feel free to use the remainder of the period for reading or socializing. There will be no office hours today, so if you need to speak to me please do so during this time.

***Assignment for Next Week: Read Plato's Symposium***

The following students have more than one unexcused absence. You need to see me immediately to discuss makeup work or risk failing the class. I will forgive one unexcused absence. More than that requires makeup work.

___lily_evans_: two absences

miss_thomasina: two absences

studentwillow: four absences

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[Ask questions about the lecture here.]

[Participate in the discussion here.]

*Paige makes an insightful and well thought out comment*

((sorry I've gone insane and started a fanfic challenge, I really will post something proper one day!))

*still sneezing, discusses the use of flashbacks and compares it to a modern-ish show/film with flashbacks*

In the first book of The Odyssey we find the gods and goddesses offering commentary on the story that is to be unfolded to us. This technique has been expanded upon by more modern authors; the Renaissance playwrights in particular were fond of employing this dramatic device, using gods or ghosts or mythical creatures as their mouthpieces.

[Ask Professor Chaucer your question, chat with your classmates, or talk with the professor about whatever's on your mind.]

"Professor? I'm so sorry I've missed class the last two weeks - I just can't seem to keep my head on straight lately."

"It's all right, Lily, I understand. There've been a lot of things going on lately. If you'll get the notes from one of your classmates and turn in a written response to the discussion questions, we'll consider that your makeup work for the two classes you missed. I can't grade you higher than a C for the makeup work, but you're welcome to do some extra credit work to bring that grade up."

My apologies, sir, for not making it to my lessons. I have not meant to be absent. Thomasina pauses here, wondering whether an explanation is needed, then continues. I am very sorry to have missed the discussion concering the Greeks, as they are my most favorite of all. What do I need to do to make things right?

"If you do the makeup work for the classes you missed, I'll excuse your absences. I'd suggest that you get lecture notes from one of your classmates and hand in a written response to the discussion. That will get you a C rather than an incomplete. If you want to bring the grade up, you can do some extra credit work."

[Make your OOC comments here.]

~~[leans on the desk and makes faces at the professor, while singing bawdy songs in Medieval Welsh. and then Scottish Gaelic. and then Middle English.]~~

~~[watches the performance, wondering what sort of mushrooms they're serving in the cafeteria today]~~

~~[translates 'Ring of Fire' into Welsh on the fly] I have a personal question for Professor Chaucer.~~

~~[Is fairly certain he's going to regret asking.] What's the request, Doctor?~~

~~Do you think my hair is strange?~~

Um...no. I think you have very nice hair. *looks around for gremlins*

~~[leans across the desk and kisses him] Brilliant! Did I ever tell you you look really cute when you sit like that in your chair, writing?~~

*isn't so sure about this kissing in class thing, but then realizes that there's no one in the classroom yet* Thank you. Did I ever tell you that you look really cute with your hair all mussed up like that?

[ooc: OMG icon love!]

~~[is in that frame of mind where kissing = always good!] No, you didn't, thank you. Would you like to muss it up yourself?~~

((I know. Is adorable.))

Why thank you, Ten. I believe I would. Right here in the classroom, though? Don't you think the students might object? If they ever show up.

~~Just go on, then. They're probably all off getting doped up on turkey.~~

*eyes the Doctor* Are you sure you haven't been off getting doped up on turkey? Or...something?

~~Honestly? No. I'm just really, really happy. Is that all right? I can go away.~~

~~No, really happy is good. Stay. It's not like I'm doing any teaching or anything. Um, what are you really happy about, though?~~

~~Everything. Holidays. Life. Being alive. The fact that I'm having really good sex.~~

~~Really good sex, huh? Can you tell me where I might get some of that?~~

~~Oh, I'd say the opportunity is right under your nose.~~

~~The opportunity seems to be getting around a little bit today, judging from the thread in the library.~~

~~Does it really matter?~~

~~Mmm...no, not really.~~

~~So where's that hair touselling I was promised?~~

*tousles hair* Better?

Entirely.

Do it again?

oi! *waves frantically*

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Introduction to Western Literature, Lesson Five

LECTURE QUESTIONS

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