Journalists

media type="custom" key="8683652"Journalists



__Task 2, Books V, VI, and IX__ Recently, the // Ithaca Gazette // published a news story, recounting the events/details of Books V-IX. As the Etiquette Editor charged with commenting on citizens' behavior and providing advice for a proper civilization, you have been receiving many letters, asking for your evaluation of Odysseus' behavior and that of his various hosts. Considering proper customs and culture of the time, what advice/commentary would you give to your readers? Consider a creative format for your response.

Letters To the Editor

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Dear Editor,

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Odysseus came across a cyclops in his journey. He insisted on staying and offering a gift in return for some of his food, yet the cyclops still attacked and was angry! Should Odysseus have done something different or was the cyclops at completely at fault for the death of Odysseus's men?

-Confused and Curious

Dear Confused and Curious, Your confusion is completely understandable! Odysseus did everything right! He was a very hospitable guest in insisting to meet with the home owner before leaving without so much as a personal thank you! However, Polyphemus was not used to or properly taught in the ways of manners and dignity. Cyclops are not used to refined society or polite or acceptable behavior. He was so shocked by the appearance of men in his home in fact that he didn't have time to think or plan, he trapped them just as his instinct told him to. Although it's true that Odysseus did all that etiquette required, it was not unexpected that Polyphemus should react in the way he did. In man's eyes the cyclop acted completely unforgivably, but in the cyclop's eyes, he acted just as he should. Thus it is highly suggested that both parties avoid each other in all possible circumstances. The two groups have very different views and will clash rather than mesh and tolerate the other's presence. Niether party will admit to fault so it is best to avoid situations like that of Odysseus and Polyphemus. -Editor

Dear Editor, Odysseus and Calypso spent a fair amount of time together on her island. When it came time for him to leave she was helpful in supplying materials for the ship and plenty of food and water. Odysseus was also kind and respectable, but I found that rather fake. Up until he was told he could leave, Odysseus was constantly grumpy and had a bad attitude. Was it two-faced for Odysseus to only be kind to Calypso when he was told he could leave?- Two-Faced and Furious Dear Two-Faced and Furious, Although Odysseus made it known how unhappy he was during his time on Calypso's island, he was never flat out mean or disrespectful. The reason he was so grumpy and negitive while on the island was due to homesickness, which is understandable. In my opinion, his behavior should not be frowned upon. Naturally, when told he could return home he became very happy and motivated to keep Calypso in high spirits so she would not change her mind. Because of this, he did his best to act greatful and appreciative. He was also polite when turning down her option to stay and become immortal, calmly explaining that he simply missed his family too much. Though it is true he was acting kind to her only to get what he wanted, anyone who has expirenced a servere case of homesickness can relate to it. In addition, I believe that there was some truth behind his acting so greatful. It was sweet of Calypso to allow him to decide to return home and he did have a reason to be honestly thankful. All in all, you may be correct that his actions could be described as two-faced, but because his behavior is understandable and relatable, I give it my offical stamp of approval.

- Editor

Dear Editor,

I thought that the meeting between Nausicaa and Odysseus was a crucial part in the storyline. However, I'm wondering if the way Odysseus was treated was proper during the time period. I would imagine that a foreign stranger wouldn't have been treated with such hospitality. Do you think that the meeting was proper?

-Proper Princess

Dear Proper Princess,

<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">You are correct to say that the meeting of Nausicaa and Odysseus was crucial. We get to see a side of Odysseus that shows us that this brave warrior can be kind and grateful. When Odysseus first meets Nausicaa he compliments her and assures her that he is a good man that is simply trying to travel home to his family. He lets her know about the adversity he has faced and that he would appreciate some clothes. This speech that Odysseus makes lets Nausicaa know that Odysseus is a good man and that he deserves some hospitality from her people. She is hesitant at being kind to him at first, but she soon realizes that Odysseus is not harmful and she doesn't have to worry about him. She even lets her maids know that Odysseus is not an enemy and urges them to give him something to eat and drink and a bath in the river. From there, Nausicaa knows that she can bring Odysseus into town to meet her father. I agree with you that at first it seems that it would be improper for Nausicaa to trust a stranger and bring him into her town, but Odysseus assures Nausicaa that he is of no harm. I personally think that the way Nausicaa handled this meeting was completely proper for the time period.

<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">-Editor

__Task 3, Books X-XII__ The Associated Press releases a report that a man similar to Odysseus has been spotted crossing over to the Underworld – looking very much alive! Upon hearing the news, your boss, the editor of //Ithaca Weekly//, dispatches you to the scene for the scoop. The public wants to know if Odysseus is in fact dead, and if he’s not, what he’s doing in the Underworld. Write an article, including eyewitness accounts and quotations from participants. Make sure to take your photographer with you! Your editor limits your article to 550-750 words due to space constraints, as Apollo has been raining down plague again, and this event has taken front page.

