More Problems and Punishment for Humanity

In chapters 3 and 4 of the Genesis, we learn about how Adam and Eve are punished and cast out of the Garden of Eden for disobeying God's laws, but we also discussed the complex facts that the serpent, who encouraged the humans to disobey God, was created by God and intentionally placed in the garden, and that God also intentionally placed the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden and then forbade Adam and woman to eat from it. Based on these facts, it seems as though God tests people with the opportunity to nearly gain divinity and then punishes them when they reach for it.

Now that you have read chapters 6 through 9, what are your thoughts on the reasons that God chose to wipe out humanity through the flood? What is the significance of saving the animals but almost none of humanity? What characteristics does Noah possess that make him worthy of salvation when no one else is? Do you see any connections between this story and the story of Adam and Eve's fall?

Two Creation Stories?

After reading chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis, you probably noticed that there are some repeated acts of creation between the two chapters. If you read carefully, you probably saw that humans were created twice--once as a large group of people on the 7th day of creation, and once as a creation of Adam. There are several other examples of the two stories narrating the same events and other moments when the stories seem to contradict one another.  In class we will discuss some of the possible explanations for these differences, retellings and contradictions, but for your blog entry, I would like you to try to describe the tone and purpose of each story and explain the reasons behind your thinking.  There is no wrong answer here. I just want you to consider each story and ask yourself what the tone and purpose of each one seems to be and do your best to describe it.

We'll use your answers to enhance our discussion of the two chapters when we meet on Tuesday.

Father and Son Meet At Last!

It has taken 20 years and 16 chapters, but Odysseus and Telemachus have finally been reunited. Did you notice anything about the way Book 15 was structured or details included in Book 15 that are intended to build tension, foreshadow future events, etc.? When father and son finally do reunite, how would you describe their reunion? What elements of their relationship are emphasized? Is the reunion what you expected? Please be sure to refer to specific moments from either Book 15 or 16 in your response. You may either quote specific lines or paraphrase particular scenes.

It's up to you

Now that you've become experienced readers of The Odyssey, and now that you're experienced blog writers, you get to decide what you would like to comment on for this entry. You can start a discussion of a topic of your own choosing, or you can reply to a comment someone else made. It's up to you. Just make sure that your comment offers meaningful insight into some element of Book 12. Happy writing!!!!

So many adventures!

At long last we are officially in the thick of Odysseus and his adventures on the weird islands.  Which of the unusual places that Odysseus and his men visit, which place and interaction with the inhabitants of that place do you think reveals important aspects of Odysseus' character.  Essentially, how does his behavior in these different places help you understand more about his character? Please be sure to include evidence from the text to support your idea. You must include textual evidence to receive full credit for this blog.

The real Odysseus

After all this time, we finally have met Odysseus in the flesh! We've heard countless stories about him and all the amazing things he has done and the monsters he has defeated and the people who loved him, and now here he is on Calypso's island.  So what do you think? Is he everything you expected? If not, why do you think Homer set up the story in such a way that we have grand expectations about him that aren't met when we see him? Please cite some specific lines from Book 5 to illustrate your impressions about the real Odysseus.