Book 16 Questions

In this book we witness Odysseus reunite with Telemachus. Based on their reaction, what does this tell us about the Greek attitude towards the expression of emotion? How do we know Telemachus has matured in this book? How does this book show Telemachus is like his father? How does it show he is different? Do you think that this is the climax of the book? Why or why not?

In book 15 of the Odyssey Xenia is the one of the most present themes. Eumaeus show his hospitality numerous times to a lowly beggar. If you were in this situation would you have done the same thing? Why or why not? (Keep in mind that you don’t know the beggar is Odysseus and the culture involved) Why has this concept of xenia declined throughout history and modern people would almost never let a stranger stay in there home and shower them with gifts?

Book 14 blog

Odysseus, Penelope, Telemachus, and Eumaeus all faced many challenges and obstacles both physically and emotionally. In what ways do their hardships relate to each other? Who do you think had the easiest/hardest challenge to overcome? If you had to become one of these four characters which one would you want to be and why? Why do you think Homer put Eumaeus in the story (what is role and what does he show us about Odysseus)?

Book 13 Questions

What does Alcinous tell all his men to do before Odysseus leaves? Why? Why do you think that Odysseus doesn't believe he is in Ithaca when he is? What do you think would happen if Athena didn't disguise Odysseus as a beggar as when he entered Ithaca? What is the main point of Book 13 and explain how it connects to the 1st 12 books?

Heroes

I believe we create the mental idea of a hero as a person to look up to and live by their moral values. When you think of a hero you think of a great warrior or saviour that has given back to his community and more through his certain deeds. The tragic flaws show that there are limits to what we can achieve and tells us it is OK to make mistakes. This kind of explains why each hero has one weakness or multiple to remind us that he or she is still mortal. I have also perceived Penelope and Telemachus as heroes. This is due to the fact that both have to undergo extreme mental pressures of their craving for in this case Odysseus and the need to calm their anger towards the suitors, which anger and mistreat them.

Journeys

Almost all societies contain myths/stories of "The Journey." Why? What is the attraction we have to journeys? What are some of the American Journeys? What lessons, what themes, what values do we see played out in the stories of journeys? (Specific to 'The Odyssey: What was the difference between Odysseus' journey and Telemachus' journey?)

Please respond in the comments section with a brief paragraph. Be sure to read your classmates comments so that yours is not too similar or repetitive, and be sure to include example or line numbers from the epic if appropriate.

Heroes!

In the Introduction to Fagles translation of the Odyssey, he writes that Odysseus differs from Achilles as a hero, because aside from his skills as a warrior and his command for respect, he "has the talent necessary for the deceiver; he is a persuasive speaker" (37). In the Odyssey, we see the definition of hero shift from a value for mere physical strength to an appreciation for the power of words, cleverness, and storytelling as well.

Why do you think societies create heroes? What values do we expect our heroes to represent? What values did the Greeks expect their heroes to represent? How does the idea of the "tragic flaw" change the way we look at our heroes? Do we look for tragic flaws today? Is Odysseus the only hero in the epic? What about Telemachus or Penelope?

Please post your response to these questions in the comments. You do not need to write more than a few sentences or a short paragraph--just your immediate thoughts, and perhaps an example to support them from the book.