The Article =<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif;">Ithaca Weekly =

field to ask questions, and to hopefully find answers.
**Margaret ( th****e dead cat lady):**

//What exactly d////id you see?//

Well darlin, I couldve sworn I saw that men crossing the street when I was buying cat food for my kitty.

//Are you sure? You are dead and in the underworld.//

Oh yeah.. sorry about that, that was my uncle larry. But I did see odysseus in the underworld.. He was talking to other people and asking them questions about his family and friends //What makes it so sure that it was him?// Well he looked very strong and he seemed to be telling the truth about all of his stories. He seemed to be very willing to find Terisies. He had to ask him questions, but I never heard what they were.. I was too busy worry about my cat Fluffly.

**Virgil:** //Did you see Odysseus passing the underworld?//

I did see him. He was walking with an attitude that radiated confidence.

//Really? Why would you say that?//

Well im not sure.. there was just an air about him that made him seem virtually fearless. //How can you be sure it was him?// Well from what ive heard of him, about his looks and everything, this man was surely odysseus. Although I cannot be onme hundred percent positive, I can see how this man fits his description.

**Odysseus’ mother:**

//How can you be sure that he was your son? You are very old and could have just thought you saw him**.**//

I know my son! Don’t tell me I don’t know my baby! Even though he looked tired and worn out, I knew it was my own blood! The fatigues look he wore on his face, could only have been the hardships he went through the past 20 or so years.

there by the witch Circe. Tune in on next weeks article to read more about Odysseus’ adventures.
__Task 4, Books XVI-XXIV__ You are an editor for a magazine (congrats, you’ve been promoted!) and are developing a special edition devoted to the 60th year anniversary of the publication of Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero with a Thousand Faces.” You want the issue to make connections between the Heroic Cycle and Homer’s work, and maybe even to the modern idea of a hero. You have a staff of writers and photographers working for you. Delegate work to your staff based on the content that you want to see in the issue of the magazine – consider the topics/articles that you want written, the issues you want covered, and the additional illustrations/charts/graphs that you want to include in the issue. As the editor, your job is to write a “letter from the editor” introduction to the issue (look to real examples for what a “letter from the editor” should look and sound like!) and include a table of contents of what articles //would// appear in the magazine. You DO NOT have to write the articles. Rather, you are organizing the ideas and issues and delegating them to your staff.

<span style="color: #5f497a; display: block; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">60th year anniversary of the publication of Joseph Campbell’s <span style="color: #5f497a; display: block; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">“The Hero with a Thousand Faces.”

CONTENTS:

<span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Letter from the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 2 <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Learn more about this special issue from our notable editor, Sarah Tepe <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Parallels in Literature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 4 <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">How do Homer’s “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” relate to Joseph <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Campbell’s “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”? <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Odysseus’ Beginnings in the Iliad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 7 <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Review the Iliad from the perspective of the Heroic Cycle. <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Why did Odysseus Cross the Road of Trials? To get home to Ithaca. . . . . . . . . . . pg 9 <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A comical article that reviews the key trials in “The Odyssey” <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Saving Experiences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 10 <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Relate the ‘saving experience’ section of the heroic cycle to “The Odyssey” <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">and define ‘saving experiences’ in our modern society <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Timeless Morals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 14 <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Sharing the gift, one of the most important parts of the heroic cycle, is a <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">timeless concept that is performed across different time periods <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 17 <span style="color: #5f497a; font-family: 'monotype corsiva'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Read about our sponsors and skilled writing and art staff

To Our Faithful Readers,

I would like to take the time on behalf of the staff of this magazine to thank every one for taking their time and reading this issue. This issue is very special. We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the publication of “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” written by Joseph Campbell. This event, the 60th anniversary of this wonderful piece of writing, deserved a special issue of our wonderful magazine.

The issue focuses on “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”, but also draws connections between this piece of work and the Heroic Cycle. The Heroic Cycle is a cycle that each person or character that is considered a hero must go through to become a true hero. Different articles through out this issue will talk about the connections between the Heroic Cycle and the work of the famous Homer, best known for //The Iliad// and //The Odyssey.// Homer’s characters all must go through the Heroic Cycle to be considered a hero by other characters and readers. The modern definition of a hero will also be brought up in the issue. Through James Campbell’s work, readers are able to shape their own idea of a modern hero and what it takes to become a hero.

As you flip through the issue, you will see many different articles drawing connections between Homer’s work, Campbell’s work, and the Heroic Cycle. I hope you all will be able to understand the Heroic Cycle and how it was used in many different types of literature. Thank you again for reading our magazine, especially this special issue. Enjoy!