Themes+and+Values12

Themes:


 * 1) __Persuasion-__ Odysseus first persuades his ship mates to carry on rowing, even though the sea monsters are killing the other men. He encourages them to carry on. Persuasion is also shown when Odysseus is persuaded to stay in the cove for a night, so as not to get killed by rowing in the night. When they arrive at land, Odysseus persuades his ship men not to kill the cattle even if they are starving, but later on they get persuaded **to** kill them and they do it.
 * 2) __Courage-__ Courage is brought up many times in the book and especially in chapter 12. First, although Odysseus is warned about the sea monsters, he still believes that the gods might help him through it and guide him some more. Yet, when the time comes there is no extra help available and he fights them himself and even encourages his comrades to keep on going. Also, when Odysseus is tied to the mast, he is proved to be courageous. There was an option on whether or not to listen to the singing and he chooses to go up there and do it. When the ship is struck by lightning later on in the chapter, Odysseus hangs on to ta fig tree and shows a lot of courage by not letting go, even though his men have all died.
 * 3) __Trust-__ Odysseus first trusts Kirke when she tells him all about what he might encounter over his journey. Because he trusted her, they get through with only a few deaths. Also, Odysseus trusts his ship men to tie him to the mast and not untie him even when he pleads for it. Later, when the men arrive at the cove, Eurylokhos makes Odysseus promise not to kill the cattle, proving that he trusts him to stay in the land. But, that trust is broken when the ship mates are persuaded to kill the cattle and offer them to the gods.
 * 4) __Obedience/ disobedience:__ Eurylokhus disobeys Odysseus by telling the crew to slaughter the cattle. We can see the negative effects of disobedience when Helios gets mad at the crew after they kill the cattle even though they were told not to.
 * 5) __Strength__: Physical and mental strength are both themes in book 12. When Odysseus is out fighting the sea monsters, he must use his physical strength to stay alive. He must use his mental strength, or intelligence, to know how to fight the monsters. When Odysseus and his crew are stuck in the cove without meat for 20 days, they must use their mental strength to stay alive.
 * 6) __Hospitality:__ In the beginning of the chapter, Kirke’s housemaids bring Odysseus and his crew bread, meat, and wine to keep them comfortable and happy. She tells them to “enjoy their feasting” today because tomorrow they will be out at sea.

Values:


 * 1) __Cooperation and Friendliness-__ This is a value taught throughout the story starting with when Kirke helps Odysseus out. She guides him and lets him know what he might encounter on his journey. She is a good friend by warning him about Skylla and Kharybdis, the sea monsters. Kirke knew that Odysseus was going on a journey without being fully prepared and by helping him out she being cooperative and friendly. Cooperation is also shown when the ship men have to work together and row. It is very hard to be one while rowing, yet they keep on going even when sea monsters are trying to destroy them.
 * 2) __Respect__ - Respect is an important value taught in chapter 12. We can see how the crew members respect Odysseus by going on the trip and trusting him with their lives on the boat when they were under attack by the monsters. However, we see the crew disrespect Odysseus by going against him and slaughtering the cattle after they were told to leave them alone. After Helios finds out about his cattle, he gets very angry and wants to punish them. After seeing the negative effects of disrespect, the lesson is learned that it is always better to respect your leader and obey what they say.