Scholarly Quotes: The Odyssey

Question 1

Peter Jones on Odysseus:

Answer 1

“Odysseus putting on his armour was a massive gesture of Illiadic defiance”

Question 2

Edith Hall on Odysseus:

Answer 2

“Odysseus is the James Bond of the ancient world “

Question 3

Richard Jenkynson on Phaeacia:

Answer 3

“ The first description of simple pleasure in ancient literature”
“The ball game is more of a dance, showing that shcerie is the most civilised”

Question 4

Richard Jekynson on Odysseus and Nausicaa:

Answer 4

“The odyssey gives a delicate and understated romance between odysseu and Nausicaa”

Question 5

Mathew Hoste on the cyclops:

Answer 5

“After Odysseus tells the cyclops his name their fortune changes”

Question 6

Peter Jones’s on the punishment of the suitors:

Answer 6

“The punishment of the suitors may see harsh to a modern audience, however no ancient audience would have disputed the punishment”

Question 7

Barbara Graziosi on The Book of the Dead:

Answer 7

“ Odysseus journey to the underworld marks him as a hero as he follows in the footsteps of other hero’s”

Question 8

Barbara Graziosi on characterising the odysseys:

Answer 8

“ The odyssey is characterised by serious intensity and comedy”

Question 9

Barbara Graziosi on Penelope:

Answer 9

“One preoccupation of the story is to ensure Penelope’s loyalty”