S C H E D U L E
The series contains four units. We suggest that you spend 10-13 days to allow you time to complete the reading, view the video lectures and consider the discussion questions that we have included for each unit.
Unit One: Telemakhos' journey. Law and justice in Odysseus' absence. Fathers and sons and the unjust suitors.
Readings: Odyssey focus passages; Odyssey scrolls i-iv.
Lecture: Lecture on ancient Greek Hero cult and additional lecture on oral poetry.
Unit Two: The songs of Demodokos. The journey of Odysseus and getting to know the noos of those he encounters. Connecting with heroes in the underworld.
Readings: Odyssey scrolls v-xii.
Lecture: Lectures Two and Three and Discussion of scroll viii.
Unit Three: The Hero comes home. Ainoi in Greek song culture and Penelope's dream. Return to the image of the righteous king.
Readings: Odyssey scrolls xiii-xix.
Lecture: Lectures Four and Five and Discussion on metaphor and metonym.
Unit Four: The death of the suitors. The Hero in the garden. Heroes as champions of dikê.
Readings: Odyssey scrolls xx-xxiv.
Lecture: Lecture Six on the father in the garden.