I'm Baaaack

It's been about a month now from the time I last blogged, and since then, my class has begun to read the epic tale of The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles. The only other knowledge I have of this tale is from sixth grade, when we listened to a version of it on tape. I remember liking that very much, and now I also enjoy reading this more difficult text. Currently, I am on chapter fourteen, when the hero and protagonist, Odysseus, has finally made the return to his home in Ithica, which he has been trying to do for many years. I find it interesting to read about all the struggles and hardships Odysseus went through, hated by some Gods and cursed with misfortune. The fact that Odysseus endured all that the Gods forced upon him and more (such as horrible storms and deathly, luring creatures), even when his shipmates did not, shows what a remarkable man he is. Though the Greek Gods are described as great among mortals, I infer from the text that their one main difference from man is their immortality. I feel Odysseus would blend in among them, for he is described like a God in the text. During his long, seemingly endless journey, while stranded upon the island of Calypso, the nymph offered him the rank of a God, but he could not take it. While there is an allure to being immortal and powerful, being mortal is a gift in itself-- and perhaps this is how Odysseus feels. Today is class, we were asked which character we most felt like at the moment and why. I chose Telemachus, Odysseus's son, because I feel undecided at the moment. There are things I really want to do, but don't exactly have to courage to leave my comfort zone to do so. Similarly, in the beginning of the book, Telemachus struggles in deciding what to do about his torn family. What to believe about his father and how to deal the suitors invading his home for Peneloppe (his mother and Odysseus's wife). Luckily, Athena soon comes to Telemachus's aid, setting him in the right direction where he goes on to act very much like his father. I too, hope that I will soon have the courage and strength like Odysseus to do what I want!

*Note From The Author*

Looking back at my last few blogs, I saw they were beginning to diverge in their overall relation to my enriched language arts experience... so for this new quarter in school, I am challenging myself not to sidetrack so much and instead be more direct and to the point.