Homer’s Odyssey
Background
Blind bard (by tradition)
850 – 700 BC
Most popular book before Bible, more copies
Long narrative poem with heroes, Gods
Double adjective epithets – rosy figured dawn
Coupled with the Illiad – beginning of Trojan war
Troy was a real place, modern day Turkey
Epoch Cycle – non Homeric works about Trojan war
Great Alexandria library fire – 48 BC
Fall of Troy around the same time of David’s Kingdom
Time of Judges- contemporary of Samuel
God’s Creative order vs. Greek Worldview
Creator/Creature Distinction The Great Chain of Being
Creator/God no creator God
demons (heirarchy of created beings in a staircase format, 8 (?) levels)
Angels / Demons angels
Humans Humans
What does the Bible say about this God structure
Isaiah 14
Genesis 6
Nephilim
Also mentioned in Joshua (trans as giants)
Sons of God
Sometimes angels
could also refer to demons
Job 2
Sons of God came to present themselves to God
I Kings 18:21-24
Elijah on Mount Carmel
Baal seems to be some actual power
1 Corinthians 2
John 16:11
Ruler of this world was judged
Colossians 2:15
Jesus triumphed over the principalities and powers
Matthew 12: 25-29
Jesus accused of being Beelzebub
Jesus will con
John 12: 31-33
The Prince of this world will be cast out
1 Corinthians 10: 19-20
Paul says that the idols were actually gods/demons.
Daniel 10:13
Prince of Persia
Odysseus characteristics
Clever
Focused
Perseverance
Matured
Prideful with Cyclopes
Didn’t make that mistake again
Patient
When he gets home, he continues with the ruse longer than expected
Able to resist temptation longer than expected
How we treat people (theme)
Suppliants (beggars) – we should always treat them with kindness
Telemachus visits Menaleaus –
Men says not to send him away, they are treated very well – bathed, clothed, and fed
Zeus cares for the suppliants
Hospitality carried too far – giving hospitality to murderer
Zeus cares for suppliants
It was common for Gods to appear in the form of strangers, beggars
Penelope
Wish she were more assertive
Cries a lot
Is Homer trying to create the ideal Greek woman (wife)?
Seems wooden and uninteresting
Game: reviewing the facts of the book
Themes:
homecoming
coming of age: the people and the country/nation. Greeks value family and settled life, not just the heroism of victory in battle. Odysseus’ men don’t make this transition to a higher level and thus do not return. Even when he is promised eternal life and a sexual happiness, he choses a mortal life
temptation: losing sight of the goal (his men), Odysseus as a beggar was mis-treated, but he had self control. His son also grew throughout the story because he knew the greater purpose of his father getting his purpose back.
hospitality