Journal Topic “What people would learn about my family from a weekend visit”

Essential Question: What do we learn about Greek culture from the section called “I am Laertes’ Son”? Lesson 31

“I am Laertes’ son”  Odysseus nearing home (see map) is a guest of Alcinous and the Phaeacians  Hospitality (Xenia)  Odysseus is a stranger  Given the guest’s place of honor  Odysseus is asked to talk about himself  “…men hold me formidable for guile in peace and war…”  Odysseus recounts his long, sad journey

“I am Laertes’ son”  Describes his homeland (Ithaca)  “good for a boy’s training”  Kept (tempted) by Calypso and Circe  “Where shall a man find sweetness to surpass his own home…”  Men disobeyed and died at the hands of the Cicones (“six benches were left empty”)

“I am Laertes’ son”  Odysseus’ tone  Heartsick for home  Sorrow for his men who have died (he is the sole survivor)  At this point, he is a humbled, broken man who has “lost” 20 years of his life, all of his men, and is about to return to a home he may no longer recognize

The Lotus Eaters  See map – this is Odysseus’ and his crew’s second trial after being blown off on the way home from Troy  A few of the men eat the Lotus  Do not report back to ship  Long to stay forever eating the Lotus  Forget thoughts of home  How are the effects of the Lotus similar to those caused by drugs and alcohol

Temptation and Obstacles  Feasting on the cattle of the Cicones with much wine (celebrating their victory at Troy?)  Men ignored Odysseus’ command to leave  Lives were lost  Temptation can lead to excess  Taking the lotus creates euphoric sensation  Temptation leads to loss of motivation