Odyssey scholars

Sowerby book one

Telemachus conversation with Athena in disguise as a stranger establishes his good manners in contrast to the suitors profligate behaviour

Morrison- Muses

Singers needed inspiration from one of the gods to sing

Griffin- loyalty

Penelope’s loyalty is contrasted with clytemnestras betrayal

Jones- Penelope

Veil is a sign of modesty

Johnson- gods

Gods shape the plot

Morrison- Fate

Death of suitors is clearly approved of by the gods

Mary heard

Silencing females is an essential part of growing up as a man

Clarke- Telemachus

Books 2-4 portray the development of Telemachus from boy to man, educating him on the ideals associated with being a hero

Camps- supernatural

Supernatural powers are at work everywhere and always during the Homeric poems

Jones- Athena

Odysseus relationship with Athene is unique due to their closeness

West- Nestor

Nestor receives large numbers of guests due to the vast knowledge on the current situation of Odysseus

West- Xenia

Xenia helps increase social recognition among Greeks

Sowerby book five

Homer makes it clear that Odysseus, wholly set on return, is constrained by calypso

Griffin- women

Homer shows a variety of female characters and develops them more than he did in the Iliad

Wilde simile

Argues which perspective the lion simile comes from

Clayton - Odysseus

Odysseus compensates for his lack of physical impressiveness by means of verbal skill

Sowerby book six

In his delicate concern for the young princess, Odysseus reveals a new aspect in his character; tact in human relationships

Allen- gods

Gods are not immortal but offer divine justice

Griffin- Phaecians

Phaecians serve as bridge between fantasy and reality which allows Odysseus to transition to the real world

Goldhill-xenia

Xenia is a way of judging different societies and individuals

Sowerby book seven

Phaecians civility towards Odysseus is contrasted by the barbarity of their former neighbours (Cyclopes)

Sowerby Phaecians

Phaecia is represented as a Greek ideal (artwork by Hephaestus, skilful fishing, beautiful nature)

Sowerby book eight

Odysseus proves his physical excellence in the Phaecians games

Wilson

Odyssey traces deep fears about female power

Loney

Vengeance is reciprocal like Xenia

Schein

Polyphemus savagery is exegerated by the way he eats his victims raw

Morrison- Polyphemus

There are costs to revealing your name

Bowra- heroism

There is a lack of heroism as Odysseus is faced supernatural inferiors

Bowra- Odysseus

Odysseus need for cunning is due to his recklessness

Jones - Polyphemus

Recognises Odysseus most important attribute; Metis

Sowerby book ten

Allowed another perspective of Odysseus when Eurylochus companions not to accompany him

Weinberg- Circe

Circe helps increase Leo’s by helping them achieve one of the greatest triumphs by visiting the underworld

Sowerby- Teiresias

Teiresias prophecy clarifies the plot and suggests and inevitability of the destined end

Sowerby- Mother

Meeting with his mother humanises Odysseus

Sowerby- Dead ppl

Conversations with Odysseus dead comrades invoke pathos

Sowerby book twelve

Odysseus try’s to avoid landing in Twinacie to further alleviate guilt

Morrison- Phaecians

Phaecians swallow all this as credible, showing Odysseus ordatory abilities

Graziosi- nostos

Above all else, Odysseus desires it to get back to Ithica

Jones- deception

Odysseus shows expertise and ease for deception

Sowerby book fourteen

The testimony of Eumaeus proves Odysseus to be a good master

Sowerby- Eumaeus

In rebuking the stranger for telling him what he wants to hear, Eumaeus reveals his absolute moral worth

Rieu- Eumaeus

Piety and generosity makes us warm to him

Jones - Eumaeus

Eumaeus is the idea of order in the face of the collapse of authority in the palace

Sowerby book fifteen

The courteous treatment of Telemachus by Menelaus on his departure displays Homeric manners at their best

Sowerby book sixteen

Telemachus courtesy to the stranger is further proof of his decency and good manners

Kenney- Eumaeus

Eumaeus demonstrates warmth of character

Wilson- marriage

Penelope is trapped in marital status

Wilson- Penelope

Penelope is witty and cunning, therefore mimicking her husband

Sowerby book seventeen

Condition of argus has symbolic force

Barker- Odysseus

Odysseus has learnt not to brag and keep his identity a secret

Nagy - Nostos

Penelope’s loyalty plays a crucial part in Odysseus nostos

Stanton- fate

Deaths of the suitors are sanctioned by the gods

Sowerby book eighteen

Homer uses divine machinery to absolve Odysseus of the blame for the indiscriminatory slaughter of the suitors

Kenney- suitors

Audience able to see suitors in their natural environment

Sowerby book nineteen king metaphor

Raises dignity of Penelope and predicts a happy outcome

Sowerby- Penelope’s dream

Fine example of irony

Griffin- Penelope

Penelope shows herself to be the true wife of Odysseus through her cunning

Sowerby - suitors

The suitors laughter and mockery underscore their insolence

Jones- suitors and festivals

Feast is on the day of a festival and they should be involved by Homer separates them as they are not worthy of piety

Sowerby and the centaur

Use of irony

Sowerby book twenty one

The strategic and physical preparations of Odysseus and Telemachus Adler detailed, well thought out and carefully executed

Sowerby- Athene

Athena’s presence in the slaughtering serves to validate their cause

Sowerby- Melanthius

Mutilation of melanthius is conceived on the principle that the most ignoble crime deserves the most ignoble punishment

Sowerby- nobility

The suitors ignoble conduct renders their death a just punishment which is why Odysseus rebukes Eurycleia for crying

Jones- Antinoious

Death is a measure of how insensitive his crimes were

Sowerby- heroism

Suitors gaining weapons allows a heroic light

Jones- revenge

No matter the severity of Odysseus revenge, no geeej would have argued he did not have the right to take it

Morrison- final battle

Seen as triumph of good over evil

Jones- Eurycleia

Eurycleia is moving quicker than she is capable of as an old woman

Sowerby - bed test

In her bed test, Penelope shows intelligence to match that of Odysseus

Sowerby- reunion

Reunion of husband and wife represent the emotional climax

Griffin - marriage bed

Symbol of solidarity in their relationship

Jones- structure

Fitting conclusion to the odyssey