Book 1
A Council of Gods and a Gathering of Men
SCENE: Calypso's island (briefly), Olympus (briefly), Ithaca, (mainly)
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS:
Gods: Poseidon, Hermes, Athena/Mentes, Zeus
Mortals: Telemachus, Mentes (Athena): King of the Taphians, friend of Odysseus, Penelope,Eurycleia (nurse) Phemias (the singer), the "suitors," especially Antinous and Eurymachus.
The Book begins with the invocation to the Muse followed by Athena's plea to Zeus to allow her favorite mortal Odysseus to travel home from Ogygia, where he has been held captive for seven years by the nymph Calypso. Zeus agrees but not without insisting the trip be arduous. He does not want to enrage the absent Poseidon, who is angry at Odysseus for having blinded his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. Athena goes to Ithaca to spur Telemachus, Odysseus' son, into action and start him toward manhood. There we met the suitors of Odysseus wife, Penelope, who are abusing the rules of hospitality. We also learn that Penelope has done whatever she could to keep them from taking her hand in marriage. Almost everyone on Ithaca believes Odysseus to be dead.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
· Invocation
· Story of Orestes (including Zeus' attitude toward of Aegisthus).
· The Gods' discussion of Odysseus. Who is on his side? Who is not? Why?
· What Zeus "rules."
· Problems of Odysseus: Where is he? Why? How long has he been away?
· Athena's disguise.
· Youth of Telemachus.
· The violation of hospitality
· Penelope's situation.
· Penelope's actions.
EPITHETS: Who is...
· "The bewitching nymph"
· "Son of Cronos"
· "Who marshals the thunderheads"
· "The clear eyed goddess"
· "Cool headed"
QUESTIONS:
1. What do you see as the attitude of the Gods' towards men?
2. What do you see as the attitude of the Greeks towards hospitality?
3. How would you characterize Telemachus at this point? What are his strengths?
4. What are his weaknesses?
5. How does Athena plan to affect Telemachus?
6. What tragic homecoming story do we hear of? How does it relate to the situation in Ithaca?
7. Who is Phemius?
8. How does Telemachus show strength with Penelope?
9. How does this relate to the visit of Athena?
Book 2
TELEMACHUS and the Suitors
SCENE: Ithaca
CHARACTERS: Eurycleia, Mentes/Mentor/Athena, Telemachus, Antinous, Halitherses, Eurymachus.
In Book 2, Athena, disguised as Mentor, arranges for Telemachus to take a trip to find out from Nestor, one of the Greek Captains in the Trojan War, ostensibly to find out if Odysseus is still alive. In the Book Telemachus surprises both Penelope and the suitors by his newly decisive behavior. He does not, however, tell his mother of his plans, knowing she would try to stop him.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
· Athena, goddess of the household who looks over the family.
· The economic importance of the household.
· The bird omen and the reactions to it.
· Assembly and debate.
· The "new" Telemachus.
· The abuse of and departure of Telemachus.
EPITHETS: Who is...
· "self possessed?"
· "Daughter of Zeus?"
· What has "rose red fingers?"
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the suitor's attitude towards Penelope's reluctance to choose one of them?
2. Why do they think it is their right to "demand" that she choose?
3. What are the two different interpretations of the omen?
4. How does Telemachus respond to the position put forward by Antinous?
Book 3
Telemachus Visits Nestor on the Island of Pylos
SCENE: Pylos
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS: Telemachus, Athena, Nestor, Pisistratus.
This Book begins and ends with sacrifices to the vying gods (Poseidon and Athena) of the Odyssey. In it Telemachus learns from both Nestor and Pisistratus the importance of hospitality and of respect for the gods. Athena seems especially impressed by "old fashioned" ways of Nestor. Telemachus is treated with great respect and he begins to learn what it means to be his father's son. At the end of the Book Telemachus is sent inland to Sparta to meet Menelaus who might know of Odysseus' whereabouts.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
· The sacrifice to Poseidon at the beginning of the book.
· Athena's "prayer to Poseidon.”
· Respect paid to Odysseus.
· Athena's role at the end of the war. Her wrath.
· Nestor's hospitality.
· The Orestes story again.
· The sacrifice to Athena at the end of the book
EPITHETS:
· Who is "the noble charioteer?"
o Use information in the text to help you determine this epithet.
QUESTIONS:
1. How does Athena help Telemachus prepare for Nestor?
2. Why is it important for Telemachus to meet Nestor in particular? What does he seem to represent?
3. Why is it important for Telemachus to meet Pisistratus?
4. What does Telemachus learn about himself? What does Telemachus learn about the meaning of being a son? What does Telemachus learn about the treatment of guests? What does Telemachus learn about sacrifices to the gods?
