Scholarship Flashcards
Griffin (Heroism)
“Odysseus is a hero of endurance rather than action.”
– Emphasises that Odysseus’ greatness lies in his suffering and resilience, not just physical prowess.
Jones (Moral Complexity)
“Odysseus is a man of many contradictions – noble and ruthless, pious and deceitful.”
– Highlights the layered and morally complex nature of Homer’s hero.
Graziosi (Storytelling)
“The Odyssey is a poem about storytelling as much as it is a story.”
– The poem draws attention to the power and function of narrative, especially Odysseus’ own.
Clarke (Xenia)
“Hospitality in the Odyssey is a key marker of civilisation.”
– Good or bad xenia helps define characters as civilised or barbaric.
Schein (Odysseus and Identity)
“Odysseus’ identity is never fixed – it is constantly shaped by disguise and performance.”
– The hero is fluid and adaptable, reflecting themes of concealment and self-fashioning.
Hall (Women and Power)
“The women in the Odyssey shape the plot as much as the men.”
– Recognises the narrative and thematic significance of female characters like Penelope, Circe, and Calypso.
Murnaghan (Penelope)
“Penelope’s intelligence rivals Odysseus’, though hers is exercised in different ways.”
– Challenges the idea of female passivity; Penelope is an active figure in the story.
Pucci (Narrative Control)
“Odysseus is both the hero and narrator of his own epic.”
– Draws attention to how Odysseus constructs his own identity through his storytelling.
Jones (Divine Intervention)
“The gods are not distant – they are involved in every level of human experience.”
– Explains the integral role of divine influence in shaping mortal lives and outcomes.
Griffin (Justice and Morality)
“Homer presents justice not through laws, but through heroic codes of revenge and honour.”
– Revenge and moral restitution take precedence over formal justice systems.
