Classical Studies 2200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Trojan War, Necromancy, Sea Monster
1 Feb 2017
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A story of a household in crisis, an interpreted marriage, an absent father. Odysseus is absent from ithaca for 20 years: 10 years at troy and 10 years returning home (nobody knows where he is during this time) His wife penelope at home defends the household and herself against many suitors: she needs to figure out a way to warn off all 100 suitors, since this would give them access to odysseus wealth. Their son telemachus comes of age: problematic because he needs to step up into his role, tasked with many responsibilities, doesn"t have his father to model for him. Xenia (guest-friendship or hospitality), both good and bad. Xenia is expressed through: feasting, sexual seduction, wine, song, story telling (both true and false) Tried to feed the gods his own son pelops. He took a bride and used treachery against her father (who was killed in chariot race) Had children thyestes, atreus, and aerope.
