[Homer2009-1] Odyssey Discussion Questions

Thu Nov 12 19:19:29 UTC 2009

Thanks very much Pauline!  I think the article is well written and
Caroline Alexander's book looks very interesting and especially timely.  I
would add to this discussion, Jonathan Shay's book Achilles in Vietnam. 
Shay is a psychiatrist who interviewed many Vietnam War vets.  He noticed
patterns in soldiers' PTSD that were reflected in characters in the Iliad.
 With the Iliad under my belt, I couldn't put Shay's book down once I
started reading it.  Homer is able to reflect basic human responses across
2000 years in both his Odyssey and Iliad.  What a writer!
Andre

homer2009-1 at readingodyssey.org writes:
>Hi all, 
>
>In light of Veterans Day, this opinion piece appeared in yesterday's NY
>Times:
>
>Back From War, but Not Really Home
>by Caroline Alexander
>
>A sense of dislocation has been shared by veterans returning from war
>since Homer conjured Odysseus' inauspicious return some 2,800 years ago.
>
>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/opinion/08alexander.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=odyssey&st=cse
>
>
>We didn't get to discuss this aspect as much during our October session
>but it was touched upon in the questions prepared by Andre.  Thanks
>everyone and looking forward to next month's discussion.  
>
>Pauline
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------Date:
>Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:51:48 -0600
>To: homer2009-1 at readingodyssey.org
>From: astipanovic at mail.hockaday.org
>Subject: [Homer2009-1] Odyssey Discussion Questions
>
> 
>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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