“What moved me most during our reading of The Odyssey was discovering how many readers approached these ancient texts for the first time and found them not just accessible but genuinely engaging. My own parents, who had always believed Homer was beyond them—too difficult, too academic, too removed from contemporary life—read both epics with our group and discovered that these works speak to universal human experiences that transcend their ancient origins.” This was me! And so sweet about your parents. I wouldn’t have read them without this readalong so thank you!
I’m sad that I didn’t get to join in as I’d been looking forward to it. Life/fate/the universe had other plans for me though! It sounds like it was a wonderful journey and even though I didn’t travel it, I very much enjoyed reading this.
Matthew, I have appreciated your Homeric undertaking so much. In reading this reflection, I am struck by that theme of “recognition” that you highlight in the Odyssey — but it is also the theme in my favorite scene of the Iliad where Diomedes is able to able to discern the gods from the humans in Book 5. It is a gift to be able to see the truth. Rather than it being sudden and divine, for us it is a matter of paying attention and being wise. Attention is the great commodity of our age, and I fear that we as a society are losing our ability to hold our attention and recognize and truly see those around us. Everyone wants to feel seen and heard, and when we are so distracted we are prone to rushing to judgement, and we are ill served when this happens. Thank you for being our reading guide. I am so happy to know you!
In the Iliad there a few passages where characters step out of their roles as representative types to display human personality—Hector with his son and Achilles with Priam, for example. Odysseus himself is primarily seen in the role of "great tactician.: But in the Odyssey, he is a fully formed human personality. His first speech in the Odyssey
is the emotion of suspicion. Tossed by the storm, he is introspective. Meeting his first human in years, he fibs, calling her a goddess. He stands in wonder before the palace of Alcinous. He goes to lengths to absolve Nausicaa of any impropriety. He weeps at the bard's singing of his war at Troy. He's touchy when mocked by Broadsea but quick to forgive him. He prefaces his tale (perhaps fabricated on the spot of whole cloth?) with a long speech about himself. Something no character does in the Iliad.
Although heroic, he is a man first and a myth only second.
I especially loved the emphasis on slowness and community. It feels like a reminder that deep reading still has the power to shape how we think, wait, and understand one another. Thanks for this.
Matthew, I join others in gratitude for your leading us so well in this year of Homer. Your excellent and scholarly analysis enabled me to have a far deeper appreciation and understanding of the Iliad and Odyssey that I would have had otherwise. I feel like I just completed a college-level class, but without the anxiety of exams! Thank you.
The point about The Odyssey honoring intelligence over strength really rezoanted. It makes me wonder, what if early societies had focused more on narrative intelligence over brute strength, how would our literary canon have evolved?
Lovely reflections here, Matthew (that deserve a reread themselves). Give me "quaint, inefficient, or even slightly absurd", as you say, any day! Thinking of Homer rippling and continuing to ripple over time, I thought of Dante; when he meets the poets in the Inferno, Homer walks first at the head of the group: "So I saw gathered the immortal school / Of him who sang below the walls of Troy, / And over all who write shall always rule / Like a watchful eagle in its high employ."
This series took me right back to my university days, when I was lucky enough to be tutored by one of the leading Odyssean scholars of the time. I can imagine he would be nodding approvingly at your work. Thank you, thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
Incredible year. Thank you for the journey. I hope you keep these wonderful articles available for those just discovering your writing.
Congratulations to all. Wonderful synopsis.
“What moved me most during our reading of The Odyssey was discovering how many readers approached these ancient texts for the first time and found them not just accessible but genuinely engaging. My own parents, who had always believed Homer was beyond them—too difficult, too academic, too removed from contemporary life—read both epics with our group and discovered that these works speak to universal human experiences that transcend their ancient origins.” This was me! And so sweet about your parents. I wouldn’t have read them without this readalong so thank you!
I would have never read through these wonderful works if not for the excellent commentary and shared insights provided by you, Matthew. Thank you!
I’m sad that I didn’t get to join in as I’d been looking forward to it. Life/fate/the universe had other plans for me though! It sounds like it was a wonderful journey and even though I didn’t travel it, I very much enjoyed reading this.
Matthew, I have appreciated your Homeric undertaking so much. In reading this reflection, I am struck by that theme of “recognition” that you highlight in the Odyssey — but it is also the theme in my favorite scene of the Iliad where Diomedes is able to able to discern the gods from the humans in Book 5. It is a gift to be able to see the truth. Rather than it being sudden and divine, for us it is a matter of paying attention and being wise. Attention is the great commodity of our age, and I fear that we as a society are losing our ability to hold our attention and recognize and truly see those around us. Everyone wants to feel seen and heard, and when we are so distracted we are prone to rushing to judgement, and we are ill served when this happens. Thank you for being our reading guide. I am so happy to know you!
In the Iliad there a few passages where characters step out of their roles as representative types to display human personality—Hector with his son and Achilles with Priam, for example. Odysseus himself is primarily seen in the role of "great tactician.: But in the Odyssey, he is a fully formed human personality. His first speech in the Odyssey
“Passage home? Never. Surely you’re plotting something else, goddess,
is the emotion of suspicion. Tossed by the storm, he is introspective. Meeting his first human in years, he fibs, calling her a goddess. He stands in wonder before the palace of Alcinous. He goes to lengths to absolve Nausicaa of any impropriety. He weeps at the bard's singing of his war at Troy. He's touchy when mocked by Broadsea but quick to forgive him. He prefaces his tale (perhaps fabricated on the spot of whole cloth?) with a long speech about himself. Something no character does in the Iliad.
Although heroic, he is a man first and a myth only second.
Splendid summation of the Homeric reading experience.
I especially loved the emphasis on slowness and community. It feels like a reminder that deep reading still has the power to shape how we think, wait, and understand one another. Thanks for this.
Agathos! Congrats on a great year of Homeric exploration. Looking forward to the next adventure!
Matthew, I join others in gratitude for your leading us so well in this year of Homer. Your excellent and scholarly analysis enabled me to have a far deeper appreciation and understanding of the Iliad and Odyssey that I would have had otherwise. I feel like I just completed a college-level class, but without the anxiety of exams! Thank you.
The point about The Odyssey honoring intelligence over strength really rezoanted. It makes me wonder, what if early societies had focused more on narrative intelligence over brute strength, how would our literary canon have evolved?
Lovely reflections here, Matthew (that deserve a reread themselves). Give me "quaint, inefficient, or even slightly absurd", as you say, any day! Thinking of Homer rippling and continuing to ripple over time, I thought of Dante; when he meets the poets in the Inferno, Homer walks first at the head of the group: "So I saw gathered the immortal school / Of him who sang below the walls of Troy, / And over all who write shall always rule / Like a watchful eagle in its high employ."
This series took me right back to my university days, when I was lucky enough to be tutored by one of the leading Odyssean scholars of the time. I can imagine he would be nodding approvingly at your work. Thank you, thoroughly enjoyed reading this.