The Odyssey BOOK 2!

Telemachus shows his mature side. He is starting to follow and continue his father's duties. Since Odysseus isn't there Telemachus feels like he should step up. But the assembly sees him as an immature boy. During their meeting the assembly stays quiet. The reason why they were quiet was because Telemachus sounded mighty and made sure he was heard. He sounded strong and not only did he make sure his point was made he also made his speech passionate.Telemachus speech made the men cry, and i had no idea why. It confused me why did they cry so much? I thought they didn't care as much or respected him enough.
After Telemachus speech, Antinous one of the suitors of the assembly blames and insults the queen. Obviously he wants to marry her for power, but she's not making up her mind. I think Penelope can't make up her mind who to marry because she still has faith in Odysseus to come back. If she can't pick a husband then obviously she loves Odysseus. But on the side note, maybe it is because she wants Telemachus to be in power. Antinous seems to be the bad guy, always forcing things-- he wants things to go his way. No one is always right, but he thinks he knows everything. I feel like he's going to be the one people look down on and is mistaken for a dictator rather than someone who'll try to help his town.  Book 2, illustrates Penelope's image-- she doesn't sound queen like. She sounds promiscuous and isn't trustworthy. Why does she take so long with her father in law's funeral? I feel like she is hiding something from her son and the assembly-- this makes Antinous insult her because she can't be respected as a queen. After the insults Antinous made and pretty much trying to get the suitors to kick out Penelope from the town, Telemachus still talks to the assembly with pride and respect even if the assembly does not. He stands up for his mother and explains how no one will approve if he kicks out his own mother-- his townspeople and the gods would be against his decision. But I mean, who would ever kick out their OWN mother from their town. I certainly wouldn't because no mother deserve to be put/shut out anywhere or from anyone. This kind of behavior would disappoint the gods and no one can disobey them. Telemachus demands the suitors to leave his palace and if they don't listen he will ask Zeus to punish them. After asking Zeus for this quick favor two eagles appear. This was like a sign. After reading that passage, i realized that the Gods were on Telemachus side and the the suitors were wrong and they needed to live because they had no reason to be there. The assembly became afraid; but one did not seem to believe any of it. Eurymachus, the leading suitor didn't believe in the "sign". This was also confusing because it made me think he was going agains the Gods. This gave me an idea of the suitors being dictators! And since kings aren't rulers forever people who are power hungry will do what ever they need to do to be at the top. For example, Odysseus is gone-- now every suitor wants to be in power especially the men who THINK they can handle the job. Everyone is power hungry, but a good heart with a good mind will win the throne and the peoples trust. It is not always about "you" its about everyone.

• Why did it take the assembly so long to meet?

• Why does Antinous blame Telemachus mother, Penelope?

• What does the two eagles symbolizes? Looking beyond that the gods sent them, why are they significant? 

• Do you think the gods are on Telemachus side?

1. Foreshadowing- Telemachus appeals to Zeus assistance; because the suitors will not leave. Zeus support will help Telemachus gain more power and also reassure him if he does nothing wrong the gods will not punish him for anything. Relating this to the theme (power) Telemachus can show great leadership, not only becoming a hero but knowing how to take charge. This might help you elaborate on whose side the gods are on-- and it will be obvious. 
    Imagery- Homer describes how the two eagles are to each other; how they glided to how they were above people's head/homes. Again, relating to the theme (power), Zeus sends down the two eagles to show who is in greater rule. Also, to show how helpful Zeus can be when his orders are followed. The
two eagles show strength and stability; the eagles are the protectors of the town- "A good ruler has an eagle's eye, a lion's heart...."

2. Telemachus speech was meant to threaten and inform the assembly/suitors who was in line to be king if Odysseus does not come back. This had an importance because it is clear that he is speaking up with pride and showing he is old/mature enough to handle his father's duties-- he is ready to take over what was left. And him wanting to sail away to find his father shows he has hope for his Odysseus. He is not power hungry, but will take over if he hast to. Sailing away will help him know where and if his father is still alive. This will become his journey.

3. The prince, Telemachus, is also showing a sign of becoming a hero. Taking after his father and being experienced of power shows a hero is to be born. Not only is he protecting his mother, he thinks about what the gods and other people might say if Penelope is kicked out. He doesn't follow other people's orders, but listens to the gods. He can be trustworthy. But, if he does sail away and look for his father who will rule? Becoming a voyager or going on a voyage might hurt his position as a ruler.

I am connecting Book 2 to Antigone. Both talk about how the gods are always right and how the gods are neutral but clearly they are on a side. The gods in Antigone punished Creon because what he has done was "wrong" (the gods "killed" Hameon and his wife because of imprisoning Antigone")  and the gods brought the two eagles upon the assembly to show he is on Telemachus side (he asked for their assistance).
Power is one of the themes of Book 2. Both the Odyssey and the Iliad show men have great strength and heroism-- showing what having power can really do for you. The suitors seem to have power but not hero like. Telemachus has qualities of a hero but has to be inspired to show power.

• Thinking back to how the suitors and assembly was towards Telemachus, how did they treat him? Did they think of him as a mature king? Did they show respect for what Telemachus was asking them to do?

"I see when men love women. They give them but a little of their lives. But women when they love give everything."

