Themes

Question 1

The power of fate

Answer 1

How fate plays a role in the plot of the Odyssey - is fate fixed or changeable?

Question 2

The role of the immortals

Answer 2

Divine intervention - how does this play a role in the plot of the Odyssey - are there particular gods that hinder or advance the plot? Are there gods who highlight key themes?

Question 3

Xenia

Answer 3

Guest friendship. How does our understanding of Xenia help characterisation or our understanding of other cultures presented in the Odyssey?

Question 4

Relationships between mortals and immortals

Answer 4

Positive and negative relationships - how do they shape events if the epic? Could certain relationships help in our understanding of characterisation?

Question 5

Family

Answer 5

What role does the family unit play? How does the family operate in other cultures?

Question 6

Role of women

Answer 6

Status and lives of women in the epic dependent on position in society. What was expected of them and how to they execute their roles? Can the role of women in other societies help us to understand that society more?

Question 7

Role of slaves

Answer 7

Position of slaves in the household and consideration of loyalty and disloyalty of the ones in Ithaca. Slaves can tell us about the status of a household ie the corruption of the palace in Odysseus’ absence

Question 8

Justice and Revenge

Answer 8

Is this always realised? Is it consistent for mortals and immortals?

Question 9

Disguise/recognition

Answer 9

Ties into Metis - Athene and Odysseus use disguise cleverly to achieve what they want