Extra Reading Diary- Homer's Iliad

I chose to read Homer's Iliad  for my extra reading diary. I've only ever read snippets from the Iliad, so it was great to be able to read the stories that were in-between what I have read before.

The Quarrel: This was one of my favorite stories since it clearly illustrated the tension between Achilles and King Agamemnon. I also like how Achilles is not even afraid to talk back to the king. He even went so bold as to say the Agamemnon took the lion's share when he just sits in his tent all day. My absolute favorite part is how a plague upon the livestock and men is caused by Apollo's arrows. I think this is a brilliant way of explaining a plague by attributing it to the gods. I also liked how it is shown early how much influence the gods have on the war; especially when Athena stops Achilles from drawing sword on Agamemnon without anyone else seeing. The amount of influence that gods have on Achilles is very interesting, in my opinion. I also found it very intriguing that Achilles was mad enough to tell his mother, Thetis, to beg Zeus for the Greeks to lose the war. 


(Athena stopping Achilles from drawing his sword)

What Thetis Did For Her Son: This story did a great job of illustrating the very complex relationship between Hera and Zeus. They have so much distaste between each other that Zeus even threatens to harm her for trying to meddle in his affairs too much. One of my favorite things from this story was the use of dreams. Zeus calling upon a dream and giving it instructions for misleading Agamemnon was great. I loved how Zeus was able to tell it what he wanted Agamemnon to see. It is such a clever way of deceit since Agamemnon would most likely take it as a vision from the gods that he was bound to sack Troy.

Storytelling for Week 3: A Captain's Log

Captain's Log, April 25, 1174 BC:

We narrowly escaped the clutch of Polyphemus in his cave. He even pleaded to his father, Poseidon, to strike us down. His words echoed far and wide, but they could not possibly reach the ears of anyone that mattered. You could hear the anger and pain in his voice as he called for our undoing. He is nothing but a savage brute living on a remote island. He was just wallowing in his own pain since he could no longer see. My crew seems to be in decent spirits since we were able best the cyclops. They have been pouring libations and recanting the tale of how we tangoed with the cyclops and took his vision. I do not revel with them; the burden of losing some of my men hangs heavy with me. Why could I not save them? I am, in fact, Odysseus. Tales of my trials and conquests have swept across all of Greece. The mighty Odysseus should have been able to keep all of his men alive. How can I live up to this standard that these tales have set for me? I must stay strong in the face of adversity. If I were to show any signs of weakness my men would surely lose their hope.


Captain's Log, May 1, 1174 BC:

It has been days since our last meal at the land of the Cyclopes. I can sense the doubt and discouragement starting to plague a few of my men. I put on my bravest face and assure them that it is storm season and it is expected to hit some rough water during this time of year. At first I actually believed that, but now I am unsure. The way we have been thrown around by sporadic gusts of wind and turbulent water is as if the gods are playing with us. Was Polyphemus' prayer heard? I laughed at the thought of him actually doing anything when he swore upon us. Why would the gods listen to the prayers of a savage cyclops? Why did I let my ego get the best of me? We were set to escape the island without Polyphemus ever knowing who bested him. I am beginning to think that I might have doomed my crew with my braggadocios ways. Athena, if you can hear my prayers, please grant me and my crew a safe voyage home. Please do not punish them for my lapse in judgement. With all of the gods as my witness, I swear I will change my ways if I can ever return to Ithaca.


(Odysseus and his men fleeing from Polyphemus, by Bocklin)

Author's Note: For this story, I wanted to focus on how Odysseus would write about his epic journey home to Ithaca in Homer's Odyssey. The Odyssey focuses on the ten years that Odysseus endures before he is able to return home from the ten-year Trojan War. Odysseus travels all across the Peloponnese facing adversity after adversity. The hero faces encounters with the gods, the dead and a plentiful supply of mythical characters and beasts all while trying to return home from war. One segment of The Odyssey delves into Odysseus encounter with Polyphemus, a cyclops, on the Island of the Cyclopes.

