Book XXIV Peace

Discuss one of the thesis topics for your last comment.  Do not write about a topic that you have commented on before.
this is it!!  finished

Book XXIII The Great Rooted Bed

Post a comment that is more about one of the thesis topics. Not a q and a approach. In comment identify which thesis topic is subject matter.
Vary topic with each successive BOOK of The Odyssey

Book XXII Slaughter in the Hall

Post a comment that is more about one of the thesis topics. Not a q and a approach. In comment identify which thesis topic is subject matter.
Vary topic with each successive BOOK of The Odyssey

Book 21

The competition has finally begun! Penelope gets Odysseus's bow and the twelve axes are set up. Is this yet another scheme by Penelope to delay trying to choose a husband or does she truly believe she will marry whoever can shoot the bow through the axes? Is it an impossible challenge?

Meanwhile, while the competition is going on, Odysseus reveals himself to Eumaeus and Philoetius and asks for their help to kill the suitors. Why do you think he choose them? Can he really trust them?

Finally, as the book comes to an end, Odysseus steps up and tries his hand at stringing and shooting the bow. Not surprisingly, he does it perfectly. It's about time! Do you think Odysseus has some help from his "clear-eyed" friend or did he really have the natural skill?

What is going to happen now?

See you all tomorrow! Come to class ready to have fun!

Book 20

In this chapter, We begin to see new tension between the suitors and Odysseus. First off, he is mad that all of the housemaids pass by him to the beds of the suitors. He begins to doubt himself and asks Athena how he will be able to fight all of the suitors. She says "we can fight 50 bands of men" This is not the first time she has done this to boost Odysseus' confidence, although she knows his confidence and bravery results in him becoming full of himself and arrogant

name some other times when she has done this, why does she keep doing this?

Afterwards, a feast is hosted in the House of Odysseus. Telemachus promises to keep Odysseus safe, although the only thing that happens is that all of the suitors begin clawing Odysseus apart, why didn't Athena or Penelope do anything to protect the father and son?

Do you think all the pain, suffering, and anger has taken a toll on Odysseus, do you think he will ruthlessly kill all of the suitors or give some mercy and amnesty?

Book 19: Penelope and Her Guest

When Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, approaches Penelope for the first time, Melantho insults him and tries to send him away. Penelope stands up to her, saying it is not right for her to send him off and be so cruel. Penelope has always been reserved and kind, and this is the first time she has lashed out at someone. Why do you think Penelope acts so offended by Melantho’s remark? Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus are always hospitable and kind, but Penelope shows special interest for this man. Why is this? Is is just because she wants to hear about her husband, or because she sees the striking resemblance between the beggar and Odysseus?

Book XVIII

Throughout book eighteen there were relatively common themes that reoccured again from past books. Intervention has been one of the most reoccurring, yet very important themes in the Odyssey. Why do you think Athena still felt the need to intervene in Penelope's life, after Penelope clearly stated that she didn't need help getting ready and that her "glow" had died away when Odysseus had left? Penelope was reminiscing upon what her husband had told her right before he left for Troy several years ago, and what she should do when it comes time to remarry if he doesn't return. It's seems to me that even though what Odysseus had told her at the time has finally come true, Penelope will never be ready to remarry. Do you think she will ever change her mind and realize that marriage is the best thing for her to cope about her long lost husband? How would you feel if you were stuck in that kind of situation?

XVII

In this book Odysseus, disguised as a begger, goes and mingles with the suitors, and gets to know some of them. This is all a part of Odysseus's plan to get rid of the suitors. Athena on page 366 says "Go now, gather crusts from all the suitors, test them, so we can tell the innocent from the guilty." What is she saying here and why? Who is the worst suitor out of all of them, and how do you know he is the worst suitor? Why does Homer create good suitors and bad suitors?

Book XVI

Divine intervention plays an important role in the entirety of the Odyssey, but occurs again in this book. Although he has already talked with Athena, Odysseus's plan involves help from the gods, and is expecting it. In the past, how necessary was this intervention, where would it have been needed or unnecessary, and how big of a role do you think it will play in the attack against the suitors?

