Greek Epics XXVI: Odyssey Book 1, or The Gods Get the Action Started

Posted byTriumvir ClioPosted inGreek Epics, The Greeks

In this episode, we start reading the second of the great Homeric epics, the story of Odysseus’s journey home from Troy.

Discussion Prompts
  1. AP Credit: Discuss the instances of liminality in this book.
  2. AP Credit: Compare/contrast the character of Telemakhos with the characters of the suitors.
  3. What does this book tell us about fate, the gods, and free will?
  4. Why does Telemakhos follow the advice of Mentês so willingly? Do you think he knows that Mentês is Athena or another god? Why or why not?
  5. What purpose does Telemakhos’s rebuke of Penelope serve?
  6. Why do you think we’re introduced to Eurykleia at the end of this book?
  7. Who is your favorite character so far? Why?

Published by Triumvir Clio

I have a BA in History and Classical Civilization from Loyola University Chicago and an MPH from Western Michigan University. I've been a geometry teacher, a religion teacher, a writing tutor. I'm a writer, a knitter, a dancer, a singer, an actor. And, yes, for fun I like to reread everything that was assigned while getting my classics degree.

Leave a comment

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started