- Oscar Wilde

Like my previous blogs I talk about how some women put a little more effort on the relationship they are in. The women make a lot more sacrifices to be in a relationship-- there are likely the one's that are committed. There's no doubt that us, young women, like to give our all to a person who we think is the "right" one. I mean if you feel like you are about to spend the rest of your life with him/her what's wrong with giving your everything-- if that is what makes you happy then do it. But, sometimes guys tend to have one foot out the door and aren't as committed. Men are less likely to be super ready when they get into a relationship-- it's not that they are effortless but they're still in a stage where they still want to be "independent". They don't have to sacrifice as much and give a little of their lives to their partner. Is that really fair? Torvald Helmer gave Nora what any woman wants, money and luxury but really Nora wanted his heart completely and for him to treat her as a wife/love. Torvald failed to that-- he gave her little of his life and not realizing what he is giving her (luxury) is not enough. Money can buy you anything but love is what makes you even happier. Torvald needed that realization that Nora was always there for him and she loved him a lot. She gave up to always be home and took care of everything in the house. Torvald worked, but couldn't even give her himself fully. Money isn't everything, your reputation isn't everything-- love conquers? right.

"But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."

— Marilyn Monroe

People have this mind set where they always want to find the "right" one. The perfect guy or girl is out there somewhere, right? I don't know if there is such a thing. People focus on that one little perfect thing they're looking for and ignore the fact that their "little perfect" thing also has flaws. Some people basically fool themselves, they set up their minds to only look at other people's "good" sides. So when a flaw comes out they completely question who really is this person they love-- "is this person really the right one?" Before jumping to anything serious, like a relationship or getting married, 2 people should get to know each other completely. Learn what ticks them off, or what makes them happy, or what annoys them; show each others TRUE COLORS. Instead of just seeing the picture, look at the bigger picture. Look outside the box and see everyone's stories. This related to A Doll's House because Torvald didn't bother to find out who and what Nora was. Instead he invented a character for Nora-- this sweet, innocent lady. Torvald was obviously loving somebody she wasn't when he found out what Nora did. He jumped into "my world is ending" because his little perfect one messed up once. When you marry or have someone you like/love and you decide to take the next steps, you live with all of who they are; whether you choose to believe it or not, people have flaws. That is something that isn't going to change, there's a little bit of good and bad in everyone. A person can be good but he/she is no angel; A person can sin but he/she isn't a devil. It's a part of life, so before even saying "i want to live with this person the rest of my life" try dealing what your partner's life. Torvald focused on his own and Nora left him. It's one simple step,  you either enjoy living with someone or you don't. 

"Don't Prioritize Someone if You are Left As an Option."

- Anonymous

This is a quote that everyone uses. I have seen this quote in a lot of my friends statuses' on facebook. Usually when they post this up it means their relationship with their boyfriends or girlfriends aren't doing as well. It is either because the girl puts so much more effort trying to make the relationship work or the guy does. In most cases the girl always puts more effort in a relationship and the guys tend to have more freedom and tend to be a little careless. My guy friends always say "if it doesn't work out with that girl, then on to the next one!" and laugh. I don't get offended but i feel like this is why they are categorized as"jerks". Most guys tend to have their options open, and they focus on their needs and wants. I guess its selfish. This relates to A Doll's House not because he was a womanizer but because Torvald Helmer paid too much attention to his repuation. He was focused on his happiness rather than making sure both persons in a relationship are happy. He ignored the fact that Nora might of wanted a say in everything he did or a suggestion. Instead, he worked on building his life by himself. While Nora was left as an option, Torvald prioritized his job and his image. Is this how a relationship work? No, two heads are better than one; it takes two to make something work. People around the world make mistake, but the biggest mistake you want to make is leaving someone hanging. A person you love or care about should a part of your life. Does not neccesarily mean always put them first, but mak an effort make them happy. Torvald needed to be a better man for Nora. He needed to be her "superman", you know someone you can lean on when someone needs a favor or if they need to talk about personal issues. Both guys and girls need to put equal effort in a relationship or nothing will work out.

"We want an end to status symbols dictating our own worth as individuals"

- Lupe Fiasco

This quote reminded me of the issue Nora Helmer was struggling with. Not only Nora, but most people also struggle with their own worth as individuals. We always want to think for ourselves-- with a relationship or not our own different identities need to be seen or heard. No one, not even society, can define who we are. We know ourselves better than any person living in or out of our area. We, ourselves, always said "we differ from one another" because of race, religion, social status, cliques and etc. but what is it really that makes us different from other people? You cannot put yourself in a category and say you are an individual. If you belong in a category with people then how do you see yourself as your own. I chose this quote by Lupe Fiasco because it related to A Doll's House. Nora Helmer was a house wife and a mother before anything else and lived a "happy" life. But after the whole problem with Krogstad she started to realize she needed to live for herself and no one else (I mean doesn't it make sense if YOU'RE happy). She left her husband and her kids because all her life she's been focusing on them. She wanted to be worth something, something bigget than what Torvald thought of her. Nora, and everyone else should be worth beyond what society "programmed" to be. Rather than being unhappy with what you needed to be with perfection why not be something you want to be and go through reality. True happiness means a lot more than having nothing at all (live life to the fullest right!) I feel like people don't need to compromise who they are in order to be accepted by the crowd (society).                                                         

http://wearenotlosers.com/