In Media Res: Narrative vs. Chronological Order

In class we observed the narrative order of the Odyssey, the order the event are retold in the epic, are different from the chronological order, the order the events occur in time. The epic begins in media res, literally in the middle of things. What is ONE reason that the story begins in this way? Why doesn't the story begin with Odysseus leaving Troy?

Seductresses in The Odyssey

In The Odyssey women play a big role in that they are most of the time seductresses what does this show about the book. Give an example of a seductress and what she does to to another character. Possibilities are Calypso, Circe or even Sirens.

The Sirens' Song

In Book 12 we learn about the siren's song that is irresistible to men but lures them to their doom. Odysseus orders his men to cover their ears with bee's wax to avoid the deadly voices. He himself wants to hear it, but orders his men to lash him to the mast and refuse any request to free him. Does this episode remind you of anyone else's journey? Can you make connections with other literary characters, historical actors or people you know? Could this incident be a metaphor for the journey of our life?

"The Great Teller of Tales"

At the beginning of Book 9, just before he tells the Phaeacians about his ill-fated journey, Odysseus is described as "the great teller of tales." In a sense, then, Odysseus is bard. What are his motives in telling his tale? Does he have the same motives as other bards in the story (such as Demodocus in Book 8)? Does his tale serve the same purpose or a different one? Finally, we know that Odysseus is a master of deceit and guile who concocted the scheme for the Tojan Horse. Should we take his story of one-eyed monsters and visits to the underworld at face value? Is there reason to believe his story is a fabrication?

Fame -- I Want to Live Forever

Odysseus demonstrates a passionate desire for kleos or fame through much of the Odyssey. Consider, for example, his taunting Polyphemus with his name as he escapes his island (and there are other examples) Yet, is it presented as an unequivocally good pursuit? Does the search for kleos help or hinder his journey? What about situations in which he disguises his identity? What is the importance of kleos to Odysseus and the Odyssey (the two may not be the same answer)?

I'll Follow You to Hell and Back: Odysseus' Leadership

Odysseus leaves Troy with nine ships full of men. By the time he is rescued by Calypso, however, all his men have perished. Furthemore, it takes him a full ten years to find his way home. Is Odysseus a good leader who is just cursed by the gods? A good leader with a mutinous crew? Or is he a bad leader who causes his own problems because of misplaced ideals or poor leadership skills? Or perhaps somewhere in between or none of the above? Explain your answer using examples from the text to support your point.

Fathers and Sons

In the first four books of the Odyssey, Telemachus journeys to Pylos and Sparta in search of news of his father, Odysseus. Along the way he meets Nestor and his son Pisisastros, Menelaus and one of his sons and hears the story of Agamemnon and his son Orestes. Why do we have all these fathers and sons? Is there an implicit comparison to Telemachus and his situation? How does this relate to what is happening in Ithaca? Is there any connection to Odysseus's rejection of immortality in the next book? What is the significance of the the father-son relationship in the epic?