Divine Word College of Bangued

Bangued, Abra
School of Arts, Sciences and Education

Palangi, Genesis B.
BSED 2 (Major in Science)
Subject: World Literature (Lit 2)
Lesson 12 - The Literature of Greece
Activity 2
Search or Download the movies: “Troy/ Helen of Troy”, Odyssey “Golden Fleece”, and watch them;
what can you then answer the following as called for?
A.
1. What agreement did Hector propose to Achilles before they clashed? From Hector’s words, what can
you conclude about why Achilles refused to consider Hector’s offer?
 As I recall Hector proposed that the victor of their duel honor their opponents’ body and ensure
it receives the proper burial rights.
At this point in the Iliad Hector accepts his destiny to die by Achilles hand due to the trickery of
Athene and this is confirmed to the audience by the scales tipping in Achilles favor.
Still he accepts this but what he can’t accept is the disrespect of his body before the onlooking
Trojans including his mother and beloved father Priam.
Achilles being the arrogant fool that he is completely rejects this proposal and responds that if
he could he would tear out Hectors heart and eat it.
After Hectors death Achilles and all the other Greeks commit atrocities to Hectors body and
Achilles then drags him around the Trojan walls. Although Apollo does protect Hector's body
from any damage as a final sign of support and love even in the face of death.
2. What kind of man do you think Achilles was? Considering the present-day standards, should men
and
lions plight no faith but each must plan evil against each other?
 The warrior Achilles is one of the great heroes of Greek mythology. According to legend,
Achilles was extraordinarily strong, courageous and loyal, but he had one vulnerability–his
“Achilles heel.” Homer's epic poem The Iliad tells the story of his adventures during the last
year of the Trojan War
 The Iliad teaches us that fighting in war is central to honor and manhood, but that it exacts a
high price. It also teaches that the gods are close at hand and are the ones who make the final
decisions about who wins and loses
3. Describe the single combat. Since Achilles won through the help and trickery of Pallas Athena, was it
proper for Achilles to boost over the fall of Hector? Why or why not?
 During Hector’s fourth circle around the city walls, Athena appears before him, disguised as his
ally Deiphobus, and convinces him that together they can take Achilles. Hector stops running
and turns to face his opponent. He and Achilles exchange spear throws, but neither scores a
hit. Hector turns to Deiphobus to ask him for a lance; when he finds his friend gone, he realizes
that the gods have betrayed him. In a desperate bid for glory, he charges Achilles. However, he
still wears Achilles’ old armor—stolen from Patroclus’s dead body—and Achilles knows the
armor’s weak points intimately. 
4. Hector made one plea before he died? What was it? Why did Achilles refuse to grant Hector’s plea?
Why did Hector ask that his body should not be mutilated after his death?
 Divine Word College of Bangued
Bangued, Abra
School of Arts, Sciences and Education

 With a perfectly timed thrust he puts his spear through Hector’s throat. Near death, Hector
pleads with Achilles to return his body to the Trojans for burial, but Achilles resolves to let the
dogs and scavenger birds maul the Trojan hero.
 The other Achaeans gather round and exultantly stab Hector’s corpse. Achilles ties Hector’s
body to the back of his chariot and drags it through the dirt. Meanwhile, up above on the city’s
walls, King Priam and Queen Hecuba witness the devastation of their son’s body and wail with
grief. Andromache hears them from her chamber and runs outside. When she sees her
husband’s corpse being dragged through the dirt, she too collapses and weeps.
 For the next several days, Achilles drags Hector's corpse around Patroclus's tomb every time
he misses his comrade. Apollo protects the body from decay and damage, but Hera, Athena,
and Poseidon won't let the other gods steal it from Achilles and return it to Hector's family. Zeus
decrees a compromise: Achilles will give up Hector's body for a ransom, which Priam will bring
in person and alone. With the treasures gathered, Priam prays for a sign of approval and Zeus
sends a huge eagle in confirmation. Zeus sends the god Hermes, who disguises himself as
Achilles's aide, to hide him and guide him safely to Achilles. Arriving at Achilles's lodge, Priam
kneels before him and kisses his hands. Priam's appeal touches Achilles's heart, and they
weep together. Achilles agrees to give up Hector's body, but when Priam suggests he sail
home safely to his own father, Achilles warns him not to tempt his rage. After ordering Hector's
body prepared, Achilles provides hospitality—food and a bed for the night. Achilles pledges to
hold off attacking until Hector is buried.
A.
1. Describe the following by stating and expounding on the trait/ or characteristic you like or admire
most
in each of them. ( 7 pts for the content, 3 pints structure)
a. Odysseus
 Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris
and selfishness. First, Odysseus is not a hero because he is a foolish leader who makes many
mistakes on his journey back home to Ithaka. His first mistake is his decision to let his men
raid.
First, an example of his unfaithfulness to his wife is when on the island of Kirke he was told to
sleep with the evil witch, and he automatically did it without even asking questions. He could
have threatened to kill Kirke or reason with her, but no he took his favorite way out, sleeping
with her. Another time Odysseus was unfaithful to his wife was while on the island of Kylpso he
willingly slept with her countless times over his seven-year captivity on the island. Penelope,
Odysseus' faithful wife, never cheated on him once during his 20-year absence in Ithaka.

