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Homer’s Odyssey
English 9
Mrs. Lewis
Fall 2014
Homer’s Odyssey
Schema Lecture
Book I-V Recap
Book V
Book VI
Encountering the Cyclops
Book X
Book XIII
Homer’s Odyssey
Unit Questions





What are the common themes found in Homer’s
Odyssey and other stories?
How do the interactions of Odysseus and various
subordinate characters in Homer’s Odyssey affect
the plot of Homer’s Odyssey?
How does Homer’s Odyssey relate to issues of its
historical time period?
What is a thesis? How do I write a good one?
What is research? How do I answer questions I
have?
Homer’s Odyssey
Schema Lecture
Greco-Roman Culture,
Myths and Religion
Homer’s Odyssey
Greco-Roman Culture
An Introduction
Greco-Roman (adj) referring or relating to ancient Greece or ancient Rome
1. The ancient world, also known as “the world of antiquity,” focuses on the
following geographical area.
What can we understand about ancient Greco-Roman cultures who saw the
world as encompassing this area?
Homer’s Odyssey
Myths and Religion in the Ancient Greek World
2. Define the following terms with a partner. Give both
the Ancient Greek meaning and today’s meaning.
Ancient
Greek
Meaning
Today’s
Meaning
Myth
Hero
Mostly religious as they are
concerned with the relationship
between humans and the
unknown/ spiritual realm.
Special class of aristocrats,
somewhere between gods and
normal people.
•Creation Myth
•Hercules
Stories that use fantasy to
express ideas about life that
cannot be easily expressed in
realistic terms.
People who risk their lives
for others.
•Santa Claus
•Firefighters
Homer’s Odyssey
Myths and Religion in the Ancient Greek World
3. If you were an anthropologist (a type of scientist who studies
human cultures), what might a society’s myths tell you about the
society who created them and believes in them? Think broadly.
•What the culture valued and/or believed in
•How people died/were buried
4. Recall: Describe the religious life (beliefs, rituals, etc.) of
ancient Greek People.
•Polytheistic; gods have faults, are similar to humans
•Sacrificed people and/or animals to please their gods
•Storytelling was used to spread beliefs and explain why and
how the world worked
Homer’s Odyssey
Myths and Religion in the Ancient Greek World
5. What did ancient Greeks believe about the “afterlife”? How
is their belief about the afterlife different from most modern
people’s beliefs today?
The Ancient Greeks believed that when a person died they went to
the underworld. There was a good side and a bad side of the
underworld. The underworld, ruled by Hades, was guarded by
Cerberus, the three headed dog. The dead needed to cross the River
Styx to get to the underworld and once there a panel of three judges
decided where they would end up. Hero’s went to the Elysian Field
and evil people went to Tartarus.
Homer’s
Odyssey
Schema Lecture
Virtues and Values
of the Ancient Greek World
Homer’s Odyssey
Virtues and Values of the Ancient Greek World
6. You have most likely heard the saying “Patience is a virtue.”
What does the term “virtue” mean?
Moral excellence; conformity of one's life and conduct to moral
and ethical principles. A good or admirable quality or property.
7. Three characteristics that ancient Greeks considered to be
virtuous are:
Respect for the body, especially if someone dies (proper burial)-A. the Ancient Greeks bathed and ate what they thought was healthy.
Hospitality--one should take care of a stranger; the Ancient
B. Greeks tried to please their guests and to make sure they were
comfortable.
Respect for the gods--the Ancient Greeks believed that one must
C. know ones place in the hierarchy. They also built temples and
statues to please the gods (some were even in the homes).
Homer’s Odyssey
Virtues and Values of the Ancient Greek World
8. If a culture believes that a particular characteristic is virtuous
or valuable, and they want to pass it down to the next generation,
what do you think they might do to make sure that the next
generation learns the virtue? Discuss and speculate.
•Might set virtuous examples and teach their children and future generations to try hard to
do the right thing
•People may learn virtues through books and educational systems
*The stories of the Ancient Greek gods show how the Ancient Greeks spread morality.*
9. What was the ancient Greek world like politically? Who was in
charge: kings? men? women? warlords? various groups?
