The OdysseyThe Odyssey

Books IX-XIIBooks IX-XII

The Road of TrialsThe Road of Trials

What role has hubris played in Odysseus’ journey?

What role has hubris played in Odysseus’ journey?

The Journey of the Imagination

The Journey of the Imagination

Archetypal adventures The journey is really a journey of

the spirit The monstrous apparitions are

outward manifestations of inhumanity

Archetypal adventures The journey is really a journey of

the spirit The monstrous apparitions are

outward manifestations of inhumanity

The Journey of the Imagination

The Journey of the Imagination

Ithaca = the real world, staid identity• Odysseus, son of Laertes, from Ithaca

Adventures = the Imagination, fluctuating identity• “Nobody”

Ithaca = the real world, staid identity• Odysseus, son of Laertes, from Ithaca

Adventures = the Imagination, fluctuating identity• “Nobody”

To the victor belong the spoils. To the victor belong the spoils.

CiconesCicones

Entitlement: to the victor belong the spoils

Odysseus’ men divide treasure and slave-women

What is the mission? Odysseus suffers defeat and loss

Entitlement: to the victor belong the spoils

Odysseus’ men divide treasure and slave-women

What is the mission? Odysseus suffers defeat and loss

What is Odysseus’ goal after the Trojan War?

What is Odysseus’ goal after the Trojan War?

The Lotus-Eaters = intemperance

The Lotus-Eaters = intemperance

Consequence = forgetfulness of home

Temptation vs. balance = What is essential?• Lose sight of the goal and indulge the

pleasures of the present

Consequence = forgetfulness of home

Temptation vs. balance = What is essential?• Lose sight of the goal and indulge the

pleasures of the present

Compare and contrast the Cyclopes with the Ithacans.

Compare and contrast the Cyclopes with the Ithacans.

Cyclops = barbarismCyclops = barbarism

Cyclops

Ugly loners No assembly No cultivation No community Cave dwellers Man-eaters

Cyclops

Ugly loners No assembly No cultivation No community Cave dwellers Man-eaters

Ithacans

Assembly and community

Cultivation Human law

reflecting divine law

Ithacans

Assembly and community

Cultivation Human law

reflecting divine law

CyclopsCyclops

Greek convention of hospitality Who behaves as the suitors here?• Goldilocks and the Three Bears• Crimes against the son

Greek convention of hospitality Who behaves as the suitors here?• Goldilocks and the Three Bears• Crimes against the son

What does wind symbolize? What does wind symbolize?

The Island of AeolusThe Island of Aeolus

Wind = chance, fate, forces of nature, evil impuleses

Wind = an expression of the gods’ will

Wind = chance, fate, forces of nature, evil impuleses

Wind = an expression of the gods’ will

What does cannibalism represent? What does cannibalism represent?

The Island of the Laestrygonians

The Island of the Laestrygonians

Name = “of a harsh race” Cannibalism • Represents the most inhuman action

imaginable• An extreme form of self-loathing/ self-

destruction

Name = “of a harsh race” Cannibalism • Represents the most inhuman action

imaginable• An extreme form of self-loathing/ self-

destruction

What is the role of the temptress? What is the role of the temptress?

CirceCirce

Weaving “an enchanting web” at her “great immortal loom”• The god who binds

Consumption• Magic food = moly• Temperance = restraint• Tendency of unrestrained humanity

toward animal-like behavior

Weaving “an enchanting web” at her “great immortal loom”• The god who binds

Consumption• Magic food = moly• Temperance = restraint• Tendency of unrestrained humanity

toward animal-like behavior

Roles of WomenRoles of Women

Usually do not experience a quest (Alice in Wonderland)

Passively wait for a hero’s rescue (mother, sister, consort)

Aid the hero at some point (muse, guide, courtesan)

Ruin his quest (temptress, sorceress)

Usually do not experience a quest (Alice in Wonderland)

Passively wait for a hero’s rescue (mother, sister, consort)

Aid the hero at some point (muse, guide, courtesan)

Ruin his quest (temptress, sorceress)

The UnderworldThe Underworld

Why do all heroic quests involve a journey to the Underworld?• Rites of passage• Death-resurrection cycle• Enlightenment

Why do all heroic quests involve a journey to the Underworld?• Rites of passage• Death-resurrection cycle• Enlightenment

The Power of the DeadThe Power of the Dead

Procession of shades• Know the secrets of existence• Direct knowledge of divinity• Know the fates of other humans• Compendium of past societies

Procession of shades• Know the secrets of existence• Direct knowledge of divinity• Know the fates of other humans• Compendium of past societies

The Power of the DeadThe Power of the Dead

Vegetation myths• Elpenor’s proper burial• Dead youth = Persephone, Adonis,

Osiris• Seed for new life

Vegetation myths• Elpenor’s proper burial• Dead youth = Persephone, Adonis,

Osiris• Seed for new life

How do the sirens link the female with the monstrous?

How do the sirens link the female with the monstrous?

The SirensThe Sirens

Faces of women, bodies of birds, voices of honey

Seductive song entices men to abandon all ambitions

Ody experiences with all senses

Faces of women, bodies of birds, voices of honey

Seductive song entices men to abandon all ambitions

Ody experiences with all senses

The Island of HeliosThe Island of Helios

The Followers• Submit to human weaknesses of

consumption Ody alone survives Zeus’ storm

The Followers• Submit to human weaknesses of

consumption Ody alone survives Zeus’ storm

The Island of HeliosThe Island of Helios

The Followers• Submit to human weaknesses of

consumption• Death by water = complete

consumption and sensory deprivation Ody alone survives Zeus’ storm

and Charybdis’ maelstrom

The Followers• Submit to human weaknesses of

consumption• Death by water = complete

consumption and sensory deprivation Ody alone survives Zeus’ storm

and Charybdis’ maelstrom

What has Odysseus learned? What has Odysseus learned?

What Has Ody Learned?What Has Ody Learned?

There is no freedom without discipline• Temperance -- Laestrygonians• Prudence -- Cyclops• Obedience -- Circe’s orders• Restraint -- Sirens

Penelope and Ithaca embody these ideals

There is no freedom without discipline• Temperance -- Laestrygonians• Prudence -- Cyclops• Obedience -- Circe’s orders• Restraint -- Sirens

Penelope and Ithaca embody these ideals

What Has Ody Learned?What Has Ody Learned?

Survival of the righteous• Emotional satisfaction of worthiness• Ody obeyed, trusted, sacrificed, and prayed

The arrogant and weak are destroyed

The survival of one good human ensures us that we have a chance

Survival of the righteous• Emotional satisfaction of worthiness• Ody obeyed, trusted, sacrificed, and prayed

The arrogant and weak are destroyed

The survival of one good human ensures us that we have a chance