Like Gilgamesh, involves adventures; an epic

Nation and founding principles that are passed on and become part of the
national culture
The language of Dante became the italian language
written 10 years after the Trojan war.
Ceremonial language (an occasion); makes the significance of the
interchange by raising the level of the language
Attributes of Odysseus; wise, king, cunning, courageous
Everyone in the epic is identified by a social grouping or their forefathers
the way people integrate as part of a group is significant
Construction of peoples attitudes; behavior, culture, moral qualities etc.
(seen in individuals but relate to a culture as whole)
Homer; the bible of the greeks
involves the legends that hold the cultures together
defines the culture
Gilgamesh: assyrian bible
Book 1-2
Odyssey begins in the middle of the action (imedeas)
The Trojan war referred to as: "a pit of destruction"
Greek gods are similar to ordinary people; limitations, don't know
absolutely everything. One can relate to the gods.
Presentation/introduction of the gods gives a sense of complexity
Homeric epithet
Odysseus is at a loss, cut off from his roots
the sense of not being in connection with his origins/ his home
identity crisis
Telemachus reflects hospitality as he welcomes in a disguised Athena
gods represent social integrity
hospitality reaffirms the social bond between individuals among cultures
one is being irreligious if you do not support hospitality
good behavior is a social custom
Zeus is the protecter of the order of society
Book 9 - Cyclopes
Giants; the inverse of human society
Arrogant and lawless beings
No ancestors of importance, no laws
Homopherus
Unsociable
Don't honor Zeus, claim they are stronger (titans?)
denial of society and social relationships
Odysseus boasting; almost fatal mistake


Athena in love with Odysseus

A story that moves form the battles of the gods; human heroism
more accessible to the reader
The prefix "eu" in the greek language means good
Eumeuas; hospitable, loyal, almost selfless
Gods' function: social order
Zeus the preserver of order
Hospitality=religion of the order of life
Strategic reason why Penelope was not meant to find out Odysseus'
identity
Odysseus tests her loyalty