b. Penelope
 Penelope serves as one of the most crucial characters within the Odyssey. She one of the few
driving forces for our main protagonist’s journey home and she is also an exemplar model of
female character breaking the mold of the damsel in distress. She actually takes it upon herself
to take command, to some extent, of her own situation while her husband is presumably
making his way back home from war. Penelope even matches Odysseus in craftiness and sly
personality. For example, Penelope had told the suitors that she would assume a new husband
 Divine Word College of Bangued
Bangued, Abra
School of Arts, Sciences and Education

after she was done weaving a shroud, but she would secretly unweave her progress every
night. This behavior is a reoccurring theme.
 Penelope to Odysseus’s helpless wife, but Penelope is more than just a damsel-in-distress.
Penelope proves to be Odysseus’s heroic equal, as through her resilient, witty and strategic
actions she ensures Odysseus fighting advantages over the suitors.
Unlike Odysseus Penelope is confined by the gender roles of her time and cannot use physical
strength against the suitors or even direct verbal rejection, instead Penelope resorts to her
emotional resilience and wit in order to challenge the suitors. She wrongly reassures the suitors
that once she finishes weaving a gift for Odysseus’s father, she will choose someone to marry
her, “’Young men, my suitors, let me finish my weaving, before I marry’…every day she wove
on the great loom but every night by torchlight she unwove it.” Penelope’s actions are strategic
and well calculated. Her main goal, like Odysseus, is to successfully overcome her situation.
She understands that she may not be able to physically fight the suitors but she can trick them
until Telemachus or Odysseus are able to. By crafting a lie that delays the suitors from
marrying her immediately, Penelope restrains the suitors from seizing Ithaca, her household,
and posing a threat to Telemachus or Odysseus. Her lie gives Odysseus a crucial advantage in
the physical fight against the suitors as he comes back to a city and household.

c. Telemachus
 Telemachus’ journey greatly differs from that of his father, Odysseus. While it might not be filled
with as much adrenaline and adventure as his father ‘s journey, Telemachus’ quest is certainly
one that should be noted since the first four books are dedicated to him. It is the story of
Telemachus’ coming-of-age as he matures into a more capable young man. However, it is
debatable if he will ever become the man that Odysseus is.
That is, of course, with a little help from Athena. For the first time since Odysseus had left for
Troy, an assembly is called by Telemachus. This is an example of him attempting to live up to
his father’s name. Although the assembly is ultimately unsuccessful, for the first time he
confidently speaks out against the suitors. Telemachus puts shame on the suitors for attacking
his defenseless home without his great father being there. “They squander everything. / We
have no strong Odysseus to defend us / and as to putting up a fight ourselves / we ‘d only show
our incompetence in arms. / Expel them, yes, if I only had the power.”. At this point, he still only
wishes he had the confidence and power to expel the suitors. He really admires his father and
believes that only Odysseus can save them now. The journey Telemachus takes to Nestor and
Menelaus greatly influences him in Books Three and Four. When he speaks to them, a sense
of greater maturity and confidence can be seen within him. For example, when Menelaus offers
him gifts to take back to Ithaca, Telemachus responds, “As for your gift, now, let it be some
keepsake / Horses I cannot take to Ithaka / let me bestow them back on you, to serve / your
glory here.”. This really impresses Menelaus and he compliments Telemachus of his excellent
manners and how well-spoken that was. Both men reveal crucial information that they pass
along.

2. Evaluate the story of Odysseus in terms of its timelessness and universality

 The Odyssey has themes reflecting timeless and universal concerns, such as courage and
honor, good and evil, life and death, and the importance of home. Choose one of these topics.
 Divine Word College of Bangued
Bangued, Abra
School of Arts, Sciences and Education

What message about this topic does Homer convey? Give evidence from the text to support
your answer. Life and death have been a recurring theme in the Odyssey. To me, Homer
conveys that after death something new, whether good or bad, will become of the person. Each
person will have new life when something within them. For instance, when Odysseus’ men
died, Odysseus felt a new urge. Something inside of him fell apart when all seemed hopeless,
until when he got home everything became strong and fulfilled again.
C.
1. Make a reflection of 2-3 paragraphs one great lesson from the Golden Fleece
 Jason and the Golden Fleece is an epic about a young man who goes on an adventure. He
fights strange and terrible enemies, makes allies and adversaries, and returns with the prize.
During his journey he learns both humility and compassion, he also learns to respect and fear
the gods.
 Jason was a hero in Greek mythology. His father ruled as king until he was usurped, he then
hid Jason away to protect him from the new king. When Jason grew up, he approached the
new king and challenged him, the king sent him on a quest to steal the Golden Fleece in order
to prove his prowess and right to rule. Jason gathered a crew and set out for the far away
kingdom. Jason meets an oracle along the way, and picks up a few more crewmen. He
reaches the kingdom and is received by the king there. Jason tells the king of his quest to take
the king’s Golden Fleece; the king is furious and challenges Jason to prove his prowess and
courage. Jason overcame the challenges which were: Yoking two bronze bulls, plowing a
massive field and finally killing the son warriors of Gaea. After performing his tasks, he goes to
the serpent’s lair and steals the fleece. He then, along with his Argonauts set sail for home,
successful in their task.
 Jason is a man who is on a quest to retrieve the Golden fleece from a foreign land. He will have
to travel far, fight strong enemies, obey the gods, and do the seemingly impossible. It is a story
about human struggle and triumph, and the supremacy of the gods. Jason was a figure in
ancient Greek mythology, he was brave, strong, smart and handsome. His father was Aeson,
and his mother was Aclimede. This story is about his betrayal, and then the challenges he had
to overcome to get the throne back.