Sirens, Scylla, & Charybdis 9/19/2018

Bellwork Circe was a goddess of sorcery, transformations, and prophecy. On Odysseus’ first visit to see Circe, she turned all of his men into different animals according to their character and virtue. However, Hermes, the messenger, trickster, and god that carries people to the underworld, gave him a magic herb, moly, which would cancel the magic potion’s power when Odysseus drank it. After this, she was shocked and he threatened to kill her if she doesn’t change his men back to humans.

Bellwork All of the men are transformed, and then they are treated kindly. In fact, Odysseus and his men are treated so well that they stay there for at least enough time for him to have 2 sons and a daughter with Circe. His men finally urge him to continue his travel to Ithaka. Circe tells him that he must travel to the underworld to consult the blind prophet, Tiresias. Questions: 1st: Who is enraged at Odysseus and why? 2nd: Why might Athena & Hermes be on Odysseus’ side? 3rd: What do you think of Odysseus now? Is he still considered a good leader by some since Hermes & Athena help him still?

Tear out p. 37 from the Purple Book Turn to page 1070 in your Green, Literature Book

Who are the Sirens? Sirens are demons who are half woman and half bird. Why a bird, you ask? Apollo the god of music, poetry, and arts also would shape-shift into a crow at times. Plus, birds can sing. However, their song was deceptive as they tried to sing beautifully, like a hypnotizing lullaby, to the weary sea travelers. Once they were under their trance, the sailor’s ship would crash into the sea to which they would devour the sailors. Questions: Under your motivations chart, think of what might motivate these demons. Are they evil? Or are they just violent hunters eating like lions? Or could they possibly be working to serve another god that is mad at Odysseus?

Page 37 1st: Describe the episode using adjectives. Page 18 has excellent ones if you have trouble coming up with one. 2nd: What are the character traits that describe their personality? 3rd: What are the specific actions that back up your previous claim about their character? 4th: What do you think motivates them to act this way? 5th: Use a specific quote from the text, in quotation marks and page numbered, to back up your entire claim about them.

Reading Comprehension Questions Be sure to jot down your ideas for the questions in the Green, Literature book as you read. Be prepared to turn these in with your absent work.

Finally, what happened to the sirens? The sirens were so devastated that they would not lure the blessed by Circe the Sorceress, Odysseus, that they plunged to the depths of the ocean never to be seen or heard again by any poor pirates.

Homework 1st: Study vocabulary definitions 2nd: Work on your Writing Prompt work sheet 3rd: Begin the extra credit if you have the chance. 4th: Check the website for the other extra credit assignment. 5th: Have a restful night of sleep.