I wanted to specifically focus on the period right after all of the Cyclops stories. I wanted to do it from the perspective of Odysseus since his private log entries would be the only time he could fully express his thoughts, emotions and feelings about the series of events that unfold. He always has to have his guard up since he is leading his crew back home. It is interesting to note that Odysseus translate to "trouble" in Greek; this helps to explain why he is constantly getting into dangerous situations.

I thought the image I used gave the best visual of how daunting and angry Polyphemus is. I also really liked it since it shows just how close Odysseus and crew were to being obliterated by the mighty cyclops.

Bibliography:
The Odyssey, translated by Tony Kline (2004)

Homer's Odyssey - Reading Diary B

I continued reading Homer's Odyssey for my reading diary, and it was superb. There are so many rich characters that Odysseus meets on his treacherous journey back to Ithaca. Something that I really enjoy about the Odyssey is how some of the very significant characters from the Iliad resurface in these stories. It is also very unique since I expect them to be completely done as characters since they are dead. They are also able to bestow a lot of wisdom upon our hero since they have lived life and met their fate.

A great story from this was The Ghost of Agamemnon. I always had a little bit of admiration for Agamemnon since he was a powerful king, and he was able to command a rebellious Achilles better than I think anyone else could have. What I love most about this story is how his wife turns out to be more powerful. She is such a strong, intimidating character that feared no one. It is really is such an interesting fate for the king of men to face.

 
(Clytemnestra donning her bloody ax, by John Collier)

Another great encounter story from the Odyssey is The Spirit of Achilles. What I liked most about this story is how different of a light you get to see Achilles in. I have always perceived his character as being arrogant and whiney after reading the Iliad and seeing the movie.  I really like how Achilles starts this story as hating being dead and how just in a bad mood all together. His change of pace after hearing great news about his son opens his character up a lot. He shows that even though he is dead, he is actually human. He loves and cares about his son so much that hearing good news about him made being dead not as much as a burden. I saw traits in Achilles that I did not think he was possible of.

Homer's Odyssey - Reading Diary A

This week I chose to go with Homer's Odyssey.  I was never able to read a lot about Odysseus in school, but he was captivating from the stories I did get to read. He is a great protagonist in, in my opinion, since he not only is he very skilled at combat, but he his mind is just as sharp as his blade.

One of my favorite stories from the Odyssey is Offering the Cyclops Wine. This story is the perfect example of how cunning Odysseus is. He knows that he can not take the mighty cyclops on in a normal fight. He has to do something to level the playing the field if he wants to have a chance of getting him and the rest of his men out of the cave safely. I also like how he realizes inebriation is the best way to give him a chance of defeating the cyclops.

(Odysseus offering the cyclops wine, Illustration by Flaxman)

Another great story that is integral to the dynamic of Odysseus is Telemeus' Prophecy.

What I love about it is how it shows just how human Odysseus actually is. He has his flaws along with his great strengths. He had to boast to the cyclops and let him know what man was able to best him. His crew warned him not to speak anymore so they could sail along stealthily. Odysseus would not hear such a thing. His ego was to get the best of him.

Those stories are directly linked to the next story, Polyphemus' Curse. This story shows exactly how Odysseus sealed his fate after being too braggadocios. Polyphemus, the cyclops that he blinded, was able to get revenge in his own way by calling a curse upon Odysseus. I really loved how it seemed like Odysseus and the gang would be safe since they are out of arm's reach, but that could not be further from the truth. I also love the foreshadowing that comes from his curse, specifically when he mentions that what he wants to happen to Odysseus if it already fate for him to return home.  

