In this level the hoarders, which is someone who hoards or keeps, and the wasters, which is someone who wastes or does not use wisely, are separated into two groups. Their punishment is that they will forever be plagued by dead weight.
While living the hoarders and wasters did not understand the true value of money and to them it was just dead weight so while in the inferno they have to continuously push around a huge weight. The hoarders push the huge weight at the wasters screaming "Why do you waste?" and the wasters push it right back screaming "Why do you hoard?" . And they continue this little charade over and over. This punishment was chosen because of their lack of judgement and control. And now they have to push this dead weight around forever.
The Christian influences that appear in this level are all of the high positions in the church. Dante puts Popes, Cardinals, and Priests all in this level signifying the corruptness of the church, or what he thought of them.
Pagan influences show up in the characters he places in the inferno like the three headed dog. And also the fact that the punishment is based on the crime. Because in Christianity, all sins are equal, lying has the same consequences as murder. This is not true with Paganism.
If Dante had to put famous people today in the inferno, he would probably put most of the celebs of our time, because some of the things they spend money on is ridiculous.
Daisy, Janna, Curtis
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
Circle 7: Violence
1. Circle 7 is divided into three rounds: violence against neighbors,violence against themselves, violence against god, art, and nature. The sinners are people who are violent against their neighbors, themselves, nature, God and art. For the sinners violent again others, they are surrounded in boiling blood equal to that that they have spilled. For sinners violent against themselves, they are encased in thorny trees whose leaves are eaten by Harpies. The eating of the leaves causes the wounds to bleed,and only as long as the blood flows can the souls of the suicides speak-they destroyed their bodies so they are denied a human form. Their main doing in life was self-destruction so they may only speak through that which destroys them. Harpies are defilers of all they come in contact with. For the sinners against God, nature and art, they are exposed to varying degrees of exposure to fire above and below.
2. The sinners deserve to be in the boiling blood that they spilled because they chose to harm to their neighbors. For sinners violent against themselves, they are denied a human form because they destroyed their own.
3. In Christian myth, humans fell from innocence in the Garden of Eden to wickedness around the time of the Great Flood.
4.The different levels of punishment and hell being the underworld are some pagan influences.
5. Some of the famous people that Dante placed in round one are the tyrants Alexander, Dionysius, Ezzelino and Obizzo of Este, Attila, Pyrrhus, Sextus and Rinier Corneto and Rinier Pazzo. In round two, Dante sends Lano and an unidentified florentine who commited suicide. In round three, Brunetto, Capaneus, Guido Guerra, Tegghiaio Aldrobandi, and Reginaldo Scrovegni are sent to this circle.
6. Some people Dante might put into this circle from today might be the Oklahoma City bomber, and Jon Bennett Ramsey's Murderer.
Lindsey, Kyle, Brandon
2. The sinners deserve to be in the boiling blood that they spilled because they chose to harm to their neighbors. For sinners violent against themselves, they are denied a human form because they destroyed their own.
3. In Christian myth, humans fell from innocence in the Garden of Eden to wickedness around the time of the Great Flood.
4.The different levels of punishment and hell being the underworld are some pagan influences.
5. Some of the famous people that Dante placed in round one are the tyrants Alexander, Dionysius, Ezzelino and Obizzo of Este, Attila, Pyrrhus, Sextus and Rinier Corneto and Rinier Pazzo. In round two, Dante sends Lano and an unidentified florentine who commited suicide. In round three, Brunetto, Capaneus, Guido Guerra, Tegghiaio Aldrobandi, and Reginaldo Scrovegni are sent to this circle.
6. Some people Dante might put into this circle from today might be the Oklahoma City bomber, and Jon Bennett Ramsey's Murderer.
Lindsey, Kyle, Brandon
Circle 5 The Wrathful and Sullen
1. The type of sinners in circle five are people who held anger in their hearts, were sullen, and were full of wrath. They live in a marsh called Styx. They are immersed in mud and souls lie under the mud making bubbles with each cry. There is fighting going on constantly. People always hitting, screaming, and biting. There is never any peace.
2. I think that this particular punishment was chosen for these sinners because when they should have been happy in the light of the sun and they were not, now they will live sullen forever.
3. To be wrathful and sullen is a sin in the christian religion. The Bible teaches us to turn the other cheak. It also says in the Bible not to let the sun go down on ones wrath.
4. On example of pagan influences in circle 5 is that circle 5 is the last circle of upper hell. Also, the fact that there are different levels of hell and different punishments for the different sinners. Sin is sin not matter how great or small.
5. One person that Dante places in circle 5 is Filippo Argenti.
6. Dante would probably place Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston in circle 5. I am sure that they are very angry toward one another. Although they haven't been in an actual fight, they probably would if they had a chance.
Krista, Enotris, Ashley, Nicole
2. I think that this particular punishment was chosen for these sinners because when they should have been happy in the light of the sun and they were not, now they will live sullen forever.
3. To be wrathful and sullen is a sin in the christian religion. The Bible teaches us to turn the other cheak. It also says in the Bible not to let the sun go down on ones wrath.
4. On example of pagan influences in circle 5 is that circle 5 is the last circle of upper hell. Also, the fact that there are different levels of hell and different punishments for the different sinners. Sin is sin not matter how great or small.
5. One person that Dante places in circle 5 is Filippo Argenti.
6. Dante would probably place Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston in circle 5. I am sure that they are very angry toward one another. Although they haven't been in an actual fight, they probably would if they had a chance.
Krista, Enotris, Ashley, Nicole
Dante Study Guide
Click here for a great study guide on Dante's Inferno from Northern Virginia Community College.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Circle 3 Gluttony
1. The people in Circle 3 were lazy and produced nothing while they were on Earth. They did not use their God-given talents but instead, wallowed in food and drink. Their punishment was that they were sent to Circle 3 and spent eternity in a gigantic garbage dump. They lie in an icy paste and experience large hailstones, contaminated waste, and snow as black as night. The sinners are swollen and obscene. They too are like gargage and buriend in slush. Cerberus, the three headed dog of hell, guards them and attacks them with his claws and teeth.
2. The sinners are fat and obscene in hell because of their choice to be lazy and to do absolutely nothing with their life on earth. Cerberus does the same to them in Circle 3 as they once did in their life. He slavers over them and repeatedly attacks them as they had once slavered over food and drink on Earth.
3. In the Christian religions gluttony is a part of the seven deadly sins. It is a misplaced desire of food or it's withholding from the needy. In the Bible, gluttony is addressed by teachings of moderation and self-control. It is mentioned in the book of Proverbs. "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Proverbs 23:20-21
4. The belief in the different levels of hell is a paganistic view. Also, the belief of Cerberus guarding the sinners in Circle 3 was influenced by Greek mythology. We also read about Cerberus in the Odyssey.
5. Dante encounters Ciacco in Circle 3. Ciacco was known as the "hog" and was a citizen of Florence.
6. We think that Dante would have placed Kevin Federline in Circle 3 because he is famous only for marrying Britney Spears. He has not done anything significant with his life to contribute to society.
Tracy Field, Sarah Sumrall, & Jennifer Hyatt
2. The sinners are fat and obscene in hell because of their choice to be lazy and to do absolutely nothing with their life on earth. Cerberus does the same to them in Circle 3 as they once did in their life. He slavers over them and repeatedly attacks them as they had once slavered over food and drink on Earth.
3. In the Christian religions gluttony is a part of the seven deadly sins. It is a misplaced desire of food or it's withholding from the needy. In the Bible, gluttony is addressed by teachings of moderation and self-control. It is mentioned in the book of Proverbs. "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Proverbs 23:20-21
4. The belief in the different levels of hell is a paganistic view. Also, the belief of Cerberus guarding the sinners in Circle 3 was influenced by Greek mythology. We also read about Cerberus in the Odyssey.
5. Dante encounters Ciacco in Circle 3. Ciacco was known as the "hog" and was a citizen of Florence.
6. We think that Dante would have placed Kevin Federline in Circle 3 because he is famous only for marrying Britney Spears. He has not done anything significant with his life to contribute to society.
Tracy Field, Sarah Sumrall, & Jennifer Hyatt
Cocytus - The Ninth Circle
Cocytus, the ninth level of hell, is a huge, frozen lake at the bottom of the Central Pit. It is divided into 4 circles: Caina, Antenora, Ptolomea, and Judecca. Each is named after the four worst traitors in that category. Here are punished the four kinds of traitors: the Treacherous to Kin, Treacherous to Country, Treacherous to Guests and Hosts, and Treacherous to Masters. They are punished by being frozen up to their necks in the first circle (Treacherous to Kin), leaving their heads and faces exposed to the freezing air which grows ever colder towards the center of the lake. Some are completely encased in ice (circle 4 - Treacherous to Masters). The one's whose heads are exposed are allowed to bow their heads and weep in the first circle (Treacherous to Kin), but the tears of their anguish in circle 2 (Treacherous to Country) are frozen as soon as they encounter the cold air because they are unable to bend their necks to shield their faces from the wind. The tears of circle 3 (Treacherous to Guests and Hosts) freeze in the eye socket, and those of circle 4 have their bodies, faces and all, completely covered by ice. At the center of the lake, the three worst traitors suffer the worst punishment by being chewed eternally by Satan himself. Satan is here at the center because he is considered to be the Ultimate Traitor - the angel who rebelled against God Himself.
According to the book, being frozen in ice is likened to the conditions of the individuals heart when alive. These cold-hearted individuals had little or no love in their hearts for either God or mankind, neither did they have the kind of human warmth that allows remorse. In the lake they are allowed this remorse in the first and second circles, with the tears being frozen from the second circle on.
The presence of Satan and the reference to him as "Lucifer", "Beelzebub", and "Great Worm of Evil", etc., are all influenced by Christian doctrine. Also, the first round or circle being named after the first treasonist or traitor to kin, Cain. Round four is named after the disciple who betrayed Jesus, Judas Iscariot. There are other similarities such as Hell itself (also a teaching of Christianity), the punishment of sinners there, and the lightness or severity of the punishment according to sins committed. The Christian Holidays commemorating Jesus death and resurrection, Good Friday and Easter, play a part in the time-line of the story as well.
There is some pagan influence from Greek mythology such as Hell being referred to as the underworld, its different levels of punishment, the worst sinners being punished in the lowest part of hell - a pit, and the similarity of Satan to the three-headed dog Cerberus.
There were about 20 people in all that Dante encounters and recognizes, but the most notable and recognizable to us would probably be Judas Iscariot and Brutus (the best friend (I think) and top general who murdered Julius Caesar). Along with Cassius, they are eternally chewed by the three-headed Satan.
Traitors of our own time who Dante might ascribe to this level of Hell might be liberals (in general) and Nancy Pelosi (if he were conservatively-minded or Republican), Republicans and George Bush (if he were a liberal), Condaleeza Rice (if he were a liberal African American), Saddam Hussein, O.J. Simpson, and John Walker Lindh. Also Adam Yahiye Gadahn who was indicted Oct. 11, 2006 for treason against the U.S. - the first indictment since 1952. If he were to consider the traitors over the last 200 year period he would probably think of Alger Hiss, the Rosenbergs, Confederates (during American Civil War), Benedict Arnold, and Aaron Burr.
According to the book, being frozen in ice is likened to the conditions of the individuals heart when alive. These cold-hearted individuals had little or no love in their hearts for either God or mankind, neither did they have the kind of human warmth that allows remorse. In the lake they are allowed this remorse in the first and second circles, with the tears being frozen from the second circle on.
The presence of Satan and the reference to him as "Lucifer", "Beelzebub", and "Great Worm of Evil", etc., are all influenced by Christian doctrine. Also, the first round or circle being named after the first treasonist or traitor to kin, Cain. Round four is named after the disciple who betrayed Jesus, Judas Iscariot. There are other similarities such as Hell itself (also a teaching of Christianity), the punishment of sinners there, and the lightness or severity of the punishment according to sins committed. The Christian Holidays commemorating Jesus death and resurrection, Good Friday and Easter, play a part in the time-line of the story as well.
There is some pagan influence from Greek mythology such as Hell being referred to as the underworld, its different levels of punishment, the worst sinners being punished in the lowest part of hell - a pit, and the similarity of Satan to the three-headed dog Cerberus.
There were about 20 people in all that Dante encounters and recognizes, but the most notable and recognizable to us would probably be Judas Iscariot and Brutus (the best friend (I think) and top general who murdered Julius Caesar). Along with Cassius, they are eternally chewed by the three-headed Satan.
