Story: Olympus High

Authors note and bib, image and formation

Welcome to Olympus High School home of the Mighty Greeks. 

This is the sign that greets every student as they walk into school at the start of each day. Personally, I think it is a little misleading. The Might Greeks? More like the Mighty Losers seeing as we have lost the last six football games this year. Ever since our star player Alex sat out. Alex and our team captain, Henry got in a stupid fight over a girl and now they aren’t talking and Alex is sitting out. He still comes to all of our games, but now he just sits in the front row watching. He’s acting a little like a baby, if you ask me. Of course, no one ever does. I’m just Peter, the stand-in for Alex until he is back in the game. Sure, I get to start the games now, but I know that is only temporary until Alex and Henry get over this argument. We can’t afford for them to be fighting as we approach the big championship game against the Trojans. The Trojans were our biggest rivals, ever since Henry's girlfriend started dating the captain of the Trojans team.

I can’t help but thing that it is all a waste of time and effort as I walk into practice that afternoon. Oddly, our principal, Mr. Bolt, is the face that greets me instead of our coach Hera. 

“Go Greeks! Welcome men! This is the big week, on Friday night all of you will go out to represent our school against the Trojans. I don’t think I need to remind you how big this victory will be for our school.” He paused and stared at us. I don’t know what it is about our principal but when he stares at you, with his piercing eyes it makes you a little concerned about what will happen if you disappoint him.

“I know you all will do great and you wont disappoint me.” He finished and then walked off the field.

“Well you heard him boys, my brother can be a little competitive when it comes to the championship. Now, back to business. We need to address which of you will be starting the game on Friday. So far I have Henry, Sam, Michael, Alex . . .”

“Excuse me, coach,” interrupted Alex. “ I won’t be playing this game. “

“What do you mean you wont be playing? I have tolerated your bad attitude for long enough, you will either play this weekend or you can find yourself another after school activity.” The coach huffed as see stared at Alex.

“I am sorry, but I just wont be able to make it. “ Alex said as he walked off the field.

I knew the coach was only seconds away from blowing up. Before she could speak, I rushed to say, “Let me talk to him coach, I’m his best friend I bet I can talk sense into him.” The coach agreed. As I walked after Alex I wondered why I even volunteered, If Alex didn’t play I would get to wear the quarterback jersey and hopefully lead my team to victory. However, I knew we needed Alex, I knew I needed to put aside what I wanted for the good of the team.

“Alex, wait up!.” I yelled as I chased Alex down the hall.

“Peter you are going to change my mind. I just don’t want to be on the same team as Henry any more. “ Alex said with resignation.

“What about me? What about the school? You know the team will never win without you! We need you to lead us. Without you I would never have even made the team, without those extra practices where you helped me, I would still be sitting on the sidelines. You helped me then and I am going to help you now. Forget Henry and forget the fight, what matters are those two hours on the field, you can put aside your difference for that long cant you?” I pleaded with him.

This is a depiction of the Trojan War by Corinthian Aryballos. Web Source 

Alex looked at me and patted me on the back like a brother. “I will play this one game, but then I am done. It will be your time to lead the team. Henry might be the captain, but the quarterback is the heart of the team.” With another pat to the back, Alex and I continued on to the parking lot where we ran into Henry.

“Alex, I want to talk to you about Friday’s game.” Henry said.

“Save it, Peter already convinced me to play, not for you, but for the team. “ Alex said with a stiff nod.

“Can we please put this behind us Alex? If we truly want to win we need our minds focused on the game and not on this ridiculous argument. I talked to Helen. She admitted she went to the Trojans just to make me mad. You were right. ” Henry said.

“ Trust me, its not something I wanted to be right about. I’m sorry you had to find out like that. “ Alex said as he looked up at Henry.

“ I should have trusted you. If I had we could have put this all behind us and not wasted any more time. “ Said Henry.

“Well then we better get to practice so we don’t waste any more.” Said Alex as he patted Henry’s shoulder.

 FINAL SCORE

MIGHTY GREEKS 45

TROJANS 39

Bibliography: These notes are based on the reading, "The Iliad" by Homer, remastered by Alfred J. Church.

Authors Note:

I used the story of the Iliad for inspiration for my story. The story of the Iliad takes place after Helen in taken by a rival prince Paris. Helen's husband calls on all of the fellow prices in the land to help him get Helen back. What ensues is several battles where many are lost. Achilles (Alex in my story) Is a great warrior but when the King become jealous he begins to take things that aren't his according to how they divided their conquests. Because of this Achilles says he will not fight for the Greeks and sits out of the war. When Patroclus asks his dear friend Achilles if he can battle, Achilles says yes and gives him his armor. It isn't until Partroclus dies that Achilles begins to fight again. For my story I didn't want to kill off Partroclus (Peter), so instead I made him the voice of reason for the story. In the end the Greeks triumph and Achilles is back to his normal self.

Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad, Part B

"Men and lions make no oaths to each other, 

neither is there any agreement 

between wolves and sheep." Source 

For the second part of my reading, I read Part B of the Iliad. I really enjoyed Hector's character. To me he is that person at school who is super inspirational, like a team captain or some other form of leader. However, even the best leaders can go wrong. When Hector puts on Achilles armor I feel like he is setting a bad example. When Zeus gets mad at this it only reinforces the picture of Zeus being a school principal.

In my Olympus High School whose mascot was the Greeks, when they go up against the opposing school whose mascot will be the Trojan, will each have a god or goddess (faculty member) on their side. Zeus, Hera and Athena support the Greeks while Apollo supports the Trojans. During the second half of the reading Hector is considering his different options, but decides the only thing left to do is to fight. I think this goes with the mentality of high school kids, they often can't see beyond one option.

I chose the quote at the top because it is the perfect representation of the stigma of people and things not like us. The character in my story are fighting and hate each other, because at the base they let their school rivalry get too big. However just like the story, people can put aside their differences for a common good.

This is the slaying of Hector with the help from the gods. Web Source

Bibliography: These notes are based on the reading, "The Iliad" by Homer, remastered by Alfred J. Church.

Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad, Part A

This week I read Part A of Homer's Iliad. I first read this story in high school, however I don't remember a lot of the details.

In the beginning of the reading I really enjoy how the princes agree to support and defend who Helena chooses. This kind of reminds me of high school when the school would come together for a common purpose. It might be interesting to see what the princes (they could be the captains of different clubs in the school) come together for a common purpose: to defeat the other school. However there would be something to tear them apart and come back together. Because of the different personalities there will be tension and competing ideas, but in the end they will put their differences aside. Trojans versus the Greeks would be the two opposing football teams. I am still trying to work out who Helena can be in the story and how she might relate to the dispute between schools. She is an interesting character because of the first half of the story she is a pawn in this war amongst kings. It would be interesting if she turned the tables on the men who covet her.

Apollo is a great character because while he was the villain, he was getting revenge for a priest who served him. Apollo could represent a principle who, although his motives might seem unclear to the students, is truly looking out for them. Achilles in this story represents reason to me. He helps Agamemnon see the truth and is willing to put himself on the line for others. Achilles in my "Olympus High School" would represent the archetype of the faithful sidekick.

At Olympus High School I think the Gods should be the faculty of the school. They both guide and redirect the students. Some are the enforcers (Apollo) and others are the nurtures (Hera and Athena) and the School district director (Zeus).

Bibliography: These notes are based on the reading, "The Iliad" by Homer, remastered by Alfred J. Church.

This is the Wrath of Achilles by Michel Drolling. Web Source