Myth-Folklore Topic Brainstorming

Topic: Gods over Egypt
Comment: I have always loved watching movies about ancient Egyptian lore. Movies like The Mummy have always piqued my interest to find out more about some of the lore of the culture. I honestly do not think that I have read that many stories about their gods compared to other cultures. I also want to see how the pyramids can play into the tales.
Possible Stories: There are a plethora of stories to choose from in the Un-Textbook about Egyptian gods. Any of the ones with Ra in them will be the ones that I will try to focus on. I have heard his name a lot before, but I do not know much about him besides the fact that he is one of the most pivotal gods in their stories.
Sample Story Comments: The first story I found in the Un-Textbook was the perfect story to start with, "Creation." It is really interesting to read that Ra was not the creator, but he was more powerful than Nu, the being from which he was made. It is a very interesting concept.
Bibliography Information:
Sample Story: Creation
Book Title: Egyptian Myth and Legend
Book Author: Donald Mackenzie
Year: 1907

(Ra)

Topic: The Great Monkey King
Comment: The Monkey King is a character that I have heard of in the past, but I know almost nothing about this character. I really want to learn more about him since he is such a popular character in Chinese folklore. I've heard the name in several movies I've watched, but I do not feel like they shed enough light on him.
Possible Stories: The Un-Textbook has a trove of stories all about the Monkey King! There are so many great stories to choose from there.
Sample Story Comments:  I never knew that the Monkey King's name was Sun Wu Kung. I really appreciated how there is a story explaining the origins of his name. I really liked how he had to go on a quest of sorts to get his name. It was not just given to him at birth.
Bibliography Information:
Sample Story: Sun Wu Kung Gets His Name
Book Title: The Chinese Fairy Book
Book Author: Frederick H. Martens
Book Year: 1921

Topic: Tales from the Inuits
Comment: The Eskimos are a Native American group that I know relatively little about. I have had the pleasure of reading many stories from different tribes, but none of them have been that far north. I am really interested to see what their stories are about since it is a totally different climate for them.
Possible Stories: I found many different fairytales to choose from in the Un-Textbook. There are many stories with very rich names that I can not even begin to try to pronounce. I do like how their are a couple of stories that center around dogs. It is interesting to see that dogs are as important to their culture as movies portray.
Sample Story Comment: It was interesting to read about a Native American story that featured a whale as main character. I have always been used to reading about animals that you can find in the woods. I also liked how the Eagle incorporated animals like a Walrus or Narwhal in its hunt. It is an entirely different perspective using these animals that I have not seen used before in tales.
Bibliography Information:
Sample Story: The Eagle and the Whale 
Book Title: Eskimo Folk-Tales
Book Author: Knud Rasmussen
Book Year: 1921

Topic: Stealing from the rich to give to the poor
Comment: Robin Hood has been one of my favorite characters ever since I can remember. The animated movie was a staple in my household growing up. I am curious to see how many of Robin Hood's heroic deeds from the movie are in the Un-Textbook. I also love how his deeds bring up an ethical conundrum since he is technically a thief. It is also great to see that the stories are done in ballads as well.
Possible Stories: The Un-Textbook has a number of great stories to choose from about the prince of thieves. I like that Little John is featured in a number of them since I have always thought of thew pair as one of the best dynamic duos from any story.
Sample Story Comment: Reading about Robin Hood and Little John first meeting was great. It is great to see how the pair initially came together. The fact that they came to blows and were evenly matched makes it that much better. I also loved how they were able to form a friendship after realizing they were both skilled in fighting one another.
Bibliography Information:
Sample Story: Robin Hood and Little John
Book Title: The English and Scottish Popular Ballads
Book Author: Francis James Child
Book Year: 1882-1898

Aesop's Fables (Jacobs)-Extra Reading Diary

I chose to read Aesop’s Fables (Jacobs) for my extra reading diary this week.

