Week 4 Syllabus: April 14

BEFORE WE START THE ODYSSEY, WE WILL COVER FOUNDATIONAL Greek myths and a selection from Homer’s Iliad. But we’ll start with a brief introduction to understanding mythology. Additionally, remember that we are working with the Emily Wilson’s translation. There will be numerous resources to assist you in your reading, and immediately follow this posting. Some key, ancient Greek concepts we will review this week include: xenia, kleos, philia, hubris, and nostos. I’ll talk about the willing suspension of disbelief and “ embracing ambiguity and contradiction” as both apply to our study of myth.

MONDAY, April 14

• Reviewing the structure of the epic poem:

  • 1-4: Telemachia, bildungsroman of Telemachus.

  • 5-10: Odysseus leaving Ogygia, re-telling adventure tales

  • 11: Death/rebirth of Ody. in Underworld

  • 12-15: Ody. returning to Ithaca

  • 16-24: Re-establishing Ody’s relationships, revenge upon suitors

• Theme: Recognition of self.

• Importance of xenia, divine mantle

• HW: Read through book three. Pay attention to what T. learns about a) a well run kingdom/society, and b) himself and his father

Wednesday, April 16

• Watching a 30 minute lecture on Homer’s Odyssey.

• Q&A on book three.

• Discussion on what Telemachus learns on his journey, and how we know he learns it.

• Greek term for today’s class is homophrosyne.

• Time permitting, we will read book four together.

• HW: Thursday night, read book four. We will pick up book five in class on Monday.