books Flashcards
6 traits of an epic hero
-noble birth
-capable of deeds of great strength
-great warriar
-travels over vast setting
-humility
-faces or recieves help from the supernatural
why is the story told non-chronologically
shows the impact of odysseus’ absence from ithaca - reinforces impact of his return
how do the suitors abuse xenia in the beginning
-helped themselves to “the good things spread before them”
-“living free off another man”
-“eating me out of house and home”
how does telemachus show good xenia in the beginning
-feeds athene before asking for his (her) story
-gave athene the best chair and linen cloth and a stool for her feet
-“ashamed that a stranger should be kept standing at the gates”
what was the use of ring composition
allows oral poet to develop the narrative into an anecdote but still leave room to return to main story
what was ring composition used for in book 1
telemachus catches sight of athene and digresses into thoughts of his father
what was ring composition used for in book 2
athene disguised as mentor converges with telemachus about the great qualities of his father
what story does helen tell in book 4
odysseus dressing as a begger to get into trojan city unnoticed, she figured him out but bathed and clothed him and promised to keep his secret
what story does menelaus tell in book 4
odysseus and his men inside trojan horse (helen called their names mimicking their wives) odysseus kept the men in check
what do helen and menelaus’ stories in book 4 tell us about odysseus
he has metis (cunning) and good leadership skills
he is shown as a hero
what perspectives is book 4 split into and what does this accentuate
telemachus in sparta and the suitors in ithaca
- accentuates dishonesty and murderous intent of suitors
what are the first things we are told about ogygia in book 5
the sight of the fire and the scent of the place -we notice things as hermes does
how is odyseeus first presented in ogygia
unhappy -looking at the sea
numb to the greatness of the paradise
what does calypso offer odysseus
immortality and life on paradise
how is calypso shown as loving
willing to disobey zeus to give him immortality
serves him food even though he is mortal and she is a goddess
how is calypso shown as kindhearted/generous
doesnt waant him to leave but still provides him with food drink and favourable winds (for his journey) also allows him to cut down her trees to build a raft
how is calypso shown as feisty/hot tempered
gets angry at hermes and accuses gods of being jealous of her happiness
how is calypso shown as competitive
reminds odysseus that shes more beautiful and youthful than penelope
how is calypso shown as hospitable
welcomes odysseus and hermes providing xenia
what does nausicaa represent (book 6)
perfect xenia
where do we see nausicaas perfect xenia
-compromises herself by being seen with a man to help him
-helps odysseus gain favour with her parents
comparing points about nausicaa and calypso
-mortal vs imortal
-perfect xenia vs average xenia
-both help O on his journey to get home
-youthlike vs wise/old
what does odysseus note about the phaecian palace
-gold silver and bronze sculptures made by hephaestus (god of craftsman)
-courtyard is full of fruit bearing trees
-cheifs sit in fine chairs and gold statues of yiuth fill the palace wit light
how does athene help odysseus in phaecea
disguises him as they hate strangers
what is significant about arete and alcinous
she has immense power for a woman they look on her like a goddess
does odysseus tell the phaecians the truth
partially
why does odysseus start crying in book 8
they speak of him at troy (they dont know who he is)
why is odysseus saying hes hungry interesting in book 8
nausicaa just fed him
they think he could be a god so could be him showing that hes human
when telling the phaecians his story where does he start
troy
why does he start his story at troy in book 9
-exciting
-hes a hero
-shows kleos
-shows the story of his crews end
how does the destruction of the cicones demonstrate his strength as a warrior and leader
-destroyed the city with ease
-gave good orders
-blames gods for defeat (who could win against a god)
what does the encounter with lotus eaters show
-his nostos
-good leader (left no man behind)
-bad leader (sent a small group)
how is the land of cyclops described
-wild/uncivilised
(no laws, assemblies pr piety)
what is polyphemus first shown doing
guzzling undiluted wine (uncivilised savagery)
how many men die from polyphemus
2 eaten
where do we see redeaming qualities in polyphemus
cares deeply about his sheep, seems to have them as pets or companions