One of my favorite stories from this unit was “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.” I loved how it showed how starkly different two cousins could live. A country mouse fits that mold of living a relaxed, humble life. He is content with his way of life. Then comes his cousin from the city who can not understand how the country mouse lives such a modest life. I loved how the city mouse made his life sound so appealing since he had fine food available to him at all times, but he was risking his life every time he went out for a meal. I also really enjoyed how the fable illustrated how a humble life can still be a happy life even if it appears boring to most.

Another story that I enjoyed was “The Fox and the Cat.” I really liked how the animals were polar opposites in their strategy for escaping a would-be predator. The cat sounded so plain and simple with only having one way of getting away. It sounds like she is destined to perish since she only has one method of getting to safety. It makes sense that she does not use any other method though since she her method has always saved her before. Why would she need to try anything else? It was also just a great message of sticking to what you know.

(Illustration by Walter Crane)

My favorite story was “The Dog and the Wolf.” What really stood out to me was how the Wolf was dying for sustenance, but he was not going to give up his freedom just to have regular meals and shelter. Nothing was worth more than him to his freedom. He would rather die of starvation than become a slave to anyone.

Storytelling for Week 2: A Dynamic Duo

Author's Note: I chose to write my story based off of "the Dog, the Cock, and the fox" in Aesop (Winter.) I wanted to go with a writing style that was able to make two seemingly dark characters more appealing to a reader. I wanted to give a backstory that the reader could understand, and possibly sympathize a little more for, but not wholeheartedly. I like having a flawed protagonist.

Far off on a distant farm lived a dog, Drake, and a cock, Chandler. The two became a tandem at a young age when they lived on the farm. Drake was strong and intimidating, but he wasn’t the brightest or fastest animal in the neighborhood. Chandler was cunning and could think of the perfect schemes to get what he wanted, but he lacked the muscle to make any of his plans come to fruition. They soon grew tired of the rules and regulations of the farm, so they decided to run away to the forest to live a life like bandits. They had personalities and traits that were able to mesh together to make the perfect dynamic duo for their dastardly deeds along the main path through the forest, Central Road.

For years they lurked along the Central Road swindling all the travelers that came along the treacherous road by themselves. They were the perfect one-two combination to take-out any weary travelers that stumbled into their neck of the woods. They were able to be so effective because Chandler was able to lure any hungry travelers in with ease since he could let out a very boisterous crowing noise at ease, he actually one first place at the county crowing contest in ‘95, and most of the travelers thought he would be an easy meal. His call could be heard from miles away. Once a would-be predator came close enough, Drake was ready to pounce and take them out. They had the perfect system working for them.

Like everything in life, their dream scenario could not last forever. Word began to spread all across the forest that there was a pair of thugs creeping along the shadows of the road waiting for vulnerable travelers to eat. After the word spread about all of the missing people that traveled that part of the road, a new trail was formed to circumnavigate Drake and Chandler’s stomping grounds. Soon their cushy life of luxury became a lot more difficult. They would often go days without eating, and they even had to resort to foraging and eating insects on occasion.

They were growing tired of eating plants and bugs since it was not even close to the feasts that they had grown accustom to over the years. They decided they would have one last meal as bandits, and then they would return to the farm to live an honest life. Luckily, Chandler was in his usual pattern of crowing every morning when he awoke from his slumber. It finally paid off again one morning when a hungry fox, Frank, happened to be trotting along around their area of the Central Road. Frank was not from the forest, so he had no idea about the trap that lay ahead for him. He quickly followed the echoing sound of Chandler’s call. He finally got close enough to turn Chandler into his breakfast, but Drake sprang from the shadows and made quick work of Frank. Drake and Chandler were finally full again. They decided to return to the farm after their food digested. 

 

(the dog, the cock, and the fox illustration

Source: Aesop (Winter) 1919)

"The dog, the cock, and the fox" - from Aesop for Children, with illustration by Milo Winter (1919)  Source: Un-Textbook

Aesop (Winter)- Reading Diary A

I chose the Aesop (Winter) unit for this reading diary. This was my first time reading Aesop fables, and I loved it!

