Illustration of Odysseus tied to a ship's mast

The Odyssey

by Homer

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  • Topic #1

    Hospitality is a central motif of the Odyssey that focuses on the behavior of both hosts and their guests. Discuss examples of host-guest relations as they exist throughout the poem.

    Outline
    I. Thesis Statement: Homer suggests both positive and negative commentary on his own world through the examples of hospitality that pervade the Odyssey.

    II. Scenes of Positive Hospitality
    A. Telemachus’ treatment of Athene (Book I)
    B. Nestor’s reception of Telemachus (Book III)
    C. Menelaus’ reception of Telemachus (Book IV)
    D. Odysseus among the Phaeaceans (Books VI-VIII, XIII)
    E. Eumaeus’ reception of Odysseus (Book XIV)

    III. Scenes of Negative Hospitality
    A. The suitors in Odysseus’ house (I, II, XVIII-XXII)
    B. Polyphemus’ cave (Book IX)
    C. Circe’s abode (Book X)

    IV. Common elements of both types of hospitality scenes

    V. Subtle and overt contrasts between both types of hospitality scenes

    VI. Homer’s implied messages about his society in both types of hospitality scenes

  • Topic #2

    Deception and the revelation of identity are two motifs that accompany each other throughout the Odyssey. Analyze the various scenes from the poem that center around these motifs and explore the significance of the motifs’ variations that occur from scene to scene.

    Outline
    I. Thesis Statement: Homer provides a subtle commentary on his characters through the changes and variations that accompany each scene depicting disguise and the subsequent revelation of a character’s identity.

    II. Athene’s Disguises As:
    A. Mentes (Book I)
    B. Mentor and Telemachus (Book II)
    C. Mentor (Book III)
    D. The young Phaeacean girl (Book VII)
    E. The young shepard (Book XIII)
    F. Mentor (Book XXII)

    III. Odysseus’ Disguises As:
    A. A beggar in Troy (Book IV)
    B. The unknown wanderer
    C. Nobody (Book IX)
    D. The innocent victim (in Circe’s cottage; Book X)
    E. The lost wanderer (to Athene; Book XIII)
    F. Old beggar from Crete (Books XIV, XVI, XIX, XXII, XXIII)

    IV. Analysis of modes of deception

    V. Significance of revelation scenes

    VI. Similarities and differences among revelation scenes

  • Topic #3

    Characters often relate large blocks of narrative to fellow characters. Examine the stories told by characters during the course of the Odyssey. What do the characters reveal about themselves during the course of their narratives? What are the hidden purposes of the characters who act as storytellers? What do they hope to achieve through the narration of their stories?

    Outline
    I. Thesis Statement: Storytellers throughout the Odyssey introduce aspects of themselves during their narratives not revealed elsewhere, such as personality traits, hidden agendas, etc.

    II. Long narratives delivered by characters
    A. Nestor (Book III)
    B. Menelaus (Book IV)
    C. Proteus (Book IV)
    D. Helen (Book IV)
    E. Demodocus (Book VIII)
    F. Odysseus (Books IX-XII, XIV, XIX, and XXIV)
    G. Souls of the Deceased (Book XI)
    H. Eumaeus (Book XV)
    I. Agamemnon (Book XXIV)
    J. Amphimedon (Book XXIV)

    III. Hidden purposes of the storytellers

    IV. Personality traits revealed during their stories

    V. Decisions made by the storytellers based upon their audiences

  • Topic #4

    An important subplot of the Odyssey is the assassination of Agamemnon. Explore the relationships, overt and subtle, between this subplot and the main plot of Odysseus’ homecoming.

    Outline
    I. Thesis Statement: There is a significant thematic relationship between Agamemnon’s family and Odysseus’ family. Each family member experiences a fate that is diametrically opposed to that of his parallel counterpart.

    II. Chief references to Agamemnon’s murder
    A. Zeus (Book I)
    B. Athene (Book I)
    C. Nestor (Book III)
    D. Menelaus (Book IV)
    E. Agamemnon (Books XI, XXIV)

    III. Parallels between Agamemnon’s family and Odysseus’ family

    IV. Significance of the differences between their family situations

    V. Purpose of the subplot’s shadowing of the main plot

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