Everything you need to know to read Homer's "Odyssey" - Jill Dash

Summary

The 'Odyssey' is an epic poem recounting the adventures of Odysseus, spanning years of Greek history and myth. Composed before the Greek alphabet, it was meant for oral performance by rhapsodes. Its authorship is attributed to Homer, but his existence is debated. The poem emphasizes the perils of angering the gods and the importance of xenia, the ancient Greek code of hospitality. It begins in medias res, with Odysseus trapped on an island, far from home, due to Poseidon's wrath. The narrative is rich with detail, providing a fascinating journey through myth and history.

Takeaways

• 📜 'Odyssey' is a 12,000-line epic poem that covers years of Ancient Greek history, myth, and legend.
• 🎭 It was composed before the Greek alphabet and was meant for oral performance by rhapsodes.
• 👤 The authorship is traditionally attributed to a blind poet named Homer, but his existence is uncertain.
• 🤔 The 'Odyssey' has undergone numerous revisions and rearrangements by various authors.
• 🗣️ Rhapsodes used a steady meter and mnemonic devices to recite the epic live.
• 🧩 The order of the tales was not fixed initially and became standardized over time.
• 🏺 The 'Odyssey' is a sequel to the 'Iliad' and shares a theme: avoid incurring the wrath of the gods.
• 🌍 The Greek Pantheon is depicted as prone to jealousy and grudges, influencing human affairs.
• 🏠 The code of hospitality, xenia, plays a significant role in the story, emphasizing the treatment of guests.
• 🌊 The narrative begins in medias res, with Odysseus trapped on an island and Poseidon as his adversary.
• 🔍 The 'Odyssey' provides rich detail despite the vast gap in time, sparking centuries of historical and archaeological research.

Q & A

What is the 'Odyssey'?

The 'Odyssey' is a 12,000-line epic poem that spans years of Ancient Greek history, myth, and legend, composed before the Greek alphabet appeared in the 8th century BCE.

Who is traditionally identified as the author of the 'Odyssey'?

The author of the 'Odyssey' is traditionally identified as a blind man named Homer, although there is uncertainty about whether he was a real or legendary figure.

How were the 'Odyssey' and other epic poems originally performed?

The 'Odyssey' was originally performed by oral poets called rhapsodes who recited the poem for listeners, using a steady meter and mnemonic devices to aid their memory.

What does the term 'rhapsode' mean and how does it relate to the performance of epic poems?

The term 'rhapsode' means 'stitching together' and refers to how these poets combined existing stories, jokes, myths, and songs into a single narrative for performance.

What is the significance of the Greek Pantheon in the 'Odyssey'?

The Greek Pantheon plays a significant role in the 'Odyssey' as it represents a dangerous mix of divine power and human insecurity, often causing problems for humans due to their hubris or excessive pride.

What is the ancient Greek code of hospitality called, and how does it feature in the 'Odyssey'?

The ancient Greek code of hospitality is called 'xenia'. In the 'Odyssey', it is significant as Odysseus is often a guest in his wanderings, and his wife Penelope plays the role of a host in his absence.

How does the narrative of the 'Odyssey' begin?

The narrative of the 'Odyssey' begins in medias res, in the middle of things, with Odysseus trapped on an island ten years after the Trojan War.

Why is Odysseus's journey home fraught with difficulties?

Odysseus's journey home is fraught with difficulties because he has angered the sea god Poseidon by blinding his son, a cyclops.

What is the relationship between the 'Odyssey' and the 'Iliad'?

The 'Odyssey' is a sequel to Homer's other famous epic, the 'Iliad', which tells the story of the Trojan War. Both poems are united by the theme of not incurring the wrath of the gods.

How have historians, linguists, and archaeologists interacted with the 'Odyssey'?

Historians, linguists, and archaeologists have spent centuries searching for the ruins of Troy and identifying the islands Odysseus visited, attempting to connect the epic's narrative with historical and geographical realities.

What is one of the most fascinating aspects of the 'Odyssey' according to the script?

One of the most fascinating aspects of the 'Odyssey' is the gap between how little we know about its time period and the wealth of detail the text itself contains.