CLA160H1 Lecture 4: Lecture 4
Outline
- The odyssey
- Book 9: Odsseus’ anderings
- Homeric society: the social structures of early iron age Greece
-
Homer of the Odyssey
- Similar epic features: meter; formulaic composition; start in the midst of action; mix of man and
gods
- But different, more expansive world than beaches of Troy: long travel-story of wanderings of a
single man; no war: similar code of heroism, but based on a different set of actions.
Nostos: the return of Odysseus
- Central theme is return of Odysseus from troy to his home in Ithaca
- A story or returning is called in Greek Nostos (nostalgia) literally, pain of returning home
- Many nostoi existed as part of the epic cycle
- But note: this story is necessary later than the Trojan war and thus sets out to describe a world
ager the putative fall of the bronze age
Structure
- 24 books long
- Ten ears after the Trojan ar ith Odsseus in Afria at Calpso’s ith no ship or re
- His son Telemachus and wife Penelope are holding back suitors for in Ithaca
- Telemachus sails on his own journey to find news from various iliac heroes (Nestor, ect.)
- Odysseus sails for home, but is blown off course by Poseidon to city of the phaiacians where he
is hosted by king and recounts his previous travels
- Odysseus reaches home, disguises himself and cleverly kills suitors and retakes his rightful
throne.
Trade was generally based on xenia (guest friendship), where the aristocracy gave lavish gifts and
lodging to each other without repayment. Much wealth was simply given, if it is not stolen or pillaged.
we encounter these in book 9
- The uses and limits of personal reputation (kleos)
o Remember this aspect as a core value of ther heroic way of life in the iliad
o Aristocratic society where those of certain standing recognize and acknowledge each
other
o Trojan war carries great weight in that society
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Homeric society: the social structures of early iron age greece. Similar epic features: meter; formulaic composition; start in the midst of action; mix of man and gods. But different, more expansive world than beaches of troy: long travel-story of wanderings of a single man; no war: similar code of heroism, but based on a different set of actions. Central theme is return of odysseus from troy to his home in ithaca. A story or returning is called in greek nostos (nostalgia) literally, pain of returning home. Many nostoi existed as part of the epic cycle. But note: this story is necessary later than the trojan war and thus sets out to describe a world ager the putative fall of the bronze age. Ten (cid:455)ears after the trojan (cid:449)ar (cid:449)ith od(cid:455)sseus in afri(cid:272)a at cal(cid:455)pso"s (cid:449)ith no ship or (cid:272)re(cid:449) His son telemachus and wife penelope are holding back suitors for in ithaca.
