This isn’t my first time reading the Odyssey and I have to say that I’m not cringing at the thought of rereading it. The Odyssey is actually a pretty interesting tale which has unique ideas and themes with strong historical significance to it.

I decided to begin the tale once again by first reading the Introduction to the epic by Bernard Knox. Hindsight this was a poor choice, but no regrets. I found some interesting facts about the book and grasped some much needed context.  For example although The Odyssey is often cited as a sequel to the Iliad, scholars debate whether or not Homer himself wrote it; if it was in fact ever written during it’s conception. Both books predate written parchment and many have investigated grammatical inconsistencies and different ideas and themes shared in each. Apparently men could retell the entire poem in proper prose from mere memory alone. Really makes you wonder how much the human race has dulled itself down through the eras due to our reliance on tools as a human extensions.
My overall summary of the novel is that it embodies the heroes quest, and is defined by a long series of struggles faced by our protagonist. Odysseus has a pretty rough ten years before he returns to Ithaca, and even his homeward arrival requires many labors and epic feats just to return into his own house. But it is these struggles that bring out the best of Odysseus’ character and ability, which I think can be applied to human race as a whole. It is only under our greatest burdens that we find our greatest potential.

Telemachus; son of Odysseus, has ascended into adulthood but has been left fatherless for his entire life. Telemachus has had to take his father’s place as ruler and protector of Odysseus’ house and has been left to defend his mothers fertility and heritage from covetous suitors. The story is not Odysseus’ alone, but also a coming of age tale for his son. The goddess Athena comes to the aid of Telemachus and counsels his actions towards the pursuit of his father, and although she guides him it is clear that she merely guides his actions but not his own discretion. It is Telemachus to rises to the occasion and uses his own voice and words to slander and banish the suitors from his own house, not Athena’s. Even if he fails to do so. I interpreted the role of the immortal Athena as a question of fate vs. human free will. As Zeus makes it clear in the beginning of the novel “Ah, how shameless- these mortals blame the gods. From us alone, they say, come all their miseries, yes, but they themselves, with their own reckless ways, compound their pains beyond their proper share.”
We as human beings often blame our flaws and problems on simply poor luck and merely curse fate. Yet it is often our own discretion towards scenarios and opportunities that quickly pass us that bring upon our own problems and miseries. It is fate that brings upon both misfortune and fortune, but it is our choice and will of what we make of it.

Well, Hello! I’m Sam. I’ve never blogged before but the first thing I notice is that posting is rather one sided. I have all this time to write about myself, and no one can interject or steer me towards another subject. So this is why blogging is so popular…

I was born and raised at a remote childrens camp in Northern British Columbia where I would run around the forest with sticks, shouting loudly at various imaginary beasts. It was a brilliant childhood. Every day I rode a bus for two hours to the nearest school, where I would neglect my education and instead make music and make films. I don’t think the art medium actually matters, it’s just that I am so fascinated by the process of creation. I have spent the last few years recording music in dimly lit basements, playing at music festivals with close friends, and trying to look brooding.

Somehow I have found myself here. I’m majoring in Film Production, and am really interested in the way music and film work together. For now, I feel privileged and happy to be in Arts One with all you, and am excited to see how things will unfold.

Sincerely, Sam

“The Odyssey”, translated by Robert Fagles, covers the main plot of Homer’s famous work. His style is elegant; the prose can be breathtaking at times. It can be very complicated to read this book once you delve further into the novel as it is written in poetry rather than prose. Some readers may balk at how lengthy Fagles takes to simply tell his readers that it is morning. Instead, to tell his readers that morning has come, Fagles writes “When young Dawn with her rose-red fingers shone once more.” While the poetry is admirably written, I personally find that it gets rather irritating to read through the book under the pressure of a due date, and Fagles seems to want to make things harder for you by writing all this poetry when he could write it in prose using considerably less words. The book itself is action-packed. Some of the personality of the characters are unbelievable; for instance, Penelope, widely regarded as the epitome of the “perfect” wife in literature, is essentially impossible to find in today’s society (let’s be frank about that). I also find it hard to believe that up until Athena’s coaxing, Telemachus never did anything about the suitors that purge his house of its wealth and food on a daily basis. Most people in modern society probably wouldn’t be able to tolerate such behaviour for a few days, and Telemachus has withstood it since childhood. This makes him a rather weak character, someone spineless, and yet, he is supposed to be the famed Odysseus’ son. The book describes in great detail how brave and great his father is, and how Telemachus seems to shine “like a god” in the eyes of many people. You’d think that such a magnificent individual would have a greater spine than to allow the suitors of his mother to ravage his house (but apparently, in Telemachus’ case, he did not have the courage until Athena prompts him). There is also a lack of concern for animal rights in “The Odyssey.” It’s obvious that the Ancient Greeks did not have a SPCA, yet for animal lovers, it can be slightly discomfiting to read about all the animals that were sacrificed for the favour of the gods. Since the gods are seen as the epitome of power and wealth, it can be a little confusing as to why their accumulation of a heifer or bull (sacrificed for them especially) can allow them to be swayed and favour a certain individual.