Topic 1: Greek Epic

STAGE 2 CLASSICAL STUDIES ASSESSMENT TYPE 2: Essays Topic 1: Greek Epic 3. ‘In Homer’s Odyssey, mortals are responsible for their own misfortunes.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Throughout Homer’s Odyssey characters suffer misfortunes but it is unfair in some cases to Research and Analysis blame the characters themselves for these misfortunes. Odysseus is a man who suffered a (RA4) Addresses the question twenty year journey home, to Ithaca that was full of misfortune. But, Odysseus can be appropriately and entirely blamed for these occurrences. Unlike Odysseus, his family suffers misfortunes but foreshadows main not because of any of their actions. The misfortune all lead back to Odysseus. His actions arguments. resulted in retributions for Penelope, his wife, Telemachus, his son, his mother and Laertes, his father.

Odysseus was on his journey home from the Trojan War with his crew when they landed on Communication (C3) the island of the cyclops, Polyphemus; who is the son of the God, Poseidon. Starving, the Generally clear crew sought out food. They found a flock of sheep. This lead them to the cave that was explanation of ideas Polphemus’ home. They ate Polyphemus’ food and enjoyed his giant size cave. Upon his return Polyphemus was shocked to see Odysseus and his crew enjoying his ungiven hospitality. Polyphemus had rolled across the mammoth stone that covered the entrance, Knowledge and Odysseus and his crew were trapped. To escape there impending doom and the loss of Understanding (KU1) more men. Odysseus plans to injure the cyclops in order to escape. They use a large log to The recognition of some ideas from the texts. blind Polyphemus. They escape the island but unknowingly Odysseus has irreversibly injured Poseidon’s son. Poseidon, enraged by Odysseus blinding his son swears to kill Odysseus. It is clear that Odysseus brings on Poseidon’s rath because of his choices and actions. From this incident onward in the text it is clear that all of the misfortunes Odysseus suffers come from his decision to hurt Polyphemus.

The remaing crew and Odysseus travel to the island inhabited by the immortal Circe, who is Communication (C1) Superficial arguments described as a witch. On Odysseus’ instruction half of his crew explore the island and in using limited examples doing so are trapped by Circe. This decision results in the entire crew being imprisoned with from the text. Circe for 1 year. The crew are further delayed from their trip home and suffer imprisonment by Circe all because of Odysseus. Odysseus suffers this first imprisonment because of his decision and suffers primarly because of his own actions.

Poseidon continues to harm Odysseus because of Odysseus actions. Poseidon, controller Knowledge and Understanding (KU3) of the sea, shipwrecks Odysseus, killing all of his crewman. Poseidon, trying to kill Some recognition of Odysseus only strands him on an island instead of drowning him with his ship and crew. attitudes and beliefs in The island is home to the immortal Calypso who is a lonely woman and who has wished for the classical world. a man’s companionship. Odysseus is trapped by Poseidon with Calypso for seven years. He suffers great loneliness and sadness because of Poseidon’s rath. But, he cannot blame anyone but himself for this long and hard misfortune. It was his actions that lead to his shipwrecked state and it is in its entirely, his own fault. Research and Analysis After Odysseus manages to escape the clutches of Calypso and once again begins his (RA3) journey home on a small raft he again faces the malice of the ocean from Poseidon. Basic recognition of Odysseus is nearly drowned but is luckily helped ashore by an immortal. This near miss terms and concepts. sets Odysseus back even further leaving him stranded once again by Poseidon. If Odysseus had no blinded Polyphemus he would not have suffered these misfortunes.

Not only does Odysseus suffer but his son, Telemachus, also suffers because of his Research and Analysis actions. Telemachus was made to grow up at home in Ithaka without his father. If Odysseus (RA4 ) Considered had not blinded Polyphemus and been hunted by Poseidon he would have been much development of a point of earlier and would have been able to raise his son. Telemachus also would not have had to view. suffer the horrid suitors in his household. The suitors were at his home for years eating and drinking away his inheritance and driving his mother to sheer and bitter loneliness. Telemachus was unfortunate to have had to had suffered the twenty years Odysseus was Knowledge and away and the misfortunes that came with his absence, which was all due to Odysseus’ poor Understanding (KU3) decision making. Superficial consideration of attitudes and beliefs in Odysseus’ wife Penelope suffered greatly because of Odysseus’ extended absence. She the classical world. was left to run his household whilst raising and teaching his son. Penelope was left alone and had to suffer alone from retributions that did not result from anything that she did. But by fair he greatest suffering was having to endure the near constant presence of the many Page 1 of 3 Stage 2 Classical Studies annotated response Ref A119557 (revised January 2013) © SACE Board of South Australia 2012 suitors living in her house, all wanting her hand in marriage while she pined for her long lost Knowledge and love. Penelope had to resort to trickering to keep the suitors at arms length. She was forced Understanding (KU1) Some understanding of to live a hard live and suffering in silence, which was all the cause of her husband’s ideas, individuals and absence, which was not her doing. practices of the classical world. Odysseus’ parents also suffered but it was not as obvious. His mother, in her despair at the loss of her son, walked out into the sea, thereby drowning herself, because of her great grief. She was forced to live her life not knowing what had happened to her son and was made to bear the retributions of his absence. Odysseus’ father Laertes was made to endure the presence of the many suitors trying to win his son’s wife’s hand. He could not stop them. Odysseus’ parents suffered great misfortune at the absence of their son. Research and Analysis (RA3) It is clear that many of the misfortunes in Homer’s Odyssey occur because of a mortal’s Considered definition and development of a decision but it is not often the case that the mortals suffer from their responsibility but more point of view. often suffer from the retributions of another mortals conduct.

