Osborne World Literature Classes

Goals for the Week:

1. Understand the mythology of the Olympian gods/goddesses.
2. Understand the plot and characters of Homer’s The Odyssey.
3. Create a myth for an original Greek god/goddess.

Today’s Checklist:

1. Review a Google Slides presentation over The Odyssey.
2. Watch a couple of videos explaining The Odyssey.
3. We’re going to look at an overview of Homer’s The Odyssey.

Today’s Lesson!

Standard:

• ELAGSE9-10RL6: Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
• ELAGSE9-10RL9: Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work (e.g., how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how a later author draws on a play by Shakespeare).
• ELAGSE9-10RL3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Learning Target: 

I can explore an overview of The Odyssey by viewing videos and reading summaries of the text, so that I can look understand the character of Odysseus and the obstacles that he faces.

Activator: 

1. Here is some background information to The Odyssey. Homer’s The Odyssey
2. Check out this TED-Ed video highlighting things you need to know about The Odyssey.

Work Session: 

• The Odyssey is a lengthy epic poem. We won’t be reading the whole thing during virtual learning, so here is a video summary about The Odyssey.

• One of today’s goals is to get you to understand the plot and characters in Homer’s The Odyssey. Since we won’t be reading the epic in its entirety, I have provided a few options for you to investigate on your own. Browse them and pick one to read.
  • Here is a strong, but shortened, summary and analysis of The Odyssey. https://www.ancient-literature.com/greece_homer_odyssey.html
  • Here is a simplified version of the story, geared toward younger readers. https://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greece/odyssey.php
  • Here is the full text of the story. http://classics.mit.edu/Homer/odyssey.html
  • Here is a modern translation of the story. https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Greek/Odhome.php
• Work on your original Greek myth. Remember this assignment is due Friday, May 15^th by 11:59 pm. Submit to your teacher via email or however he/she wants you to turn your assignments in. Message your teacher if you have any questions.
  • Original Greek Myth
• If you didn’t fill out the chart from yesterday over the gods/goddesses, you can fill it out today!
  • Greek Mythology Chart

Closing Session: 

Depending on which version or translation of The Odyssey that you read, you might see the protagonist Odysseus named as Ulysses. Don’t worry – it’s the same person. Odysseus is his Greek name; Ulysses is his Latin name. Here is a 90-minute animated version of the movie. It was written for children, but you still might enjoy it.

 

Looking Ahead: Tomorrow’s Checklist

If you want to get ahead on things, here is what we’re going to be doing tomorrow!

1. We’re going to read and analyze Book 9 from The Odyssey.