•Men had all the power; women had no political rights
•Only men born in city-states were citizens
•Rich landowners ran the city-states, were the only real ones with any say in how things
were done.
•A boy was not considered a man until 21 (Telemachus, Odyssey’s son is not a man yet).
Homer’s Odyssey
Virtues and Values of the Ancient Greek World
10. How does the political (power) structure of the ancient Greek
world show or reflect its values (think back to the myths you
read)?
•The hierarchy, of gods over man was mirrored and extremely
prevalent in the Ancient Greek’s society (adult men were better
known and more important than children). People needed to
know their place (women remained in the home while men went
out and made decisions for the community).
•The idea of “democracy” is similar to the way that the 12
Olympians rule over the world (everyone should have a say so
that the result is a balanced law and city-state).
Homer’s Odyssey
Schema Lecture
A Writer Called Homer
Homer’s Odyssey
A Writer Called Homer
11. Who was Homer?
Homer was a blind minstrel and myth-maker who came from
the Island of Chios. He wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.
12. When did he live?
He lived between 900 B.C.E. and 800 B.C.E.
13. Where did he live?
He lived in Greece, on the Island of Chios.
14. How did he live? (What was life like “back in the day”?)
There were no books, movies, electronics, etc. It was much more
difficult to communicate and the most common types of
entertainment were music and storytelling (sometimes in the form
of what we would call “plays”). Homer was always concerned
with the relationship between the humans and the gods. He was
very religious and lived without “a lot of worldly goods.”
Homer’s Odyssey
A Writer Called Homer
15. What are the conflicting stories about this writer?
Later Greeks believed that he did not exist. They thought there
were two Homers or that he was just a legend.
16. Define “rhapsode.” Describe the life of a rhapsode in ancient
Greece.
Singer of tales. They were the historians and entertainers as well
as the myth-makers of their time.
17. What kind of “rhapsodes” do we have today, and what’s their
Rap = Tell a Story
purpose?
Singers, actors/actresses, comedians, writers, maybe even
grandparents. Their purpose is to entertain, to give information.
18. Why do you think Homer is such an important literary figure?
His literature gave us information about how the Ancient Greeks
viewed their gods and how they lived and he was influential to his
community going city to city telling stories. If we did not have his
literature about the Trojan War it would be like it never happened.
Homer’s Odyssey
Schema Lecture
An Epic Called Homer’s Odyssey
Homer’s Odyssey
An Epic Called Homer’s Odyssey
19. What does the term “epic” mean? Define it.
Epics are long narrative poems that tell the adventures of heroes that
embody the values of their particular civilization.
20. What makes Homer’s Odyssey an “epic”?
It is a long poem and Odysseus is its hero who embodies the values of
the ancient Greeks. Odysseus’ journey was interpreted by the ancient
Greeks, not just an adventure, but as a spiritual experience for all to
learn from.
21. Why is Homer’s Odyssey an important text to read? How has
Homer’s text influenced later texts?
•It gives people a different type of script to read.
•It also teaches us about history, such as the Trojan War, and the ancient
Greeks’ culture.
•The Iliad and Odyssey have influenced almost all modern literature (or
other media) in some way or another.
Example:
The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Simpsons Movie
Homer’s Odyssey
An Epic Called Homer’s Odyssey
22. What are some of the literary techniques Homer uses in his
epic? Why might he use these?
•The Odyssey is a “narrative” poem
•Imagery and Symbolism
•Themes; ex. Journey to Manhood
•Homer makes heavy use of a story telling trick called
the flashback, which is still widely used today.
•The texts also use repetition which is generally
limited to oral stories.
Homer’s Odyssey
Reading Vocabulary 2
Profusion
Abundance; to have a large amount of something.
Travail
Painful effort.
Adversity
Hardships; misfortune.
Distant; remote; standoffish.
Aloof
Commandeer To take control of by force.
Contemptible Deserving of scorn; despicable.
Tremulous
Marked by trembling or shaking.
Implacable
Impossible to soothe; unforgiving.
Restitution
A making good for loss or damage; repayment.
Revelry
Noisy merrymaking; festivity.