The first story in the Aesop (Winter) unit, “The Wolf and the Kid” really set the tone for the rest of the stories that followed. I loved how the moral of the story came from the perspective of the antagonist of the story. It seemed like it was a happy ending since the Kid was able to escape from his death by the Wolf. The story instead told you to not let anything deter you from your purpose. The Wolf would have killed the Kid if he didn’t get distracted. I was really surprised to find a story from the perspective. It is definitely refreshing to see it that way.

“Two Goats” was another story that I immensely enjoyed. Goats are the perfect animal to personify stubbornness. I also liked how they were both equally stubborn and equally strong causing their stalemate on the middle of the log, which lead to their demise. This was the perfect way, in my opinion, to have a message about how being stubborn is not a good trait to have.

(The two goats clashing, from Aesop (Winter))

“The Tortoise and the Ducks” might have been my favorite of all the stories. What I liked most about it was how literal the ducks were being when they told the tortoise to keep his mouth shut. It was perfect since it had two meaning to the warning. When he opened his mouth he would lose his grip and fall, but he opened his mouth to brag about being the king tortoise. It made the moral of the story seem that much more pertinent.

Week 1 UnTextbook

To start, the Adam and Eve stories will definitely be something that I read. I have always been interested with religious stories since they garner so many readers and are stories that people base their belief system around. The number of different ways that they are interpreted also fascinates me.

I also want to read all of the Aesop stories. I am honestly not very familiar with it, to my knowledge. I have always heard people say the name Aesop, but I have never been able to contribute.

Cherokee Myths will be another one that I have to read since I have Cherokee roots. I had the pleasure of being able to hear a few during my three semesters of Cherokee at OU. It will also help me brush up on my vocabulary.

Alice in Wonderland has been something that I have always wanted to read. I have loved the animated version of the story since I was a kid. It will be great to read more about all of those vibrantly colorful characters that I have in mind already.

(Mr. Rabbit running late for his very important date)

Week 1 Storybook Favorites

There was one project that drew my attention more than any other, The Cherokee Campfire. I was drawn to this because I have deep Cherokee roots, my great grandmother co-write the Cherokee Constitution. I’ve also read some of these stories before in my Cherokee classes. I love how the Cherokee stories center around animals. Especially the wolf, known as “waya”, the rabbit, “tsistu”, and the turtle, “saligugi.” In all of the stories the animals are personified and it makes the stories very unique and enthralling. I also enjoy how strong of personality traits each animal has in any of the stories that they are told in.

The next storybook I looked at was The Legend of Odysseus. I have been a fan of Odysseus since I first heard of his Epic as a child. He is easily my favorite hero of all the Greek stories. He has just always come off as the most well-rounded hero so to speak. I especially like how this storybook featured Odysseus’s encounter with the Cyclops. I have always thought that it is such a funny visual to imagine Odysseus and his men sandwiching themselves between sheep to sneak past the Cyclops. I also am a fan of how cunning Odysseus can be. Offering the Cyclops some libations to wash down the taste of his comrades was such a funny thing to me as well. It is a great way of adding humor to lighten something that is very grim.

The last storybook I read was The Love of Apollo. I am immediately drawn to anything that has to do with Apollo since he is my favorite god. That also is direct tie to the Oracle at Delphi being my favorite oracle because of Apollo and how the natural gasses in the ground actually were found to cause hallucinations. I love the way the author of it formatted it as a satyr telling the tales of Apollo’s love as punishment.

Here is a screenshot of The Love of Apollo; the image is of Apollo and Marsyas.

Week 1 Introduction: The life and times of Jamison

Salutations!

To start, my name is Jamison and I am an advertising senior with a minor in business. I grew up in a small town just south of Norman called Purcell. By small, I mean I graduated with 72 people and you can count the stoplights on two hands. If we ever wanted to do anything on the weekends we had to come to Norman to do so.

