by Homer

Homer

Conflict with a god

POSEIDON = god of the sea.

Roman name: Neptune.

Also called Earth-shaker.

Symbols include trident and fish

Odysseus’ World

An ancient map

Introduction

Few stories are as revered as Homer’s ageless tales of courage and perseverance. The Iliad and The Odysseystrike at the heart of man’s struggle for truth, namely his desire for greatness and his mortal limitations.

An Old & Beloved Story Papyrus fragment

with lines from Homer's Odyssey,

Early Hellenistic, 285–250 B.C.Greek, PtolemaicGift of Egypt Exploration Fund,

1909 (09.182.50)

Ancient Fragments from Homer’s Odyssey

A Nostos Story

Trojan War finally over after ten-year siege

Odysseus wants to go home, live in peace

Before reaching Ithaka, he offends Poseidon.

Poseidon wants Odysseus to suffer, be humbled

A New Way of Life Odysseus sees limits of courage,

strength

Must fight monsters, magic differently

Must live by wit, trust instincts

Must test words, actions; assess loyalty

Odysseus persists, becomes better – because of obstacles

Other Transformations Odysseus’ absence

transforms wife and son

Penelope becomes pillar of strength

Telemachos finds courage, strength, wisdom

Moral Lessons Importance of duty, honor

Love, hope, faithfulness tested

Redefines the Greek leader

Purpose of suffering, perseverance

Movement from impassioned warrior to honorable king

The Telemachy

Odysseus’s Dilemma

Where is Odysseus when The Odyssey begins?

Why is he there?

Telamachos, Odysseus’ Son

Where is Telemachos?

How old is he?

What is he like?

What is his life like?

Why does Homer initially focus on Telemachos?

Coming of Age

Rites of Passage: Stages

Separation from mother

Learning about father

Heroism, leadership, character

Personal obstacles

Tests of courage, faithfulness

Rites of Passage continued

Rejoin the community

Join company of men

Ready to stand beside Odysseus

To fight, to reign

Symbolism

Hospitality and the Orderly Society

Indicates right relationship between gods, men

Zeus honors hospitality

First part of meal offered to gods

Builds trust

Shared meal, no suspicion, get acquainted

Blessings of Hospitality

Acknowledges class

Second portion offered to guests

Guests seated according to rank in society

Brings blessing and honor

Host can afford gifts, shares his wealth

Benefits of Hospitality

Protection

Nestor and Menelaosoffer:

Guidance

Support

Truth

Hospitality & the Disorderly Society

“A disordered society cannot celebrate a proper

feast; the host will not offer thanks to the gods,

the guests will not know their rankings, and they

will compete for a share of the food rather than

sharing.”

- Peter Leithart, Heroes in the City of Man (165)

Journal

What sort of “hospitality” has Telemachos seen at home?

What does he learn about the orderly society as he observes various feasts and celebrations in the home of Nestor and Menelaos?

Why is this so important?

Nestor and Menelaos

Journal

How do the journeys to Pylosand to Sparta help Telemachos to mature?

Telemachos learns from Nestor & Peisistratos

Nestor:

Hospitality

Generosity

Peisistratos:

Another young man

A prince, a leader of men

Challenging Telemachos

Telemachos hears stories about Odysseus.

What do the stories reveal about Odysseus’s character?

How do the stories help Telemachos?

Telemachos learns from Menelaus

Hospitality, generosity

Helen’s gifts

Restraint, moderation

Biggest challenge?

Delay? Advice: “Acquire wealth”?

Menelaos and the Old Man of the Sea

Why does Menelaostalk about the Old Man of the Sea?

How would this story help Telemachos?

Guests Who Don’t Know When to Leave

Who are the suitors? Treacherous liars

How do we know about their character?

Neglect their own kingdoms

Why?

What do the suitors want?

Attacking the Laws of Hospitality

A king’s wealth should be shared.

Promotes loyalty; tied to political power

Attacking a man’s property is attacking him.

Possessions = reflect glory, hero’s reputation

How are the suitors eroding Odysseus’ power?

The Ideal Greek Woman

Circumspect Penelope Peter Leithart calls Penelope a

“human Athene” (166).

Is this an accurate description?

How is Penelope the “ideal Greek woman”?

Do difficulties help Penelope develop her character?

How is Penelope like a “pillar”?

Journal

Think about Penelope, Clytaemnestra and Helen.

Compare and contrast these three women.

How does Penelope feel about power and fame?

Penelope takes some pleasure in the suitors’ attention.

Why?

Symbolism

The Loom

• Loom = woman’s instrument

• Sword , spear = man’s

instruments

• An image of fate and destiny

• Penelope weaves shroud, not

wedding veil

• Penelope weaves “web” of

deceit

Theme

Kalypso: “Hidden”

How does Kalypso tempt Odysseus?

She wants Odysseus to co-rule her island.

Why is this a problem?

Is a hidden hero the same as a dead hero?

Importance of Immortality

Greek heroes want immortality – gained through fame.

Why does Odysseus reject Kalypso’s offer?

Opposite of Achilles’ choice

Gift vs. Reward for courage and endurance?