Beginning
Homer’s Odyssey
Book I
A Goddess Intervenes
Homer’s Odyssey
Book I--A Goddess Intervenes
The handout provided has the famous opening
lines of Homer’s Epic poem Odyssey. Read
the lines carefully and summarize what you
understand on the right. Highlight/underline
unknown vocabulary and try your best to
understand it in context.

According to the passage, what kind of
character is Odysseus? What are we
supposed to think about him? How do
you know?
Imagine:
Homer’s Odyssey
The Situation in Ithaca
You are a teenage boy in Ithaca, Ancient Greece. You will
be the next ruler of your town. Your father, the former
ruler is away, having never returned from a war. The
men who remain in your town demand a king. They
assume your father is dead. You certainly do not want
your mother to betray your father’s memory and marry
one of the rude men who is making unreasonable
demands. You are too young to take control; besides,
you are completely outnumbered. Time is tickig away;
the men want answers. The men want action.
How would you be feeling? What would you do?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book I--A Goddess Intervenes
Read lines 142-168 and answer the following
questions:
1.
2.
3.
What can you visualize in this section?
What’s a question you have about this section
or something in it?
What Greek virtue(s) do you notice from this
section?
Read lines 299-344 and summarize what Athena is
saying to the best of your ability.
Homer’s Odyssey
Book II—Telemachus Sets Sail
Read the lines on your handout carefully and summarize
what you understand on the right. Highlight/underline
unknown vocabulary and try your best to understand it in
context.
As Book II opens we are greeted with a beautiful
example of personification.
What is personification?
What example(s) of personification do you see in this
passage?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book I-II Recap
"Oh Goddess of Inspiration, help me sing of wily
Odysseus, that master of schemes!" So Homer begins his
epic, though the hero himself is still offstage. We are
treated to a glimpse of life among the supreme gods on
Mount Olympus. Urged on by Athena, the goddess of war,
they decide that Odysseus has been marooned too long on
the island of the nymph Calypso. Meanwhile, the mansion
of Odysseus is infested with suitors for the hand of his wife
Penelope. Everyone assumes Odysseus is dead. His son
Telemachus calls an assembly to ask for help, and Zeus
sends an omen of the suitors' doom. Two eagles swoop
down, tearing throats and necks with their talons.
Afterwards Telemachus sets sail for the mainland to seek
news of his father.
Homer’s Odyssey
Book I-II Recap
Please take out a separate sheet of lined paper.
Think about the 3 major ancient Greek values we talked
about from the beginning.
What examples of “respect for the body” do you recall?
What examples of “hospitality” do you recall?
What examples of “respect for the gods” do you recall?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book I-VIII Recap
Please take out a separate sheet of lined paper and a pen or pencil.
What does Penelope do to postpone having to marry one
of the suitors?
Who keeps Odysseus hostage for 7 years?
Where is Odysseus at the end of Book VIII? What does he
start doing?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book IX: New Coasts and Poseidon’s Son
Alcinous’ call to Odysseus to reveal his identity is Odysseus’ cue to begin
telling of the adventures that will literally make his name. Homer’s greatest hero
is, himself, a famous storyteller. Perhaps all successful heros must contain aspects
of their creators. The adventures that follow are the ones for which the epic is most
remembered. Imagine the excitement of the Phaeacians, having just heard
Demodocus sing the story of the Trojan horse, when they discover the identity of
their guests. Alcinous has just asked Odysseus to reveal his name.
• Read pages 370-371, lines 1-40 to see how Odysseus explains his
identity.
Question:
1. What do you notice that is interesting about the way Odysseus
introduces himself?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book IX: New Coasts and Poseidon’s Son
Next, Odysseus tells of his voyage from Troy--how many of his
men lost their lives during a foolish raid on the Cicones, how Zeus
punished the survivors by raising the North Wind against their ships,
how they were made to drift aimlessly from place to place, for nine
days. Finally, they stopped at the land of the Lotus Eaters. (The
people of Southern Europe used to make a drink from the fermented
fruit of the lotus plant. The drink was supposed to produce feelings of
laziness and dreaminess). Odysseus continues to speak…
• Read page 372, lines 91-112 to find out about the Lotus Eaters.
