Please use the table below to organize your ideas before writing your paragraph.

Claim:

Through the vivid descriptions of Odysseus’ journey and the perils he faces, Homer
underscores the tension between human curiosity, the consequences of overstepping
boundaries, and the role of intelligence in navigating these challenges.

Context:

In this book, Odysseus recounts how he and his men were trapped by the Cyclops
Polyphemus, who devoured several of them. Using his wits, Odysseus blinded Polyphemus and
escaped, but his prideful revelation of his name led the Cyclops to curse him, invoking
Poseidon’s wrath.

Quote #1 Analysis:

Line number: 193 In this quote, Homer contrasts Odysseus’ moments of

cautious respect and intelligence with the dangers of
I told my loyal crew to guard the overstepping boundaries driven by curiosity, emphasizing
ship while I would go with just the destructive consequences of unchecked desire to
twelve chosen men, my favorites. explore. Odysseus demonstrates strategic intelligence and
I took a goatskin full of humility when he aids Maron, Apollo’s priest, by offering
dark ,sweet wine that I was given reverence to the god, which earns him gifts such as sweet,
by Apollo’s priest, Maron the son intense wine. This act reflects Odysseus’ understanding of
of Euanthes, who lived inside the xenia and divine respect, securing resources crucial for his
shady grove on Ismarus. In survival. However, this virtue contrasts sharply with the
reverence to the god, I came to hubris he displays after escaping Polyphemus. While his
help him, and save his wife and clever use of Maron’s wine to incapacitate the Cyclops
son. He gave me gifts: a silver demonstrates his intelligence, Odysseus' curiosity and
bowl and seven pounds of gold, pride compel him to reveal his identity, provoking
well wrought, and siphoned off Polyphemus to curse him. This moment highlights the
some sweet strong wine, and filled tension between curiosity and the consequences of
twelve jars for me—a godlike overstepping boundaries, reinforcing the idea that while
drink. intelligence and humility are key to survival, overstepping
limits driven by curiosity can lead to severe repercussions.

Quote #2 Analysis:

Line number: 364 This quote exemplifies odysseus cleverness and

Cyclops, you asked my name. I resourcefulness, trait that define his character throughout
will reveal it; then you must give the odyssey. By telling polyphemu his nam is noman,
the gift you promised me, of odysseus set the stage for a brilliant deceiption that allows
hospitality. My name is Noman. him and his men to escape. The use of noman as a
My family and friends all call me pseudonym highlights odysseus ability to manipulate
Noman language and context to his advantage. When the cyclops
calls for help late, shouting that noman is attacking him,
his cries go answered, emphazing the power of wit over
brute strength. The inforny of this moment underscores
the important of intellect and cunning in overmoming
physical calleges, a recurring theme in this epic.
Additionally odysseus’ demand for a “gift of hospitality” is
a pointed critique of polyphemus barbaric violation fo
xenia. The excessive hubris and confidence illustrating
excessive pride can lead to reuin even the most capable
individuals

Quote #3 Analysis:

Line number: 502 This moment highlights odysseus fatal flow: his hubris. By
revaling his name of polyphemus, odysseus turns a
‘Cyclops! If any mortal asks you tactical vistory into a disastours mistake. Allowing the
how your eye was mutilated and cyclops to curse him and invoke poseidon wrath. This act
made blind, say that Odysseus, of pride contrasts sharply with this earlier cunning, where
the city-sacker, Laertes’ son, who he used the pseudonym “noman” to outwit polyphemus.
lives in Ithaca, destroyed your Here, odysseus prioirtizes personal glory and recognition
sight.’ over his crew’s safety demonstrating his need to assert his
identity as a hero despite the risks. The cyclops curse,
granted by poseidon sets the stage for much of the
suffering Odysseus endered throughout his jounrey. It
reflects the greek concept of ruin brought about by
reckless arrogance and serves as a reminder of the gods’
influence over mortal live. While odyssues cleverness
defines his heroisms his hubris show the dangers of
excessive pride.

Compose your paragraph on the next page.

