The Rest of My Reading Oct. 5-12

Yes, so now that I'm done writing about the short story, I think I'll write about 'The Odyssey'. A lot happened in these few books. Yes, Odysseus goes home with all his riches and Poseidon punishes them by turning the boat to a rock and are going to escape because there is a prophecy that he will also want to squish them under a huge mountain. That's when you get to Odysseus who is confused until Athena pops out and fills him in, hides his stuff, and brings him to his swineherd's house. He makes up a story, and Telemachus, meanwhile is rushing to get home because Athena has warned him about the evil suitors. He gets home fine, and eventually meets his father, who has been talking to the swineherd for a really really long time and eating his food. Together, they hatch a plan to kill the suitors, and eventually they go to back to Odysseus's house and he meets all the suitors. Then you come to a stop, after waiting for a really long time to see all the suitors get what they deserved. Anyway, there were a few things I'd like to mention. First of all is when they give Odysseus a tripod and a cauldron. It's funny, because he quite literally said that because he had a long and difficult journey home, he wanted to give him a cauldron, which would seem like a weird thing to say. I don't think the gift itself is strange, it's just that it seems funny to want to give him all that stuff because he had a hard time getting there. It seems like it would be hospitable enough to let the guy have some food and a warm bed, but I guess it's only truly kind if you also give them a lot of presents. I was very relieved when they said he could go, and also when he got to sleep the whole way home! (That would be so nice) I was really looking forward to his ship crashing or something, though. It seems to easy that he just gets home, but I'm am really glad he did, because it was about time! I think he just could have gotten home in a more exciting way, like a giant sea monster pops out and ruins the ship, and he is saved by a passing boat who takes him home and he gets to keep one of his gifts. Except that probably wouldn't happen, and then some people would be disappointed because he never got his gifts. I also noticed that he keeps getting clean shirts and cloaks. I don't know why, but he just can't seem to keep all the ones he gets. He always gets them dirty or watery or just loses them somewhere. It just seems crazy

I feel pretty bad for the Phaeacians, they get punished for being really nice to someone. It made me curious, though, if he turned the boat to rock, does that mean the boat turns to stone, or the boat and everyone on it turns to stone. That is definitely two different things. I just think it would be mean to ruin it for these people who were trying to do what was right and happened to help someone that a god was angry at. It seems like there should be no one to punish, because no one did anything wrong! (Although it was fun to imagine a boat suddenly turning to stone.) Personally, I would have gotten off that island as fast as I could, but it's probably good they made a sacrifice first. I just hope everyone turned out okay! I'm trying to go in order of notes I made!

There were a few things that I thought were funny. One is the word 'bespatter', which Athena uses to describe what will happen to the brains of the suitors. The second is when one of the servants says 'Dinner is good at dinner time' which I just think is funny. I also thought it was funny how they talked so much about Odysseus when he was right there. Really, right there. IF only Odysseus could come back. IF only he would rid of those terrible suitors. IF Odysseus was here he could stand up and save the day. It was just hilarious how much everyone talked about him. He seemed to always be right there to hear about how much everyone loved him! Telemachus must have felt dumb when he found out his dad was right there, but it was nice to know how happy they were.

I think sometimes the way they talk is funny, too. (Well duh) Anyway, it seems like they are sometimes being rude to one another without meaning to. Like when the swineherd tells him that he has found the story of his misfortune 'interesting'. It seems like a mean thing to say, but I don't know. I found it very interesting to listen to the swineherd's story, and Odysseus's made-up one.

I also find it interesting that the one man, Theoclymenus, that shows up and has Telemachus take him to Ithaca with them. It seems sort of random, but I hope it turns out to be a good thing! I was also really excited when Penelope stood up to Antinous, but then she basically was quiet and never said anything again. That was just flat-out disappointing! She really should just send them all out because she doesn't want to marry any of them and hates them all. I think Penelope has been one of the most disappointing characters.

I was really sad when his dog dies, especially after it describes what a great dog he was. I just wrote 'NOOOOO' where it says ...'but Argos died as soon as he had recognized his master.' That's so sad! That poor dog was just left to die (although you think it might have been more resourceful for a hunting dog).

I think it was a really good idea to go and beg from them to see their personalities, even if it was technically not Odysseus's. It was a perfect way for him to stay in his character and be able to see what all the suitors were like. I was a little confuse about how Antinous would have the power to throw him out, though. (He says that if Odysseus doesn't go away he'll make the servants drag him out) It seems strange that he would suddenly have that power, but I guess he was be a 'guest' and if something was disturbing him, then he could have it removed, but it still seems like a lot of power.

That takes us to the end of the reading! I really want to get to the end, and I'm so glad that we have both Telemachus and Odysseus together, because I've been waiting for that and I really like them both! Hopefully, we will see the suitors being 'bespattered' on the pavement (Ha ha) Also, hopefully, there won't be any more really long stories in it, because the stories are interesting, but always so long! Anyway, I thinking we're pretty close to the end and I am hoping it turns out to have a good ending!