Question:
1. Why were the Lotus Eaters dangerous for Odysseus’ men?
What might be a modern day “honeyed plant”?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book IX: New Coasts and Poseidon’s Son
Salvation from the next adventure requires the special
intelligence associated with Odysseus’ name. Odysseus is the
cleverest of the ancient Greek heroes because his divine
guardian is the goddess of wisdom, Athena. As a result of his
confrontation with the Cyclops named Polyphemus, the oneeyed monster son of the god, Poseidon, Odysseus incurs the
wrath of the sea god. Polyphemus might be said to represent the
brute force and a negative singleness of purpose that any hero
must overcome before he can reach home. It is Odysseus’
famed curiosity that leads him to the Cyclops’ cave and that
makes him insist on waiting for the barbaric giant.
Homer’s Odyssey
Book IX: New Coasts and Poseidon’s Son
Homer’s Odyssey
Book IX: Encountering the Cyclops: Intro
Based on these images, how would you
characterize (describe) the Cyclops? Do the images
depict the Cyclops similarly or differently? Which do
you predict is most accurate?
Homer’s Odyssey
Encountering the Cyclops Jigsaw: Step 1
If you are a 1…
•Silently Read pages 375-377, lines 241-375 and answer the
PART 1 questions on your handout.
If you are a 2…
•Silently Read pages 378-381, lines 376-460 and answer the
PART 2 questions on your handout.
If you are a 3…
•Silently read pages 381-383, lines 461-630 and answer the
PART 3 questions on your handout.
YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES, GO!
Homer’s Odyssey
Encountering the Cyclops Jigsaw: Step 2
1. You will get into groups based on your number:
•
All 1s will get together on the right.
•
All 2s will get together in the middle.
•
All 3s will get together on the left.
2. In your groups you will discuss your answers to all of the
questions.
3. You will summarize the action taking place in your section,
predicting either what came before, after, or both, depending
on your section (1s will predict after, 2s will predict both, and
3s will predict before). Be prepared to share with the class!
YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES, GO!
Homer’s Odyssey
Encountering the Cyclops Jigsaw: Step 3
Each group will share their summary as well as
the answers to their questions.
You should be taking notes on your worksheet in
the appropriate section while the groups
present their part of Odysseus’ encounter with
the Cyclops.
Homer’s Odyssey
Book IX: Encountering the Cyclops: Wrap-Up
Think back to the predictions we made of the
Cyclops, based on these images, at the beginning of
class today. How has the reading changed your mind
about the Cyclops? How has the reading reinforced our
original ideas about the Cyclops?
Homer’s Odyssey
Reading Vocabulary 4
Fawned On
Flay
Showed affection for.
Bovine; Beeves
Two words for cattle.
Kneaded
Squeezed and pressed.
Headlands
Points of land jutting out into the sea; promontories.
Assonance
The repetition and emphasis of vowel sounds.
Consonance
The repetition and emphasis of consonant sounds.
Maelstrom
A large, violent whirlpool.
Gorge
Throat; gullet.
Blanched
Became pale.
To strip off the outer skin of.
Homer’s Odyssey
Book X: The Grace of the Witch
Homer’s Odyssey
Book X: The Grace of the Witch
Odysseus and his men land next on the island of Aeolia. There, the wind king,
Aeolus, does Odysseus a favor. He puts all the stormy winds in a bag so that
they will not harm the Ithacans. The bull’s-hide bag containing the winds is
wedged under Odysseus’ afterdeck. During the voyage, the suspicious and
curious sailors open the bag (thinking it contains treasure), and the evil winds
roar up into hurricanes to plague the luckless Odysseus again. After more of
this men are killed and eaten by the gigantic cannibals called the
Laestrygonians, Odysseus’ ship lands on Aeaea, the home of the witch-goddess,
Circe. Here, a party of twenty-two men, led by Eurylochus, goes off to explore
the island. Odysseus speaks…
•
Read pages 388-390, lines 222-301 in which Odysseus tells of his adventures
with Circe and how his men are turned into pigs!
Questions:
1.
2.
When we first see Circe (Kirke) what is she doing? Does this remind you of
anything we have read so far in the Odyssey? Does this give us any clues
about Circe?