So many people say that Telemachus is like Odysseus and they share many qualities. Can you give some examples from this book or from the other books that shows this? Are there any differences between these two? Is Telemachus as arrogant as young Odysseus or is he more modest like older Odysseus?

Book XIV

After Odysseus arrives at the swineherd's, he is asked to tell his story about who he is and where he has come from. He doesn't tell the truth and tells lie after lie. Why do you think he does this? Why doesn't he trust the swineherd? It seems as if the swineherd looks up to Odysseus. Also, some parts of the his fake tale seem similar to his real journey. Name some examples.

Book XIII

After Odysseus has finished his story, King Alcinous, moved by Odysseus' tale, makes sure Odysseus is well prepared to set back out. He orders some of his people to be crewmen on Odysseus' ship. The Phaecians give Odysseus lavish gifts made of bronze. Alcinous even holds a celebration that features a banquet , Demodocus' singing, and an offering to Zeus by killing an ox, so Odysseus will have a safe journey back. Once Poseidon realizes Odysseus had arrived in Ithaca, he becomes furious that the Phaecians helped him and calls on Zeus for permission to attack Odysseus. When Odysseus awakes, he can hardly recognize Ithaca. Athena explains that he is indeed home, and that he must plan to attack the suitors.

Why do you think Athena disguised Ithaca so Odysseus wouldn't recognize it?

Why is it important for him to be in disguise at his own home, after being away for so long?

In book twelve, Odysseus returns to Elpanor to bury his dead crewmate. There he and his crew stay overnight with Circe, she tells Odysseus of the obstacles he must face before returning to Ithaca, such as Scylla and Charybdis. Once past the initial obstacles they stay for a month on Helios’ island with his sacred animals. Although instructed not to, Odysseus’ men slaughter them for food, this results in all of them dying except for Odysseus.

                Why do you think Odysseus went out of his way to return to his dead crewmate in order to give him a proper burial?

                Odysseus has shown that he can get through almost any physical obstacle. After this book, what physiological obstacles do you think he will have to pass?

               

Book 11

In this section of The Odyssey, Odysseus tells us about his visit to the underworld and of the many people he met while he was there. He receives advice and predictions about his future from multiple people in this section. What is some of the advice/predictions he receives and from who? How do you think that this affects his decisions later in the story and presently as he continues his journey? Do you think that hearing about his future from Tiresias affected the way he made decisions later in the story?

The Odyssey Book X

In book ten Odysseus tells Alcinous the second part of his journey. There are many instances where the Gods interfere and help/ hurt Odysseus and his crew. Although the Gods have been a big reason that Odysseus has not made it home yet, he continues to trust them and do what they say. Why do you think that Odysseys so readily trusts the Gods and does their bidding? Why do you think that the Gods continue to help him or hurt him? Why does Odysseus sometimes seem go against what he thinks is morally right and do what the Gods want?

The Odyssey Book IX

In book IX, we come across an incident where Odysseus reacts with anger, (Lines 558-563). This side of Odysseus that we see is very new. Why do you think this area of his personality is just presenting itself now? Odysseus has been living an extremely harsh life for years, and he has never expressed real rage. Give some examples where Odysseus should have reacted with anger within some of his hardships, but did not show it.

The Odyssey Book VIII

Throughout the book, Odysseus has suffered and been mocked on his journeys, but he seems to maintain his values. Give an example of when he is tactful and respectful in this chapter. Why do you think Odysseus remains honorable despite actions by either the gods or mortals that interrupt his voyage home?

Odyssey Book VII

Athena intervenes into Odysseus's life again while he is trying to find the palace of King Alcinous. What advice does she she give him so that he is assured a way to travel home by the King? Athena must have other duties to tend to as the daughter of Zeus, but why do you think she keeps intervening in the life of Odysseus, a mortal?

The Odyssey Books V and VI

We finally get to meet Odysseus.  Think back to some of the references made and epithets given about Odysseus in Books I-IV.  Give two examples from Books V and VI that support or refute those earlier references / epithets.