Odysseus prefers to suffer for “true” immortality. Why?

An Overly Ordered Society

Problems with Phaiakian Society

Hospitable – but not to foreigners

Isolated, proud

Fast ships – but for what purpose?

Athletes: boxers, wrestlers, runners; not warriors

What might we infer about Phaiakian society?

What do the Phaiakians Value?

A life of comfort

Clean clothes, soft beds

Feasts, music, dancing

Is this society too civilized?

Journal

The Phaiakians are not challenged by war or by difficulty.

Can a society develop if it is never challenged? Can it progress? Explain.

Kleos: Fame through Song

Odysseus not immediately identified – Why not?

Phaiakians know he is Trojan War hero (8.244-50)

Identifies himself only when they notice he is crying

Significance of song?

Phaiakian Aid

Phaiakians agree to help Odysseus get home

Phaiakian city dedicated to Poseidon

Irony?

“Son of Pain”

Obstacles and Lessons Temptation to renounce his

heroic calling

What does Odysseus want?

Penelope vs. the heroic return

Why does Poseidon strip past glories from Odysseus?

What does Odysseus learn from suffering?

Learning to Fight in a New Way

Taking the Long Way Home

Obstacles

and

Lessons

Odysseus’ Journey

How does this map

emphasize the

wanderings of

Odysseus?

Blown About by Every Wind

Note the sequence of

Odysseus’ travels.

How is this similar to

the wanderings of the

Israelites when they

traveled through the

wilderness?

Why must Odysseus fight monsters?

“No man’s land”

Unfit for man

Tests

Facing death

No victory through force

Kikonians First encounter after Trojan

War

Odysseus’ men attack first; killing, enslaving Kikonians

Odysseus wants to leave; men want celebration

Odysseus’ ability to lead?

Delay = Kikonians defeat Odysseus

Lotus Eaters

Eating to forget

Why are they dangerous?

How are Lotus Eaters like the suitors?

How do they tempt people?

How is “forgetfulness” similar to death?

Cyclopes Orderly society?

Work? Law? Government? Community?

Isolation

Myopic

How are the Cyclopes like the suitors?

Polyphemos

Greatest of the Cyclopes

Son of Poseidon

Scoffs at hospitality

How does Odysseus respond?

Why is this a problem?

Escape from the Cave

What does Odysseus learn about himself?

What does Odysseus need to learn?

Aiolos

Describe guest-host relationship

How does Odysseus lose Aiolos’ gift?

How is this incident related to trust?

Laestrygonians What are these people

like?

How do they treat Odysseus’ men?

How are they similar to the suitors?

Who is more barbaric?

Odysseus’ Men

Are Odysseus’ men honorable? Courageous?

Do Odysseus’ men respect the laws of hospitality?

Is Odysseus responsible for their behavior?

Circe: Appearance vs. Reality

Circe appears to be a “typical” Greek woman.

How does her appearance conflict with reality?

Result:

Possible mutiny. What does Odysseus learn?

Where does Circe tell Odysseus he must go? Why?

Facing the Abyss

A Map of the Underworld

A frightening journey

The Underworld

Odysseus meets Teiresias

Surprise Encounters Why is Odysseus surprised

to see Elpenor ?

What does Elpenor want?

Why is Odysseus surprised to see Antikleia?

What does Odysseus learn from Antikleia?

Women in the Underworld

Odysseus interviews several women in the Underworld.

What pattern emerges in these stories?

What does Odysseus learn from them?

Agamemnon

Warns Odysseus to be careful

Should Odysseus heed Agamemnon’s warning?

Journal

Compare/contrast Odysseus and Agamemnon

Parallels:

Agamemnon = ?

Clytemnestra = ?

Aegisthus = ?

Orestes = ?

Achilles Long life of obscurity vs.

short, glorious life

Achilles’ regret

Why is Achilles’ statement such a surprise?

Why does Odysseus need to hear this?

The Abyss Odysseus faces death

and “the abyss”

Why is this a life-changing moment?

Why must Odysseus make this journey alone?

A Friendlier Encounter?

Back to Circe’s Island

Why does Odysseus return to Circe’s island?

What does this suggest about Odysseus?

Has he changed?

How does Circe help Odysseus?

Calculated Losses

The Sirens: A Subtle Danger Land around Sirens’ rock like

a battlefield

Sirens sing about Trojan War

Heroes want to hear about their success.

Temptation?

Song reminds Odysseus of warrior past. Problem?

Odysseus and the Sirens

Odysseus drawn to Sirens – resists temptation. Why?

What does this passage suggest about community?

Is Odysseus a new man?

Skylla

How does Skylla “disguise” herself?

Why does Odysseus choose Skylla over Charybdis?

How is Skylla similar to the suitors?

What does Odysseus learn?

Skylla and Odysseus’ Ship

Learning Lessons the Hard Way

Helios’ Cattle

Why are Helios’ cattle special?

Describe the warning.

Can gods determine what is holy/unholy?

How many warnings did Odysseus have?

Where is Odysseus when his men disobey?

Charybdis “Swallows” the ship, “spews it up

again”

Eating imagery.

Charybdis does not “digest” anything fully.

