World Literature

Book 12

Warm upChoose one of the following:

Option 11. Which choice should

Odysseus make? Should he go towards Skylla the sea monster, knowing that he will surely lose 6 of his men or should he go toward Kharybdis and take the risk that they may make it through unscathed or that they may all die?

2. Why is your choice the better choice?

Option 21. Is Odysseus a good leader?2. Explain your answer by

explaining decisions that he has made in the past and the results of his choices?

Today’s objectives

• To analyze how Odysseus experiences “initiation and transformation” (Hero’s Journey)

How do we understand characters? (inferring things from what we read)

How do we come to these understandings? (analyzing the text to support ideas with evidence)

Today’s activities

1. Warm-up2. Finish reading Book 123. Update illustrations with new evidence from

the text4. Book 12 discussion questions

Review:Initiation and Transformation

• The Challenges and Trials• Descent into Darkness• Revelation (lesson learned)

Book 12 Continued

As we read, consider the following:• What challenges does he face and what do his

actions and choices show about him?• What choices does he have to make? Does he

make the right choices?• Are his actions heroic?

Book 12 Illustration Task Continued

1. After reading pages 216-218 (lines 259-338) add to your image.

2. Label your image with specific lines written out and cited.– Citation format (Book # followed by line

number). Example (Book 12, 94-96)

In your groups:• Create a chart of Odysseus

Comprehension question 1: Describe the Trial/challenge/ obstacle

Comprehension question 2: How does Odysseus respond? (include line numbersthat show his responses)

Analysis question: What does this tell us about Odysseus?

Seirenes (sirens)

Skylla and Kharybdis

Eurylochus and the island of Helios

Zeus’ Storm

Book 12 (Pages 209-225) Questions

1. Why does Odysseus return to Kirke’s island?2. What warnings/instructions does Kirke give him? There are

plenty and all very important. (pages 210-213)3. How are the dangers of the Seirenes (sirens) like that of the

Lotus Eaters?4. How are they different?5. What do the Seirenes (Sirens) promise Odysseus in their song?6. What would they promise you?7. Why does Odysseus tell his men about the threat of the seirenes

but not about Skylla? 8. Is he right to keep his decision to sail toward Skylla a secret from

his men? Why or why not?

Book 12 Discussion Questions

• Does Odysseus make the right choice in picking Skylla over Kharybdis or the crushing rocks?

• What does The Odyssey tell us about temptation?• How does it communicate this message? In other

words, what incidents in the text make this message stand out?

• Is Odysseus a good leader? Why or why not?• Are his actions heroic? Why or why not?• What is Odysseus’s descent into darkness, his lowest

point? What makes you think this?

Review viewing

• Land of the Dead and the Sirens• Skylla and Kharybdis