Through the vivid descriptions of Odysseus’ journey and the perils he faces, Homer underscores

the tension between human curiosity, the consequences of overstepping boundaries, and the role

of intelligence in navigating these challenges. In this book, Odysseus recounts how he and his

men were trapped by the Cyclops Polyphemus, who devoured several of them. Using his wits,

Odysseus blinded Polyphemus and escaped, but his prideful revelation of his name led the

Cyclops to curse him, invoking Poseidon’s wrath. In line 193 Odysseus tells his loyal crew to

guard the ship, while I would go with just twelve chosen men, my favorites. I took a goatskin full

of dark sweet wine that I was given by Apollo’s priest, Maron, the son of Euanthes, who lived

inside the shady grove on Ismarus. In reverence to the god, I came to help him, and save his wife

and son. He gave me gifts: a silver bowl and seven pounds of gold, well wrought, and siphoned

off some sweet strong wine, and filled twelve jars for me—a godlike drink.” In this quote,

Homer contrasts Odysseus’ moments of cautious respect and intelligence with the dangers of

overstepping boundaries driven by curiosity, emphasizing the destructive consequences of

unchecked desire to explore. Odysseus demonstrates strategic intelligence and humility when he

aids Maron, Apollo’s priest, by offering reverence to the god, which earns him gifts such as
sweet, strong wine. This act reflects Odysseus’ understanding of xenia and divine respect,

securing resources crucial for his survival. However, this virtue contrasts sharply with the hubris

he displays after escaping Polyphemus. While his clever use of Maron’s wine to incapacitate the

Cyclops demonstrates his intelligence, Odysseus' curiosity and pride compel him to reveal his

identity, provoking Polyphemus to curse him. This moment highlights the tension between

curiosity and the consequences of overstepping boundaries, reinforcing the idea that while

intelligence and humility are key to survival, overstepping limits driven by curiosity can lead to

severe repercussions. In line 364, Oddesseus responds to the Cyclops after the Cyclops asks for

his name. “I will reveal it; then you must give the gift you promised me, of hospitality. My name

is Noman. My family and friends all call me Noman.” This quote exemplifies Odysseus

cleverness and resourcefulness, traits that define his character throughout the Odyssey. By telling

Polyphemus his name is Noman, Odysseus sets the stage for a brilliant deception that allows him

and his men to escape. The use of Noman as a pseudonym highlights odysseus's ability to

manipulate language and context to his advantage. When the cyclops call for help late, shouting

that Noman is attacking him, his cries go answered, emphasizing the power of wit over brute

strength. The infancy of this moment underscores the importance of intellect and cunning in

overcoming physical challenges, a recurring theme in this epic. Additionally Odysseus’ demand

for a “gift of hospitality” is a pointed critique of Polyphemus's barbaric violation of xenia. The

excessive hubris and confidence illustrating excessive pride can lead to ruin even the most

capable individuals. Finally, in line 506, Odysseus boasts to the ‘Cyclops! If any mortal asks you

how your eye was mutilated and made blind, say that Odysseus, the city-sacker, Laertes’ son,

who lives in Ithaca, destroyed your sight.’ This moment highlights Odysseus' fatal flaw: his

hubris. By revealing his name of Polyphemus, Odysseus turns a tactical victory into a disastrous
mistake. Allowing the cyclops to curse him and invoke Poseidon's wrath. This act of pride

contrasts sharply with this earlier cunning, where he used the pseudonym “noman” to outwit

Polyphemus. Here, Odysseus prioritizes personal glory and recognition over his crew’s safety,

demonstrating his need to assert his identity as a hero despite the risks. The Cyclops curse,

granted by Poseidon, sets the stage for much of the suffering Odysseus endures throughout his

journey. It reflects the Greek concept of ruin brought about by reckless arrogance and serves as a

reminder of the gods’ influence over mortal life. While Odysseus cleverness defines his heroisms

his hubris shows the dangers of excessive pride.

Rubric:
Emerging Approaching Proficient Distinguished

CTR.1B - I can The summary is The summary The summary The summary is
summarize unclear, inaccurate, or captures some main conveys the main accurate, concise,
content (what I incomplete, failing to ideas but is ideas and and captures all
read, view, listen capture key ideas or incomplete, important details key ideas and
to, or experience). demonstrate inaccurate, or overly with accuracy. essential details,
understanding. Poor focused on irrelevant Minor points may demonstrating a
organization or lack of details. It reflects a be overlooked or deep
focus makes it limited understanding less relevant understanding of
difficult to follow. and may lack clarity details included, the content. It is
or organization. but it remains well-organized
clear and well- and avoids
structured. unnecessary
information.

