At home, I’m also lucky to share my space with two energetic boxers who are certified emotional support animals, and a friendly bearded dragon who always keeps things interesting.

I’m looking forward to a fantastic year of learning, growth, and creativity. I can’t wait to get to know each of you and work together to make this a great year

Structure and Opening

The "Odyssey" is split into 24 books and begins in medias res, meaning the story starts in the middle of the action. At the outset, Odysseus has been away from his home in Ithaca for 20 years—10 years spent fighting in the Trojan War and another 10 years spent trying to return. The poem's themes include perseverance, loyalty, and the tension between fate and free will.

Odysseus's Challenges

As Odysseus makes his way home, he faces a series of dangerous and supernatural obstacles:

• The Cyclops Polyphemus: A giant, one-eyed creature who traps Odysseus and his men. Using his wits, Odysseus manages to escape by blinding the Cyclops.

• Circe: A sorceress who turns Odysseus's men into pigs. With the help of the god Hermes, Odysseus outsmarts Circe, and she later helps him on his journey.

• The Sirens: Dangerous creatures whose enchanting songs lure sailors to their deaths. Odysseus orders his men to block their ears with wax while he himself listens to the song, tied to the mast to avoid being drawn in.

• The Underworld: Odysseus journeys to the Underworld to seek advice from the prophet Tiresias, who gives him crucial guidance for returning home.

Throughout these adventures, Odysseus's greatest strength is his wit and cunning, which earn him the epithet “the man of twists and turns”.

The Situation in Ithaca

Back in Ithaca, Odysseus's wife, Penelope, is besieged by a group of suitors who believe Odysseus is dead and hope to marry her. Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, embarks on his own journey to search for news of his father, maturing in the process.

The Conclusion

The "Odyssey" concludes with Odysseus's return to Ithaca, where he:

• Reveals his true identity to his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus.

• Defeats the suitors who have taken over his home, showing his strength and strategy in battle.

• Reunites with his family, completing his long journey.

Significance and Themes

The "Odyssey" is a deeply influential work, largely due to its universal themes of struggle, resilience, and the human condition. The poem explores the highs and lows of Odysseus's journey, the challenges he faces, and the emotional and moral complexities of his actions, making it an enduring story of adventure and growth

1. What is the "Odyssey" and who is it attributed to?

2. How many years was Odysseus away from Ithaca, and what were the reasons for his absence?

3. Describe the structure of the "Odyssey" and explain what "in medias res" means.

4. Identify two major themes of the "Odyssey."

5. How does Odysseus escape from the Cyclops Polyphemus?

6. What role does the god Hermes play in Odysseus's encounter with Circe?

7. Explain the strategy Odysseus uses to safely listen to the Sirens' song.

8. What advice does Odysseus receive in the Underworld, and from whom?

9. Discuss the situation in Ithaca during Odysseus's absence.

10. How does the "Odyssey" conclude, and what are the key events that lead to this conclusion?

Estimated time: 8-10 mins

Reflect on today's lesson about the Odyssey. On a slip of paper, answer the following question: "Who is your favorite character from the Odyssey and why?" Provide an explanation based on what you learned about the character's role in the plot.

• Objective: Students will research and identify the locations of the places Odysseus visits in his journey, including Ithaca, Troy, the Cyclops’ island, Circe’s island, and the land of the dead.

Instructions: Using a blank world map, students will plot the various locations Odysseus visits. They will research the historical or mythological significance of these places and write a short description of each location, explaining its role in the story.