Upload
dustin-barrett
View
218
Download
2
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Road of TrialsThe Road of Trials
What role has hubris played in Odysseus’ journey?
What role has hubris played in Odysseus’ journey?
The Journey of the Imagination
The Journey of the Imagination
Archetypal adventures The journey is really a journey of
the spirit The monstrous apparitions are
outward manifestations of inhumanity
Archetypal adventures The journey is really a journey of
the spirit The monstrous apparitions are
outward manifestations of inhumanity
The Journey of the Imagination
The Journey of the Imagination
Ithaca = the real world, staid identity• Odysseus, son of Laertes, from Ithaca
Adventures = the Imagination, fluctuating identity• “Nobody”
Ithaca = the real world, staid identity• Odysseus, son of Laertes, from Ithaca
Adventures = the Imagination, fluctuating identity• “Nobody”
CiconesCicones
Entitlement: to the victor belong the spoils
Odysseus’ men divide treasure and slave-women
What is the mission? Odysseus suffers defeat and loss
Entitlement: to the victor belong the spoils
Odysseus’ men divide treasure and slave-women
What is the mission? Odysseus suffers defeat and loss
The Lotus-Eaters = intemperance
The Lotus-Eaters = intemperance
Consequence = forgetfulness of home
Temptation vs. balance = What is essential?• Lose sight of the goal and indulge the
pleasures of the present
Consequence = forgetfulness of home
Temptation vs. balance = What is essential?• Lose sight of the goal and indulge the
pleasures of the present
Compare and contrast the Cyclopes with the Ithacans.
Compare and contrast the Cyclopes with the Ithacans.
Cyclops = barbarismCyclops = barbarism
Cyclops
Ugly loners No assembly No cultivation No community Cave dwellers Man-eaters
Cyclops
Ugly loners No assembly No cultivation No community Cave dwellers Man-eaters
Ithacans
Assembly and community
Cultivation Human law
reflecting divine law
Ithacans
Assembly and community
Cultivation Human law
reflecting divine law
CyclopsCyclops
Greek convention of hospitality Who behaves as the suitors here?• Goldilocks and the Three Bears• Crimes against the son
Greek convention of hospitality Who behaves as the suitors here?• Goldilocks and the Three Bears• Crimes against the son
The Island of AeolusThe Island of Aeolus
Wind = chance, fate, forces of nature, evil impuleses
Wind = an expression of the gods’ will
Wind = chance, fate, forces of nature, evil impuleses
Wind = an expression of the gods’ will
The Island of the Laestrygonians
The Island of the Laestrygonians
Name = “of a harsh race” Cannibalism • Represents the most inhuman action
imaginable• An extreme form of self-loathing/ self-
destruction
Name = “of a harsh race” Cannibalism • Represents the most inhuman action
imaginable• An extreme form of self-loathing/ self-
destruction
CirceCirce
Weaving “an enchanting web” at her “great immortal loom”• The god who binds
Consumption• Magic food = moly• Temperance = restraint• Tendency of unrestrained humanity
toward animal-like behavior
Weaving “an enchanting web” at her “great immortal loom”• The god who binds
Consumption• Magic food = moly• Temperance = restraint• Tendency of unrestrained humanity
toward animal-like behavior
Roles of WomenRoles of Women
Usually do not experience a quest (Alice in Wonderland)
Passively wait for a hero’s rescue (mother, sister, consort)
Aid the hero at some point (muse, guide, courtesan)
Ruin his quest (temptress, sorceress)
Usually do not experience a quest (Alice in Wonderland)
Passively wait for a hero’s rescue (mother, sister, consort)
Aid the hero at some point (muse, guide, courtesan)
Ruin his quest (temptress, sorceress)
The UnderworldThe Underworld
Why do all heroic quests involve a journey to the Underworld?• Rites of passage• Death-resurrection cycle• Enlightenment
Why do all heroic quests involve a journey to the Underworld?• Rites of passage• Death-resurrection cycle• Enlightenment
The Power of the DeadThe Power of the Dead
Procession of shades• Know the secrets of existence• Direct knowledge of divinity• Know the fates of other humans• Compendium of past societies
Procession of shades• Know the secrets of existence• Direct knowledge of divinity• Know the fates of other humans• Compendium of past societies
The Power of the DeadThe Power of the Dead
Vegetation myths• Elpenor’s proper burial• Dead youth = Persephone, Adonis,
Osiris• Seed for new life
Vegetation myths• Elpenor’s proper burial• Dead youth = Persephone, Adonis,
Osiris• Seed for new life
How do the sirens link the female with the monstrous?
How do the sirens link the female with the monstrous?
The SirensThe Sirens
Faces of women, bodies of birds, voices of honey
Seductive song entices men to abandon all ambitions
Ody experiences with all senses
Faces of women, bodies of birds, voices of honey
Seductive song entices men to abandon all ambitions
Ody experiences with all senses
The Island of HeliosThe Island of Helios
The Followers• Submit to human weaknesses of
consumption Ody alone survives Zeus’ storm
The Followers• Submit to human weaknesses of
consumption Ody alone survives Zeus’ storm
The Island of HeliosThe Island of Helios
The Followers• Submit to human weaknesses of
consumption• Death by water = complete
consumption and sensory deprivation Ody alone survives Zeus’ storm
and Charybdis’ maelstrom
The Followers• Submit to human weaknesses of
consumption• Death by water = complete
consumption and sensory deprivation Ody alone survives Zeus’ storm
and Charybdis’ maelstrom
What Has Ody Learned?What Has Ody Learned?
There is no freedom without discipline• Temperance -- Laestrygonians• Prudence -- Cyclops• Obedience -- Circe’s orders• Restraint -- Sirens
Penelope and Ithaca embody these ideals
There is no freedom without discipline• Temperance -- Laestrygonians• Prudence -- Cyclops• Obedience -- Circe’s orders• Restraint -- Sirens
Penelope and Ithaca embody these ideals
What Has Ody Learned?What Has Ody Learned?
Survival of the righteous• Emotional satisfaction of worthiness• Ody obeyed, trusted, sacrificed, and prayed
The arrogant and weak are destroyed
The survival of one good human ensures us that we have a chance
Survival of the righteous• Emotional satisfaction of worthiness• Ody obeyed, trusted, sacrificed, and prayed
The arrogant and weak are destroyed
The survival of one good human ensures us that we have a chance