Emerging Approaching Proficient Distinguished

CTR.3A: I can The claim, thesis, or The claim, thesis, or The claim, thesis, The claim, thesis, or
introduce a hypothesis is hypothesis is or hypothesis is hypothesis is precise,
logical missing, illogical, or present but may be clear and logical, logical, and fully aligns
claim/thesis/hyp irrelevant to the vague, overly broad, adequately with the purpose of the
othesis that purpose of the or somewhat framing the argument. It provides a
frames my writing. It fails to unclear. It partially argument. It clear framework for the
argument. frame the argument frames the argument aligns with the entire piece and
or provide direction, but does not provide purpose of the insightfully establishes
leaving the writing a strong sense of writing and the main focus. The
unfocused. The direction. The provides direction introduction of the
introduction does introduction may for the piece. claim effectively
 not establish a clear lack connection to While effective, engages the audience
or logical starting the purpose or fail the introduction and sets a strong
point for the to engage the of the claim may foundation for the
audience. audience effectively. lack argument.
sophistication or
full engagement
with the
audience.

CTR.3B: I can The writing includes The writing uses The writing The writing
use relevant little to no relevant some evidence to includes relevant incorporates highly
evidence to evidence to support support the and appropriate relevant and specific
develop and the argument or argument, but it evidence that evidence that directly
support my reasoning. Evidence may be limited in supports the main supports the main
reasoning. may be missing, relevance, argument or argument or reasoning.
irrelevant, or specificity, or reasoning. Evidence is integrated
inaccurate, and there accuracy. Evidence Evidence is seamlessly into the text
is minimal or no is included but generally well- with proper citations or
attempt to explain inconsistently integrated into context, and analysis
its significance. The integrated, with the text, though fully explains its
lack of evidence or weak or incomplete some connections significance. The
analysis weakens the explanations of its to the argument evidence consistently
overall argument. significance. may need further strengthens the
Connections clarification. argument,
between the Analysis explains demonstrating depth
evidence and the the significance and insight.
argument may be of the evidence,
unclear or but it may lack
underdeveloped. the depth or
precision of
stronger work.

Emerging Approaching Proficient Distinguished

CE.2A: I can The writing lacks a The writing shows The writing is The writing is
organize and clear or logical some organization organized and consistently organized
structure my structure, making it but lacks follows a logical and logically
difficult for the consistency or structure that structured, enhancing
writing.
reader to follow. clarity in structure. supports the reader’s
There are few or no Transitions between understanding. understanding. Ideas
transitions, leading ideas are often Most transitions flow seamlessly from
to disjointed and weak, making the between ideas are one paragraph to the
confusing ideas. The flow uneven or effective, creating next, with clear and
introduction and difficult to follow. a mostly smooth effective transitions.
 thesis are missing, The introduction flow. The The introduction is
unclear, or unrelated may include a thesis introduction engaging and presents
to the topic, and the or main argument, clearly presents a strong thesis or main
conclusion is absent but it is unclear or the thesis or main argument, while the
or fails to address underdeveloped. The argument, and conclusion thoughtfully
the main points of conclusion is present the conclusion reinforces key ideas
the writing. but overly simple or summarizes the and provides a
disconnected from key ideas compelling sense of
the main content. effectively, closure.
though it may
lack depth or
polish.

CE.2B: I can Writing lacks clarity Writing is generally Writing is clear Writing is exceptionally
communicate and organization. clear, but may lack and well- clear, engaging, and
clearly in writing. Ideas are difficult to coherence or flow in organized, with a well-organized. Ideas
follow, and places. Transitions logical flow logically, and
transitions between may be abrupt, and progression of transitions are
ideas are unclear. there may be issues ideas. There may seamless. The style is
Significant with clarity or be minor issues sophisticated, with
grammatical and sentence variety. with transitions precise diction, varied
mechanical errors Some grammatical or sentence sentence structure, and
disrupt the flow of errors that affect structure, but strong voice. Grammar
the writing. readability. overall the and mechanics are
writing is flawless.
effective and
engaging. Few
grammatical or
mechanical
errors.