The Odyssey Ancient Philosophy
Odyssey “See now, how men lay blame upon us gods for what is after all nothing but their own folly.”
Background Ten years after the Trojan War Odysseus and the Trojan Horse
Odysseus
Odysseus and Penelope
Unraveling the Tapestry
Poseidon
Polyphemus
Calypso
Menelaus
Helen of Troy
Agamemnon
Sacrifice
Clytemnestra
After the Murder
Relationships Primary group –Kinship Friends Acquaintances Strangers Disguise and deceit-trust
Relationships Families –Odysseus –Agamemnon –Menalaus Guest Relationships –Suitors –Nestor and Menalaus –Calypso
Relationships Enemies –Odysseus-Poseidon –Orestes-Aegisthus Teacher –Athena-Telemarchus (Mentor)
Primary Relations Protected by divine law Which is more important family or fame? Odysseus’ journey is a homecoming
Relationships The social code of ancient Greece demanded that one show kindness to strangers in unfamiliar regions by welcoming them into one’s home. This social expectation of hospitality was so culturally important that it was believed to be enforced by Zeus, the king of the gods.
Book 1 Zeus-hospitality Poseiden-Odysseus –Revenge for blinding Polyphemus Athena-Telemarchus –Appears as Mentor
Primary Relationships Agamemnon-Clytemnestra-Orestes –Iphigenia sacrificed before going to Troy –Aegisthus-wife’s lover Dysfunctional primary relationship
Primary Relationships Nestor-Eurydice-sons Older voice of wisdom Reunited and restored
Primary Relationships Odysseus-Penelope-Telemarchus –Mutuality and love Ideal Primary Relationship Broken and disrupted by war
Relationships Abuse hospitality –Aegisthus –Paris –Suitors-parasites Hospitality –Nestor –Menelaus
Book 1 Telemarchus-Suitors-coming of age Telemarchus-Penelope-coming of age Telemarchus-Orestes-model
Book 2 Debate in Ithaca Telemarchus –Son –Heir –Man Penelope-Suitors Suitors-parasites
Book 2 Telemachus calls the assembly because his house is plagued with guests who will not leave. They have outstayed their welcome by many years. They claim they have the right to stay because Penelope will not remarry.
Book 2 Telemarchus travels to Pylos and Sparta Contrasts with Odysseus’ departure –Going to find family, not leave it
Book 3 Telemarchus and Nestor Agamemnon-Clytemnestra –Agamemnon- –Orestes –Aegisthus Nestor-Telemarchus –Rules of hospitality
Nestor Nestor does not think it proper for his guest Telemachus to sleep in his boat, so in accordance with custom he invites him into his house and offers him food and a bath. He makes the appropriate sacrifice in the morning, even though it is elaborate. He also lends Telemachus a team of horses and his son as a companion.
Book 4 Menelaus-Helen Helen-Paris –Repenting the infatuation with which Aphrodite had lured her
Menelaus is rejoiced to have the son of one of his comrades in his house. He extends to Telemachus anything he would give to Odysseus and promises him fine gifts upon his departure. They exchange stories and speak as if they were old friends as they feast into the night.
Book 4 Suitors-Telemarchus –Set a trap for him