The social, cultural and religious context Flashcards
Power of fate
Role of the immortals
Relationship between immortals and mortals
Justice and Revenge
Hospitality and guest friendship (xenia)
Family
Relationships between men and women
Womens’s experiences do create a very different world and a very different view from that of men’s and (that) Homer is certainly interested in exploring that different world. So we get these moments where the women’s world is entered into - Emily Hauser
Relationships between parents and children
Part played by women in the epic
Women’s role in society
Dr Emily Hauser
The stories depend on women
Women are difficult to hear
Penelope is particularly important because the major theme of the Odyssey is nostos and return to the oikos. Penelope’s fidelity is important in ensuring that oikos remains intact.
Odysseus and Penelope have ‘homophrosyne’ = same thinking. This is the term Odysseys uses when talking to Nausicaa in Odysseus Book 6 to describe a good marriage.
Role of slaves