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The Odyssey of Homer

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The Odyssey of Homer

By: Elizabeth Vandiver, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Elizabeth Vandiver
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What is it in Homer's Odyssey that has so enthralled readers from around the world for thousands of years? By joining Professor Vandiver for these 12 lectures on the Odyssey, you'll find out why.

This literary exploration centers on a single provocative question about the epic poem's protagonist, Odysseus: Why does he long so powerfully to go home? To probe the depths of this question, you'll embark on meticulous, insightful examinations of the most important episodes in the Odyssey. In doing so, you'll understand the cultural assumptions that lie behind Homer's lines and the critical and interpretive issues involved in truly unpacking this ancient masterpiece.

Among the range of episodes, themes, and topics you'll explore are: Odysseus's superb skills as a rhetorician; the abrupt break in the text at the end of the "Great Wanderings" episode, when the poem briefly returns to the third-person narrative; Penelope's knowledge and motives as they relate to the inevitability of her suitors' doom; the effectiveness (or possible lack thereof) in the poem's ending; the historical basis for the Trojan War from which Odysseus returns; and more.

For anyone who's loved the stories of Odysseus's encounters with witches, monsters, and vengeful gods; for anyone who's longed to truly grasp the intricate nature of Homer's epic; or for anyone who has been looking for ways to approach a work that can often be intimidating to first-time readers, these lectures are an invaluable resource and a helpful introduction to the grandest adventure story in Western literature.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1999 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1999 The Great Courses Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature Collections Mythology Ancient History Greece Classics
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This is an absolutely fantastic analysis of the Odyssey. Professor Vandiver’s knowledge and acute observation leaves me full of admiration. In addition, her eloquence enabling a seamless narration keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.
I was riveted from beginning to end. Well done Elizabeth - if I may be so informal.

Enthralling.

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It is worth listening to her deconstruction of The Illiad first, but works as stand alone too.
I'm using this alongside Open University course and it is turning out to be the best outside source I have found.
Varied and thought-provoking lectures with included pdf.
Worth every penny and more!

Very informative

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I have listened to three of the Great Courses series now and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them.

This course is a very interesting and approachable introduction to Homer's The Odyssey. The teacher is engaging throughout and does a fantastic job of summarising each section, adding in her own interpretations and discussing those of other students and scholars. The lectures are roughly 30 mins each in length so are ideal for listening to while commuting.

I think this is a great way for anyone who is thinking about reading The Odyssey to become familiar with the text and it's main themes before actually beginning to read. Although it does reference the Illiad (which is the first epic that describes the Trojan wars), you can still listen to this part first without any prior knowledge.

A brilliant introduction to The Odyssey

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As usual the Great Courses provides a wonderful overview into a deeply complex topic and comes out the other side better than ever. A big fan of the series.

The Great Courses strikes again

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Good topic, good lecturer, good structure, interesting facts, scholarly expertise. Maybe it would be better to explain more rather than telling the story, or make a longer course.

great

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