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
blame the characters themselves for these misfortunes. Odysseus is a man who suffered a
twenty year journey home, to Ithaca that was full of misfortune. But, Odysseus can be
entirely blamed for these occurrences. Unlike Odysseus, his family suffers misfortunes but
not because of any of their actions. The misfortune all lead back to Odysseus. His actions
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
the island of the cyclops, Polyphemus; who is the son of the God, Poseidon. Starving, the
crew sought out food. They found a flock of sheep. This lead them to the cave that was
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,
Odysseus and his crew were trapped. To escape there impending doom and the loss of
more men. Odysseus plans to injure the cyclops in order to escape. They use a large log to
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.
Research and
Analysis (RA4)
Addresses the
question
appropriately and
foreshadows main
arguments.
Communication
(C3)
Generally clear
explanation of ideas
Knowledge and
Understanding
(KU1)
The recognition of
some ideas from the
texts.
The remaing crew and Odysseus travel to the island inhabited by the immortal Circe, who is
described as a witch. On Odysseus’ instruction half of his crew explore the island and in
doing so are trapped by Circe. This decision results in the entire crew being imprisoned with
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.
Communication
(C1)
Superficial
arguments using
limited examples
from the text.
Poseidon continues to harm Odysseus because of Odysseus actions. Poseidon, controller
of the sea, shipwrecks Odysseus, killing all of his crewman. Poseidon, trying to kill
Odysseus only strands him on an island instead of drowning him with his ship and crew.
The island is home to the immortal Calypso who is a lonely woman and who has wished for
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.
Knowledge and
Understanding
(KU3)
Some recognition of
attitudes and beliefs
in the classical world.
After Odysseus manages to escape the clutches of Calypso and once again begins his
journey home on a small raft he again faces the malice of the ocean from Poseidon.
Odysseus is nearly drowned but is luckily helped ashore by an immortal. This near miss
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.
Research and
Analysis (RA3)
Basic recognition of
terms and concepts.
Not only does Odysseus suffer but his son, Telemachus, also suffers because of his
actions. Telemachus was made to grow up at home in Ithaka without his father. If Odysseus
had not blinded Polyphemus and been hunted by Poseidon he would have been much
earlier and would have been able to raise his son. Telemachus also would not have had to
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
away and the misfortunes that came with his absence, which was all due to Odysseus’ poor
decision making.
Odysseus’ wife Penelope suffered greatly because of Odysseus’ extended absence. She
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
Research and
Analysis (RA4 )
Considered
development of a
point of view.
Knowledge and
Understanding
(KU3)
Superficial
consideration of
attitudes and beliefs
in the classical world.
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
love. Penelope had to resort to trickering to keep the suitors at arms length. She was forced
to live a hard live and suffering in silence, which was all the cause of her husband’s
absence, which was not her doing.
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.
It is clear that many of the misfortunes in Homer’s Odyssey occur because of a mortal’s
decision but it is not often the case that the mortals suffer from their responsibility but more
often suffer from the retributions of another mortals conduct.
Page 2 of 3
Knowledge and
Understanding
(KU1)
Some understanding
of ideas, individuals
and practices of the
classical world.
Research and
Analysis (RA3)
Considered definition
and development of
a point of view.
Stage 2 Classical Studies annotated response
Ref A119557 (revised January 2013)
© SACE Board of South Australia 2012
Performance Standards for Stage 2 Classical Studies
A
Knowledge and Understanding
Research and Analysis
Communication
In-depth knowledge and critical understanding of
selected texts, ideas, individuals, groups,
institutions, practices, events, and artefacts of the
classical world.
Extensive and balanced research into primary
and secondary sources, including literary
text(s).
Clear, logical, coherent, and controlled
communication of informed argument using
appropriate examples and ideas.
Incisive critical analysis and synthesis of, and
reflection on, research.
Astute and selective integration and
acknowledgment of source material.
Selective recognition and controlled application
of relevant terms, concepts, and skills,
including skills of historical literacy.
Fluent and lucid explanation of ideas using a
range of forms.
Discerning selection and application of factual
knowledge that demonstrates critical
understanding of the civilisations of Greece and/or
Rome.
Discerning and well-informed recognition of, and
insightful reflection on, the diversity of attitudes,
beliefs, and values in the classical world.
B
Well-considered knowledge and understanding of
selected texts, ideas, individuals, groups,
institutions, practices, events, and artefacts of the
classical world.
Well-considered selection and application of
factual knowledge that demonstrates well-informed
understanding of the civilisations of Greece and/or
Rome.
Well-informed recognition of, and thoughtful
reflection on, the diversity of attitudes, beliefs, and
values in the classical world.
C
Appropriate knowledge and understanding of
selected texts, ideas, individuals, groups,
institutions, practices, events, and artefacts of the
classical world.
Competent selection and application of factual
knowledge that demonstrates informed
understanding of the civilisations of Greece and/or
Rome.
Competent recognition of, and considered
reflection on, the diversity of attitudes, beliefs, and
values in the classical world.
D
Recognition and some understanding of texts,
ideas, individuals, groups, institutions, practices,
events, and artefacts of the classical world.
Selection and application of aspects of factual
knowledge that demonstrate some understanding
of the civilisations of Greece and/or Rome.
Some recognition, and superficial consideration, of
some attitudes, beliefs, and values in the classical
world.
E
Some awareness of aspects of one or more texts,
ideas, individuals, groups, institutions, practices,
events, or artefacts of the classical world.
Attempted selection and application of aspects of
factual knowledge that demonstrate some
awareness of the civilisations of Greece and/or
Rome.
Attempted description of one or more aspects of
attitudes, beliefs, and values in the classical world.
Page 3 of 3
Comprehensive definition and development of
a point of view.
Sound research, with breadth and balance, into
primary and secondary sources, including
literary text(s).
Clear and relevant communication of
informed argument using mostly appropriate
examples and ideas.
Well-informed critical analysis and synthesis of,
and reflection on, research.
Well-considered selection and integration and
acknowledgment of source material.
Well-informed recognition and application of
relevant terms, concepts, and skills, including
skills of historical literacy.
Mostly clear and thoughtful explanation of
ideas using a range of forms.
Well-considered definition and development of
a point of view.
Generally sound and balanced research into
primary and secondary sources, including
literary text(s).
Generally clear and reasonably accurate
communication of informed argument using
mostly appropriate examples and ideas.
Competent critical analysis and synthesis of,
and reflection on, research.
Appropriate integration and acknowledgment
of source material.
Appropriate recognition and application of
relevant terms, concepts, and skills, including
skills of historical literacy.
Generally clear explanation of ideas using
some different forms.
Competent definition and development of a
point of view.
Superficial research into primary and
secondary sources, including literary text(s).
Superficial argument using limited examples
and ideas.
Superficial analysis and description of
research.
Some integration of descriptions of source
material; acknowledgment sources and
tending mostly towards description.
Basic recognition and application of relevant
terms, concepts, and skills, including selected
skills of historical literacy.
Attempted explanation of ideas using one or
more forms.
Some definition, and partial development, of a
point of view.
Limited research into primary and secondary
sources, including literary text(s).
Some attempts at argument using few
examples and ideas.
Limited description of research.
Limited integration of descriptions of source
material and acknowledgment of sources.
Attempted use of some relevant terms,
concepts, and skills, including selected skills of
historical literacy.
Description of one or more ideas.
Attempted development of a point of view.
Stage 2 Classical Studies annotated response
Ref A119557 (revised January 2013)
© SACE Board of South Australia 2012