Homer, the Odyssey
Recommended ResourcesThemes and Essential Questions |
You may find the following resources helpful in our study of the Odyssey:
Reading Epic: An Introduction to the Ancient Narratives, Chapter ? - available on Ebrary The Odyssey is a part of the epic cycle, the last of the “Nostoi” (returns).
Why has it taken so long for Odysseus to return home? Agamemnon and his death at the hands of his wife, Clytemnestra, are frequently brought up in comparison to the situation of Odysseus and Penelope – why? Likewise, why are Orestes and Telemachus seen in contrast to one another? Hospitality is a major theme of the Odyssey. Pay attention to how different parties interact when they visit the homes of others, and the role of gifts. Again, the role of a “proper” burial looms large here – what are the consequences of being lost at sea for Odysseus’ fame? What role does hubris play in the Odyssey? Can you find any examples of hubris? Look for mentions of weaving – what role does it play in the Odyssey? Compare and contrast the descriptions of Ithaca vs. Phaeacia vs. the Cyclops’ society. Who is responsible for the death of Odysseus’ men? Why does Odysseus tell everyone who he is, even when he probably shouldn’t? Keep Track Of… · What we know about the journeys of various heroes home from Troy. · The exchange of gifts. · The different peoples that Odysseus encouters. |
Characters to KnowNote the epithets / descriptors used for each character.
Odysseus Penelope Telemachus Nestor Menelaus Helen Agamemnon Clytemnestra Orestes The Suitors Antinous Eurymachus Calypso Circe Phaeacia Alcinous Nausicaa Arete |
Book 1 |
In the first four books of the Odyssey, we are introduced to the situation at Ithaca, where Odysseus has been missing for the 10 years since the fall of Troy. His son, Telemachus, leaves Ithaca in search of information about Odysseus.
Pay attention to the proem, lines 1-12, - remember the significance of the proem in the Iliad. What does the proem of the Odyssey tell us? What has happened to Odysseus? Which god wants to keep him from coming home? Which gods want to help him? In line 34, we see the first (of many!) mention of what happened to Agamemnon. According to Zeus, are the gods responsible for men’s fates? How is Odysseus described? What has happened in Ithaca during Odysseus’ absence? What problems do his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus face? What news does Athena / Mentes bring? Why does Telemachus wish that Odysseus had died at Troy rather than been lost at sea? (line 274) Why does Athena mention Orestes to Telemachus? How does Penelope appear to us the first time? What does Telemachus tell Penelope? Why is she astonished? Why don’t the suitors listen to Telemachus? How do they see him? |
Book 2 |
We begin with another assembly!
What problems does Telemachus tell the Assembly he has? Who does he blame? What is Antinous’ response? How did Penelope trick the suitors to buy time? What Neocritus say that the suitors will do to Odysseus if he does come hom,e? Does the Assembly give Telemachus his ship and crew? How is Telemachus able to obtain a ship and crew and be on his way? |
Book 3 |
What happened after the Greeks sacked Troy?
What does Nestor tell Telemachus about what happened to Odysseus? In lines 353-363, what advice does Nestor give to Telemachus? |
Book 4 |
What has happened to Menelaus and Helen?
How is Helen treated in the Odyssey? How do Menelaus and Helen look back on the events at Troy? What is Menelaus’ explanation for why his trip home took so long? What does Telemachus learn about what has happened to Odysseus? About what happened to any of the others returning from Troy? What are the suitors plotting on Telemachus’ return? |
Book 5 |
In Books 5-8, we finally get to catch up with Odysseus. He is imprisoned by Calypso; after Calypso sends him on his way he makes his way to Phaeacia, where he is given assistance.
Finally, we get to Odysseus! Why do you think we had to wait four books before seeing Odysseus himself? What is Zeus’ plan for Odysseus’ return home? How does Calypso respond to Hermes’ message from Zeus? How does Poseidon react to Odysseus’ escape? |
Book 6 |
How are the Phaeacians described?
How is Nausicaa described? Why does she go out to wash clothes? What does Nausicaa tell Odysseus to do? Why? Why doesn’t Athena show herself to Odysseus? How is Odysseus treated by the Phaeacians? (in Books 6-8) |
Book 7 |
How are Alcinous and Arete described?
How does Alcinous greet Odysseus? Who are the Phaeacians? |
Book 8 |
What role does the bard Demodocus play?
Starting on line 287, we get the story about Aphrodite and Ares being caught “in flagrante” by Hephaestus, who traps them in a golden net – what do you make of this story? What does it suggest to us about the gods? How do the other gods act towards Aphrodite and Ares? Why does Odysseus weep when he hears Demodocus sing of the Trojan Horse and the sack of Troy? In lines 580-632, what does Alcinous say about hospitality? What is the importance of hospitality? Why offer hospitality to Odysseus? |
Book 9 |
|
Book 10 |
|
Book 11 |
|
Book 12 |
|
Book 13 |
|
Book 14 |
|
Book 15 |
|
Book 16 |
|
Book 17 |
|
Book 18 |
|
Book 19 |
|
Book 20 |
|
Book 21 |
|
Book 22 |
|
Book 23 |
|
Book 24 |
|