The Odyssey: Book 1 Flashcards
Summary:
- Muse is asked to tell a story and begins with the story of Odysseus
- begins partway through the book as Odysseus has been imprisoned for around 10 years
- the goddess Athena meets with Zeus to ask that he be set free from calypsos island where he is being held captive
- Zeus agrees that odysseus’ heroism at Troy and devotion to the gods marks him as deserving of a homecoming
- Hermes is sent to tell calypso to release Odysseus
- Athena, in disguise, goes to Telemachus to tell him to search for news of his father
Key themes:
- Coming of age (subplot)
- role of the gods/ divine intervention
- heroism
- love and devotion (to wives and gods)
- disguise and recognition (briefly)
What do we know about Odysseus from the first 21 lines?
That he’s being held captive by calypso in an island called ogygia where he acts as a sex slave.
We learn his background- that he’s king of Ithaca, he has a son named Telemachus, a wife (Penelope) and that his men died and he couldn’t save them. He’s trying to get off ogygia to go back to Ithaca but he has angered Poseidon who’s delaying his journey home
What do we know about Troy?
That it was defeated by enemies and many people died. The recklessness of Troy made them lose
What do we learn about Odysseus’ companions?
They ate the sun gods cattle and died
What do we learn about Poseidon?
Poseidon is angry at Odysseus for blinding his son and doesn’t want Odysseus to get home as punishment
What do we learn about the other Greek heroes?
They’re safe at home and have no idea what happened to Odysseus
Who initiates the debate among the gods and why?
Athena
She felt she had to help Odysseus and Zeus talks about how to get him home even though he’s hurt that people blame the gods. Poseidon doesn’t want him home as he dislikes him
In lines 121-124 why does Athena choose to appear to Telemachus as a man?
So she could hint who she was without revealing her true self. She chose someone Telemachus knew and trusted so she would appear more trustworthy. It would also be less suspicious than if she was a woman
What is the impression of telemachus’ character?
He’s quite cowardly and childish. There’s contrast between him and his father as he doesn’t want to take control of Ithaca.
Athena has to guide him and tell him what to do showing he’s not very courageous though he does have some level of power as he’s dismissive of his mother and orders her around
Who are antinous, eurymachus, eurycleia and laertes?
Antinous and eurymachus: leading suitors in Ithaca
Laertes: Odysseus’ frail father
Eurycleia: telemachus’ maid whos extemely Loyal to the family and acts as a sex slave to laertes though she’s never been used as one
What are we told about these characters?
The suitors- eurymachus and antinous are very rude and disrespectful
Laertes is loyal to his wife and is in grief and remains isolated
Eurycleia is devoted, honourable caring and helpful