Traitors of our own time who Dante might ascribe to this level of Hell might be liberals (in general) and Nancy Pelosi (if he were conservatively-minded or Republican), Republicans and George Bush (if he were a liberal), Condaleeza Rice (if he were a liberal African American), Saddam Hussein, O.J. Simpson, and John Walker Lindh. Also Adam Yahiye Gadahn who was indicted Oct. 11, 2006 for treason against the U.S. - the first indictment since 1952. If he were to consider the traitors over the last 200 year period he would probably think of Alger Hiss, the Rosenbergs, Confederates (during American Civil War), Benedict Arnold, and Aaron Burr.
Circle VI The Heretics
The sinners that are in this level are those who did violence to God by denying immortality. They believed that the soul dies with the body so therefore their punishment was an eternal grave. We think that the reason this punishment was chosen is the sinners believed there was no life after death.They are doomed to spend their eternity in Circle VI in a grave until judgement day when the graves and their souls will be sealed forever. The sins in this level were called Malice. They were fraud, violence, murder, mayhem, harassment, plunder, arson, extortion, homicides, and destroyers.
There are many Christian influences in the Inferno the first being the denial of God which in the Christian belief is the greatest sin - eternal damnation. Christians also bury their dead in graves. Christians also believe in messengers of God. Christians believe that when they go to heaven they will receive a glorified body but in hell you will stay in your earthly body.
Although there are many Christian influences, there are also many pagan influences. The first being Erichtho who casts dark spells. Also the sinners in the grave are able to see into the future and into the past, but they do not have an awareness of the present.
The famous people that Dante meets is Farinata degeli Uberti, a great war chief that Dante admired although he was Dante's political enemy. Cavalcante dei Cavalcanti, son of Guido Cavalcanti a contempory poet and friend of Dante. Cardinal of the Ubaldini of Dantes time said to be involved in money and politics.
One person Dante would put in this part of hell would be Madelyn Murray O'Hair. She was the driving force behind the Supreme Court taking prayer out of schools. She was an atheist. The Columbine school shooters, Charles Manson, BTK Killer, John Allen Mohammed(Washington sniper) Jon Benet Ramsey's killer.
Stacy Therrell, Erica Gillie, Cheryl Jordan
There are many Christian influences in the Inferno the first being the denial of God which in the Christian belief is the greatest sin - eternal damnation. Christians also bury their dead in graves. Christians also believe in messengers of God. Christians believe that when they go to heaven they will receive a glorified body but in hell you will stay in your earthly body.
Although there are many Christian influences, there are also many pagan influences. The first being Erichtho who casts dark spells. Also the sinners in the grave are able to see into the future and into the past, but they do not have an awareness of the present.
The famous people that Dante meets is Farinata degeli Uberti, a great war chief that Dante admired although he was Dante's political enemy. Cavalcante dei Cavalcanti, son of Guido Cavalcanti a contempory poet and friend of Dante. Cardinal of the Ubaldini of Dantes time said to be involved in money and politics.
One person Dante would put in this part of hell would be Madelyn Murray O'Hair. She was the driving force behind the Supreme Court taking prayer out of schools. She was an atheist. The Columbine school shooters, Charles Manson, BTK Killer, John Allen Mohammed(Washington sniper) Jon Benet Ramsey's killer.
Stacy Therrell, Erica Gillie, Cheryl Jordan
Monday, April 9, 2007
Tragic hero vs. Epic hero
Tragic hero has its point in time where they are at a down fall or low point as the story goes on.
Epic hero has to be larger than life (super human power) ; it is like a good vs. evil. The epic hero in the story prevails. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is considered to be an epic hero; in our present time "Harry Potter". Odysseus had to face several challenges throughout his battle for life. The Odyssey is told as a legendary/history stories. Odysseus left Ithaka by choice and Oedipus kind of left without choice because he was giving away. Both Oedipus and Odysseus are rulers of some sort. Everyone looks up to them as far as their needs are to be met. The difference between Oedipus and Odysseus is the way the stories end.
Epic hero has to be larger than life (super human power) ; it is like a good vs. evil. The epic hero in the story prevails. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is considered to be an epic hero; in our present time "Harry Potter". Odysseus had to face several challenges throughout his battle for life. The Odyssey is told as a legendary/history stories. Odysseus left Ithaka by choice and Oedipus kind of left without choice because he was giving away. Both Oedipus and Odysseus are rulers of some sort. Everyone looks up to them as far as their needs are to be met. The difference between Oedipus and Odysseus is the way the stories end.
Dante
In groups, pick one level of Dante's Inferno to explain to the class. It must be a level that we have not already covered in class. Reply to this post to choose your level.
(1) Explain what kinds of sinners are in that level and what the punishment is.
(2) Tell why you think that particular punishment was chosen for that particular sin.
(3) Identify examples of Christian influences in the things included in that level (and in The Inferno as a whole).
(4) Identify examples of pagan influences in the things included in that level (and in The Inferno as a whole).
(5) Point out any famous or noteworthy people that Dante places in that level.
(6) Pick out some famous people from our own time that you think Dante might place in that level of The Inferno if he were writing it today.
(1) Explain what kinds of sinners are in that level and what the punishment is.
(2) Tell why you think that particular punishment was chosen for that particular sin.
(3) Identify examples of Christian influences in the things included in that level (and in The Inferno as a whole).
(4) Identify examples of pagan influences in the things included in that level (and in The Inferno as a whole).
(5) Point out any famous or noteworthy people that Dante places in that level.
(6) Pick out some famous people from our own time that you think Dante might place in that level of The Inferno if he were writing it today.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Oedipus Discussions
Instead of group postings for our discussions on Oedipus the King, we're going to speed things up a little by having only individual comments. Each person still needs to leave at least four comments on this discussion, both in reply to the original topics and to other students.
(1) To what degree is Oedipus responsible for his own actions? Is he completely a victim of fate, partially a victim of fate, or completely responsible for his own destiny? Is there anything he could have done to escape his fate?
(2) What are the differences (or similarities) between a tragic hero and an epic hero, and how do we see those differences in Oedipus and Odysseus?
(3) What are the differences (or similarities) between the way the ancient Greeks viewed fate and the way that Western culture today views it? How can we see these differences in comparing things like the story of Oedipus to more recent stories like the movie Minority Report?
(1) To what degree is Oedipus responsible for his own actions? Is he completely a victim of fate, partially a victim of fate, or completely responsible for his own destiny? Is there anything he could have done to escape his fate?
(2) What are the differences (or similarities) between a tragic hero and an epic hero, and how do we see those differences in Oedipus and Odysseus?
(3) What are the differences (or similarities) between the way the ancient Greeks viewed fate and the way that Western culture today views it? How can we see these differences in comparing things like the story of Oedipus to more recent stories like the movie Minority Report?
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The Journey into the Underworld
The journey to the Underworld plays an important role in the Odyssey. It is significant to Odysseus' travel home because upon leaving Circe's island she told him that the only way he could return home was to travel to the underworld, sacrafice a ram, and find the blind prophet Tiresias and to listen to his prophecy.
In the book, it tells of how Odysseus' men were very distraught when he told them that in order to get home they would have to travel to the underworld. It said that they wailed loudly, tore out their hair, and cried when they heard this news. In the movie, it did not show the emotional upset or the disturbance that the men felt. Also, it did not show them ripping out their hair or showing any emotion at all.
Once they reached the Underworld in the book, Odysseus had been instructed by Circe to dig a trench then to pour sweet milk, honey, sweet wine, clear water, and then to sprinkle barley into the trench. He then slashed the ram and drank of the blood so he can temporarily revitalize the dead to speak with them. In the movie, it does not show Odysseus digging a trench, pouring in the required ingredients, or drinking the blood. It only shows him tossing the ram into the river located in the Underworld.
The first person in the book that Odysseus sees in Underworld is Elpenor, who died on Circe's island by falling off her palace. In the movie, Elpenor was not seen nor did he die on Circe's island.
In the book, after seeing the Elpenor Odysseus sees the soul of Antikleia his once living, beloved mother. After seeing her ghost he greives but held her off until he should know the prescence of Teiresias. After Odysseus spoke with Teiresias, the blind prophet retired to the halls of death. His mothers then sips the black blood and recognizes Odysseus. Odysseus tries to hold her, but once she is present in the Underworld one can no longer be touched because they are no longer flesh and blood. The movie shows this scene very differently. In the movie, the sequence in which Odysseus sees Teiresias and his mother occur at different times. He sees his mother, but does not attempt to hold her. After speaking with his mother, he then speaks to Teiresias.
Tracy, Jennifer, & Sara
In the book, it tells of how Odysseus' men were very distraught when he told them that in order to get home they would have to travel to the underworld. It said that they wailed loudly, tore out their hair, and cried when they heard this news. In the movie, it did not show the emotional upset or the disturbance that the men felt. Also, it did not show them ripping out their hair or showing any emotion at all.
Once they reached the Underworld in the book, Odysseus had been instructed by Circe to dig a trench then to pour sweet milk, honey, sweet wine, clear water, and then to sprinkle barley into the trench. He then slashed the ram and drank of the blood so he can temporarily revitalize the dead to speak with them. In the movie, it does not show Odysseus digging a trench, pouring in the required ingredients, or drinking the blood. It only shows him tossing the ram into the river located in the Underworld.
The first person in the book that Odysseus sees in Underworld is Elpenor, who died on Circe's island by falling off her palace. In the movie, Elpenor was not seen nor did he die on Circe's island.
In the book, after seeing the Elpenor Odysseus sees the soul of Antikleia his once living, beloved mother. After seeing her ghost he greives but held her off until he should know the prescence of Teiresias. After Odysseus spoke with Teiresias, the blind prophet retired to the halls of death. His mothers then sips the black blood and recognizes Odysseus. Odysseus tries to hold her, but once she is present in the Underworld one can no longer be touched because they are no longer flesh and blood. The movie shows this scene very differently. In the movie, the sequence in which Odysseus sees Teiresias and his mother occur at different times. He sees his mother, but does not attempt to hold her. After speaking with his mother, he then speaks to Teiresias.
Tracy, Jennifer, & Sara
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Odyssey Review
Click here to listen to the review on Homer that we made in class last week. If you have trouble with connection speeds and are unable to access it at home, bring a jump drive or an MP3 player to class. You can use the computer in the classroom to copy the file.
Friday, March 9, 2007
The God of Wind
Brandon, Kyle, Lindsey
After sailing from the land of the Cyclops, Odysseus and his men reach the Aiola Island. The Aiola Island is the home of Aeolus, god of wind. For one month, Odysseus and his men stay on the island telling Aeolus of the war and their adventure of trying to get home. Sensing a need for help, Aeolus stirs up the wind to guide the crew home. He also gives Odysseus a bag containing storm winds; however, Odysseus is told not to open the bag until he reaches Ithaca or they will be sent off track. After sailing nine days and night, Ithaca comes into sight. Odysseus’s men are real curious and think that the bag is full of silver and gold. While Odysseus was sleeping, they tore the bag open and all of the wind escapes sending them off track and away from Ithaca. The men end up at the Aiola Island again. After explaining to Aeolus what happened and asking for more wind, Aeolus refuses, claiming that the gods hate Odysseus and wish harm upon him.
The movie is slightly different. In the book, Odysseus and his men stay on Aeolus’s Island for a month. In the movie, Odysseus is trying to get water when Aeolus shows up. Aeolus tells Odysseus that he knows of him and can help him get home. It can be assumed that the men only stay on the island for an hour or two. When his impatient crew members open the bag, they aren’t sent back to Aiola Island.
Odysseus’s heroic attributes is that he is a mortal and can do things any other mortal cannot. Although considering this, his men do not mind him very well. He gave them strict orders not to open the bag until they got to Ithaca. He did not tell his men what was in the bag so they assume it is silver and gold. While Odyssey is asleep, they figure they can open the bag just for a peek and nothing will happen. In this part of the story, the problem is temptation. His men are so impatient and tempted to know what is in the bag that they don’t really think about what could happen. Because of their temptation, they sent away farther away from home when they were just insight of it.
After sailing from the land of the Cyclops, Odysseus and his men reach the Aiola Island. The Aiola Island is the home of Aeolus, god of wind. For one month, Odysseus and his men stay on the island telling Aeolus of the war and their adventure of trying to get home. Sensing a need for help, Aeolus stirs up the wind to guide the crew home. He also gives Odysseus a bag containing storm winds; however, Odysseus is told not to open the bag until he reaches Ithaca or they will be sent off track. After sailing nine days and night, Ithaca comes into sight. Odysseus’s men are real curious and think that the bag is full of silver and gold. While Odysseus was sleeping, they tore the bag open and all of the wind escapes sending them off track and away from Ithaca. The men end up at the Aiola Island again. After explaining to Aeolus what happened and asking for more wind, Aeolus refuses, claiming that the gods hate Odysseus and wish harm upon him.