What is the mistake of Odysseus and his men when they see Circe and what
does Circe do to them?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book X: The Grace of the Witch
Odysseus leaves the ship and rushes to Circe’s hall. The god, Hermes, stops him to
give him a plant that will act as an antidote to Circe’s power. The plant is
called “molu,” and it might have been a type of garlic. Odysseus uses the molu
and the witch, overcome by the plant’s magic, frees Odysseus’ men. Now,
Circe, “loveliest of all immortals,” persuades Odysseus to stay, share her meat
and wine, and restore his heart. After many seasons of feasting and other
pleasures, Odysseus and his men beg Circe to help them get home.
•
Read page 395, lines 533-553 where Circe tells Odysseus he must visit a
blind prophet in Hades, Teirsias.
Questions:
1.
Why must Odysseus visit Teirsias?
2.
How does Odysseus feel about having to travel into the Underworld?
3.
What do you think traveling to Hades would be like?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book XI: The Gathering of Shades
In Book XI, we see Odysseus’ journey to the
Underworld to find out his destiny. The source of his
information is Teiresias, the famous blind prophet from
the city of Thebbes, whose lack of external sight suggest
the presence of true insight (Hmmmmm… wasn’t Homer
rumored to be blind…?) Circe has told Odysseus exactly
what rites he must perform to bring Teiresias up from the
dead…
Why do you think this book is called “The Gathering of Shades”?
Shades = Spirits of the dead, residing in Hades.
Odysseus’ Journey to Hades
A Hero’s Quest Activity
In the following activity you will take on the role of Odysseus, following his
footsteps into the Underworld (and hopefully back out of the Underworld) to find
Teiresias. You will reach obstacles along the way, and be forced to make several
choices. If you choose correctly you will move on in your quest, and ultimately, make
it back from the Underworld safely and successfully.
Your Team’s Quest:
You like Odysseus, are not alone among the heroes who must descend
into the Land of the Dead. The Sumerian hero, Gilgamesh, the Greek heroes,
Theseus and Hercules, and many other heroes have made similar journeys to the
one you are about to make. Like your predecessors, you will see that the truly
significant voyages in life involve journeys to the deepest parts of yourselves, and
a confrontation with the darkest reality of all--death.
Your team will face many obstacles on your quest, but do not lose
confidence or faith in your abilities. Remember to work together, appreciating
everyone’s idea as you will need each team member’s talents to make it out of
Hades successfully. I wish you all luck as you begin your descent into the depths
of the Underworld…
Odysseus’ Journey to Hades
Obstacle #1
When Odysseus decided to venture home once again from Circe’s island, Circe used her
magical powers to determine that Odysseus must enter Hades and speak to the former prophet
of Thebes, Teiresias. Following Circe's advice, Odysseus set sail westward toward the river
Ocean and the shores of Persephone.
You arrive successfully at this place described to Odysseus by Circe, but cannot remember
what she said you must do once you arrive. All you have with you is an excerpt from the text
that reads…
With my drawn blade
(Book XI, Lines 26-39)
I spaded up the votive pit, and poured
Following in Odysseus’ footsteps you:
libations round it to the unnumbered dead:
sweet milk and honey, then sweet wine, and last
A) Dig up a corpse, feed it, wash it, and bring
clear water; and I scattered barley down.
it back to life to protect you in the
Then I addressed the blurred and breathless dead,
Underworld (with the promise that you
vowing to slaughter my best heifer for them
will geed it your best meat, as a form of
before she calved, at home in Ithaka,
hospitality, when it gets you home).
and burn the choice bits on the altar fire;
B) Dig a hole and pour in several ingredients
as for Teiresias, I swore to sacrifice
before you slaughter a few animals and let
a black lamb, handsomest of all our flock.
their blood drip into the hole (this sacrifice
Thus to assuage the nations of the dead
will show respect for and attract the dead
I pledged these rites, then slashed the lamb and ewe,
who are blood thirsty!)
letting their black blood stream into the wellpit.
Homer’s Odyssey
Reading Vocabulary 5
Oblation
Quiver
Sacrifice
Heft
Weight
Smote
Struck; affected sharply.
Brazen
Made of brass.
Entrails
Internal Organs
Rash
Foolish; thoughtless.
Skins by
Sneaks away.
Helm
Helmet
Lavished
Showered
A case in which arrows are carried.
