Odyssey Part II

Description

This is the second and final set of questions for the Odyssey. Answer at least one:

1. As I’ve discussed before, many see this poem as reflecting man’s fear of woman. Do you agree? Explain by showing a couple of examples.

2. We’ve talked about Odysseus being the hero of the poem, but how exactly is he a hero? Name and expand on a heroic quality of his that you have noticed throughout the poem.

3. This is not a tragedy, in that Odysseus overcomes his trials and achieves his goals, but that does not mean he is unflawed. Discuss what you see as a key flaw of his.

4. Many heroes must face the underworld. If descending into the underworld, or Hell, this is called a katabasis. If confronting spirits through a sort of séance, as Odysseus does, this is called a nekyia. While Odysseus has clear goals in his séance with the dead—to gain information from Tiresias–what is its purpose for the poem thematically? In other words, do you think that confronting the dead has any special significance to the plot beyond the obvious?

5. Why does Homer feel the need to have Odysseus disguise himself upon his return? Discuss one way in which this ruse is significant to the overall themes of the story. Consider how the disguise shapes interactions with Penelope, the suitors, Eumaeus the swineherd, Eurycleia the nurse, or Argos the dog.

6. Many feel that the final book of the poem, Athena’s divine intervention, is forced and that the story should have ended with the preceding book. Do you agree? Do you see a purpose in this final portion of the poem? Explain.