Book 4
Telemachus Visits Kig Menelaus While the Suitors Plot Against Him
SCENE: Sparta, Ithaca
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS: Telemachus, Menelaus, Helen, Pisistratus, Antinous, Eurycleia, Penelope, Athena, Proteus, Aegisthus, Orestes, & Medon
When Pisistratus and Telemachus arrive, a wedding party is taking place but there is no hesitation on the part of the King, Menelaus, to make the strangers feel completely welcome. His wife, Helen – yes, the Helen – is equally hospitable and quickly sees that Telemachus must be Odysseus' son. The palace is sumptuous, the entertainment huge and lavish, and the stories, especially Helen's, embellished. She plays the part she has been given – daughter of Zeus – without shame, and to the consternation but not displeasure of her still smitten husband. Menelaus tells the story of his return, the most important part of which is the evidence from Proteus that Odysseus is still alive. At the end of the book we return to Ithaca where Penelope has learned of her son's disappearance. Athena, in disguise as Penelope's sister, gives her courage.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
· More Greek hospitality and feasting.
· Helen’s contribution to the "meal.”
· Menelaus' return from Troy.
· What Telemachus learns from Menelaus about Odysseus.
· The stories of Troy told by Helen.
· Menelaus’ reaction to Helen’s story.
· The story of Proteus
· The plot to kill Telemachus
EPITHETS: Who is . . .
· "red haired?”
· "son of Atreus?”
· "the pearl of women?"
· "The Old man of the Sea?"
QUESTIONS:
1. How do Menelaus and Helen compare with Nestor as hosts?
2. How do they contrast with the suitors the suitors as guests?
3. Do Menelaus and Helen know who Telemachus is at the beginning of the book?
4. What do you make of the relationship between Menelaus and Helen?
5. What is impressive about their palace?
6. Who is Proteus? How does Menelaus catch him? With whose help?
7. What does Menelaus tell Telemachus about Odysseus' whereabouts?
8. Why does Telemachus need to go to two homes, and visit two of the Captains destroyed Troy?
9. Why is information withheld so frequently (Proteus at first balks, and Penelope's sister, in a dream, is also reluctant. Why is other information (Helen’s) suspect?
Book 5
Odysseus Leaves the Island of Calypso
SCENE: Ogygia
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS:
Odysseus, Calypso, Athena, Zeus, Poseidon, A sea nymph. Ino/Leucothoe: A goddess of the sea who saves Odysseus.
When we first meet Odysseus he is longing for home. Hermes arrives and after admiring the glorious gardens, he informs Calypso that Zeus has commanded her to release her captive. She complains about the double standard of male gods but knows she has no choice. Odysseus can hardly believe his change of fortune, but he is careful not to offend his companions. She in turn help him equip for his sea journey. The voyage is fought with hardship thanks to Poseidon. Odysseus is careful to be appreciative of anything a god can do to help him.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
· Odysseus weeping, his longing for home.
· The council of the Gods. (Note that it seems to introduce this section in a similar way to how the assembly in the Book 1 introduces the “Telemachy.”)
· The lushness of the island, the beauty of Calypso.
· Hermes' appreciation of the lushness, his tact, his businesslike manner.
· Calypso reluctant acceptance of the ruling of Zeus.
· Her agreeing to help Odysseus with tools and other gifts.
· Odysseus' tact when he explains to Calypso why he so wants to go home.
· The sexual nature of their relationship.
· Odysseus' purposefulness in building the raft.
· The wrath of Poseidon.
· Ino's gift and Odysseus' mistrust of it.
· Athena's aid and Odysseus' survival skills.
· Odysseus' prayer to the unnamed river god.
· What Odysseus does to make sure he survives his first night back on land.
EPITHETS: Who is . . .
· "lustrous goddess, queenly nymph?"
· "the guide and giant killer?"
· "long enduring?"
· "god of the earthquake?"
QUESTIONS:
1. How long does Odysseus stay on Calypso's island?
2. What is the source of Calypso's power over Odysseus?
3. What do we learn of Calypso's feelings for Odysseus?
4. What will Calypso give Odysseus if he stays with her?
5. Calypso asks Odysseus to compare her with Penelope; does Odysseus respond satisfactorily?
6. How would you characterize the making of the raft, and the departure of Odysseus?
7. For how many days does Odysseus swim?
8. Why does Zeus, despite his liking of Odysseus, allow Poseidon to make this journey such an ordeal?
9. Ino-Leucothea, in the guise of a seabird, gives him her veil. Why veil?
10. Why does Odysseus return Ino's veil to the sea?
11. After two days of swimming, note several phases of decision-making. Does Odysseus accomplish his rescue on his own?
Book 6
Odysseus Meets Nausicaa
SCENE: The island of Scheria, land of the Phaeacians.
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS: Odysseus, Athena, Nausicaa, Alcinous.
