The Odyssey/Questions for Consideration

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  1. Compare and contrast the heroes’ ideal in the Iliad and the odyssey. What is your response to Odysseus as a hero? Achilles?
  2. Discuss hospitality as a criterion of civilization in the odyssey. Discuss contemporary attitudes to the role of hospitality as a criterion of civilization.
  3. Analyze and assess Telemachus’ growth to manhood, the stages of his assumption of responsibility, and the recognition of the fact by others.
  4. Discuss the portrayal and role of women in the odyssey.
  5. List and differentiate recognitions of Odysseus, intended and unintended.
  6. Discuss the complicated nature of the relationship between Penelope and Telemachus as mother and son.
  7. There are interesting differences between the Iliad, which focuses on an argument between Achilles and Agamemnon and its consequences, and the Odyssey, which is a romance-adventure story that set the trend for later novelists. Why would Homer suddenly change styles? Is there serious evidence for the idea thet the two epics were written by two or more authors?
  8. Compare and contrast the motivation of Odysseus with those of his crew and those of the suitors.
  9. The Odyssey is about 2700 years old. Do you think the feelings and needs shown by the people in this epic are still important today? Which experiences or people in this story did you most identify with?
  10. Two ancient Greek critics, Aristophanes and Aristarchus, thought that Homer ended his poem on the lines: “So they came / into that bed so steadfast, loved of old, / opening glad arms to one another” (XXIII.298-300). In other words, they thought Book XXIV unnecessary. What in fact does Book XXIV contribute to the epic?
  11. Discuss the symbolic/metaphorical significance of the following:
    • Odysseus’ encounter with Agamemnon in Hades
    • Odysseus’ encounter with his mother in Hades
    • Odysseus’ encounter with Achilles in Hades
    • Odysseus’ encounter with Ajax in Hades
    • Polyphemus and Cyclopsland
    • Menelaus’ story of his wanderings
    • Calypso’s Cave
    • Circe
    • Telemachus’ search and journey
    • Odysseus’ use of disguise and revelation and recognition
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