The movie is slightly different. In the book, Odysseus and his men stay on Aeolus’s Island for a month. In the movie, Odysseus is trying to get water when Aeolus shows up. Aeolus tells Odysseus that he knows of him and can help him get home. It can be assumed that the men only stay on the island for an hour or two. When his impatient crew members open the bag, they aren’t sent back to Aiola Island.
Odysseus’s heroic attributes is that he is a mortal and can do things any other mortal cannot. Although considering this, his men do not mind him very well. He gave them strict orders not to open the bag until they got to Ithaca. He did not tell his men what was in the bag so they assume it is silver and gold. While Odyssey is asleep, they figure they can open the bag just for a peek and nothing will happen. In this part of the story, the problem is temptation. His men are so impatient and tempted to know what is in the bag that they don’t really think about what could happen. Because of their temptation, they sent away farther away from home when they were just insight of it.
The Final Battle
The final battle is the climax and turning point of this story. The movie and the actual book depict this scene slightly different. The book tells of the battle in specific detail while the movie lingers on the exciting aspects of the fight.
The Movie
· The bow was chosen as a weapon because Odysseus was the only one that could string it.
· Only the main maidservant perused the suitors and she was killed with him in the end.
· Telemachus never tries to string the bow during the battle.
· The battle was planned the night before and everything was set and put into place.
· As soon as Odysseus shot the bow he changed from the beggar to himself.
The Story
· The bow was chosen because of the celebration of Apollo the god of archery.
· A dozen of the servants were perusing the suitors.
· Telemachus tries to string the bow and on the fourth time he almost succeeds until his father tells him not to.
· Odysseus plans the attack at the beginning of the battle.
· There is never gives a specific time when he changes form.
janna, daisy, and curtis
The Movie
· The bow was chosen as a weapon because Odysseus was the only one that could string it.
· Only the main maidservant perused the suitors and she was killed with him in the end.
· Telemachus never tries to string the bow during the battle.
· The battle was planned the night before and everything was set and put into place.
· As soon as Odysseus shot the bow he changed from the beggar to himself.
The Story
· The bow was chosen because of the celebration of Apollo the god of archery.
· A dozen of the servants were perusing the suitors.
· Telemachus tries to string the bow and on the fourth time he almost succeeds until his father tells him not to.
· Odysseus plans the attack at the beginning of the battle.
· There is never gives a specific time when he changes form.
janna, daisy, and curtis
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The Cyclops
Robin, Brian, and Kristin
Having left the land of the Lotus-eaters, after an undetermined time Odysseus and his crew find themselves sailing blindly through a dense fog. Because of the dark and the low visibility their ship is run aground onto the shore of an unknown desert island. After spending the night on the beach, they wake in the morning to tour the island where they discover wild goats which they kill and eat for their breakfast. They spend the rest of the first day feasting on goat meat and wine, gazing toward the mainland where they could see the smoke from the as yet unknown Cyclops' fires, and hear the bleating of their sheep.
After sleeping on the beach again that night, Odysseus decides that he and his ship will sail the short distance to the mainland and try to discover who the inhabitants may be. As they near the mainland they chance to see an enormous man lying asleep in the mouth of a cave. Beaching the ship, Odysseus instructs the crew to stay with the ship and takes 12 men, some provisions, and a skin of wine. But after climbing to the cave they find the giant gone, so they take time to explore his home. While his men wanted to take all the availabe food and run, Odysseus wishes to meet the giant.
To make a long story short, when the Cyclops returns he rolls a huge stone over the entrance of the cave, trapping the men inside. He then proceeds, after some conversation with Odysseus, to brutally kill and devour whole two of the men. After falling asleep, Odysseus thinks to kill him, but hesitates when he realizes that if he does he and his men will be trapped - unable to move the massive stone that blocks the door. That next morning, the Cyclops eats two more men for his breakfast and leaves, shutting them inside once again.
Alone, Odysseus devises a plan for their escape and reveals it to his men. Taking a large pole, they shape it into a long stake. After whittling it into a sharp point, they thrust the end into the fire, hardening the wood. When the Cyclops returns, Odysseus introduces himself as Nohbdy ("nobody"). Before the night is over the Cyclops falls asleep - drunk on the wine that Odysseus has brought from the ship, and the men carry out their plan.
The stake is driven firmly home into the Cyclops one eye, blinding him. When he rolls back the stone from the door, Odysseus and his men escape undetected - strapped under the bellies of the sheep. When the other Cyclops, alerted to the cries, ask who has harmed him, the injured Cyclops tells them "Nohbdy".
Odysseus and his remaining crew reach their ship safely and cast off, only to be almost swept ashore again by a huge tidal wave: Odysseus, in his pride, taunts the giant revealing that Odysseus was the name of the one who had injured him so. The Cyclops hurls a huge stone at the departing vessel, almost washing them back to the beach. With the curse of the Cyclops in their ears, they escape.
The movie, in contrast, portrays things a little differently. There is one scout who discovers the cave filled with food and brings back a large cheese to show Odysseus. On the way to the cave they come upon a huge footprint. Also, their entrapment in the cave is only a one night ordeal as opposed to the two nights in the book. The Cyclops is shown only eating two men, though it may have been implied that he ate more. What's more, the men do not escape strapped under the bellies of the sheep (one tries to escape with a sheepskin tied to his back). Instead, the musician holds the giants attention with his pipe-playing until all the others have escaped (it is assumed that he did not). Last, the stones that Polyphemos throws do not cause a tidal wave.
We're not really sure if temptation or danger is the greatest threat in this incident. Maybe danger? If Odysseus hadn't have been so curious, he never would've gotten himself or his men into such a scrape. And he was always getting into them! This isn't the only incident in which he seemed to have more curiosity than sense! A little fear would've done him and his men a whole lot of good.
Having left the land of the Lotus-eaters, after an undetermined time Odysseus and his crew find themselves sailing blindly through a dense fog. Because of the dark and the low visibility their ship is run aground onto the shore of an unknown desert island. After spending the night on the beach, they wake in the morning to tour the island where they discover wild goats which they kill and eat for their breakfast. They spend the rest of the first day feasting on goat meat and wine, gazing toward the mainland where they could see the smoke from the as yet unknown Cyclops' fires, and hear the bleating of their sheep.
After sleeping on the beach again that night, Odysseus decides that he and his ship will sail the short distance to the mainland and try to discover who the inhabitants may be. As they near the mainland they chance to see an enormous man lying asleep in the mouth of a cave. Beaching the ship, Odysseus instructs the crew to stay with the ship and takes 12 men, some provisions, and a skin of wine. But after climbing to the cave they find the giant gone, so they take time to explore his home. While his men wanted to take all the availabe food and run, Odysseus wishes to meet the giant.
To make a long story short, when the Cyclops returns he rolls a huge stone over the entrance of the cave, trapping the men inside. He then proceeds, after some conversation with Odysseus, to brutally kill and devour whole two of the men. After falling asleep, Odysseus thinks to kill him, but hesitates when he realizes that if he does he and his men will be trapped - unable to move the massive stone that blocks the door. That next morning, the Cyclops eats two more men for his breakfast and leaves, shutting them inside once again.
Alone, Odysseus devises a plan for their escape and reveals it to his men. Taking a large pole, they shape it into a long stake. After whittling it into a sharp point, they thrust the end into the fire, hardening the wood. When the Cyclops returns, Odysseus introduces himself as Nohbdy ("nobody"). Before the night is over the Cyclops falls asleep - drunk on the wine that Odysseus has brought from the ship, and the men carry out their plan.
The stake is driven firmly home into the Cyclops one eye, blinding him. When he rolls back the stone from the door, Odysseus and his men escape undetected - strapped under the bellies of the sheep. When the other Cyclops, alerted to the cries, ask who has harmed him, the injured Cyclops tells them "Nohbdy".
Odysseus and his remaining crew reach their ship safely and cast off, only to be almost swept ashore again by a huge tidal wave: Odysseus, in his pride, taunts the giant revealing that Odysseus was the name of the one who had injured him so. The Cyclops hurls a huge stone at the departing vessel, almost washing them back to the beach. With the curse of the Cyclops in their ears, they escape.
The movie, in contrast, portrays things a little differently. There is one scout who discovers the cave filled with food and brings back a large cheese to show Odysseus. On the way to the cave they come upon a huge footprint. Also, their entrapment in the cave is only a one night ordeal as opposed to the two nights in the book. The Cyclops is shown only eating two men, though it may have been implied that he ate more. What's more, the men do not escape strapped under the bellies of the sheep (one tries to escape with a sheepskin tied to his back). Instead, the musician holds the giants attention with his pipe-playing until all the others have escaped (it is assumed that he did not). Last, the stones that Polyphemos throws do not cause a tidal wave.
We're not really sure if temptation or danger is the greatest threat in this incident. Maybe danger? If Odysseus hadn't have been so curious, he never would've gotten himself or his men into such a scrape. And he was always getting into them! This isn't the only incident in which he seemed to have more curiosity than sense! A little fear would've done him and his men a whole lot of good.
Calypso
Calypso is a witch/nymph who wants Odysseus as her husband. She is important in the story because she keeps him away from Ithaka and his family for seven years while she holds him prisoner on her island. Odysseus is first seen on Calypso Island grieving to return home to Ithaka. For many years Odysseus grieves during the day and lies with Calypso at night. Finally Athena intervenes on his behalf and conviences Zues to sent Hermes to Calypso's island to force her to let Odysseus return to his home. She tells Odysseus that she had a change of heart and that he was free to leave her island if he wished but if he stayed she would give him immortality. She also said that Penelope has aged and would not be as beautiful as her. He replies by telling Calypso that he has also aged and that he would rather be with Penelope for just a moment than to live forever without her. She then gives him tools and tells him where to find wood to build a raft. After the raft is completed she bathed him and gave him a scented robe wine and boilded meat and last she created a landbreeze to blow.
There are many differences between the movie and the book. The first major difference is the maidens in the movie. Odysseus was the first man they have ever seen and the first mortal man Calypso has seen in 100 years. The book does not mention anything about the maidens. Also, the scenery is very different. In the book, Calypso island is described as a lush paradise with flowers and birds and a violet ocean. In the movie, Calypso's island has
white sand and white stone the ocean was blue and violent. In the movie, Odysseus has bad dreams about his men dying and Calypso comfortors him by lying with him. This is not mentioned in the book although it does say that Calypso lies with Odysseus. Another difference deals with the messager Hermes, inthe book she invites Hermes into her cave and gives him ruby colored nectar to drink, in the movie he just flies to her window to deliver Zues message.
Temptation poses the bigger problem in the story for Odysseus because Calypso was very beautiful and he was under her spell although he longed to be home with Penelope.
Calypso is the woman in this part of the story. She is bad and strong. We think she abused her powers as a goddess to try to keep a mortal man from returning home because of her selfish desires.
There are many differences between the movie and the book. The first major difference is the maidens in the movie. Odysseus was the first man they have ever seen and the first mortal man Calypso has seen in 100 years. The book does not mention anything about the maidens. Also, the scenery is very different. In the book, Calypso island is described as a lush paradise with flowers and birds and a violet ocean. In the movie, Calypso's island has
white sand and white stone the ocean was blue and violent. In the movie, Odysseus has bad dreams about his men dying and Calypso comfortors him by lying with him. This is not mentioned in the book although it does say that Calypso lies with Odysseus. Another difference deals with the messager Hermes, inthe book she invites Hermes into her cave and gives him ruby colored nectar to drink, in the movie he just flies to her window to deliver Zues message. Temptation poses the bigger problem in the story for Odysseus because Calypso was very beautiful and he was under her spell although he longed to be home with Penelope.
Calypso is the woman in this part of the story. She is bad and strong. We think she abused her powers as a goddess to try to keep a mortal man from returning home because of her selfish desires.
Erica Gillie
Stacy Therrell
Cheryl Jordan
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Discussion Topics--Homer's Odyssey
In groups, pick one episode from The Odyssey to analyze. Explain what happens in that episode, what it means, and how it ties into the larger themes of the story. Also, compare and contrast how that episode is depicted in the movie as opposed to the book.
Choose from the following episodes. Reply to this post to tell which episode your group has chosen.
Calypso
The Cyclops
The God of the Wind
Circe
The Journey into the Underworld
The Final Battle
Consider some of the following issues in your response.
Odysseus’ heroic attributes—How do his heroic characteristics present themselves? Are they always strengths, or do they sometimes also cause problems?
