June / Greece Reading: "Odyssey" by Homer

[Scheherazade]

In June, we will be reading Homer's Odyssey:

With the Trojan war finally over after many long years, Odysseus wants nothing more than a swift journey home where his throne and beloved wife, Penelope, await him. But Poseidon, the sea god, bears a grudge against him and plans to prevent his return across the wine-dark sea to Ithaca. Many tests of strength and character ensue as Odysseus's journey stretches out over the years, taking in a multitude of strange and wonderful places and creatures. That's the basic plot of the epic poem Homer told nearly 3,000 years ago, but, even now, a new English translation is a true literary event. The ancient story is told in easy-going, beautiful poetry, the characters speak naturally and the action moves along briskly. Even the gods come across as real people, despite the divine powers they constantly exercise. The Odyssey really is a gripping, fast-moving read.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Odyssey-Peng...2483471&sr=1-2



Book Club Procedures

[Virgil]

Ok, I'll have to pull out my copy. I will be using the Fagles translation.

[_Shannon_]

I haven't read Fagles yet so I think I'll read that, too--if I can stand it. (I'm more of a Lattimore kinda gal)

[bej6s]

Does anyone have a recommended translation?

I found Buckley translation online as well the one on this website, which is Butler. However, I found a list in my library, including:
McCrorie
Merrill- in dactylic hexameter
Alexander Pope
Hammond
Fagles
Murray
Rieu

Also, do you prefer prose or dactylic hexameter verse?

[slobone]

Fitzgerald used to be the translation used most frequently in schools. I really don't see the point of writing dactylic hexameter in English, except as a stunt.

[NickAdams]

I'm new to Greek mythology. The only familiarity I have comes from television, film and Edith Wharton, so I find the Gods reaction to mans concept of them interesting. Does it say something about mans creation of myths? Does human guilt decrease when there are Gods to blame. The Gods reaction makes man seem sovereign. This polytheistic pantheon seems like a promotion of individualism and speciality.

I am still on the first book, but find the plot more intriguing than The Aeneid. Homer creates urgency with Penelope's story. As the suitors get restless and Odysseus makes his way home the tension will mount.

Now for the absurd. Have you seen Office Space Antiquarian? Imagine Odysseus as Milton Waddams and Poseidon as Bill Lumbergh.

[_Shannon_]

Does anyone have a recommended translation?

I found Buckley translation online as well the one on this website, which is Butler. However, I found a list in my library, including:
McCrorie
Merrill- in dactylic hexameter
Alexander Pope
Hammond
Fagles
Murray
Rieu

Also, do you prefer prose or dactylic hexameter verse?

It really depends on what you prefer... The big three of the modern era are Fitzgerald, Lattimore and Fagles.

Now for the absurd. Have you seen Office Space Antiquarian? Imagine Odysseus as Milton Waddams and Poseidon as Bill Lumbergh.

[Niamh]

Oooohhhh! I best go get a copy!

I have the Pope translation of The Illiad, so might see if i can get his version of Odyssey

[NickAdams]

I want to bring something fresh to the text for those who have read the book numerous times, so I think I will apply my own brand of criticism: pop-criticism.

So the Jedi council, or the Gods if you want to be nitpicky, send their messenger Jar-Jar Binks to tell Telemachus that his fathe,Milton Waddams, is being held in the cellar but will be returning to his cubile kingdom for his stapler and cake.

[Niamh]

I want to bring something fresh to the text for those who have read the book numerous times, so I think I will apply my own brand of criticism: pop-criticism.

So the Jedi council, or the Gods if you want to be nitpicky, send their messenger Jar-Jar Binks to tell Telemachus that his fathe,Milton Waddams, is being held in the cellar but will be returning to his cubile kingdom for his stapler and cake.

[NickAdams]

Has anybody heard of the Telegony?

Virgil:
I remember that we were trying to date the action in the Aeneid. How about we do a comparitive study? Two figures I think might work are Hermes and Poseidon.

[_Shannon_]

I want to bring something fresh to the text for those who have read the book numerous times, so I think I will apply my own brand of criticism: pop-criticism.

So the Jedi council, or the Gods if you want to be nitpicky, send their messenger Jar-Jar Binks to tell Telemachus that his fathe,Milton Waddams, is being held in the cellar but will be returning to his cubile kingdom for his stapler and cake.

ROFL!

[Scheherazade]

I remember that we were trying to date the action in the Aeneid. How about we do a comparitive study? Two figures I think might work are Hermes and Poseidon.

Aeneid group and the Book Club are different groups and please keep in mind that not everyone who takes part in BC readings has read Aeneid. It might be hard for them to follow the discussion.

Having said that, maybe you might like to bring it up in the Aeneid discussion thread.

[Virgil]

Virgil:
I remember that we were trying to date the action in the Aeneid. How about we do a comparitive study? Two figures I think might work are Hermes and Poseidon.

Aeneid group and the Book Club are different groups and please keep in mind that not everyone who takes part in BC readings has read Aeneid. It might be hard for them to follow the discussion.

Having said that, maybe you might like to bring it up in the Aeneid discussion thread.

Hey Nick, I think that's great idea. Perhaps we could do it in the Aeneid thread gven what Scher said.

[Quark]

I was actually rereading Book V from the Iliad to look at the sections with Aeneas when I realized that we were reading Homer in the Book Club. How is that going? Are there many people involved? I'll try to post some comments on the poem when I find time, but right now I'm too caught up in other threads.