The Odyssey in Classics Without All the Class

Aug 18, 2011 Ebster Davis rated it really liked it

I think this story would have been hard for me to understand if I hadn't read the Iliad first. But also, I think stylistically it's a lot different than the Iliad.

A lot of the greek legends I know are from this book, and it surprised me that it seems like a lot of them are told in retrospect, as Odyssius (or Nestor, or Helen) are referencing stuff that happened this one time in the past.

It was neat to get a more personal view on some of the characters from the Iliad (even towards the all the d I think this story would have been hard for me to understand if I hadn't read the Iliad first. But also, I think stylistically it's a lot different than the Iliad.

A lot of the greek legends I know are from this book, and it surprised me that it seems like a lot of them are told in retrospect, as Odyssius (or Nestor, or Helen) are referencing stuff that happened this one time in the past.

It was neat to get a more personal view on some of the characters from the Iliad (even towards the all the dead heroes chilling in the field/meadow of asphodel start giving commentary on how all their lives out.)

But I especially liked the story of Odyssius' family. Growing up you always hear about Penelope the weaver and how she tricked a bunch of really stupid suitors into thinking she was still making the same tapestry for THREE YEARS out of loyalty to her husband, but the dynamic is a bit more complicated than that. (There are a lot of reasons for Penelope to do what she did! The Odyssius/Penelope romance is a lot more complex than that! Like, they were in love and they lost each other and then they got along for years and years...and then they have to choose each other again. Its so fun to watch them negotiate that transition and decide if they can they have the intimacy that they used to.)

The story is more than just about the couple, it's also about the grandpa, the son, neighbors, slaves/servants, even the dog (Who, btw, is the first to recognize Odyssius when he comes home)! This whole community of people to whom Odyssius belongs, and he has to assume this role in relation to all of them.

My favorite character, though, was Telemachus. I liked his whole realization as he becomes an adult that "something's not right here...we're not even sure my dad is dead and already people are trying to court my mom and...eat all our stuff..." and being proactive about it. Good on you, Telemachus!

Some of my favorite quotes:

"Jove takes half the goodness out of a man when he makes a slave of him."

"You are insolent and cruel, and think yourself a great man because you live in a little world."

"We have suffered, both of us. Heaven has denied us the happiness of spending our youth, and of growing old, together; do not then be aggrieved or take it amiss..."

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Jul 03, 2013 Janice rated it really liked it

Shelves: classic

Four stars for Fagles translation (I ended up preferring Lattimore); five for Homer's Odyssey. I love the journey back to faithful Penelope; the coming of age of Telemachus; and the intricate descriptions of the rites of hospitality, and so much more. It is a must read. ...more

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