Odyssey Notes
'The books that help you the most are those which make you think the most' (T. Parker).
♒ Welcome to Homer's Odyssey!
Homer's Odyssey is the first major literary work that we will study. On this page, I will post information and provide links to Websites that may be helpful.
Remember that reading summaries of a literary work is never a substitute for reading the text itself. (Reading a summary is like watching a football game on TV; reading the text is like playing in the game. If you want to become a successful football player, watching is never a substitute for the experience ofactual participation as a player.) The Greeks understood that it is only through struggles and suffering that we attain wisdom.
*****
DID YOU LEAVE YOUR BOOK IN SCHOOL? USE THE ONLINE ODYSSEY TRANSLATION BY CLICKING HERE.It is not the Fagles's translation, but it will work. Thanks to Brian Shaffer (class of '12) for finding this link.- DO YOU NEED SOME HELP IN FIGURING OUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT? Click here for a helpful link to a teacher's Website. Another, even easier Website is mythweb.com; click here for a link to that site.
- DO YOU NEED TO IMPROVE YOUR READING? Review the reading strategies explained at pages 54-59 of SHHS Handbook.
- DO YOU NEED A BOOK SHEET TO OUTLINE A CHAPTER? Click here for copy.
*****
Homer Web Quest
(Done in class on 12/2/10)
Who was Homer? Here are 3 links to click on to explore:
Be sure your group can present and discuss (briefly) at least 3 alternate theories about who he was.
Here's another article, which is longer but possibly better in style:
Homer as a deity???
For a look at the Apotheosis of Homer, by Ingres, click on the name of the painting. Can you find Shakespeare, Nike, and Alexander the Great in this picture?
(Done in class on 12/2/10)
Who was Homer? Here are 3 links to click on to explore:
Be sure your group can present and discuss (briefly) at least 3 alternate theories about who he was.
Here's another article, which is longer but possibly better in style:
Homer as a deity???
For a look at the Apotheosis of Homer, by Ingres, click on the name of the painting. Can you find Shakespeare, Nike, and Alexander the Great in this picture?
*****
Important Literary Terms
The SHHS Handbook contains general definitions of these terms.
******
Important Literary Terms
The SHHS Handbook contains general definitions of these terms.
- Irony--Make sure you can define and apply all 3 types.
- Allegory-- You can read the Odyssey on the literal level or on the symbolic (allegorical) level. Review the handout on allegory.
- Deus ex machina - The literary term that fits the ending of the Odyssey. It applies to an improbable incident in a literary work that suddenly solves the conflict. In the ancient Greek theater, playwrights sometimes resolved a difficult conflict by the appearance of a deity who would "make everything right" just when things seemed beyond mortal powers to fix. In these ancient plays, the deity would literally be lowered to the stage from the "machine" or stage structure above. Thus, the type of ending which resulted from this became known as a deus ex machina , which in Latin means "god from the machine." Note that this term applies even when a deity is not involved--it applies when any solution to the conflict comes out of the blue in an improbable way.
- Allusion - an unexplained reference to a character or event in a literary work. Typically allusions are made only when communicating to an informedaudience who will have the background knowledge to understand the reference. For example, calling someone a "Romeo," is an allusion to that perfect model of the passionate male lover--Romeo of Romeo and Juliet. The Odyssey is full of allusions to mythological characters, such as Tiresias, the Greek deities and many heroes of the Trojan War. Homer assumes he can just "name drop" these characters and his audience will understand the reference. In particular, we will focus on allusions to Agamemnon and his family.
- Parody - a work that imitates another, often to ridicule the work that is being imitated, but sometimes as a flattering, but humorous tribute. An example of a parody of the Odyssey is the cartoon version done on The Simpsons.
- Symbols- a material object that also represents an abstract quality. Some symbols in the Odyssey are Laertes's shroud, the great rooted bed, Odysseus's bow, the sea, Scylla and Charybdis, and Circe. These are all presented as material objects. Can you identify what abstract quality they also represent?
