Odyssey Flashcards
What functioned as the “sacred text” of the greeks?
poetry
What is a central function of The Odyssey?
Anthropology
How does the story-within-a-story nature of The Odyssey function?
It acts as a hall of mirrors that both reflect and distort the world.
How does the Dative function at the beginning of the poem?
The opening represents a gift of the story by the muse to the poet.
How do names work in The Odyssey?
Nobody is named at the beginning, especially Odysseus throughout.
How does Demodocus act as a microcosm of the entire Odyssey?
He is performing poetry publicly, in a metrical form that mirrors The Odyssey, and he sings the song of the Iliad.
What are the differences between an Aoidos and a Rhapsode?
An Aoidos (Achilles) sings, a Rhapsode (Odysseus) recites.
What is authorship in poetic culture?
There is no such thing as authorship. No written works, and we have no idea about anything in Homer.
How does the authorship in the Odyssey compare to Herodotus?
Herodotus makes it perfectly clear right away that he is the one writing this story, whereas the Odyssey has no author mentioned.
What are the two types of Greek intelligence?
Cunning (Odysseus), as in hunting; and Logic, as in philosophy.
How do the beginning of the Iliad and Odyssey compare in terms of names?
In the Iliad, Achilles’s name is firmly established in the first line. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is outis
How does Odysseus remain “positively anonymous”?
He names himself a name that means no name.
What does “polytropos” mean and what is the significance?
poly = many, tropos = turns. “Manyness”; it describes how Odysseus has traveled many ways, has created many ruses, is a master of TURNS (of speech), many leavings and returns
What are the three components of the structure of the Odyssey?
Telemachia (Books 1-4), Great Wanderings (9-12), Returned (13-24)
What is the centerpiece of The Odyssey?
Book 15
What two major things that we learn in The Odyssey?
Cartography and Anthropology
What does the world look like according to Odysseus?
A flat disk with water all around
What is a xenos?
A stranger
How should you judge a being, according to the Odyssey?
By Xenia – how they treat their guests
How does Circe deny xenia in The Odyssey?
She turns her guests into pigs.
What kinds of xenia make humanity unique, according to the Odyssey?
Humanity shares meals & engages in social events (Epic itself is social)
What is the most inhospitable creature in The Odyssey?
Polyphemus, he literally eats his guests, he has no border between the inside / outside, asks for a name w/out offering food
How do those who violate Xenia view others?
They view others as nothing, this makes them inhuman
How do gifts function in the Odyssey?
Gifts are an obligation
