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Rubix
01-11-2010, 03:22 AM
1) How many of the monsters (or threats) to Odysseus in the Odyssey are female? What can you infer from this?

2) How does Odysseus' desire for glory delay his homecoming? What message does Homer convey about the dangers of glory?

3) In what ways does Odysseus develop as a character during the course of the narrative? Does he develop at all?

4) From what you have observed of Odysseus, how would you describe what the Greeks valued in a hero? Do we value these same traits today?

5) Select an important character in The Odyssey who is a villain. Then analyze the nature of the characters villainy and show how the villain functions in the story. Why is this figure necessary to the story or the hero? Attempt to avoid plot summary

6) Describe the relationship between immortals and mortals in The Odyssey. How do humans view their relationship with the divine? Does this relationship change over the course of the poem? If so, describe how. Do the gods become more or less involved in the mundane action as the story unfolds.



Studying for finals, and one of the six questions above are going to be in essay format that requires at least 200 words :< I'd just like to know where the rest of your answers compare to mine.

R0b0t1
01-12-2010, 03:14 AM
1) ~5 are female, Sirens, Circe, Calypso, and the two monsters were historically female. Do not let women lure you or something like that.

2) The main time this happens is when he insults Polyphemus and tells him he is Odysseus, it conveys something like "do not be stuck up"

3) Odysseus does not develop, or at least it is not shown. He might have learned humility from the incident with Polyphemus, but it is not certain.

4) The Greeks valued guile, a balance of strength and intelligence, and loyalty (he was not unloyal to Penelope because he was "forced" to sleep with the goddesses)

5) Calypso: Withholds Odysseus from home, only releases him when ordered by Zeus. Necessary as his escape/departure from the island is the introduction to the story.

6) The gods become more involved in mundane action, Athena helping to free Odysseus and guide his son, Poseidon working more actively to inhibit his return home. The relationship as shown as reciprocal, "you give to the gods we help you sometime."