CP - Mercy Toward the Suitors?

Before Odysseus takes his revenge on the suitors, Eurymachus tries to blame everything on Antinous and beg for mercy toward the rest of the suitors. Do you think Odysseus should show mercy toward the suitors? Why/why not?

Honors - Writing Your Own Siren Song

The poem "Siren Song" by Margaret Atwood presents one possibility for what the Sirens' song could be. Re-read the song that the Sirens sing to Odysseus (Homer 12.200-207), then read Atwood's poem. Your task: write the siren song that would cause you to jump overboard. Think about what the sirens could say to draw you in...

DUE: Monday, 10/22
Minimum 12 lines!

CP - Making Difficult Decisions

In a response of at least one paragraph, please choose one of the following topics. Create a new post on your blog called Making Difficult Decisions.

1. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision. What was the situation, what were your two choices, and what did you finally decide to do? How did you make this decision?

2. Explain the expression "the lesser of two evils." What does this phrase mean? Give an example of how it could be applied.

Odyssey Themes - Book 9 (The Cyclops)

Book 9 of The Odyssey (The Cyclops) reveals several of the poem's important themes: the qualities that the ancient Greeks looked for in their heroes, the importance of hospitality, and the way that hubris (excessive pride) can weaken us.

Choose one of these themes. In a well-developed paragraph, use textual evidence to show how Homer advances this theme in Book 9. Be sure to follow all of the Middle School Musts and the Freshman 5!

Due:
Sunday 10/7 at 6pm.

This paragraph organizer might help you.  (You can click on the link and print it out.)


This post will be a 10-point essay grade as follows:

9-10: Clear, accurate, well-written explanation of how Homer advances the selected theme; response is supported by thoughtfully chosen textual evidence
6-8: Clear explanation of how writer believes Homer advances the selected theme; response is supported by textual evidence
3-5: Attempted explanation of how Homer advances the selected theme; response is not supported by textual evidence
0-2: Response is off-topic or not completed