February Selection: The Odyssey by Homer

The Odyssey - Homer - Translated By Robert Fagles, Intro and notes by Bernard Knox

ISBN 978-0-14-026886-7


Notes on selection:  The Odyssey is an indirect follow up to The Illiad, the only other work attributed to Homer.  Because it is, in essence, a sequel, conventional wisdom would dictate that The Iliad be read first.  However, I feel that the Odyssey, being more of an adventure tale of sorts, would make Homer's work a little more approachable to any newcomers.  The large time gap between stories and minimal references to the Iliad should make this quite accessible to most readers.  In addition the Fagles translation makes use of common English while retaining the poetic form and rhythm which carries the best of both worlds.  However, if any readers have a more scholarly interest, you may want to investigate multiple translations.  If using any alternate translations there will be mild discrepancies in line numberings and possibly huge variations in wordings and length. I have compared two translations myself and found this to be accurate.  This would only be a concern if quotes are made in our discussions segment. It is optional, but I  highly recommend reading the research notes either before or after the story for more information.

Notes on the Odyssey: The Odyssey is believed to have been composed, in non written form, around 800 b.c. in a Greek speaking area off the coast of what we now call Turkey and attributed to a man the Greeks named Homer. The first confirmed papyrus fragments are dated to 300 b.c. so it is believed to have been passed by oral tradition for centuries prior to being written. Much of this is only theory based on dedicated research because little to nothing is known about the formation of the Iliad and Odyssey or the man who supposedly wrote them.  There is much argument among scholars as to whether or not Homer was a real person, whether or not he wrote both books, and whether or not he wrote all of either book.  Some believe, controversially, that the Odyssey may have been composed by a woman, or that Homer may have been illiterate.  There is some certainty that the "original" Greek Odyssey that our translations come from has existed in several variations and was put to text at different times in different variations and had to be canonized into a standard version.

Things to consider while reading (for discussion):

What do you think of the concept of "Zeus of the Strangers" and the Greek concept of Hospitality?

What are some other underlying or recurring  themes that are present in the poem?

Does our Hero have a fatal flaw, and what would it be?  If so, do you think it would negatively impact the Greek concept of the Heroic tradition?