[Homer2009-1] Odyssey Discussion Questions

Tue Nov 10 17:37:44 UTC 2009

Hello All !  My sincere apologies for missing the call last week.   
Last minute family emergency, and I could not call in.
Andrea - thanks for the next set of questions.   I will listen the  
recording from the last call and look forward to connecting with you  
all on Dec 7th.
Best,
Cyndie

On Nov 9, 2009, at 9:51 AM, Andre Stipanovic wrote:

> Hi fellow readers of Homer,
> Please let these study guide questions for Books 17-24 help you  
> reflect on your reading.  You may want to wait to read over these  
> until you finish the book if you don't like finding out about the  
> ending too soon.
> We will conclude our discussion of the Odyssey on Monday December 7  
> (1-888-350-0075; passcode:  1100494#) @8pm EST.  In the meantime,  
> please feel free to send out your questions to me and to the group  
> so we can keep the discussion going.  I have enjoyed our discussions  
> so far and your questions!
> Also, please note that Stanley Lombardo will be live on Monday  
> December 14, reading from his translation of the Odyssey.  This is  
> an excellent opportunity to HEAR the epic (the Greek word "epos"  
> means the uttered word) from a master translator and reciter.  Sign  
> up online at Reading Odyssey.
> Best,
> Andre
>
> Study Guide Questions  - Discussion #3
> Books 17-24 Revenge
> 17-20 Odysseus and Telemachus return to the palace in imminent danger
> 1.  Book 17 - Omens
> As Odysseus first sets eyes on his own palace after 20 years, what  
> are the ways that he is tested by Athena?  How much restraint is  
> Odysseus forced to show?  Why?  How do the two omens in Book 17 work  
> with respect to each other (i.e. Theoclymenus’ prophecy and  
> Telemachus’ sneeze)?
> 2.  Book 18 - King of the Beggars
> What does the fight between Irus and Odysseus symbolize/foretell?   
> Book 18 can be said to be important for Amphinomus, one of the  
> suitors.  What part does he play in the rivalry between Odysseus and  
> the rest of the suitors?  Why is his part necessary to the story?   
> Penelope’s timed appearance is significant here.  How does it  
> heighten the mounting tension of the story?  How does Eurymachus’  
> quarrel with Odysseus at the end of Book 18 balance that of  
> Odysseus’ fight with Irus at the beginning?
> 3.  Book 19 - Tease
> The reunion of Odysseus and Penelope is somewhat of a tease.  How is  
> Odysseus able to hold back his feelings?  Is he testing Penelope?   
> If so, why should he?  Why is Penelope so steadfast against  
> believing that Odysseus will come back?
> 4.  Book 20 - Gods and Prophecies
> For all of Odysseus’ cleverness and fortitude, he still requires  
> encouragement to stick with his disguise until it is time for him to  
> reveal himself.  At what two points do the gods respond to him?  How  
> manifest are these divine responses to the situation at hand?  What  
> is Odysseus’ main concern in Book 20?  What is Penelope’s?  How do  
> these two differ, yet overlap?
> 21-24 The contest of the bow and ultimate revenge on the suitors
> 5.  Book 21 - Contest of the Bow
> With Athena prompting Penelope to announce the contest of the bow,  
> the revenge on the suitors is set into motion.  How much of this  
> plan is Odysseus in control of?  What is Penelope’s role in this  
> overall plan?  What is Telemachus’ role in the plan?  Could the plan  
> come together without Eumaeus’ or Philoetus’ help?  According to the  
> text of Book 21, in what parts does Athena actively instigate events?
> 6.  Book 22 - Anger Unleashed
> Although Odysseus’ anger is justified, shouldn’t he have taken  
> Eurymachus’ offer for compensation after Antinous was killed?   
> Wouldn’t that have made sense in light of the family feuds and  
> revenge killings that are sure to follow?  Why does Athena let  
> Odysseus struggle in combat with the suitors for as long as she  
> does?  Why does she show the “aegis” when she does, thereby making  
> the suitors flee (p. 345), but not sooner?  In the midst of the  
> killing, Leodes the soothsayer begs for mercy.  Leodes was the first  
> to try the bow on p. 326 and foresaw this calamity, but Odysseus  
> still kills him anyway.  Why?  Phemius the bard also begs for mercy,  
> but he and Medon the herald are spared.   Why?  Are the punishments  
> of the serving women and Melanthius just or too harsh?
> 7.  Book 23 - Aftermath of Slaughter
> Ironically, Penelope wakes up from a “sweet sleep” (line 17, p.  
> 353).  Why is she now, all of a sudden, blessed with a “sweet  
> sleep”?  Why does Penelope continue to hold back from believing that  
> Odysseus has returned?  If Odysseus himself hadn’t killed the  
> suitors, as she says, then who does she believe has killed them?   
> Why would this be frightening to her rather than happy?   How is  
> Penelope finally convinced that this stranger is her husband?   
> Penelope finally recognizes Odysseus as her long-lost husband and  
> Homer uses a simile to describe the moment (p. 360).  What does the  
> simile show about the relationship between Penelope and Odysseus?
> 8.  Book 24 - Shades and Judgment
> Book 24 opens by recalling some of the shades in Hades we met in  
> Book 11.  Some commentators say that Agamemnon’s and Achilles’  
> conversation is out of place here.  Is it or is it not?  Why does  
> Odysseus continue to put on a false front with his father, even  
> after the suitors have been killed?   Eupeithes, Antinous’ father  
> rouses up the Ithacans against Odysseus.   What sort of threat is  
> posed to Odysseus and his family?  Zeus makes an irrevocable  
> judgment of the situation on Ithaca.  How does Athena respond to  
> what Zeus says?  Why must Zeus throw a thunderbolt?  What does the  
> situation on Ithaca show about the Greeks in general? about the  
> Greeks at Troy?
>
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