Our course goals are to develop fluency in reading Homeric Greek verse; to appreciate the stylistic features that make this poetry distinctive and oral rather than written; and to get to know the Odyssey as a complex epic narrative. We will read several books in Greek and other large sections in English. We will pay close attention to Homer's characterization of Odysseus, Penelope, and other major and minor figures, as well as to the role of Athena, divine intervention in the human sphere, and what constitutes justce in heroic society.

Prof.J. Russo                                                                                      Office: Hall 8

jrusso@haverford.edu                                                                         610-896-1052

1/17     Introducing the Odyssey; reading the verse.

1/19     Book 1

1/24     Book 1

1/26     Book 1

2/7       Book 1

2/9       Book 1

2/14     Book 1

2/16     Book 5

2/21     Book 5

2/23     Book 6

2/28     Book 6

3/2       Book 6

            [SPRING BREAK]

     [NO CLASS 3/14 and 3/16; work on your first paper]

3/21     Book 9                                                            First paper due: 4 pp.

3/23     Book 9

3/28     Book 9

3/30     Book 19

4/4       Book 19

4/6       Book 19

4/11

4/13     Book 19

4/18     Book 21

4/20     Book 21

4/25     Book 23                                              Second paper due: 6 pp.

4/25     Book 23         

4/27     Book 23

ClassTexts

            W.B. Stanford, ed., Homer’s Odyssey, 2 vols.

            M. Cunliffe, A Lexicon of Homeric Greek

Class norms and expectations

            Please try to attend all classes; we have a lot to learn this semester! Translation will get easier as your  familiarity with Homeric language increases. Occasional short translation quizzes will keep you on your toes.

            We will read several books and parts of books of the Odyssey in Greek, and the intervening parts in English (any translation you have). Thus we can study and discuss the structure and contents of the eniire poem. (We can also compare translations against the original.)

            A few essays on the Odyssey will be put on reserve, and you will be asked to read one and give the class a short report on it.

            A 4 pp.paper will be due on 2/28 and a 6 pp.paper on  4/25.

            We will pay special attention to the following (good material for paper topics):

(1)  the Homeric language as a special poetic idiom, with its own forms, grammar, and repeating formulaic phrases;

(2)  the special nature of Odysseus as an “atypical” hero;

(3)  the character of Penelope (“circumspect” or super-smart?)

(4)  the development of Telemachus toward maturity, and the realtion of his story to the story of Odysseus’ homecoming

(5)  the important minor characters: Antinoos & Eurylochus, Eurycleia, Eumaeus, and the goddess nymphs Calypso and Circe.

(6)  How and why the gods are involved in the story, and the nature of divine justice.