of 3 Stage 2 Classical Studies annotated response Ref A119557 (revised January 2013) © SACE Board of South Australia 2012 Performance Standards for Stage 2 Classical Studies

Knowledge and Understanding Research and Analysis Communication

A In-depth knowledge and critical understanding of Extensive and balanced research into primary Clear, logical, coherent, and controlled selected texts, ideas, individuals, groups, and secondary sources, including literary communication of informed argument using institutions, practices, events, and artefacts of the text(s). appropriate examples and ideas. classical world. Incisive critical analysis and synthesis of, and Astute and selective integration and Discerning selection and application of factual reflection on, research. acknowledgment of source material. knowledge that demonstrates critical understanding of the civilisations of Greece and/or Selective recognition and controlled Fluent and lucid explanation of ideas using a Rome. application of relevant terms, concepts, and range of forms. skills, including skills of historical literacy. Discerning and well-informed recognition of, and insightful reflection on, the diversity of attitudes, Comprehensive definition and development of beliefs, and values in the classical world. a point of view.

B Well-considered knowledge and understanding of Sound research, with breadth and balance, Clear and relevant communication of selected texts, ideas, individuals, groups, into primary and secondary sources, including informed argument using mostly appropriate institutions, practices, events, and artefacts of the literary text(s). examples and ideas. classical world. Well-informed critical analysis and synthesis Well-considered selection and integration Well-considered selection and application of of, and reflection on, research. and acknowledgment of source material. factual knowledge that demonstrates well- informed understanding of the civilisations of Well-informed recognition and application of Mostly clear and thoughtful explanation of Greece and/or Rome. relevant terms, concepts, and skills, including ideas using a range of forms. skills of historical literacy. Well-informed recognition of, and thoughtful reflection on, the diversity of attitudes, beliefs, and Well-considered definition and development of values in the classical world. a point of view.

C Appropriate knowledge and understanding of Generally sound and balanced research into Generally clear and reasonably accurate selected texts, ideas, individuals, groups, primary and secondary sources, including communication of informed argument using institutions, practices, events, and artefacts of the literary text(s). mostly appropriate examples and ideas. classical world. Competent critical analysis and synthesis of, Appropriate integration and acknowledgment Competent selection and application of factual and reflection on, research. of source material. knowledge that demonstrates informed understanding of the civilisations of Greece and/or Appropriate recognition and application of Generally clear explanation of ideas using Rome. relevant terms, concepts, and skills, including some different forms. skills of historical literacy. Competent recognition of, and considered reflection on, the diversity of attitudes, beliefs, and Competent definition and development of a values in the classical world. point of view.

D Recognition and some understanding of texts, Superficial research into primary and Superficial argument using limited examples ideas, individuals, groups, institutions, practices, secondary sources, including literary text(s). and ideas. events, and artefacts of the classical world. Superficial analysis and description of Some integration of descriptions of source Selection and application of aspects of factual research. material; acknowledgment sources and knowledge that demonstrate some understanding tending mostly towards description. of the civilisations of Greece and/or Rome. Basic recognition and application of relevant terms, concepts, and skills, including selected Attempted explanation of ideas using one or Some recognition, and superficial consideration, of skills of historical literacy. more forms. some attitudes, beliefs, and values in the classical world. Some definition, and partial development, of a point of view.

E Some awareness of aspects of one or more texts, Limited research into primary and secondary Some attempts at argument using few ideas, individuals, groups, institutions, practices, sources, including literary text(s). examples and ideas. events, or artefacts of the classical world. Limited description of research. Limited integration of descriptions of source Attempted selection and application of aspects of material and acknowledgment of sources. factual knowledge that demonstrate some Attempted use of some relevant terms, awareness of the civilisations of Greece and/or concepts, and skills, including selected skills of Description of one or more ideas. Rome. historical literacy. Attempted description of one or more aspects of Attempted development of a point of view. attitudes, beliefs, and values in the classical world.

of 3 Stage 2 Classical Studies annotated response Ref A119557 (revised January 2013) © SACE Board of South Australia 2012