Homer’s Odyssey
Book XII: Sea Perils and Defeat
The afterlife envisioned by Homer was not a happy place of rest. This society, which
so relished the joys, accomplishments, and passions of the physical life, found
little pleasure in an eternal life among mere shadows. After his many encounters
in the Land of the Dead, Odysseus returns to Circe’s island for further
instructions. Once he has arrived, the witch, Circe, warns Odysseus of the perils
that await him—the forces that would prevent him from achieving his destiny.
•
Read page 414 lines 31-60 to answer the following questions:
Questions:
1. Who are the Sirens (Seirenes)?
2. Why are they dangerous (what will they do to Odysseus and his
men)?
3. What can Odysseus and his men do to avoid the Sirens?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book XII: Sea Perils and Defeat
The next dangers lie between two headlands with sheer cliffs. Circe
continues...
•You will now read pages 414-465, lines 61-136 and answer the
following questions:
Questions:
1. Who or what are the dangers which Circe speaks of?
2. What kind of language does Homer have Circe use in this passage to
describe the dangers?
•Now, continue on page 416 and read Circe’s important warning in
lines and lines 137-153.
Question:
What is important of these warnings? Why might Homer include this?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book XII: Sea Perils and Defeat
Now Odysseus sets off through the obstacles…
•
Read pages 417-419, lines 180-299 to experience Odysseus’
encounters with the Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis.
Questions:
1. How would you react if you had to take on Scylla and Charybdis?
2. Can you find any examples of metaphor or simile here?
Personification?
Because they are dying of starvation Odysseus’ men disobey his orders and eat the
sacred cattle of the sun god, Helios. When they set sail again, they are punished
by death. Zeus destroys their boat with a thunderbolt, leaving only Odysseus
alive, to drift alone towards Calypso’s island. After being trapped with Calypso
for 7 years, Hermes comes and sets Odysseus free. Odysseus washes up on the
shore of the Phaecians who show him great hospitality and are intrigued by the
tale of his journeys.
Homer’s Odyssey
Where have we been so far?
Homer’s Odyssey
Book XIII-XV: One More Strange Island,
Hospitality in the Forest, and How They Came to Ithaca
In Book 13, Odysseus, laden with gifts, is returned in secret to Ithaca in one of
the magically swift Phaeacian ships. In Ithaca, Athena herself appears to the hero. She
advises him how to proceed and disguises him as a beggar. Notice that this new hero of
the postwar age of disillusionment will achieve success not only by physical power, but
also by guile and wisdom.
In Book 14, Odysseus, in his beggar disguise, find his way to the house of his
old and trusty swineherd, Eumaeus. Eumaeus is the very image of faithfulness in a
servant--a quality much prized by Homer’s society. The introduction of the so-called
“servant class” as important actors is unusual in epic poetry, and it indicates homer’s
originality. Odysseus is simply but politely entertained in the swineherd’s hut, but he
remains disguised from Eumaeus.
In Book 15, we go back to Telemachus, who is still with Menelaus and helen.
The plots of the father and the son are now about to be brought together. Athena
appears to the boy and advises him to return home. She warns him that the evil suitors
plan to ambush him. Telemachus boards a ship for home, lands secretly on Ithaca, and
heads toward the cottage of the swineherd. As father and son were moved closer and
closer together, the suspense in the audience must have become great. Now Homer is
ready for what could be the most dramatic moment in the epic.
Homer’s Odyssey
Book XVI: Father and Son
Not realizing that the stranger is his father, Telemachus agrees to protect him as best he
can. But he tells the beggar that he cannot stay in the palace hall because he will be
abused by the drunken suitors. The swineherd is sent to Penelope with news of her
son’s return. Now it seems that even Athena cannot stand the suspense any longer. She
turns to Odysseus, in beggar’s rags…
Common Mistakes on the
Odyssey Essay




The title for The Odyssey was not italicized.
Analysis could go deeper. Don’t just tell me WHAT, tell me
how, and why it is important.
Quotations were not cited properly:
 Bad Example: (pg. 237, lines 145-147)
 Good Example: (X, 23-5)
Quotations were not introduced properly:
 Bad Example: “There we built a fire,…”
 Good Example: While in the underworld, Odysseus
states, “…but I dragged the great beast up…”