The roles of women—What women are in the part of the story you’ve chosen? What kind of character or societal role do you see in them? Are they good, bad, strong, weak? How do they compare to Odysseus?
Dangers and temptations—What poses a bigger problem for Odysseus in this part of the story? Danger or temptation?
Choose from the following episodes. Reply to this post to tell which episode your group has chosen.
Calypso
The Cyclops
The God of the Wind
Circe
The Journey into the Underworld
The Final Battle
Consider some of the following issues in your response.
Odysseus’ heroic attributes—How do his heroic characteristics present themselves? Are they always strengths, or do they sometimes also cause problems?
The roles of women—What women are in the part of the story you’ve chosen? What kind of character or societal role do you see in them? Are they good, bad, strong, weak? How do they compare to Odysseus?
Dangers and temptations—What poses a bigger problem for Odysseus in this part of the story? Danger or temptation?
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Ares: God of War
Ares is the Greek god of war. He is more of a savage - war god than a god of tactical war. Whenever he heard of war, he put on his helmet and headed to battle. It did not matter who won or lost as long as there was bloodshed. He is sometimes known as the father of victory. He is related to the Roman god of war Mars, although Ares is considered to be more hostile. When Mars was re-cast by the Romans, the word Mars meant Blood-Red Planet of War. Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera. In order for Ares to be conceived, Hera had to touch a flower that was unique to her. He was not well liked among most of the Olympian gods, including his mother and father. He was, however, honored by all the great warriors. Ares had a friend--well, more than a friend--in Aphrodite. They had affairs. They were once caught in an invisible net by Aphrodite’s husband. This revealed their affair to everyone.
He called Thrace his home, and he would retreat back there after his wars or whenever things were against him. Thrace is known for fierce people and battles against the tribes. The symbol that represents Ares is the spear. He is also associated with dogs and vultures.
During the Trojan War, Ares sided with the Trojans but was wounded by Athena. His lover, Aphrodite had to assist him. He was accompanied into battle by Eris, Hades, and his two sons, Deimos and Phobos. Ares rode into battle on his chariot being pulled by his horses, Flame and Terror. He saved Aeneas, Aphrodite’s son, from death.
Ares is the father of several children, two of which are Deimos, also personified as fear, and Phobos, who is personified as terror.
In today’s world, Ares plays an antagonist in video games such God of War and Spartan: Total Warrior. He is mentioned in many comics and a few movies. Ares is the name of a cruise missile targeting system used by the navy in the TV show NCIS.
I personally don’t see why the great warriors would honor him but at the same time hate and fear him. He was interesting to read about though. I thought it was neat how Hera had to touch a flower in order to become conceived with Ares. You would think by her touching a flower, Ares would be the opposite of what he really is.
For more information:
http://gogreece.about.com/cs/mythology/a/blmythares.htm
http://messagenet.com/myths/bios/ares.html
http://www.waltm.net/ares.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ares
Kyle, Lindsey, and Brandon
He called Thrace his home, and he would retreat back there after his wars or whenever things were against him. Thrace is known for fierce people and battles against the tribes. The symbol that represents Ares is the spear. He is also associated with dogs and vultures.
During the Trojan War, Ares sided with the Trojans but was wounded by Athena. His lover, Aphrodite had to assist him. He was accompanied into battle by Eris, Hades, and his two sons, Deimos and Phobos. Ares rode into battle on his chariot being pulled by his horses, Flame and Terror. He saved Aeneas, Aphrodite’s son, from death.
Ares is the father of several children, two of which are Deimos, also personified as fear, and Phobos, who is personified as terror.
In today’s world, Ares plays an antagonist in video games such God of War and Spartan: Total Warrior. He is mentioned in many comics and a few movies. Ares is the name of a cruise missile targeting system used by the navy in the TV show NCIS.
I personally don’t see why the great warriors would honor him but at the same time hate and fear him. He was interesting to read about though. I thought it was neat how Hera had to touch a flower in order to become conceived with Ares. You would think by her touching a flower, Ares would be the opposite of what he really is.
For more information:
http://gogreece.about.com/cs/mythology/a/blmythares.htm
http://messagenet.com/myths/bios/ares.html
http://www.waltm.net/ares.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ares
Kyle, Lindsey, and Brandon
Friday, February 16, 2007
Poseidon
By Robin, Kristin, and Brian
". . . mover of the earth and barren sea, god of the deep who is also lord of Helicon and wide Aegae . . . a tamer of horse and saviour of ships . . . " (Hymn to Poseidon from the Homeric Hymns)
Poseidon, a god of many names, was the Greek god of the sea and protector of all waters, both salt water and fresh. Also known as the god of horses and earthquakes, he was referred to by several other names which, being interpreted, meant "Earth-Shaker" or "Earth-Encircler". The Romans called him Neptune, which he is still at times mistakenly called. In a generous mood he created new islands and bestowed calm seas, but when angered would strike the ground with his three-pronged fish spear (trident), producing floods, earthquakes, storms, and shipwrecks. (He was also said to be the cause of certain mental diseases).
Poseidon was largely worshipped by ancient Greek fisherman who prayed to him for safe voyage, at times drowning horses and offering them as sacrifices. Being one of the major civic gods in several cities (Corinth, and many cities of Magna Graecia), he was second only to the goddess Athena in the Greek city of Athens.
The son of Cronus and Rhea, and one of the six Olympian gods, Poseidon was bequeathed the domain of the sea after Cronus and the Titans were defeated. There he reigns under the waves from his sea-floor palace of coral and gems. He rules with his wife, the nymph and ancient sea-goddesses Amphitrite, grandaughter of the Titan Oceanus. According to some myths, he rides across the waves on a chariot drawn by horses (hippocampus: horses that could ride on the sea), or dolphins.
Poseidon appears quite a few times in Greek literature in the epics of Homer (The Odyssey and Iliad) and Hesiod (Theogeny). He is the instigator of a large portion of Odysseus' woes in the Odyssey, persecuting him for blinding Poseidon's son, Polyphemus, the Cyclops. He also sent a sea-monster to ravage the countryside around Troy after the Trojan king refused to pay him his due for building the walls of the city. In yet another tale: Poseidon and Athena were challenged to a competition to see who could give the best gift to the Athenians - the victor winning the people's devotion. In some accounts, Poseidon created the horse, and Athena the olive tree; in other accounts, Poseidon made a salty spring to burst forth, flooding the land, and Athena once again created the olive tree. Whatever the case, Athena won, and the city Athens became her namesake. She became the patroness of Athens, where her temple, the Parthenon, still stands. (Angered at having lost, Poseidon retaliated by flooding the Attic Plain). Finally, as recounted in the Iliad, he also interfered to some extent in the war between the Greeks and the Trojans.
Nortoriously promiscuous, Poseidon had a least 27 partners (including his wife) which resulted in the birth of about 56(?) offspring - not all of them human. The most famous are the hero Theseus; Triton, the merman; Pegasus, the winged horse; and Polyphemus, the one-eyed Cyclops. His most notable lovers (victims) were the goddess Demeter, Medusa, and King Minos' wife, Pasiphae, the mother of the Minotaur (half-man, half-bull). Known as a god of horses, Poseidon often changed into a steed (stallion) for these womanizing expeditions - hence the horse-like forms of the Pegasus, etc.
Additional fact: the Poseidon festival was celebrated in early winter.
Robin: I personally cannot see how anyone could worship a god of this sort. The only thing that sets him apart from humans is his immortality and magical powers. He is not really good or evil. I guess, in a way, he was created to be everything that a human could wish to be: powerful with the ability to have any woman he wanted.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/poseidon.html
Wikipedia
http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Poseidon.html
http://messagenet.com/myths/bios/poseidon.html
http://www.loggia.com/myth/poseidon.html
http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/gallery/poseidon_c.html
http://www.greekspider.com/greekgods/poseidon.htm
". . . mover of the earth and barren sea, god of the deep who is also lord of Helicon and wide Aegae . . . a tamer of horse and saviour of ships . . . " (Hymn to Poseidon from the Homeric Hymns)
Poseidon, a god of many names, was the Greek god of the sea and protector of all waters, both salt water and fresh. Also known as the god of horses and earthquakes, he was referred to by several other names which, being interpreted, meant "Earth-Shaker" or "Earth-Encircler". The Romans called him Neptune, which he is still at times mistakenly called. In a generous mood he created new islands and bestowed calm seas, but when angered would strike the ground with his three-pronged fish spear (trident), producing floods, earthquakes, storms, and shipwrecks. (He was also said to be the cause of certain mental diseases).
Poseidon was largely worshipped by ancient Greek fisherman who prayed to him for safe voyage, at times drowning horses and offering them as sacrifices. Being one of the major civic gods in several cities (Corinth, and many cities of Magna Graecia), he was second only to the goddess Athena in the Greek city of Athens.
The son of Cronus and Rhea, and one of the six Olympian gods, Poseidon was bequeathed the domain of the sea after Cronus and the Titans were defeated. There he reigns under the waves from his sea-floor palace of coral and gems. He rules with his wife, the nymph and ancient sea-goddesses Amphitrite, grandaughter of the Titan Oceanus. According to some myths, he rides across the waves on a chariot drawn by horses (hippocampus: horses that could ride on the sea), or dolphins.
Poseidon appears quite a few times in Greek literature in the epics of Homer (The Odyssey and Iliad) and Hesiod (Theogeny). He is the instigator of a large portion of Odysseus' woes in the Odyssey, persecuting him for blinding Poseidon's son, Polyphemus, the Cyclops. He also sent a sea-monster to ravage the countryside around Troy after the Trojan king refused to pay him his due for building the walls of the city. In yet another tale: Poseidon and Athena were challenged to a competition to see who could give the best gift to the Athenians - the victor winning the people's devotion. In some accounts, Poseidon created the horse, and Athena the olive tree; in other accounts, Poseidon made a salty spring to burst forth, flooding the land, and Athena once again created the olive tree. Whatever the case, Athena won, and the city Athens became her namesake. She became the patroness of Athens, where her temple, the Parthenon, still stands. (Angered at having lost, Poseidon retaliated by flooding the Attic Plain). Finally, as recounted in the Iliad, he also interfered to some extent in the war between the Greeks and the Trojans.
Nortoriously promiscuous, Poseidon had a least 27 partners (including his wife) which resulted in the birth of about 56(?) offspring - not all of them human. The most famous are the hero Theseus; Triton, the merman; Pegasus, the winged horse; and Polyphemus, the one-eyed Cyclops. His most notable lovers (victims) were the goddess Demeter, Medusa, and King Minos' wife, Pasiphae, the mother of the Minotaur (half-man, half-bull). Known as a god of horses, Poseidon often changed into a steed (stallion) for these womanizing expeditions - hence the horse-like forms of the Pegasus, etc.
Additional fact: the Poseidon festival was celebrated in early winter.
Robin: I personally cannot see how anyone could worship a god of this sort. The only thing that sets him apart from humans is his immortality and magical powers. He is not really good or evil. I guess, in a way, he was created to be everything that a human could wish to be: powerful with the ability to have any woman he wanted.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/poseidon.html
Wikipedia
http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Poseidon.html
http://messagenet.com/myths/bios/poseidon.html
http://www.loggia.com/myth/poseidon.html
http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/gallery/poseidon_c.html
http://www.greekspider.com/greekgods/poseidon.htm
Aphrodite: goddess of love
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, lust, beauty, and sexuality. This love spoken of is not the romantic form but purely physical and sexual attraction.
Aphrodite’s Birth
The story of Aphrodite’s birth has taken two paths. Hesiod’s Theonogy states that she was born of Uranus alone. Uranus, Heaven, would not let his children play in the light, so his son, Cronus, castrated him and threw his testicles into the sea. This story is a Uranian story and links Aphrodite’s birth with the creation of the world. This story says that Aphrodite is one of the oldest divinities and that when the heavens and earth were created and separated she was created and has been here since the beginning of time.
The second story states that she is one of the younger divinities and this story is related to the Iliad by Homer. It states that Aphrodite was the daughter of Zeus and the Titan goddess, Dione. This union was completely for physical satisfaction.
Her Powers
Aphrodite’s powers were unlike the powers of any other god or goddess. The most famous story that shows the strength of her powers is the story of Helen of Troy and Paris. In this story she indirectly causes the Trojan War. This story shows the power of love over human control. She helped all that didn’t incur her wrath. She helped Meilanion in the overtake of Atalanta. She gave him golden apples to distract the owner of this place and he was able to defeat them and give Atalanta to his wife. Aphrodite also wanted the Golden Fleece which her father had so she had her son, Eros; shoot Medea with an arrow so that he would fall in love with Jason, who resulted in the fall of her father, Aeetes.