From a young age I knew I would go to OU. I’ve been watching the Sooners play since I was in diapers. Actually, one of my first memories is of me watching Bedlam with my dad in the early ‘90s. So I’ve always known that I would end up here.

In my free time I like to watch copious amounts of shows on Netflix with my friends. We are currently watching Trailer Park Boys for the third time. With the rest of my spare time I enjoying lifting weights, reading and playing tennis. I’m not the great at the latter. I also enjoy listening to music during most of my activities. As of lately I have become obsessed with The Rolling Stones. They never cease to amaze me the more I listen to them. They have become my favorite band of all time. I also strongly believe that they are the far superior band to the Beatles. I have actually even started to read books on the feud between the two bands. The Stones were much more about being a band and just creating music.

I currently work at OU Student Media as the Advertising Manager. My job takes up a majority of my time that I’m not in class. I love my job. I get to work with so many people and see all of the fruits of my labor every day when I read the Daily Oklahoman. It is a very gratifying feeling. It’s also a very gratifying feeling seeing the people I have hired and trained make sales and become successful at what they are doing. I understand a lot more now about what I think teachers feel when they have students succeed.

(Taking a selfie at Harry Potter World)

Week 1 Storytelling- A piper named Tom

“Tom he was a piper's son,

He learn'd to play when he was young,

But all the tunes that he could play,

Was "Over the hills and far away;”

There once was a boy name Tom who had a dad that was a piper.

His dad wasn’t just an ordinary piper, he was grand.

The music he made was so great that people traveled from across the land.

Every note he played came out seamlessly.

He could play any song on his pipe by ear.

His son was destined for great things by playing the pipe.

People from all across the land were eager to hear Tom play when he was of age.

Unfortunately for them, Tom was more interested in becoming a mage.

Out of respect for his father he told him that he would learn one song.

The song of father’s choice was “Over the hills and far away.”

Tom hated playing the pipe with a passion.

To him the instrument was of truly little satisfaction.

Yet, he had promised his father that he would learn the song.

He didn’t just learn it, he memorized it.

The song flew beautifully from his pipe every time he played it.

His father pleaded with him to realize his true skill.

Tom could play the song without any will.

Still he refused to learn any other song.

He had no interest in learning any other songs besides the one he promised his father.

Soon Tom realized there was something missing in being a mage.

He found out very abruptly that it came with no wage.

Tom could do something that would pay the bills.

He decided to take a page out of his father’s book and make money from music.

Tom was a stubborn man still.

He would only play “Over the hills and far away”

(Pied Piper)

One day he saw a lady pretty enough to cause him a distraction.

She soon become the object of his attraction.

He quickly tried to swoon her by playing her a song.

But he wouldn’t change the tune that he played all along.

“He met old Dame Trot with a basket of eggs;

He used his pipe, and she used her legs;

She danced about till the eggs were all broke;

She began for to fret, but he laughed at the joke.”

Authors note. This story is based on the nursery rhyme "Tom, Tom, The Piper's Son."

In the rhyme Tom is born to a father who is a piper. He can play the pipe exceptionally well with one caveat, he only knows one song on the piper. He travels across the land playing his pipe and having people follow him around as he does so. His skill on the pipe was so great that he could even please the ear's of animals when he played. You can find this rhyme in "The Nursery Rhyme Book" edited by Andrew Lang (1897.)

I always find it humorous that he only knew one song on the pipe when he is known as a piper's son. I always imagined being one of those scenarios where his father forced him to play even though there were other things that interested him. I decided to go in that route to explain why he can only play "Over the hills and far away."

Favorite Place- Seattle

Seattle, Washington

I've only been to Seattle once on a family vacation, but I will never forget that city. It had captivating views from all sides. You could turn around and see the ocean in one direction and the mountains in another. The weather in the summer was also much nicer than what I have grown accustom to in Oklahoma.

(Seattle skyline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle)