The Odyssey Book 1

The Odyssey: Book 1

Part One: Significant Scenes and Characters

-"Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns driven time and again off course, once he had plundered the hallowed heights of Troy" (1.1-3). A Muse is a person or a spirit that inspires creation of the arts. In the first scene of the book, Homer is asking this Muse to help inspire him to tell the story of Odysseus and his journey that has given him troubles. What I see in the first lines of the story is an effort to tell the reader what the story is about right away. The Muse explains the time period and puts the reader into context.

In the first conversation between Athena and Zeus, the attitudes and qualities of each character are shown. Athena goes to Zeus and asks about Odysseus' hardships and why he father has no sympathy. Her action, in my opinion, to confront her father and question him shows how Athena has strong and powerful personality. Zeus replies by almost mocking her declaring what she said was nonsense. Zeus shows with his comment that he believes that he is above his daughter and that her opinion does not matter.

In the next significant scene Athena transforms herself into a man named Mentes, who works with oars and boats. Athena then is invited in Prince Telemachus' home for a dinner where she is presented a chance to give him advice about his father Odysseus. Athena convinces Telemachus to go on a quest to find his lost father. Athena in this scene shows her power as a character. First she is able to become Mentes and is never questioned and second she demonstrates a convincing way with words.

Telemachus then goes on to take power over his mother by telling her to get some bravery and then demanded her to keep the women working hard on their own tasks. In this scene Telemachus seemed rude while telling her what to do. I feel talking to Athena gave inspiration to Telemachus and this is an instant example of his new attitude.  Following that abruption, Telemachus then insulted his guests by telling them they plagued his mother. All of the guests were shocked about Telemachus' new tone and how he is using his new found power. Telemachus made a rotation as a character in Book 1 as at the end of the book he is pondering Athena's plan.

-What might be Athena's reasoning for disguising herself when she visits Telemachus? What is Athena's purpose in visiting Telemachus and how well does she achieve it?

I believe that Athena disguised herself as Mentes to avoid any of the characters realizing that she is actually a goddess. If Athena came to Telemachus as a goddess there would have been so much more attention around her visit and it may have become a distraction preventing her from getting to talk to him. Athena's purpose of the visit was to convince Telemachus that he needed to go on a journey to find his lost father. Athena did exactly what she planned to do. Telemachus seemed inspired and acquired a sense of power. That night Telemachus was planning the quest, so Athena achieved exactly what she wanted.

What are the signs of Telemachus' immaturity? Are there any signs that he will grow up soon? Explain.

Telemachus is a character that early on in this story seems to have an important role. When we first meet him, Telemachus seems a little bit immature. This is proven by accepting all of the advice that a complete stranger, Athena, provided him about his dad. Telemachus never seemed to question Athena or any of the ideas that she presented. He just soaked all of her words in and I felt it was a sign of immaturity. There is a sign that he will have to grow up. Athena told Telemachus that "You must not cling to your boyhood any longer-it's time for you were a man. Haven't you heard what glory Prince Orestes won throughout the world when he killed that cunning, murderous Aegisthus, who'd killed his famous father?" (1.341-345). This is a very important quote. Athena is telling Telemachus he needs to grow up and find his father because he would obtain glory. Telemachus agrees and when he goes on his journey, he will grow up as a man and mature.

- Will Telemachus' battle between immaturity and becoming a man affect him as a leader in the quest for his father? Explain

What does Athena show about her character in Book 1? Explain.


Part Two: Illuminate the Text

Literary Devices-

Foreshadowing: Antinous told Telemachus "I pray that Zeus will never make you king of Ithaca, though your father's crown is no doubt yours by birth" (1.443-444). I think that this comment could be hinting at some foreshadowing. Maybe later on in the story Telemachus will become the king of Ithaca and that all of the people will not be happy.

Simile: "Athena the bright-eyed goddess flew like a bird in soaring flight" (1.367-368). This line is an example of how simile is used throughout the story. Homer is saying that Athena moved away from Telemachus and the party quickly, but with grace similar to a bird in flight.

Imagery: "Once in the high-roofed hall, he took her lance and fixed it firm in a burnished rack against a sturdy pillar, there where row on row of spears, stood stacked and waiting. Then he escorted her to a high, elaborate chair of honor, over it draped a cloth, and he placed his guest with a stool to rest her feet" (1.148-154). Homer uses the literary device frequently and here is a prime example. He goes into detail about many objects in the scene and this technique provides an image for the reader.

Translator's Notes-

(1.34-55) The translator is making a point that all of the events in the story begin with the successful vengeance of Orestes. This example is seen when Athena is talking to Telemachus and attempts to give him courage and spark him to do what it is right. This is significant because without this reference to Orestes, the story would lack a sense of motivation for Telemachus' actions. The translator says that Agememnon and Cassandra were killed by Agememnon's wife and her lover. The translator also makes a point that the reunion of Odysseus and Penelope is a similar situation. This is important because it can be used as foreshadowing also it adds a new theme to the story.

(1.375) In this translation a man named Ajax was not punished for a crime, but Athena created a storm and he was blown off of course on his journey home. Ajax was killed by Poseidon when he almost reached home. This is important because Odysseus is in a similar situation. He is lost on his journey home and Poseidon is the only god mad with him. This could be hinting at a event later in the story.

Intro Topics-

Hospitality: While reading the voyager we learned that it is a custom for a host to provide their guest with a gift before they depart. This is a sign for good luck and fortune on their continued journey. This gesture is shown in Book 1 with Telemachus and Athena. Telemachus offers Athena a gift as she decided to leave. We learned about this same situation with the introduction and the theme instantly became a part of the story.

-What has Homer's already seen literary devices add to story? Explain.

Part Three: Make Connections

-Universal Themes
Role of Women: Telemachus tells his mother Penelope to "tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom" (1.410-411). This small exchange between mother and son shows the role of women in that time period. Telemachus basically tells his mother just to worry about your won chores that you must do. The theme that is developed here it that women are viewed having a less important role then men.

Being A Man: In the conversation between Athena as Mentes and Telemachus, Athena tells him to "not cling on your boyhood" (1.341). Being a man is a role that each young boy was expected to become. Athena is telling Telemachus that he must become a man with power to obtain glory like Orestes did. The theme shown here is the battle of a young boy becoming a man.

-Outside Text
Anonymous Quote: "Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys". This quote directly connections the Telemachus and his motivation to become the man Athena told him to be. A small boy, Telemachus, will become a big man because of the man, Orestes, who set an example for all of the boys to follow. This is the theme of becoming a man and obtaining glory and power. This is path that Telemachus seems to be heading toward.

-What current themes will affect Telemachus and how?
 What other themes are present in Book 1 of The Odyssey?