She also used her powers to do harm to some. Those who tried to disrupt the natural attraction of love and sexuality were not friends of Aphrodite and she let them know this. Glaucus would not let his mares breed so she made the horses throw him from his chariot in a race, they then ate him. The Siren wanted to be virgins so she made them grow wings. She was insulted by six of Poseidon’s sons so she made them go insane and they gang-raped their mother. She also made the women of Astypalaea grow cow horns because they claimed to be more beautiful than her.
Her Sexuality
Aphrodite was known as a very promiscuous woman because of her liberal sexuality. Her powers were so strong that every god wanted her as their wife, even Zeus. She was a very proud woman and refused all of them. In anger Zeus made her marry Hephaestus, the lame smith-god. Aphrodite did not get mad and she did not want him to share her addiction to being unfaithful because of her respect for him. Her most famous affair was that with Ares, the god of war.
Our reaction to Aphrodite
Aphrodite may have had powers beyond our recognition but she is no different then the women of today. Not comparing her to the trashiest but Aphrodite’s story depicted her as a woman scorned. You crossed her and you had to deal with her wrath, she liked you and you were very fruitful. So the best bet of the ancient Greeks was to stay on her good side.
Informational links about the goddess of love:
www.arthistory.sbc.edu/imageswomen/papers/lombardiaphrodite/aphro
www.pantheon.org/articles/a/aphrodite.html
www.mythweb.com/gods/Aphrodite.html
www.messagenet.com/myths/bios/aphrodite.html
Apollo
Apollo, an oracular god, is the god of medicine. He also serves as the leader of the Muses and the director of their choir. Apollo not only dealt with the healing side of medicine he also brought the death-dealing plague.
Apollo is the sun of Zeus and Leto. His twin brother is Artemis. Apollo is most commonly associated with the lyre and the bow. During the Torjan War he shot arrows in the Greek encampment. These arrows were infected with the plague. Apollo did this in reaction to Agamemnon insulting Chryses, a priest of Apollo.
Apollo had numerous lovers, both male and female. He loved both goddesses and human princesses. All Apollos male lovers were younger than him. The reason for this was Apollo was the god of Palaestra. Palaestra was the gathering place for athletic youth. All the competitions and games were played in the nude. Many of these young lover's died "accidentally." You can read more about Apollos numerous lovers by clicking on the following link.
Apollo is most known in today's American culture for the space shuttle Apollo. This shuttle was name after the god. Appollo had great affect on Roman and Greek art. There are stories of musical contest that Apollo was involved in. He had an impact on many parts of life. To read more go to this link.
Apollo is the sun of Zeus and Leto. His twin brother is Artemis. Apollo is most commonly associated with the lyre and the bow. During the Torjan War he shot arrows in the Greek encampment. These arrows were infected with the plague. Apollo did this in reaction to Agamemnon insulting Chryses, a priest of Apollo.
Apollo had numerous lovers, both male and female. He loved both goddesses and human princesses. All Apollos male lovers were younger than him. The reason for this was Apollo was the god of Palaestra. Palaestra was the gathering place for athletic youth. All the competitions and games were played in the nude. Many of these young lover's died "accidentally." You can read more about Apollos numerous lovers by clicking on the following link.
Apollo is most known in today's American culture for the space shuttle Apollo. This shuttle was name after the god. Appollo had great affect on Roman and Greek art. There are stories of musical contest that Apollo was involved in. He had an impact on many parts of life. To read more go to this link.
Zeus
Zeus was considered to be the god of the sky and the weather and his image appeared on most Greek coins. He became one of the Seven Wonders of the world. Zeus was the ruler of Olympus and a supreme god. He was known by many different names: Lord of the Sky, the Cloud-gatherer, the Rain-god and Zeus the Thunder. Zeus was child number six born to Cronos and Rhea because Cronos was afraid that one of his children would overthrow him, just like he overthrow his father, Uranus, he swallowed his five children-Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. This infuriated Rhea and when Zeus was born she tricked Cronos into swallowing a rock wrapped in blankets. Zeus is more powerful then any other god or even all the other gods combined. His power was not boundless, Zeus had no control over The Fate and Destiny. Zeus was subject to pleasure, pain, grief, and anger, but he was most susceptible to the power of Eros-love, which often got the objects of his desire in a lot of trouble with his wife, Hera. Zeus was mighty, glorious, awesome and wise, although he did show a certain degree of surprising foolishness and shame when it came to hidind his love affairs. Aside form the endless affairs Zeus was different from the other gods in that he did not participate in the arguments and the resulting petty scheming that made up the daily activities of other gods. Zeus was the guardian of political order and peace. The aegis is his breastplate- so glorious and at the same time awful to behold that no human could see Zeus in all his magnificence and survive. His weapon is , of course the thunderbolt which he hurled at whoever displeased him. The thunderbolts were fashioned for him the three Cyclopes who also were the deciding power in the battle with the Titans. His bird is the Eagle, his tree- the Oak. Dodona was his oracle. His will was revealed by the rusting of oak leaves which was interpreted by his priests.
For more information link to:
www.mythweb.com/encyc/gallery/zeus_c.html
For more information link to:
www.mythweb.com/encyc/gallery/zeus_c.html
Zeus
Zeus was considered to be the god of the sky and the weather and his image appeared on most Greek coins. He became one of the Seven Wonders of the world. Zeus was the supreme god and ruler of Olympus. He was known by many titles: Lord of the Sky, the Cloud-gatherer, the Rain-god and Zeus the Thunder. Zeus was the sixth child born to Cronos and Rhea because Cronos was afraid that one of his children would overthrow him, just like he overthrow his father, Uranus, he swallowed his five children-Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. This infuriated Rhea and when Zeus was born she tricked Cronos into swallowing a rock wrapped in blankets. Zeus is more powerful then any other god or even all the other gods combined. Zeus was neither omnipotent nor omniscient. His power was not boundless, Zeus had no control over The Fate and Destiny. Zeus was subject to pleasure, pain, grief, and anger, but he was most susceptible to the power of Eros-love, which often got the objects of his desire in a lot of trouble with his wife, Hera. Zeus was mighty, glorious, awesome and wise, although he did show a certain degree of surprising foolishness and naiveness when it came to hiding his love affairs. When his worship spread to an area which already worshipped another god, some of that god's qualities as well as his wife or lover were transferred to Zeus. Aside form the endless affairs Zeus was different from the other gods in that he did not participate in the arguments and the resulting petty scheming that made up the daily activities of other gods. Zeus was the guardian of political order and peace. The aegis is his breastplate- so glorious and at the same time awful to behold that no human could see Zeus in all his magnificence and survive. His weapon is , of course the thunderbolt which he hurled at whoever displeased him. The thunderbolts were fashioned for him the three Cyclopes who also were the deciding power in the battle with the Titans. His bird is the Eagle, his tree- the Oak. Dodona was his oracle. His will was revealed by the rusting of oak leaves which was interpreted by his priests.
For more information link to:
www.zeus-publications.com/zeusgod.html
www.mythweb.com/gods/Zeus.html
BY: Enotris, Krista, Nicole, and Ashely
For more information link to:
www.zeus-publications.com/zeusgod.html
www.mythweb.com/gods/Zeus.html
BY: Enotris, Krista, Nicole, and Ashely
Athena
Tracy, Jennifer, and Sarah
Athena was the goddess of weaving, civilization, wisdom, and crafts. The owl is her attendent. As an armed warrior goddess, Athena appears in many Greek stories as a helper of many heroes including Heracles and Odysseus. Athena never had a lover, which is why she was called Athena, the Virgin. However she was raped and she conceived a son named Erichthonius.
The most common version of Athena's birth says that Zeus lay with Metis, the goddess of crafty thought and wisdom. After he did this, he feared the consequences. It was foretold that Metis would bear children more powerful than Zeus. In order to keep these terrible consequences from happening, Zeus transformed Metis into a fly and swallowed her immediately after lying with her. However, he was too late. Metis had already conceived their child. Soon after the conception, Metis began making a helmet and robe for her fetal daughter. As she made the helmet, the hammering caused Zeus horrible pain. His head was being pounded on with a Minoan axe by one of the Gods. Then, Athena then jumped from Zeus' head. When she came out, she was fully grown and armed.
Athena and her uncle Poseidon were both attracted to a specific city in Greece. Both of them claimed the city. However, the one who gave the city the greatest gift could own the city. Therefore, the two gods mounted the Acropolis. Poseidon hit the side of the cliff with his trident, and a spring welled. The people were in awe, but the water was very salty like Poseidon's sea. It was not very useful to the people. Athena's gift was an olive tree. The tree was better because it allowed the people to have oil, wood, and food. Because it was her city now, Athena named the city Athens.
We find find it very unusual how Athena came to be. Zeus changed her mother into a fly and swallowed her. Then, Athena "sprung" out of Zeus' head fully armed.
For more information click here and here.
Athena was the goddess of weaving, civilization, wisdom, and crafts. The owl is her attendent. As an armed warrior goddess, Athena appears in many Greek stories as a helper of many heroes including Heracles and Odysseus. Athena never had a lover, which is why she was called Athena, the Virgin. However she was raped and she conceived a son named Erichthonius.
The most common version of Athena's birth says that Zeus lay with Metis, the goddess of crafty thought and wisdom. After he did this, he feared the consequences. It was foretold that Metis would bear children more powerful than Zeus. In order to keep these terrible consequences from happening, Zeus transformed Metis into a fly and swallowed her immediately after lying with her. However, he was too late. Metis had already conceived their child. Soon after the conception, Metis began making a helmet and robe for her fetal daughter. As she made the helmet, the hammering caused Zeus horrible pain. His head was being pounded on with a Minoan axe by one of the Gods. Then, Athena then jumped from Zeus' head. When she came out, she was fully grown and armed.
Athena and her uncle Poseidon were both attracted to a specific city in Greece. Both of them claimed the city. However, the one who gave the city the greatest gift could own the city. Therefore, the two gods mounted the Acropolis. Poseidon hit the side of the cliff with his trident, and a spring welled. The people were in awe, but the water was very salty like Poseidon's sea. It was not very useful to the people. Athena's gift was an olive tree. The tree was better because it allowed the people to have oil, wood, and food. Because it was her city now, Athena named the city Athens.
We find find it very unusual how Athena came to be. Zeus changed her mother into a fly and swallowed her. Then, Athena "sprung" out of Zeus' head fully armed.
For more information click here and here.
Dionysus
Dionysus is the god of wine. His Roman name is Bacchus. He was a promoter of civilization, a lawgiver, and lover of peace. His mission was to bring an end to care and worry and to let the flute be heard.
There are two different stories told of how Dionysus was born. Sometimes he is referred to as "twice born".
1. Zeus and Semele, a mortal heroine, were the mother and father to Dionysus. Zeus kills Semele with his lightning bold. Dionysus is still in his mothers womb when this takes place. Zeus rescues Dionysus and puts him in his thigh so he can finish developing. After he is born Zeus gives Dionysus to nymphs to be raised.
2. In the other version of the story, Dionysus is the son of Zeus and Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. Hera gets the Titans to lure the baby with toys and ends up ripping him to shreds eating everything but his heart. Zeus remakes his son from the heart and then places him in Semele.
When Dionysus was grown he discovered wine. Hera made him go mad and he ended up wandering through the earth. In Phrygia the goddess Cybele helped him by teaching him religious rites. Once he was cured of his maddness; he went throughout Asia teaching the people how to make wine. During this time he was also spreading the cult he created and those who accepted him were rewarded with ecstasy and those who refused him were stricken with madness.
There are two different stories told of how Dionysus was born. Sometimes he is referred to as "twice born".
1. Zeus and Semele, a mortal heroine, were the mother and father to Dionysus. Zeus kills Semele with his lightning bold. Dionysus is still in his mothers womb when this takes place. Zeus rescues Dionysus and puts him in his thigh so he can finish developing. After he is born Zeus gives Dionysus to nymphs to be raised.
2. In the other version of the story, Dionysus is the son of Zeus and Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. Hera gets the Titans to lure the baby with toys and ends up ripping him to shreds eating everything but his heart. Zeus remakes his son from the heart and then places him in Semele.
When Dionysus was grown he discovered wine. Hera made him go mad and he ended up wandering through the earth. In Phrygia the goddess Cybele helped him by teaching him religious rites. Once he was cured of his maddness; he went throughout Asia teaching the people how to make wine. During this time he was also spreading the cult he created and those who accepted him were rewarded with ecstasy and those who refused him were stricken with madness.