Athena come to Nausicaa, the daughter of the King of the Phaeacians, in a dream which leads her to ask her father to let her go with her friends to wash clothes by the river. There the games they play awaken Odysseus who greets the brave young princess with great diplomacy. She can tell he is a worthy strange and greets him with great hospitality. When he is bathed, Odysseus emerges thanks to Athena "taller . . . his build more massive . . . his curls like hyacinth clusters full of bloom." At the end of the book, Nausicaa leads Odysseus toward town and gives him directions to the palace.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
· How the Phaeacians are protected by the gods.
· The idealized household of the Royal Family.
· How Athena visits Nausicaa in her dreams.
· How the king cannot say no to his daughter.
· How beautiful, wise, and young Nausicaa is.
· The references to her being "marriageable."
· The innocent scene of washing the clothes.
· How the playful girls awake Odysseus.
· The differing reaction of the girls and Nausicaa to Odysseus' appearance.
· Odysseus' tact and Nausicaa's hospitality.
· The importance of bathing and anointing with oil.
· Odysseus' changed appearance.
· Nausicaa's hospitality and her caution at leading Odysseus to the palace.
· The presence of Athena.
EPITHET: Who is "the white armed princess?"
QUESTIONS:
1. Why does Nausicaa go to the river to wash clothes?
2. What is the explanation she offers her father?
3. What does Odysseus choose not to do when he sees Nausicaa?
4. What does he choose to do instead?
5. What do you think Odysseus' speech to Nausicaa tells us about him?
6. Why does Nausicaa not want to escort Odysseus to the palace?
Book 7
Odysseus in the Palace of King Alcinous
SCENE: The island of Scheria, land of the Phaeacians.
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS: Odysseus, Athena, Alcinous, Arête
A mist enshrouded Odysseus is escorted to the palace by Athena disguised as a young girl. After admiring the beautiful gardens Odysseus enters the palace. He greets the Queen humbly and is soon made to feel welcome. Once again, hospitality is emphasized and although Odysseus (whose keeps his identity to himself) indicates his desire to return home, the Phaeacian king Alcinous, see him as a potential husband for his daughter.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
· How the Book begins with Odysseus praying.
· The way Odysseus enters the palace.
· Note parallels to the way Hermes acts when he reaches Ogygia and greets Calypso.
· The description of the palace and its gardens and the god-favoued status of the Phaeacians.
· How Odysseus greets Arête (as recommended by Nausicaa).
· How the nobleman (Echeneus) chides Alcinous for not being more hospitable.
· How the Phaeacians are familiar with visits from the Gods.
· How Odysseus avoids identifying himself.
· How Alcinous suggest Nausicaa should have brought him directly to the Palace?
EPITHETS: Who is the "man of craft?"
QUESTIONS:
1. How does the palace and the way it is run compare to other palaces we have seen?
2. How might the impression Odysseus and we receive of Phaeacia be significant for
3. Odysseus' subsequent return to Ithaca?
4. What is the difference between the way Odysseus greets Nausicaa and the way he greets Arête?
5. What does this tell us about Odysseus’ perception of the two women?
6. Why does Odysseus sit in the ashes?
7. What does Odysseus say when asked asks to identify who he is?
8. What is Arête’s role in helping Odysseus on his journey?
9. How does Odysseus explain why Nausicaa did not bring him directly to the palace?
Book 8
The House of Alcinous—Stories, Feasts, and Games
SCENE: The island of Scheria, land of the Phaeacians.
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS: Athena, Alcinous, Demodocus, Odysseus, Laodamon, and Broadsea and the gods of Demodocus' tale, especially Hephestus, Aphrodite, Ares, Apollo, Hermes.
Alcinous responds quickly to Odysseus' desire for passage home and then invites the stranger to a dual entertainment: songs by the bard demodocus and a kind of Phaecian mini-Olympics. Odysseus is distraught whenever he hears of Troy. He and we are distracted from his grief by the games where Odysseus is challenged to show his mettle and goaded, he responds with a moment of prowess. Later, Demodocus distracts us with story of gods misbehaving but eventually he returns to another story of Troy. This time King Alcinous, who has noticed Odysseus reactions, as his guest to tell his story.
NOTE: this is a summary of the "story" that Demodocus sings after the games:
The bard sings of Aphrodite's infidelity with Ares. It's a somewhat "bawdy" story, a kind of comic relied from the stories of Troy that make Odysseus cry, and from the intensity of the "games." Aphrodite's husband, the crippled blacksmith god Hephestus, creates a net that catches Aphrodite and Ares in the act of making love. Hephestus has the other gods come to witness and to laugh.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
· Alcinous' response to Odysseus' request for help on the way home.
· The speed with which the black ship is prepared.
· The different elements of the gathering: the song/storytelling of the bard; the athletic games; feasting; dance.
· The arrival of and respect paid to the bard Demodocus.