Research
On this page we will post interesting historical, mathematical, or scientific connections to elements of the chapter(s), or current/news events related to the chapter(s).
Ships and Men
In the chapter "Ships and Men", Ulysses and his men set sail for Ithaca after conquering Troy. Our main question was "Was Troy a real city?" Weather or not Troy is a real city can be debated. They have excavated the site, that Homer states is Troy and have revealed that this is the city Homer was relating to. The question is weather or not it was called Troy.
Click this button to find more information on Troy
The Ciconians
In the chapter "The Ciconians", Ulysses and his men land on an island were a small town is located. The men are dying to invade this small town, but their plan backfires. Also, Ulysses and his men are forced to throw the treasure from Troy overboard, attracting Naiads. Our main question was "What is a Naiad?" The Naiads are actually fresh water Nymphs. But "What is a Nymph?" The Nymphs were female spirits of the natural world, minor goddesses of the forests, rivers, springs, meadows, mountains and seas. Here are some links that will lead you to more understanding on Naiads and Nymphs.
The Lotus-Eaters
In the chapter "The Lotus-Eaters", Ulysses and his men eat the Lotus flower and they fall asleep. Our main discussion question was "Are Lotus flowers common and do they make you sleep?" The Lotus flower can be found all over the world. They sprout underwater in a lake (still water). Then it sprouts to the surface and blooms. The Lotus flower also symbolizes different meanings in the Buddhist and Hindu religion. The main meaning that represents this flower in Buddhism means fortune. To answer the question, "Do Lotus flowers make you fall asleep?", no, it does not make you sleep. It is more uplifting and relaxing than sleepy. Some people have described it as bitter and some sweet, but it mostly depends on the person. Some people have made companies that make tea out of this flower.
This button will lead you to the website "With an Open Heart". This is where we found the information above.
The Cyclops Cave
In the chapter "The Cyclops Cave", Ulysses and 10 of his men have found themselves in the Cyclops cave, stuck. Our main discussion questions were "Where did the cyclops live?" and "What else is there about them?" At first archeologists thought that cyclops lived on the Island of Sicily, located below the boot of Italy. They determined this by finding large skulls. After that, they figured out that those skulls were elephant skulls. There were 2 groups of cyclops, one were blacksmiths, and the other were big, ugly, and prone to aggressiveness and cannibalism. The cyclops crafted Zeus's thunder bolt, Poseidon's trident, and Hades invisibility helmet.
Keeper of the Winds
In the chapter "The Keeper of the Winds", Ulysses and his men meet Aeolus, the king of winds. Our main question was "what else is there to learn about Aeolus?" Aeolus keeps the stormy Anemoi, Thuellai and Aellai locked away inside the heart of the floating island of Aiollia. Aeolus was only able to release the winds at the command of the gods to wreck devastating storms.
Cannibal Beach
In the chapter "Cannibal Beach", Ulysses and his men land on an Island were giant trees turn out to be giants. Our main question was "What else is there to learn about the beach that Ulysses and his men land on?" The Island that Ulysses landed on was named Laes Trygonia. Laes Trygonia goes from day to night as if it was a drill. The island looks like a lagoon on one side. Also, there is a big giant that looks like a tree on that island.
Circe
In the chapter "Circe", Ulysses and his men land on an island where Circe has held her past husbands captive as animals so they would always be with her and never die. Our main question was "How can we decipher what animals we are?" The link bellow will lead you to "www.whatanimalami.com" where you can find out what animal you are! Here are some of the animals you could be...
- The Enduring Wildebeest
- The Strategic Lion
- The Enterprising Crocodile
- The Graceful Giraffe
- The Efficient Cheetah
- The Risk-Taking Mongoose
- The Communicating Elephant
To find your animal click on the button above and then click "TAKE THE QUIZ"!
The land of the Dead
In the chapter "The Land of the Dead" Ulysses and his men travel to the land of the dead and speak with ghosts about his journey. In the beginning of the chapter, one of Ulysses men falls overboard and the crew blames Ulysses. Soon after, a seagull appears and leads them to the right direction. Our main question was "How do birds fly?" The video below shows a scientific way of explaining the answer.
The Wandering Rocks
In the chapter "The Wandering Rocks" Ulysses and his men come across floating rocks. If you were to ask most people "Do all rocks sink?" they would say "absolutely". Well they are wrong! There is one rock called the Pumice that actually floats. The link below will lea you to an experiment that proves the pumice rock floats. Also in the bottom is some questions and answers to why the float.
The Sirens
In the chapter "The Sirens" Ulysses and his men must survive the sirens. Our main question was "What are the Sirens known for?" The Sirens were known for singing songs to the sea travelers to lure them to their deaths. Also, they were half woman half bird like and lived on the Island of Anthemoessa.
Ino's Veil
In the chapter "Ino's Veil" Ulysses is saved by Ino and her veil. Ulysses raps himself in this veil. Our main question was "What else is there to learn about the Veil?" There are actually 4 types of veils in Islamic culture, the hijab, the niqab, the chador, the burqa.
hijab (top), niqab(2nd from top), chador(2nd to bottom), burqa(bottom)
Nausicaa
In the chapter "Nausicaa" Ulysses awakes on an island and is given hospitality by a young princess named Nausicaa. The princesses father, King Alcinous, meets an oracle that tells him to beware of shipwrecks, sailors and the tales he tells. Our main question was "What is an Oracle and what does it do?" An oracle is in ancient Greece : a person (such as a priestess) through whom a god was believed to speak.The link below will lead you to a video explaining what an oracle is.
The Return
In the chapter "The Return" Ulysses finally returns home to Ithaca. When Ulysses has his wife, Penelope set up an archery contest, each individual suitor must be able to shoot an arrow through 12 rings and hit the target. Our main question's summed up to "What is the history behind archery?" The link below will lead you to all about the history of archery.