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Fifth Years, Lesson Three; *Archived* (gah, sorry!) -Archived-
Topic Started: Apr 15 2009, 09:12 AM (352 Views)
Isolde Glasson
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Pulling Herself Together | ♥ Christopher ♥
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((I'm so sorry about the lateness! RL has been a bit busy lately, I hope you understand. ^_^ ))

Isolde sat quietly behind her desk, reading over the essays that had been submitted on Egyptian Magic. There were many well written essays and she was proud. As the students entered, she nodded to several and pushed the papers aside. Isolde stood up and filled her cup of coffee. She couldn't shake the slightly lazy feeling that had been creeping into her, so she sipped coffee and wondered how long she would lecture.

When everyone had finally taken their seats, Isolde smiled and walked to the front of her desk. "Well, as many of you may or may not like, we are now entering into our studies of Greek Mythology." She paused and smiled wider when she heard some excited chatter. "If you could please take notes as I lecture, we are going to cover Sirens today." She paused and took another cautious sip of her coffee as she waited for the students to prepare to take notes.

"In Greek mythology, Sirens are creatures with the heads of women and the bodies of birds. They are said to be among the most dangerous and seductive of the Greek mythology creatures. In Mythology there were only three and they were sisters. They were rumored to have lived on the island of Sirenum scopuli, not very clever if you ask me, if their goal was to lure unsuspecting sailors. Though it's more likely that they lived on the ilans of Anthemoessa. Whatever their homeland was, it is always on an island surrounded by cliffs and ocean."

Isolde paused to take another sip of her coffee as she allowed the student to take additional notes. "The sirens lured sailors with their captivating song and music. When they would approach in their ships, they would wreck into the rocky cliff face. Accoring to mythology, the Sirens were the companions of Persephone, the Queen of the underworld, and were given wings by Demeter, the goddess of grain and fertility and mother of Persephone. Demeter gave them their wings to aid in the search of Persephone when she was abducted by Hades. The sirens were used to call on Persephone in their search of her. Their voices would draw upon people and thus they learned that they could use their music to lure their victims."

"It is widely believed that the Sirens were cannibals and seers. They were able to see the past and future. Although their songs were of humans, their true form is sometimes argued. The most common form is the one I mentioned earlier. But it is often speculated that their true forms were women with the manes of lions and feet of birds. Sometimes they are beautiful women whose appearances matched that of their voice to be truly seductive and luring to those unsuspecting sailors. No matter the confusion of the appearance, it is always consistent that they had wings."

Isolde glanced at the clock and then at the students. She smiled. "Well, I'll let you go early today. There is an excellent story you can read about Odysseus and his adventures called Homer's Odyssey. If you'd like a little more insight into the mysterious sirens you can read about Odysseus and write a short essay. Otherwise, there is no homework. Just make sure you took good notes and keep those to study for the OWLS." She smiled, then waved her hand at the door. "You're dismissed!"


HOMEWORK:
Just RP the lesson. If you want some extra points, you can read about Odysseus and write a short essay on him. Here is an excellent article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odyssey
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Alex Cullen
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Olympic Runner|Pranker|Team Supporter|Glaswegian
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Alex walked into the class late. He didn't even bother apologizing to the Prof but instead, shrugged and took a seat rather noisily. Yawing, he leaned on his left arm wondering why he had bothered to appear. He took his quill and started taking notes making sarcastic comments in his head on what the Professor was telling them. he had heard this story many times before already and he had never found it interesting enough to keep him occupied for long. Towards the end of the lesson, Alex was really unentertained and had moved onto drawing cartoon faces on the desk. Alex smiled when she announced there was no homework but rolled his eyes at her saying to read on Odyssey if they wanted to. Why on earth would anyone read something if it's not for homework?He thought as he made his way. Alex did however read up on it though. He needed the extra credit if he was hoping to pass the subject.

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Alex Cullen
Hufflepuff 5th
Odyssey
Odyssey was a Greek dude who lived long time ago. He left home one day to fight in a war he didn't want to be involved with. However, 10 years later, the family have had no contact from him and send messengers out to find why. The news is that Calypso, a nymph, has Odyssey held captive. Zeus sends the messenger god, Hermes to persuade calypso to release him and Hermes manages successfully. Odyssey builds a raft but it is wrecked by the god Poseidona. Odyssey swims to Scherie appeals for help from Nausicaa father. None ask for his name but offer there hospitality. Only after a while does Odyseey give his identity to them. He tells them the story of his long journey he had returning to Troy. The biggest part that is shown in the world nowadays is the part where Odyssey gets stranded with his men on an island paved with golden nuggets. The pirates ships at the harbour though are abandoned and Odyssey wonders why. Travelling through the island, he sees big foot marks along the path and the crew are captured by a Cyclops known as Polyphemus. Odyssey works up a plan with the other pirates that were captured and later, when the Cyclops opens the cage door, the men jump out and cling onto the bottom of the sheep the Cyclops happen to own. The travel down the mountains but are discovered. Running to the boats, Odyssey picks a sharp stick and drives it into the Cyclops' eye, blinding him. They manage to escape the Cyclops but are left to deal with the father, Poseidona. There have been many versions of the story though but that's the most common one so far.
Edited by Alex Cullen, Apr 16 2009, 12:12 PM.
Hmm, I wonder who it could be

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Rhyspa Marinescu
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Hufflepuff Graduate | Married to Dominik Marniescu | Healer | Mother of Easton Blayne
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Rhyspa, once again ran into History of Magic late. She was going to have to get a new alarm or make sure she had a back up. She took her seat and muttered an apology to Professor Glasson. Rhyspa pulled out her writing supplies out and listened as the students were told that they would be entering Greek mythology. She grinned and jotted down notes on the Sirens. She had no idea that there only three and that they were sisters.

Rhyspa was deeply interested in Greek Mythology, she had a book about it in her room at home that her grandmother gave her last year. Sirens weren't exactly what she was interested in. More like the Gods and Goddesses, but she would take this. Soon Professor Glasson let them go and said that the homework was optional. Rhyspa left the classroom and went up to her room and tried to sort out the alarm situation.
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