******
Book 1 Notes:
- Helpful links: Bk. 1 handout (CP) / Bk.1 handout (H) / Characteristics of an Epic handout
Be sure to know the story of Agamemnon and his family. Agamemnon's family members serve as a foils (contrasts) to Odysseus's family. We'll get to meet Agamemnon himself when the story shifts to the Underworld. For 3rd Block, the information about Agamemnon appears in "The Odyssey—Epic Poetry" handout. Click here for the specific information. For 1st & 4th Blocks, the information about Agamemnon was summed up in the “Agamemnon and Allusions” handout. (I have no electronic copy of this handout, but you can click on the 3rd Block handout (link is earlier in this paragraph), which has the required information.)
Be sure to apply your reading strategies as you read. Write down any questions you have and bring them into class. Read aloud difficult passages. Look up unfamiliar names in the Glossary (521-541) of your text.
Be prepared like ever-vigilant Odysseus! A short reading check is always a possibility.
Book 2 Notes
Telemachus calls the council to assembly, and although Aegyptius is pretty excited, things go downhill from there for Telemachus. The overweening suitors aren't easily intimidated. Antinous isn't in the mood to be guilt-tripped, and Eurymachus takes pot shots at Telemachus, Halitherses, and the omens sent by Zeus. (We as readers all know how pleased Zeus will be with Eurymachus. Hubris, anyone?) As you read, be sure to note the screaming eagles sent by Zeus, Penelope's deceit in connection with Laertes's shroud, and the 2 new disguises of Athena. Lastly, in contrast to Eurymachus's attitude, note the respect that Telemachus shows when he and his crew offer libations to the everlasting gods--especially Athena, whose eyes are now "sea-gray." Next stop--Pylos!
Book 3 Notes
Telemachus and Athena arrive in sandy Pylos. Homer shows us the picture of the quintessential good man in the character of Nestor. He consistently practices xenia and demonstrates respect for the gods' laws. "The noble charioteer" also is a model of empathy as he generously offers one of his finest teams of pure bred stallions to Telemachus, so that Telemachus and Pisistratus can enjoy their road trip to Sparta in style. Athena flies back (literally) to the ship, while Telemachus takes off with his new BFF, Pisistratus. (Look for Telemachus to call Pisistratus the " joy of my heart, my friend" in Book 4!) Notice their "need for speed" as they take off to the glitz and glitter of Sparta in the final stanza: "...they whipped their team to a run and on they flew,/ holding nothing back....so fast those purebred stallions raced them on..." (Od. 3.554-6) . Telemachus is discovering that growing up isn't all hardship and obstacles, that independence and power can be pretty sweet if a person can enjoy them with the right company.
Book 4 Notes
This very long chapter really divides into 3 sections. In the first, Telemachus and Pisistratus arrive in Sparta and enjoy the splendor (and xenia). They speak with Menelaus and Helen and share a good cry, which is cut short by Helen's handy Egyptian drugs. Look for a very passive-aggressive set of stories from Helen and Menelaus. In the second part, Telemachus and Menelaus speak privately, and Telemachus hears the good news that his father was alive 7 years after the fall of Troy. Menelaus (who "never lies" accd. to Homer) heard the news from Proteus (who also "never lies.") In the third part of the chapter, the action shifts back to Ithaca. The suitors discover that Telemachus has gone away and they fear he is raising an army to take back his palace. A group of 20 suitors--led by Antinous--sails out to the bay to lie in wait for Telemachus's return.....
There are some interesting supporting characters in Book 5: Proteus, his unfaithful daughter, "the phantom," the lustrous Helen, and faithful Medon.
Book 5 Notes
.
Pay attention to the surprising attitude of Calypso, who demands the same right to a love slave that male deities and powerful male mortals have! While this might not be the best reason for equal rights for women, it was a cry for gender equality, and it may be the first such protest in ancient literature. Some scholars have argued that the author of the Odyssey was a woman, and one piece of evidence that such scholars point to is this passage. Because a woman's actual desires or feelings were pretty irrelevant to most men of ancient times, these scholars claim that only a woman would have considered that a woman might want equal rights to choose a sexual partner. What do you think?
