Humanities Literature                                                                                     Vail/Graff

 

Study Guide: Homer’s Odyssey, Books XII-XVIII

  1. Here is another epic simile for you to analyze. Telemachos quotes Menelaos (talking about the suitors:

 

Upon my word … they are a lot of cowards who want to lie in the bed of a strong man! It is like a deer who lays her new-born sucklings to sleep in  lion’s den, while she ranges hills and dales for her food: then the lion comes back to his lair and tears them to pieces, both dam and fawns. So Odysseus will come back and tear these men to pieces (p. 193).

 

1.     To what does Homer compare the suitors?

2.     To what does he compare Odysseus?

3.     What is the connotation of this comparison?

  1. Why would Telemachos repeat this to Penelopeia?Odysseus’ return to Ithaca marks the beginning of the third story, the punishment of the suitors. Why does Athena disguise the landscape? How does she respond to Odysseus’ lie? Values?

 

  1. How does Athena disguise Odysseus? Why? How does this fulfill Zeus’ statement about Odysseus’ return?

 

  1. Be sure you know and understand the history of Eumaios, the swineherd. Note Book XIV and pp. 177-179. The Odyssey is unique in its sympathetic treatment of the lower classes. What determines class?

 

  1. Odysseus describes war as he knows it on pp. 162-163. What is the purpose of war? How does this describe the culture?

 

  1. Book XV returns to Telemachos. Do Athena’s statements about Penelopeia seem fair to you? What do they say about the culture?

 

  1. Once again, p. 171, we see the ceremonial presentation of and description of gifts. How does this reveal the economy/customs of the culture? Have you drawn a conclusion by now?

 

  1. Why do you think the extensive genealogy of Theoclymenos is here?

 

  1. Note Argos the hound, pp. 196-197. Many consider this Odysseus’ real homecoming; certainly it’s a wonderful touch.

 

  1. How does Antinoos damn himself in his treatment of Eumaios and Odysseus?

 

  1. Note the fistfight between Odysseus and Iros. What is the tone? Is this funny to you? Is this a cultural difference?

Note: The pace of the narrative slows considerably here. Why?