The Odyssey: A Hero's Journey and the Quest for Home, Lecture notes of English Literature

Download The Odyssey: A Hero's Journey and the Quest for Home and more Lecture notes English Literature in PDF only on Docsity! The Odyssey Odyssey is a Greek word meaning “the tale of Odysseus.” It consists of 12,109 lines in dactylic hexameter It is made up of 24 books in three sections Here are the key players: • Odysseus, king of Ithaca • Telemachus, his son • Penelope, his wife • Laertes, his dad • Anticlea, his mom • Mentor, his friend (Athena disguised) • Alcinous and Arete, king and queen of the Phaeacians • Nausicaa, princess of Phaeacian • Menelaus • Helen • Nestor • Antinous, leader of the suitors • Eumaeus, Odysseus’ faithful swineherd The quest of Telemachus: Books I-V Book I • Homer invokes the muse to tell a story of a man who wanders. • Quick review of the Trojan War • Athena begs Zeus to release Odysseus from his prison on the island of the nymph Calypso • She approaches Odysseus’ son, Telemachus (disguised as Odysseus’ friend Mentor) and reminds him to act: if Odysseus is dead, he must assert himself; if Odysseus is living, he must find him. • Penelope is harassed by suitors and they abuse Telemachus when he orders them to leave. Book II • Telemachus calls an assembly of the men of Ithaca • He denounces the suitors as scoundrels • Antinous attacks him verbally • Mentor (Athena disguised) supports Telemachus but the assembly disperses • Mentor tells Telemachus what to do to get a ship • Athena disguised as Telemachus goes to town and gets the crew and ship Book III • Telemachus accompanied by Mentor (Athena) arrives at Pylos (home of Nestor) • Nestor tells of the war and Agamemnon’s death • Suggests that he travel to Sparta to ask Menelaus who may have more recent information • Telemachus and Nestor’s son travel overland to Sparta Book IV • Arriving at Sparta Telemachus and Nestor’s son are treated well. • Helen remarks how much Telemachus looks like Odysseus and Telemachus breaks down • In a private meeting, Menelaus tells of his adventures in Egypt • Telemachus prepares to go home • Meanwhile back in Ithaca the suitors discover Telemachus’ absence and decide to kill him upon return Book V • Back on Mt. Olympus Athena convinces Zeus to send Hermes to release Odysseus from the nymph Calypso. • Hermes finds Odysseus weeping on the beach • Calypso agrees to release him and he builds a boat and sets sail • Poseidon returns from Ethiopia, is angry that Odysseus is released, and causes a storm • Odysseus manages to survive with the help of Athena and a sea nymph and reaches the island of Scheria, the home of the Phaeacians where he collapses in the brush. The wanderings of Odysseus: Books V-XII Book VI-VIII • Odysseus is discovered by Princess Nausicaa, fed and clothed • He goes to the palace and is welcomed by King Alcinous and Queen Arete • He hears the bard, Demodocus, sing songs about his argument with Achilles and the story of the Trojan horse. He weeps. • He tells of his last few years with Calypso and gets ready to tell the rest of his story Book IX-XII • Odysseus has many adventures which you will read about in class.