Structure and Plot Flashcards
How many books constitute Homers Odyssey?
24
What kind of structure is used in the Odyssey?
Chiastic structure
Chiasmus
A rhetorical figure in which the words, structure or concept of a text are repeated in reverse order to form a pattern simlar to ABBA or ABCBA
How is Chiastic structure seen in Book 9/12?
In Book 9, Odysseus describes the Lotus eaters and how his men are given intoxicating fruit of the lotus by the natives and as soon as they eat it they loose all thought of home
This is reflected in Book 12 where the seductive song of the sirens weakens the men, despite attempts to block the noise.
Here, Odysseus and his men rely on each other to ensure their safetly by forcibly opposing the potential danger
Give another similarity between book 9 and 12
The discovery of a monster in a cave, where 6 men are killed.
Book 9, monster = cyclops
Book 12, Monster = Scylla
Give a third example of chiastic structure
Book 9 = Polyphemus prays to his father, Poseidon for vengeance on Odysseus
Book 12 = a similar storm is conjured and his crew are killed in a storm
“All men honour and respect bards, for the Muse has taught them songs and she loves the minstrel fraternity”
What does Odysseus assume himself the role of?
He assumes himself the role of a bard in four books
Why are Odysseus story telling skills important?
Because they help him get safe passage back to Ithaca, fool his household and enable him to kill the suitors
How do Odysseus story telling skills help him in Book 9?
He is able to tell the Phaeacians about his journey - he returns his Xenia
‘The artistary of a bard’
Alcinous to Odysseus
‘with the tales he can tell, the man would hold you spellbound. It was like fixing ones eyes on a a minstrel who has been taught by the gods to sing words that bring delight to mortals’
Eumaeus to Odysseus
What is the precense of the bard key to?
Odysseus homecoming
Do the 2 trained bards have much signficance?
No