The worship of Dionysus was in our opinion crazy! His followers participated in orgia in which live animals would be torn apart and they would then eat the raw animals. The animals they used were usually a spotted fawn, goat, ox, or bull. The followers would wear animal skins and masks. The name of this is called the Omophagia and it was believed Dionysus would enter into the festival.
Dionysus is also believed to have rescued his mother Semele from the underworld. It is said that he took er to Olympus where she was called Thycne and she was worshipped there after.
Dionysus was an attractive man when he was young. There is a story told that says one day Dionysus disguised himself as a mortal and some sailors saw him and thought he was a prince. They figured they would capture him and sell him for ransom or if they could not do that then they could sell him into slavery. When they tried to tie him with ropes they found that no rope could hold him. he then turned into a lion and unleashed a bear onto the ship. Those that jumped overboard were turned into dolphins. The rest of the men were killed except Acoetes because he recognized Dionysus from the start and he had tried to talk the other sailors out of the idea of capturing him from the beginning.
Dionysus was married to Aricidne and they had many children. He fell in love with her when he saw her in the island of Naxos crying because Theseus left her.
Dionysus was married to Aricidne and they had many children. He fell in love with her when he saw her in the island of Naxos crying because Theseus left her.
Dionysus is not mentioned hardly at all in the Homeric epics; however, when he actually is it is with some hostility.
"The ram, the dolphin, the serpent, the tiger, the lion, the lynx, the panther, the ox, the goat and the ass are sacred to Dionysus; and his symbols were the phallus, the bull and the thyrsus. According to Forlong, the Greek letters I.H.S. were carved over his shrine".
We thought that Dionysus was very interesting and exciting to learn about. We found his rituals of worship quite disgusting and very wrong.
Stacy Therrell
Cheryl Jordan
Erica Gillie
Information from the following websites:
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Study Guide for Homer
Click here for a study guide for Homer's Odyssey. Things may be added to it before the test, so keep checking back.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Week Six Blog Assignment
Due, Friday, February 16
In groups, choose one of the following Greek gods or goddesses to research:
Zeus
Apollo
Athena
Poseidon
Hermes
Hera
Persephone
Hades
Dionysus
Aphrodite
Ares
Write a blog essay about the god or goddess your group has chosen. In the essay include facts, stories, links to web sites with more information, and your own reactions to the information you've found.
When the essays are posted, reply to at least two other groups. Also remember to respond to the people who reply to your group.
Before getting started, reply to this post in order to tell which god or goddess your group has chosen. Do not pick a topic that has already been taken by another group.
In groups, choose one of the following Greek gods or goddesses to research:
Zeus
Apollo
Athena
Poseidon
Hermes
Hera
Persephone
Hades
Dionysus
Aphrodite
Ares
Write a blog essay about the god or goddess your group has chosen. In the essay include facts, stories, links to web sites with more information, and your own reactions to the information you've found.
When the essays are posted, reply to at least two other groups. Also remember to respond to the people who reply to your group.
Before getting started, reply to this post in order to tell which god or goddess your group has chosen. Do not pick a topic that has already been taken by another group.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Test on Unit 1
Click here for a study guide on Unit 1.
There will be a test on Unit 1, Friday, February 9. You will be responsible for the reading assignments listed under Unit 1 on the syllabus as well as any class discussions and/or notes given on these assignments.
The creation stories covered on the test will be the ones from the handout. All other reading assignments are in the textbook.
There will be a test on Unit 1, Friday, February 9. You will be responsible for the reading assignments listed under Unit 1 on the syllabus as well as any class discussions and/or notes given on these assignments.
The creation stories covered on the test will be the ones from the handout. All other reading assignments are in the textbook.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Science and religion
Science and religion both have meaningful values, but will always be at odds. Science is based on concrete evidence and facts. Evidence and facts are tested until proven reliable and true. It is also a naturalistic process and can only answer questions about what is inside nature. Beyond that is a matter based on a person's religious beliefs. Some beliefs offer a level of understanding that is not offered anywhere else. There are many different beliefs concerning science and religion that makes us think that the two will never reconcil. For example, scientific facts and a religious person's belief about evolution are totally opposite. No matter what the future holds for us, there will always be some kind of conflict between the two.
Kyle Boswell, Brandon Young, Lindsey Bratcher
Kyle Boswell, Brandon Young, Lindsey Bratcher
Similarities in Creation Stories: Muslim Perspective
Group 3:
Janna, Daisy, Curtis
Similarities in Creation Stories: Muslim Perspective
Our group chose to answer this question from Muslim points of view, who believe in “Divine Revelation and not Human Speculation”. The Muslim people believe that western people are a product of evolution and live with no purpose. They also believe that Allah created man, they, the Muslims get there ideals from the Qur’an and Sunnah (a book of prophetic traditions). The Muslims believe that the idea of creation in other people’s views is similar because of ignorance. They believe that other people “couldn't grasp the idea of creation from nothingness”. They believe that all societies are similar because “inside each and every atom is Allah”. This means, from there view point, that everyone has apart of the Muslim belief in them.
Janna, Daisy, Curtis
Similarities in Creation Stories: Muslim Perspective
Our group chose to answer this question from Muslim points of view, who believe in “Divine Revelation and not Human Speculation”. The Muslim people believe that western people are a product of evolution and live with no purpose. They also believe that Allah created man, they, the Muslims get there ideals from the Qur’an and Sunnah (a book of prophetic traditions). The Muslims believe that the idea of creation in other people’s views is similar because of ignorance. They believe that other people “couldn't grasp the idea of creation from nothingness”. They believe that all societies are similar because “inside each and every atom is Allah”. This means, from there view point, that everyone has apart of the Muslim belief in them.
There whole essence is that the purpose of live it to realize that we have a part of Allah inside ourselves. Becoming one with Allah, returning back to Allah in this sense. But this is in fact part of the teachings of shirk. Shaytan (Satan) has deluded man into this imagination. It is part of the belief of the Hindus. Nirvana, the concept that when you die, you are reborn again, and you move up in stages, each time, if you are a good boy or good girl, you go up higher and higher, until you get to the top. You know you have reached the peak, because when you die the next time you become one with the universal soul, Nirvana. That is the end of rebirth. So your whole purpose is to return and become one with God again. This is all, as I said, a product of the inability to understand the concept of creation from nothingness, which is unique to Allah.
An anthropolgist's perspective on myths..
According to some anthropologists, a myth is structured--like language. In order to have a myth, people have to talk or write about certain events. These stories have structure and relation. Language, of course, has structure and relation--like verbs and direct objects. According to Levi-Strauss,
"Myth shares with language the following characteristics:
1. It's made of units that are put together according to certain rules.
2. These units form relations with each other, based on binary pairs or opposites, which provide the basis of the structure."
A myth must be somehow communicated to others in order to exist. Myths are communicated by their structure. According to Levi-Strauss,
"However, the layers, or "slates," aren't identical, even though they repeat key elements in the structure. Because of this, the myth "grows spiralwise," meaning the story it tells unfolds as the myth goes on. In other words, the myth "grows" as it is told; Levi-Strauss points out that this growth is continuous, while the structure of the myth, which doesn't grow, is discontinuous"
This could account for the similarities between the creation stories of different cultures. One culture may have spread the word of its creation to another, and the other culture may have adopted some of the other's story as its own. This link can help explain the structure of myth compared to the structure of language. Levi-Strauss believes that although the content of the myths may widely vary, their similarities are directly linked to the structure that myths have to follow.
Also, some anthropologists believe it is the wiring of the brain that creates certain stories. The similarities between the creation stories can be due to the processes of the human brain. For example, the flood story or the representation of the flood story in many cultures removes the evil from the world. This could be something the brain has embedded inside that tells us that evil is bad and should be put away.
So, since myths are structured and our minds can conceive similar ideas, it is easy to see how myths from different cultures can be so much alike.
Lindsey Bratcher, Brandon Young, Kyle Boswell
"Myth shares with language the following characteristics:
1. It's made of units that are put together according to certain rules.
2. These units form relations with each other, based on binary pairs or opposites, which provide the basis of the structure."
A myth must be somehow communicated to others in order to exist. Myths are communicated by their structure. According to Levi-Strauss,
"However, the layers, or "slates," aren't identical, even though they repeat key elements in the structure. Because of this, the myth "grows spiralwise," meaning the story it tells unfolds as the myth goes on. In other words, the myth "grows" as it is told; Levi-Strauss points out that this growth is continuous, while the structure of the myth, which doesn't grow, is discontinuous"
This could account for the similarities between the creation stories of different cultures. One culture may have spread the word of its creation to another, and the other culture may have adopted some of the other's story as its own. This link can help explain the structure of myth compared to the structure of language. Levi-Strauss believes that although the content of the myths may widely vary, their similarities are directly linked to the structure that myths have to follow.
Also, some anthropologists believe it is the wiring of the brain that creates certain stories. The similarities between the creation stories can be due to the processes of the human brain. For example, the flood story or the representation of the flood story in many cultures removes the evil from the world. This could be something the brain has embedded inside that tells us that evil is bad and should be put away.
So, since myths are structured and our minds can conceive similar ideas, it is easy to see how myths from different cultures can be so much alike.
Lindsey Bratcher, Brandon Young, Kyle Boswell
Fundamental and Liberal Christians.
Robin Burkhalter, Kristin Meadows, Brian Dill
Fundamental Christianity and the more liberal or mainstream Christianity divide when it comes to the belief in how and when the the world was created.
A Fundamentalist would likely point to the Bible for his answer, referring to Genesis and its account of all humankind having a common ancestry in the the personages of Adam and Eve. Since the entire human race began with them, it is understandable that the many different culture's various accounts of history are similar. Also, because the story was passed down orally from generation to generation, it is safe to assume that, over time, some aspects of the story of Creation were either distorted and recreated, or lost altogether.
On the other hand, a more liberal Christian would more than likely side with the scientific account of the origins of the world and mankind. Some liberalists believe that everything began with God, though not necessarily in the order or according to the timeline given in the Book of Genesis. There is open criticism in this camp of the fundamentalist's literal interpretation of the Creation story - the majority believing the account in Genesis as only a philosophical allegory written by Moses to give some sort of explanation as to how God created everything. A smaller minority believe this to be a myth fabricated by the Levitical priest in order to control the Jewish people. Still others believe that the story was written more in order to establish belief in polytheism (one God creating the world), and combat the contrary belief in creation by multiple gods.
Whatever their opinions as to the origins of the story, liberalists all seem to agree that the earth and all that's in it was not created in a seven day period, but rather through the evolutionary process. Their explanation as to the similarities in the many different culture's creation accounts would be more in line with scientific reasoning. This scientific approach of explaining the common "variations of the same theme" is based on a theory put forth by Carl Jung called "Collective Unconscious". In short, it is a hypothesis that there is a part of our brain that seems to retain certain information that is commonly shared by all humans. This information is somehow passed along from generation to generation, accounting for many different cultures similarities - ranging from the formation of social orders to the need for religion.
We believe, personally, that if God is the author of science, that the two must one day agree. We also think that as we receive more information about the world around us that we will eventually have to believe in either one or the other in accordance with the evidence.
Whether scientific belief or religious belief can be reconciled is another thing altogether. Most evolutionists do not want to believe in a God, whereas a religious person would rather believe there is one. One may seem to have more evidence than the other, but people usually see what they want to see.
At odds though they may be, we do believe that they both can and have contributed to the good of society.
Fundamental Christianity and the more liberal or mainstream Christianity divide when it comes to the belief in how and when the the world was created.
A Fundamentalist would likely point to the Bible for his answer, referring to Genesis and its account of all humankind having a common ancestry in the the personages of Adam and Eve. Since the entire human race began with them, it is understandable that the many different culture's various accounts of history are similar. Also, because the story was passed down orally from generation to generation, it is safe to assume that, over time, some aspects of the story of Creation were either distorted and recreated, or lost altogether.
On the other hand, a more liberal Christian would more than likely side with the scientific account of the origins of the world and mankind. Some liberalists believe that everything began with God, though not necessarily in the order or according to the timeline given in the Book of Genesis. There is open criticism in this camp of the fundamentalist's literal interpretation of the Creation story - the majority believing the account in Genesis as only a philosophical allegory written by Moses to give some sort of explanation as to how God created everything. A smaller minority believe this to be a myth fabricated by the Levitical priest in order to control the Jewish people. Still others believe that the story was written more in order to establish belief in polytheism (one God creating the world), and combat the contrary belief in creation by multiple gods.