Book 6 Notes
Get to know Nausicaa. Unlike Prince Telemachus--who throws his dirty clothes at Eurycleia--Nausicaa is a princess who does her own laundry! What do you think of her? Is she likable? Is she realistic? She will be the next female to join the Odysseus Fan Club. Her sudden crush is thanks in part to Athena, who improves Odysseus's looks a bit, and thanks in part to Odysseus's own skill with flattery (calling Nausicaa an Artemis-look alike!). Watch out for the big lie Nausicaa tells Odysseus as they approach the city. You won't recognize her words as a lie until her father meets Odysseus (in Book 7) and reveals the truth.
Book 7 Notes
Odysseus meets Alcinous and Arete! Pay attention to how Homer develops the characteristics of each of these monarchs. Pay attention to the setting. Homer gives Phaeacia many magical qualities. Re-read the description of the guard dogs, the orchards, and the Phaeacian ships. Do you notice anything out of the ordinary?
Book 8 Notes:
Pay attention to Odysseus's interaction with Broadsea. Is Odysseus justified to be so angry? Under Greek notions of xenia, he was; but read with a modern perspective, this passage seems to portray Broadsea as a typical guy who is trying to move Odysseus to join in the games. Also pay attention to Nausicaa's good-bye. She claims Odysseus owes her "the gift of life." Some have claimed that the real author of the Odyssey is a woman, and that she wrote herself in as the character of Nausicaa--hence, the fictional Odysseus would owe her "the gift of life"! Others have argued that Homer was a blind man and wrote himself in as the character of Demodocus, the blind bard.
Most of all, pay attention to the prophecy that Alcinous seems so unconcerned about--found at lines 631-641. This is important foreshadowing.
.
Book 9 Notes
Odysseus begins his story, told in flashback, of his10-year journey from Troy to Ogygia. This book details the first 3 adventures: the encounters with Cicones, the Lotus-Eaters, and the Cyclops. Be sure to have an accurate understanding of each of these adventures--especially note the mistakes made and lessons learned by Odysseus at each adventure.
Book 10 Notes
Three more adventures/ encounters are detailed by Odysseus in this chapter, including another encounter with a nymph with lovely braids. Odysseus gets within sight of Ithaca, only to be blown off course again. Worse yet, he loses 11 of his 12 ships as his men are "speared... like fish and carried home to make their grisly meal" by the Laestrygonians. Also in this chapter, Circe calls Odysseus "man of action," but he hardly lives up to that epithet once he stops at Aeaea.
Keep looking for mistakes made and lessons learned by our flawed epic hero as he struggles to find his way home.
Did you ever lie awake at night wondering where the phrase "holy moly" originated? This chapter holds the answer!
Click here for a copy of Book 10 Study Guide.
Book 11 Notes
Odysseus visits the Underworld and gains some advice and wisdom from a series of shades (ghosts). He literally has to "go through hell" to get back to Ithaca! Pay special attention to his encounters with Elpenor, Tiresias, Anticleia, Agamemnon, and Achilles. (If you're in the honors class, you need to know Ajax too!) Homer mentions many other mythological figures in this book--the two that you need to know are Sisyphus and Tantalus. For a quick review, see the class handout that outlines this chapter. If you want to review the information about Tantalus and Sisyphus, take a look at the notes on pages 511 and 512 of your text.
Book 12 Notes
This is the final chapter in which Odysseus narrates his adventures. After returning to Aeaea to bury Elpenor, he has 3 more adventures before washing up on the shore of Ogygia (minus his men, who are back in the Underworld--permanently this time!). Be sure you can summarize his encounters with the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, and the Sungod's cattle. Pay attention to Eurylochus's second round of rebellion. (Do you remember his first? Where does it occur?) Click here for the link to the Study Guide for Bk. 12.
