The Odyssey Books I-IV

Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns driven time and again off course. . . .

Nearly Home In his seventh year on Ogygia Island with Calypso, the nymph with lovely braids, Odysseus weeps for his homeland Ithaca and his wife Penelope In Poseidon’s absence from Olympus, Athena plots Odysseus’ return

What foreshadowing from the Trojan conflict can be surmised for Odysseus’ homecoming?

Foreshadowing? Troy Catastrophe King Priam is killed Hector, Priam’s son is killed Sack of Troy Ithaca Potential catastrophe Ody could be killed when on his homecoming Tele could be killed when he returns Suitors lay Ody’s house to waste

Foreshadowing? Odysseus Returning home Suitors vie for his place Agamemnon Returned home Aegisthus had taken his place Orestes achieves vengeance through matricide Treachery death Odysseus Returning home Suitors vie for his place Telemachus harbors vengeance Treachery? Death?

What father figures have been established in the Trojan conflict and its aftermath?

The Father Figure Priam (defeated) Agamemnon (murdered) Nestor (honored) Odysseus Hector Orestes Pisistratus Telemachus

Boyz 2 Men Telemachus begins the process of maturation by seeking his own identity through his father Pisistratus “already a captain of armies”

What can be said of the female roles in the Trojan conflict and aftermath?

Womanly Wiles? Menelaus (forgiving) Agamemenon (betrayed) Odysseus Helen Clytemnestra Penelope

The Goddess Sisterhood Helen gives Telemachus a potion to forget his grief Penelope weaves and unweaves Laertes’ funeral shroud to beguile the suitors Athena sends the phantom of Penelope’s sister to comfort her

Bewitching Women Telemachus Menelaus Odysseus The suitors Athena Eidothea Calypso Penelope