Whatever their opinions as to the origins of the story, liberalists all seem to agree that the earth and all that's in it was not created in a seven day period, but rather through the evolutionary process. Their explanation as to the similarities in the many different culture's creation accounts would be more in line with scientific reasoning. This scientific approach of explaining the common "variations of the same theme" is based on a theory put forth by Carl Jung called "Collective Unconscious". In short, it is a hypothesis that there is a part of our brain that seems to retain certain information that is commonly shared by all humans. This information is somehow passed along from generation to generation, accounting for many different cultures similarities - ranging from the formation of social orders to the need for religion.
We believe, personally, that if God is the author of science, that the two must one day agree. We also think that as we receive more information about the world around us that we will eventually have to believe in either one or the other in accordance with the evidence.
Whether scientific belief or religious belief can be reconciled is another thing altogether. Most evolutionists do not want to believe in a God, whereas a religious person would rather believe there is one. One may seem to have more evidence than the other, but people usually see what they want to see.
At odds though they may be, we do believe that they both can and have contributed to the good of society.
Group 2, Islam
After researching the Islam religion, we think they believe that so many creation stories are simliar because they believe everyone came from Adam and "Hawwa" (Eve) as read from the Qu'ran. "Oh humankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured among you in the sight of Allah is the who is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquinted (with all things)' (49:13). The Islam's teaches that human beings are a unique life form that was created by Allah in a speical way, with unique gifts and abilities unlike any other: a soul and conscience, knowledge, and free will. So therefore we think that they would believe that since humans have free will and knowledge that they branched out from just believing what the Qur'an says. The Islamic people would probably believe that the reason humans branched out from the Qu'ran was because they were corrupted.
We have also found that many of the Islam beliefs fall in place with scientific theory. The Qu'ran describes that Allah "made from water every living thing" (21:30). Another verse describes how "Allah has created every animal from water. Of them are some that creep on thier bellies, some that walk on two legs, and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills, for truly Allah has power over all things"(24:45). These verses support the scientific theory that life began in the Earth's oceans. The Qu'ran also coinsides with the Big Bang Theory. The Qu'ran says that "the heavens and the earth were joined together as one unit, before We clove them asunder"(21:30). Following this big explosion, Allah "turned to the sky, and it had been (as) smoke. He said to it and to the earth: 'Come together, willingly or unwillingly.' They said: 'We come (together) in willing obedience" (41:11). Thus the elements and what was to become the planets and stars began to cool, come together, and form into shape, following the natural laws that Allah established in the universe.
Allah made every living thing from water, but considered humans to be special creatures and made them from clay. He created Adam first, and then Eve so that man could have a companion. Adam and Eve then became the ancestors for humankind, and since humans had knowledge and free will they ended up branching out from the Qu'ran and Allah. Thus, becomes the different reiligons of today, but still their beilefs are similar to those of the Islamic faith.
Stacy Therrell
Erica Gillie
Cheryl Jordan
We have also found that many of the Islam beliefs fall in place with scientific theory. The Qu'ran describes that Allah "made from water every living thing" (21:30). Another verse describes how "Allah has created every animal from water. Of them are some that creep on thier bellies, some that walk on two legs, and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills, for truly Allah has power over all things"(24:45). These verses support the scientific theory that life began in the Earth's oceans. The Qu'ran also coinsides with the Big Bang Theory. The Qu'ran says that "the heavens and the earth were joined together as one unit, before We clove them asunder"(21:30). Following this big explosion, Allah "turned to the sky, and it had been (as) smoke. He said to it and to the earth: 'Come together, willingly or unwillingly.' They said: 'We come (together) in willing obedience" (41:11). Thus the elements and what was to become the planets and stars began to cool, come together, and form into shape, following the natural laws that Allah established in the universe.
Allah made every living thing from water, but considered humans to be special creatures and made them from clay. He created Adam first, and then Eve so that man could have a companion. Adam and Eve then became the ancestors for humankind, and since humans had knowledge and free will they ended up branching out from the Qu'ran and Allah. Thus, becomes the different reiligons of today, but still their beilefs are similar to those of the Islamic faith.
Stacy Therrell
Erica Gillie
Cheryl Jordan
Calvinism
Why are so many creation stories so smiliar?
A Calvinist would say that God predestined everyone at the beginning of time. This means that only certain "elect" people were elected for salvation. The "elect" make up the Calvinist Church.
Now to answer the question: Over the years the influence of Calvinism in creation stories has been heard all over the world. The "elect" people and "non-elect" people have similar stories, but they also differ. They differ because the "elect" are predestined by God. While, the "non-elect" people are not predestined. They are similar because many people, the "elect and "non-elect," have retold these stories to one another. This is the point where all the similarities begin to show.
There are many views to Christian Predestination.
1. Conditional Predestination- Believes that freedom of choice is given to all; Therefore, God predestines on the basis of the foreknowledge of how some will respond to his universal love.
2. Temporal Predestination- God only determines temporal matters, not eternal ones.
3. Sublapsarianism- This means that God predestined sinful men for salvation.
A lot of religions believe in predestination or a "divine plan."
Here are a few:
1. Calvinism- As mentioned above, Calvinists believe that God predestined everyone at the beginning of time.
2. Baptists- They believe that God has a purpose for everyone. God predestined that every saved believer will be made in His image. Predestination makes certain that the believer stays saved and accomplishes the eternal purpose of God.
3. Islam- Muslims have a strong view toward predestination. Allah, knows and ordains whatever comes to pass.
Tracy Field, Jennifer Hyatt, Sarah Sumrall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predestination
A Calvinist would say that God predestined everyone at the beginning of time. This means that only certain "elect" people were elected for salvation. The "elect" make up the Calvinist Church.
Now to answer the question: Over the years the influence of Calvinism in creation stories has been heard all over the world. The "elect" people and "non-elect" people have similar stories, but they also differ. They differ because the "elect" are predestined by God. While, the "non-elect" people are not predestined. They are similar because many people, the "elect and "non-elect," have retold these stories to one another. This is the point where all the similarities begin to show.
There are many views to Christian Predestination.
1. Conditional Predestination- Believes that freedom of choice is given to all; Therefore, God predestines on the basis of the foreknowledge of how some will respond to his universal love.
2. Temporal Predestination- God only determines temporal matters, not eternal ones.
3. Sublapsarianism- This means that God predestined sinful men for salvation.
A lot of religions believe in predestination or a "divine plan."
Here are a few:
1. Calvinism- As mentioned above, Calvinists believe that God predestined everyone at the beginning of time.
2. Baptists- They believe that God has a purpose for everyone. God predestined that every saved believer will be made in His image. Predestination makes certain that the believer stays saved and accomplishes the eternal purpose of God.
3. Islam- Muslims have a strong view toward predestination. Allah, knows and ordains whatever comes to pass.
Tracy Field, Jennifer Hyatt, Sarah Sumrall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predestination
Creation Story Simularities
Why do so many creation stories from so many diferent parts of the world contain such similar themes and motifs? How would a Buddhist asnwer this question? It would probably be hard for a Buddhist to answer this question because they believe there is no beginning or end. According to Buddhism, "eternity means being neither created nor adorned but remaining in the original existence." Since they believe that we were neither created nor adorned, that means that life itself is not something that can be grasped through our five senses.
A buddhist would probably think that creation stories are just stories that people made up. They would probably say all the creation stories were similiar because they were all made up and each creation story took something from another creation story that was made up before it. Since buddhist believe there is no beginning or end, it would just about be impossible for them to believe in a creation story.
A Buddhist might also say that the creations stories are so similiar because all of the cultures are connected in some way. They may believe that the creator is in everything and everything is in the creator. They may think that everyone around the world were created (or not created) in the same way. Because they think that everything has just always been, they pobably would say that is why all the creation stories are so similiar.
Krista Walley, Nicole Baker, Ashley Jones, Enotris Armstrong
A buddhist would probably think that creation stories are just stories that people made up. They would probably say all the creation stories were similiar because they were all made up and each creation story took something from another creation story that was made up before it. Since buddhist believe there is no beginning or end, it would just about be impossible for them to believe in a creation story.
A Buddhist might also say that the creations stories are so similiar because all of the cultures are connected in some way. They may believe that the creator is in everything and everything is in the creator. They may think that everyone around the world were created (or not created) in the same way. Because they think that everything has just always been, they pobably would say that is why all the creation stories are so similiar.
Krista Walley, Nicole Baker, Ashley Jones, Enotris Armstrong
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Presentations
Sign up sheets for presentations days and topics are posted in the classroom. Please follow these basic requirements for your presentation.
10-12 minutes for groups of 3.
12-15 minutes for groups of 4.
Each person in the group should have a speaking part, and job of preparing for the presentation should be divided equally.
Prepare as part of the presentations either handouts or a visual aid such as a PowerPoint presentation.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Discussion Assignment for Week 3
We're going to stick with creation stories as we move forward into discussing a variety of religious texts from around the world. Thus, I'd like for each group to address one central question--Why do so many creation stories from so many different parts of the world contain such similar themes and motifs?
We're going to apply some of our new readings to this question and do a little research on it as well. Groups should choose one particular approach from which to answer this question.
How would a Jungian psychologist explain the answer?
How would an anthropologist explain the answer?
How would a Buddhist answer?
How would Hindu answer?
How would a fundamentalist Christian answer, and how would this differ from a more liberal Christian?
How would a philosopher answer? (pick your philosophy)
What historical or archaeological evidence do we have to explain the answer?
This will require a little research and a little academic analysis. As a follow up, however, I'd like the groups to address another question just as a matter of opinion--Can science and religion be reconciled? Are academic explanations for things and religious explanations always going to be at odds, or is it possible for the two to both have something of value to add without conflicting too much with one another?
Helpful Links
Beliefs and Practices of Various Faiths
Structural Anthropology and Myth
Due Dates
Group posts due Friday, January 26.
Individual responses due Friday, February 2.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Creation Story Part 1 Group 3
Daisy, Janna, and Curtis
Our group chose the Mayan Creation Story:
Characteristics found in this creation story:
Life began as two people, Tepeu and Gucumatz, sat together and thought about things. They first thought about the earth and it came into being, mountains and they come into form, trees, sky and animals. Tepu and Gucumatz wanted someone to worship and praise them so they made creatures out of clay. These creatures fell apart when wet so they made creatures out of wood. These were very troublesome people so the god. Sent a flood and wiped them out. This time when they remade the people, the mountain lion, coyote, parrot, and crow helped so they became their ancestors. Tepeu and Gucamatz wanted to be worshiped so they created “humans” making them the higher power. Because these beings misbehaved they were flooded out and destroyed saying that it is not ok to do badly. These creatures that they created worshiped them and praised them so they belonged.
Comparison and Contrast to the Christian Story:
This story is similar to the flood story in the Bible. In the Bible God destroyed the world, because the people where living in sin. The way that they are different is that the God didn’t recreate people; he put them on a big ship. They are also different in the fact that the people that God saved didn’t worship the animals as the people that Tepeu and Gucumatz created after they flooded the world.
Our group chose the Mayan Creation Story:
Characteristics found in this creation story:
Life began as two people, Tepeu and Gucumatz, sat together and thought about things. They first thought about the earth and it came into being, mountains and they come into form, trees, sky and animals. Tepu and Gucumatz wanted someone to worship and praise them so they made creatures out of clay. These creatures fell apart when wet so they made creatures out of wood. These were very troublesome people so the god. Sent a flood and wiped them out. This time when they remade the people, the mountain lion, coyote, parrot, and crow helped so they became their ancestors. Tepeu and Gucamatz wanted to be worshiped so they created “humans” making them the higher power. Because these beings misbehaved they were flooded out and destroyed saying that it is not ok to do badly. These creatures that they created worshiped them and praised them so they belonged.
Comparison and Contrast to the Christian Story:
This story is similar to the flood story in the Bible. In the Bible God destroyed the world, because the people where living in sin. The way that they are different is that the God didn’t recreate people; he put them on a big ship. They are also different in the fact that the people that God saved didn’t worship the animals as the people that Tepeu and Gucumatz created after they flooded the world.
Part 1, Group 4
Sarah Sumrall, Brian Dill, Robin Burkhalter, Kayla Williams
Our group chose the Japanese Creation Myth:
1) Explain how life began. Heaven and Earth were not divided. Then a reed grew out of the ocean of chaos. This reed became the eternal land ruler, Kunitokotachi. He created a female Goddess, Izanami, and a male God, Izanagi. Together, they stood on the floating bridge of Heaven and stirred the ocean of chaos with a jeweled spear. It curdled and created the first island, Onokoro. Izanami gave birth to eight islands of Japan.
2) Explain why things are the way they are in nature.
Izanagi through down his comb and it turned into Bamboo shoots.
3)Establish a belief in a higher power.
They believe in Izanagi, Izanami, Kunitokotatchi, and Ebisu.