Going "allegorical": The Odyssey can be read as allegory--on the symbolic level. Review the handout on allegory--coming soon!
Book 13 Notes: Home at last--but how will Odysseus fight off more than 100 suitors? Be sure to pay attention to the ironic and tragic outcome of the Phaeacian’s hospitality.
Book 14 Notes: Eumaeus, the faithful swineherd, is introduced in this chapter.
Book 15 Notes: The action shifts to Telemachus, then back to Odysseus (and Eumaeus), then back to Telemachus. Don’t be confused by these shifts.
Book 16 Notes: Odysseus-- with the help of Athena-- reveals his true identity to Telemachus. They begin to craft their plans to punish the suitors. In this chapter, we learn the actual number of suitors. Can you figure it out? Also pay close attention to the characterization given to each of the 3 key suitors-- each one is very different in his personality type.
Books 17 + 18 Notes: Odysseus arrives at his palace at last, but it's a rough homecoming as he endures the insults of suitors and disloyal servants. It's also not so great for his faithful hound, Argos, who waits for 20 years for his master to return, only to have his master decline to hug or pet him. (Odysseus can't drop the disguise-- even for Argos.) Things really heat up when Odysseus encounters Irus--another beggar in the palace-- who doesn't seem too willing to share his turf. Watch out for the foreshadowing in this encounter with Irus. Odysseus's fight with Irus is a preview of his upcoming battle with the suitors-- his opponents will underestimate what they are up against and then will be quickly "dispatched" by a surprise show of force. The foreshadowing doesn't end with the beggars' battle: read the final line of Book 17 for a powerful combination of metaphor and foreshadowing.
Book 19 Notes: Odysseus and Penelope finally speak privately! The big question is: "Does she know that the beggar is Odysseus? Another question is: Why doesn't Odysseus trust her with the news that he's home? (Or does he know that she knows???) What do you think, and how would you support your position about these issues? Your translator gives you some help with finding a hint that Penelope does see through the disguise. Check out Note 19.407 on page 514.
In this book we also find out additional background concerning Odysseus's childhood--how Odysseus got his name, and how he got his very recognizable scar.
Book 20 Notes: Suspense builds and the portents grow increasingly ominous as Odysseus finalizes plans to kill the 108 suitors. Watch out for the parallel dreams of Odysseus and Penelope, and for the growing evidence that Telemachus is now a "manly man," fit to fight alongside his dear old dad. While you're watching out for this, Odysseus better watch out for flying ox-hooves!
Book 21 Notes: Don't get so caught up in the action that you miss the symbolism going down in this chapter. The bow of Odysseus has special significance. Pay attention to who can string it, who can almost string it (but maybe just needs a little more time...), and to all those posers who just don't have what it takes to string it. What do you think the bow symbolizes, apart from just physical strength and skill?
Book 22 Notes: Odysseus, with the help of his son, his swineherd, and his cowherd, finally eliminates the suitors and his disloyal servants.
Book 23 Notes: Odysseus and Penelope--together at last! So why doesn't she rush into his arms? Not Penelope--she's the female counterpart of Odysseus, and she tests him, just as he tests everyone else. Do you think this chapter would work as an ending to the whole poem? Why or why not? Also think about what the great rooted bed might symbolize--especially to Odysseus. This is a key to why he seems so upset when she tells Eurycleia to move the bed.
Book 24 Notes: The final problem--the likely revenge of the suitors' families-- is solved, this time with the direct involvement of Athena and Zeus. Is this any way to end a book that spent 23 chapters emphasizing that a person needs to be self-reliant? In addition to the deus ex machina, a highlight of this chapter is the chat-fest in the Underworld among Achilles, Agamemnon, and Amphimedon, in which Achilles's funeral is described at great length and Amphimedon gives a distinctly biased description of the suitors' slaughter. Also pay attention to Odysseus's emotional reunion with his father, Laertes.
