Ancient Cultures Course SLS 301 Reflection

Adriana D’Esposito, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed major in SLS Early Childhood Education

When I enrolled in the SLS 301 course on Ancient Cultures, I didn't expect to relate to the course in any way, shape or form. However, as the semester progressed and the course kept developing, I realized I was wrong. There are a few articles, stories, and plays that have stayed with me since taking this course. One of them is The Odyssey.

I didn’t expect to find much of myself in a Greek poem about a war hero sailing home from battle and fighting monsters. But then I came across the character Odysseus in the cave with the Cyclops, and suddenly, this ancient poem didn’t seem so distant anymore.

The Cyclops episode was one of the most interesting parts of The Odyssey for me—not just because of the insane actions described within the scene, but because of what it revealed about Odysseus as a person. It describes this man who is clever enough to trick a man-eating giant simply just by calling himself “Nobody”, only to blow the whole thing when he can’t resist shouting out his real name as he sails away. That mix of brilliance and pride, is something I'm sure many can relate to in this day in age.

I can’t say I’ve ever been trapped in a cave by a Cyclops, but I’ve been in situations where being smart wasn’t enough—I had to be humble, too. For instance, think of a time when someone solves a problem during a group conversation, or notices a mistake someone else missed. It feels good to speak up and be the one who figured it out, right? But sometimes, instead of just helping or moving forward, people might go a step further to highlight that it was they who saved the day. That extra moment of showing off can change the whole tone of a situation. What could have been a quiet success turns into unnecessary tension. Just like Odysseus, the clever escape is ruined by the need to be recognized.

What surprised me most about these stories was how relevant these ancient values continue today. In ancient Greek culture, cleverness and bravery were prized, but so was knowing when to not say too much in certain situations. That’s still true today, whether you’re leading a team, applying for a job, or just navigating social media. We admire people who are bold and smart—but we also watch them closely looking for moments when their pride can go too far. Odysseus’s story could just as easily play out today, just with a few differences. Instead of yelling from a ship, he'd be posting a victory selfie with the caption: “Escaped the Cyclops. You’re welcome. #Hero.”

This course helped me see that even though ancient cultures were very different from the world we live in today, the people were not. They had strengths, flaws, relationships, and egos—just like we do. Odysseus isn’t just some mythical figure from long ago. He’s a reminder that cleverness needs balance, and that our greatest strengths can sometimes become our greatest weaknesses. That lesson is timeless and embedded within this SLS 301 course.