Sunday, April 22, 2007

Writing Process

The overall writing process was a positive experience. I was very interested in my focus about the use of disguises in Homer. Since I teach 9th graders to close read The Odyssey I have noticed many things about Odysseus over the course of 4 years. I really wanted to elborate my ideas about him. The most important and interesting aspect I always questioned about Odysseus is what makes him able to use a disguise so often.
The biggest struggle I have with the writing process is voicing my own opinion. The peer edit helped tremendously because I still wasn't being opinionated enough. Hopefully, with the finished product, my voice will stand out.
I enjoyed updating this blog site on the findings of my research for many reasons. I feel more in touch with up-to-date tech processes, I feel at more ease throwing out ideas, and because it was very different. It also helped to do the blog site because I was able to do it at my convenience.
In regards to the specifics of my final paper, I was unsure about how to add in the factual information when the focus was about characters within an epic poem. More specifically, what influenced Homer to credit Odysseus with the idea of the Trojan Horse- the most historically well-known disguise of all time! I had to write that section over and over again because I wanted it to flow well and not derail from the main focus. I hope it proves to be coherent. This is definitely a writing piece that I enjoyed writing from beginning to end and one that I am very proud of.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Thesis Findings

Several things become apparent when examining Homer's mortal characters, Patroclus and Odysseus and their use of a disguise.

Background
  1. The ancient Greeks were knowledgeable about myths and listened to Homer's epics.
  2. The Ancient Greeks believed that gods would enter into the mortal world, in disguise, and check on human hospitality.
  3. It was social custom to be hospitable to guests, so if the gods caught anyone not following this rule, horrible consequences could fall upon them.
  4. This is most likely the reason to how Homer came up with the idea to have his mortal characters use disguises in his epics- The gods systematically disguise themselves to fulfill a personal desire, so certain mortals decide to use a disguise for the same reason. This is seen in The Iliad and The Odyssey.
  5. It is even more interesting to see that when a mortal character uses a disguise, depending on their status of heroism, determines if they can handle the power of a disguise or not.

Patroclus

  1. Even though Nestor made the suggestion, Patroclus convinced Achilles to let him wear Achilles' armor in battle against the Trojans. Patroclus disguised himself to appear as Achilles, which allowed him to rally the Myrmidons, fight with voraciousness, and give the Greeks the advantage.
  2. Patroclus became entranced by the power of his disguise. So much so that he failed to follow Achilles' warning about not going into the Trojan area. The disguise overtook him and convincingly made him be Achilles. This made him feel capable of battling anyone.
  3. Homer is showing that a mere mortal like Patroclus cannot handle the power of a disguise. Especially since the overpowering of the disguise causes Patroclus to neglect orders and subsequently be killed. Only a man of superiority can partake upon this level of deceit, one who exemplifies heroic qualities.

Odysseus

  1. Odysseus invented the Trojan Horse. This militaristic disguise allowed the Greeks to win over the Trojans and ultimately destroyed the Trojan empire.
  2. Odysseus is clever to implement a verbal disguise to the man-eating cyclops, Polyphemus. Odysseus suavely tells Polyphemus his name is "Noman", gets him drunk, and then stabs him in the eye to try and escape out of the blocked cave. This verbal deceit works to his advantage in a most vengeful way. When the other cyclopes ask Polyphemus who caused him to yell and scream (because of his dreadful stab wound), Polyphemus responds, "Noman"! The joke is on Polyphemus and Odysseus escapes with six of his twelve crew members.
  3. In order to strategically devise a plan to rid the suitors from his home, Odysseus becomes disguised as a beggar (with the help of Athena). This enables him to be the least likely suspect and he cleverly assesses the dangerous and tense situation inside his home. Odysseus devises a successful plan, slaughters the suitors, and regains his position back on Ithaca.
  4. Homer shows in The Odyssey that Odysseus has outstanding qualities of a hero which are above the common man and therefore, he can handle the power of a disguise.
  5. Not only does Odysseus have continuous help from Athena, but he acts very much like a god by using a disguise. When he is disguised as a beggar he is truly checking on the hospitable conduct (or lack there of) the suitors are showing.
  6. For Odysseus, using a disguise allows him to fulfill his own personal desire of returning home to his position as king, husband, and father.

These are the key factors that are discussed in my research paper. It was very interesting to do intricate, close reading on Patroclus. I was able to really examine Homer's lines and find the support for my thesis. With Odysseus it was difficult to narrow down which events to focus on. I thought it was productive to show the different types of and ways Odysseus used a disguise. All in all, my biggest desire was to get enough of my voice and opinion in my research without repeating too much. I hope I have succeeded in this.

Odysseus' Disguises

Homer amplifies the use of disguise with the character Odysseus from The Odyssey. Homer's second epic follows Odysseus, the great leader and survivor of the Trojan War, back to his home of Ithaca. Unfortunately, his arduous journey takes ten years and it is filled with trials and tribulations. These dilemmas he faces often tests his capabilities and strength as a hero.
Odysseus uses disguises throughout The Odyssey, which prove his intellect and sharpness. He stays calm and pulls off the best acts of deceit in order to gain a personal desire. Often times, these personal desires involve his returning home safely. Closely examining three particular episodes of Odysseus utilizing a disguise, I came up with certain findings.

The three episodes of Odysseus facilitating a disguise are:
1. Odysseus is given credit for inventing the Trojan Horse that allowed the Greeks to destroy Troy and win the ten year war.
2. While trying to get back home, Odysseus becomes curious and wants to see a cyclops up close. He takes twelve of his crew members and gets stuck inside one cyclops' cave. Polyphemus, the cyclops, begins bashing and then eating Odysseus' crew.
3. When he finally arrives on Ithaca, Odysseus has to get rid of a hundred suitors who have overtaken his home. They have ravaged his home, schemed to kill his son Telemachus, and are forcing his wife Penelope to marry one of them. Odysseus must assess the situation at home and plan the perfect attack.
These three events marks Odysseus' greatest use of disguise.