Episode 163: The Odyssey Part I - A Taste of Elysium (Books 1-5)
/Homer's The Odyssey is one of the oldest and most enduring stories in all of civilization. Set in the aftermath of the legendary Trojan War, Odysseus, one of it's great heroes, has been lost at sea for decades. As he struggles to return home, the epic poem asks us important questions about history, memory, choice, kindness, leadership, violence, and much more. Even thousands of years later, The Odyssey still matters.
This episode examines books 1-5 of The Odyssey, introducing us to the main characters and overall plot. We travel to the island of Ithaca to watch as corrupt suitors court Odysseus’ wife Penelope, the queen of Ithaca. Their son Telemachus fights to gain news of his father, journeying to far off lands to discover that he is indeed still alive. Finally we meet Odysseus, held captive by the beautiful but deceptive Calypso. Odysseus is longing to go home and may finally have his opportunity. This section of the podcast series analyzes themes of mortality, free will, fate and destiny, civility and hospitality, post-war trauma and grief, the tension between the world of gods and the world of men, and much more.
If you're reading along, the next podcast will cover books 6-10!
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