4) Establish a moral code of conduct.
5) Provide a sense of purpose and order of life.
Izanagi said that every day one thousand five hundred babies will be born.
Compare and Contrast to Christianity:
1) There is belief in a higher power.
2) Christians believe in one creator; Japanese believe in multiple creators.
3) Japanese believe their Gods created only Japan; whereas, Christians believe their God created the world.
4) In both, the Gods' children were a major part in their belief.
Our group chose the Japanese Creation Myth:
1) Explain how life began. Heaven and Earth were not divided. Then a reed grew out of the ocean of chaos. This reed became the eternal land ruler, Kunitokotachi. He created a female Goddess, Izanami, and a male God, Izanagi. Together, they stood on the floating bridge of Heaven and stirred the ocean of chaos with a jeweled spear. It curdled and created the first island, Onokoro. Izanami gave birth to eight islands of Japan.
2) Explain why things are the way they are in nature.
Izanagi through down his comb and it turned into Bamboo shoots.
3)Establish a belief in a higher power.
They believe in Izanagi, Izanami, Kunitokotatchi, and Ebisu.
4) Establish a moral code of conduct.
5) Provide a sense of purpose and order of life.
Izanagi said that every day one thousand five hundred babies will be born.
Compare and Contrast to Christianity:
1) There is belief in a higher power.
2) Christians believe in one creator; Japanese believe in multiple creators.
3) Japanese believe their Gods created only Japan; whereas, Christians believe their God created the world.
4) In both, the Gods' children were a major part in their belief.
Australian Creation Story - Group 1
Australian Creation Story Discussion
There are five main characteristics of creation stories. They are as follows: 1. To explain how life began, 2. To explain why things are the way they are in nature, 3. To establish a belief in a higher power, 4. To establish a moral code of conduct, and 5. They provide a sense of purpose and order for life.
1. How life began: In the beginning the earth was bare and plain. There was no life. The sun, moon, and stars slept beneath the earth with all the eternal ancestors. One day, the eternal ancestors broke through to the surface. They arose in dreamtime and wandered the earth, sometimes in anial form, sometimes in human shape, sometimes part human and animal, and sometimes part human and plant.
Two such beings, self-created out of nothing, were the Ungambikula. They wandered the earth and found half-made human beings. They were made of plants and animals and were shapeless bundles. The Ungambikula carved heads, bodies, legs, and arms out of the bundles and made faces, hands, and feet. That is how every man and woman was transfomed.
After the eternal ancestors were done with their work, the went back to sleep. Some went back underground and some became trees and rocks. Everywhere the ancestors went, they left traces of their presence in rocks, waterholes, and trees.
2. Why things are the way they are in nature: Rocks, trees, and other things in nature are from the ancestors who went back to sleep.
3. Belief in a higher power: The higher power in the Australian creation story would be and Ungambikula and the eternal ancestors.
4. A moral code of conduct: People should have allegiance to nature.
5. Provide a sense or purpose and order to life: They provided a sense of order to life by creating it. Before the carved the humans out of the bundles of nothing, there was no life.
Before God created anything on earth, it was dark and without void, just like before the Ungambikula awoke and created the humans in the Australian story, it was dark. God created everything, and when the Ungambikula awoke, somethings were already created. God created us out of dirt, and the Ungambikula created humans out of half-made humans. When the eternal ancestors were done with their work, they went back to sleep and God is still here with us. The eternal ancestors left sacred traces of their presence and we also have God's sacred presence with us. God was one and their were two Ungambikula who created the Australians.
Krista Walley, Enotris Armstrong, Ashley Jones, Nicole Baker
There are five main characteristics of creation stories. They are as follows: 1. To explain how life began, 2. To explain why things are the way they are in nature, 3. To establish a belief in a higher power, 4. To establish a moral code of conduct, and 5. They provide a sense of purpose and order for life.
1. How life began: In the beginning the earth was bare and plain. There was no life. The sun, moon, and stars slept beneath the earth with all the eternal ancestors. One day, the eternal ancestors broke through to the surface. They arose in dreamtime and wandered the earth, sometimes in anial form, sometimes in human shape, sometimes part human and animal, and sometimes part human and plant.
Two such beings, self-created out of nothing, were the Ungambikula. They wandered the earth and found half-made human beings. They were made of plants and animals and were shapeless bundles. The Ungambikula carved heads, bodies, legs, and arms out of the bundles and made faces, hands, and feet. That is how every man and woman was transfomed.
After the eternal ancestors were done with their work, the went back to sleep. Some went back underground and some became trees and rocks. Everywhere the ancestors went, they left traces of their presence in rocks, waterholes, and trees.
2. Why things are the way they are in nature: Rocks, trees, and other things in nature are from the ancestors who went back to sleep.
3. Belief in a higher power: The higher power in the Australian creation story would be and Ungambikula and the eternal ancestors.
4. A moral code of conduct: People should have allegiance to nature.
5. Provide a sense or purpose and order to life: They provided a sense of order to life by creating it. Before the carved the humans out of the bundles of nothing, there was no life.
Before God created anything on earth, it was dark and without void, just like before the Ungambikula awoke and created the humans in the Australian story, it was dark. God created everything, and when the Ungambikula awoke, somethings were already created. God created us out of dirt, and the Ungambikula created humans out of half-made humans. When the eternal ancestors were done with their work, they went back to sleep and God is still here with us. The eternal ancestors left sacred traces of their presence and we also have God's sacred presence with us. God was one and their were two Ungambikula who created the Australians.
Krista Walley, Enotris Armstrong, Ashley Jones, Nicole Baker
Creation Stories
The Ainu creation story
- Explain how life began
In the Ainu creation story, before there was life the world was a quagmire where nothing could live. The world was a watery place resting on the back of a trout--all of which was created by the creator god Kamui. One day Kamui decided that he would make something of this watery world, and he sent a water wagtail to create dry patches of land. These patches of land became islands. Once the animals who lived in the heavens saw the world Kamui had created, they begged Kamui to live on it. Kamui let them live on it, but he also created many other creatures--such as the first people--to dwell on the world as well.
- Explain why things are the way they are
When Kamui made the world a vast round ocean, he made it resting on the backbone of an enormous trout. This trout sucks in the ocean and then spits it out creating the tides. When it moves, it causes earthquakes. Back when the world first began, the devil wanted to swallow the sun. In order to thwart the devil, Kamui sent down a crow which flew down the devil's throat making him choke and cough. This is why the crow is such a bold bird. When Kamui made the Ainu, he made their backbones out of willow sticks. This is why as we grow older, our backs become bent.
- Establish a belief in a higher power
The higher power is Kamui, the creator god. This is known because he makes the world the way it is, he lives in the highest of the six skies, and he created the creatures of the world.
- Establish a moral code of conduct
Aionia, the divine man, was sent by Kamui to teach the Ainu how to hunt and cook along with many other things. Aionia must have taught some form of government or moral code to the people of the world since he taught many things. After his return to the heavens, the Gods told Ainu that he had the terrible smell of a human being, and the Gods would not let Aionia return to heaven until he had rid himself of his clothes. The Gods' want for cleanliness could be part of a code for how people should treat their bodies.
- Provide a sense of purpose and order for life
Since the watery world was in such a mess, Kamui wanted to make something of it. Ever since the animals saw how beautiful the world was, they begged him to live there. Kamui also gave purpose to creatures, for example the wagtail and the crow.
In comparison to the Christian creation story...
- In the Christian creation story, God formed man out of the dust of the ground and breathes into his nostrils the breathe of life and man became a living thing.
- In the Ainu creation story, the first people had bodies of the earth, hair of chickweed, and spines made from sticks of willow.
- In the Christian creation story, the serpant tempted Eve by telling her that she would not die from eating from the forbidden tree, but instead, she would know good from evil like God.
- In the Ainu creation story, Kamui created the world and the devil tried to thwart him.
- In the Christian creation story, God said "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place and let the dry land appear", and he called the dry land earth and the water the seas.
- In the Ainu creation story, Kamui sent down a water wagtail to make something of the watery earth. The wagtail fluttered over the waters with its wings, trampled on the sands with its feet, and began beating it with its tail creating patches of dry land.
Group 5 Members:
Jennifer Hyatt, Lindsey Bratcher, Kyle Boswell, Tracy Field
Part 1 , Group 2
Chinese Creation
Characteristics of a Creation Story
1. Explain how life began.
Life began because Pan Gu married the princess but she didn't want to be seen with him since his head was that of a dog and the rest of his body was a man. They moved to earth and settled in the remote mountains of China and their children became the ancestors of China.
2. Explain why things are in nature.
We did not see this characteristic in our story.
3. Establish a belief in a higher power.
The story says there were two gods in heaven. King Gao Xin was the god in charge of the earth. King Fang was his rival.
4. Establish a moral code of conduct.
The story tells us about the princess having a lack of faith because she was suppose to wait seven days and seven nights and her prince would be transformed but on the sixth day fearing that he would starve to death she looked under the bell. Pan Gu's body had already change to that of a man but his head was still a dog and once the bell was raised the magic stopped; therefore, this teaches us to follow directions and obey.
5. Provide a sense of purpose and order for life.
We did not see this characteristic in our story.
Chinese Creation Story compared to the Christian creation story.
1. The Chinese story along with the Christian story both had something to do with seven days and seven nights.
2. The women disobey in both stories.
3. They are ancestors to mankind in both stories.
4. There is a rival between good and evil in both stories.
Group Members
Erica Gillie
Stacy Therrell
Cheryl Jordan
James
Kristin Meadows
Characteristics of a Creation Story
1. Explain how life began.
Life began because Pan Gu married the princess but she didn't want to be seen with him since his head was that of a dog and the rest of his body was a man. They moved to earth and settled in the remote mountains of China and their children became the ancestors of China.
2. Explain why things are in nature.
We did not see this characteristic in our story.
3. Establish a belief in a higher power.
The story says there were two gods in heaven. King Gao Xin was the god in charge of the earth. King Fang was his rival.
4. Establish a moral code of conduct.
The story tells us about the princess having a lack of faith because she was suppose to wait seven days and seven nights and her prince would be transformed but on the sixth day fearing that he would starve to death she looked under the bell. Pan Gu's body had already change to that of a man but his head was still a dog and once the bell was raised the magic stopped; therefore, this teaches us to follow directions and obey.
5. Provide a sense of purpose and order for life.
We did not see this characteristic in our story.
Chinese Creation Story compared to the Christian creation story.
1. The Chinese story along with the Christian story both had something to do with seven days and seven nights.
2. The women disobey in both stories.
3. They are ancestors to mankind in both stories.
4. There is a rival between good and evil in both stories.
Group Members
Erica Gillie
Stacy Therrell
Cheryl Jordan
James
Kristin Meadows
Monday, January 8, 2007
Week One in World Literature
I'm looking forward to working with all of you this semester and to reading your thoughts on the literature we study on this blog. There are no literary discussions due this week. We'll use the next few days to get everyone registered on the blog and to make sure everyone knows how to post your class discussions. I would, however, like to ask that each of you reply to this post by telling a little bit about yourself. We're going to be spending a lot of time working together. It will be nice to take time to get to know each other a little first. This will also give everyone a chance to practice using the blog before an assignment is due.
By the time you manage to post a reply to this message, you would have already done most of the things I asked you to do this week, but here is a reminder of your assigned tasks anyway:
(1) Get a copy of your textbook and your syllabus.
(2) Find a creation story online to bring to class for discussion.
(3) Sign up for a Google Account.
(4) Email me at sharon.gerald@jcjc.edu to let me know your Gmail address so that I can send you an invitation to join the blog.
(5) Register yourself as a member of the class blog after you get the invitation from Blogger.
(6) Reply to this post to let me know a few things about you and to let me know that you have successfully joined the class blog.
That should be enough to get us going. Email me if you have any problems with this process. I'll see you in class!
By the time you manage to post a reply to this message, you would have already done most of the things I asked you to do this week, but here is a reminder of your assigned tasks anyway:
(1) Get a copy of your textbook and your syllabus.
(2) Find a creation story online to bring to class for discussion.
(3) Sign up for a Google Account.
(4) Email me at sharon.gerald@jcjc.edu to let me know your Gmail address so that I can send you an invitation to join the blog.
(5) Register yourself as a member of the class blog after you get the invitation from Blogger.
(6) Reply to this post to let me know a few things about you and to let me know that you have successfully joined the class blog.
That should be enough to get us going. Email me if you have any problems with this process. I'll see you in class!
Friday, January 5, 2007
Welcome!
Welcome to World Literature with Dr. Sharon Gerald. Come back to this blog weekly for class announcements and discussions.
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