How is Charybdis like the suitors?

What does Odysseus learn?

Trials and Refuge – for Odysseus AND for Telemachos

Telemachos and the Fugitive

Why does Telemachos offer the fugitive protection?

What does this suggest about Telemachos?

How has Telemachos matured?

How does the fugitive encourage Telemachos?

The Journey Home

What does it mean for

Odysseus to go

“home”?

How does his journey

change him?

Sleep

Why does Odysseus sleep on the voyage home?

What might this sleep symbolize?

Has he been in a dream-like state?

How has his life been like a nightmare?

A New Kind of Hero

Odysseus must become new kind of hero

What does that really mean?

Old hero = ?

New hero = ?

A New Kind of Society

What kind of society will Odysseus establish?

How will this society differ from Troy?

How will it differ from present Ithaka?

What qualities, skills will Odysseus need?

Friend and Mentor

Eumaios’ Story

Who is Eumaios?

Where did he come from?

Why is he in Ithaka?

What do we know about his life?

Why is he called the “noble” swineherd?

What does Telemachos learn from the Swineherd?

How does Eumaios’ background help him mentor Telemachos?

Why does Telemachos calls the swineherd “father”?

In what way is the swineherd a father figure?

The Hospitality of Eumaios Eumaios offers:

Protection

Respect

How will these things help restore the kingdom?

Contrast Eumaios’ behavior to the suitors’ behavior

What is real?

Encountering Eumaios Why does Odysseus go to

Eumaios first?

Consider Eumaios’ reaction to the old beggar.

Why isn’t Eumaios fearful or suspicious?

What does this say about the swineherd?

Odysseus: The Old Beggar

Why does Athena make Odysseus look lowly?

Does this disguise expose the suitors’ nature?

Are they more guilty because they abuse a beggar?

Is Odysseus’ wrath justified?

Delayed Identification

“Is Odysseus alive? Dead?”

Was hidden on Kalypso’sisland

Now hidden from Penelope

A warrior/king hidden from the suitors

Significance?

Odysseus’ Name: “Son of Pain” Does Odysseus abandon the

warrior image?

What kind of king does he become?

What kind of father does he become?

What kind of husband does he become?

Is he a type of healer?

Reunited for a Greater Purpose

Anagnoresis Moment when a character makes a critical discovery

Includes recognition of a person AND of what that he represents (justice, stability, love, etc.)

Includes hero's sudden awareness of a situation, or his insight into a relationship

Recognition & Revelation Common in epic literature

Where do we see anagnoresis in The Odyssey?

This story contains a progressive revelation.

What does Odysseus learn about himself in these scenes?

Believing is Seeing? Look at 16.194-8.

Telemachos refuses to believe Odysseus is his father.

What does Telemachos expect to see?

Why does Telemachos need to look beyond physical appearances?

A Single Family Line

One Son Each: Implications? Each man in Odysseus’ family had only one son (16.114-21).

“…the son of Kronos made ours a single line” (16.117-8).

Arkeisios –» Laertes

Laertes –» Odysseus

Odysseus has a sister, but he is the only son.

Odysseus –» only Telemachos

The Hope of the Kingdom? What happens to the kingdom if Odysseus dies?

How will Ithaka change if a suitor comes to power?

A truly honorable man will accept responsibility and fulfill his duty.

What does this mean for Odysseus?

What does this mean for Telemachos?

A Relationship Developed through Trials

Odysseus & Telemachos: Facing the Enemy

Odysseus and Telemachos are seriously outnumbered.

108 suitors + servants: a total of 118 men

Telemachos chooses to fight alongside his father. Significance?

Journal

As they prepare to face their enemies, Odysseus and Telemachos realize that they must rely on the gods. Why is this so important?

What lessons has Odysseus learned on his journeys that will help him in this fight?

A Question of Trust

Read 16.301-7.

Why can’t Odysseus tell anyone about his problem?

Eumaios?

Laertes?

Penelope?

Telemachos: Becoming a Man of Honor

Telemachos watches the suitors abuse his father (17.489-92).

How does Telemachos demonstrate self-control?

How will this prepare Telemachos to rule?

Journal

Briefly describe how Telemachos has changed since Book 1.

Penelope’s Temptation Will Penelope forget Odysseus,

Telemachos upon remarriage?

Is Penelope’s heart divided?

The suitors say that “[she] does not refuse the hateful marriage, nor is she able to make an end of the matter…” (16.126-7).

Do the suitors have a right to be upset?

Is Penelope a “pillar” at the close of the book?

A Mixed Character

The Test

Leading the Suitors: Antinoös & Eurymachos

Why is Antinoös dangerous?

16.435-449

17.65-6

17.394-5

17.404

17.446-9

17.462-5

What about Eurymachos?

Melanthios: A Treacherous Servant

How does Melanthios reflect his master’s insolence?

Compare/contrast his behavior with the swineherd’s behavior.

Telemachos’ Intervention

Read 22.355-60.

How does Telemachos intervene to save lives?

Odysseus’ Darker Side

Odysseus slaughters his enemies.

How does he deal with the suitors’ families?

How does this experience shape his character?

What sort of bearing will this have on his reign?