Matthew, I always find these post fascinating. I am currently reading The Odyssey and your essays always give meaning and context to what is happening in The Odyssey. I find that wild!
In addition they are well written and full of interesting information. For example, this post gives me more context to Poseidon and his motivations. We just read the part where Odysseus blinds Polyphemus.
The first line of my translation says, “Tell me about a complicated man.” After reading your article, it makes me see that Odysseus and Poseidon are oddly enough very similar. I had not noticed that before. Both could certainly be described as complicated, and I don’t mean that in a negative way—just complex.
The slaughter continues but here’s a quote from George Eliot that made me think of the last three books:
“Any coward can fight a battle when he's sure of winning; but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he's sure of losing. That's my way, sir; and there are many victories worse than a defeat.”
The additional background regarding Poseidon is interesting and helpful. I had no idea that Poseidon was such a prominent figure in pre-Hellenic times. The manner in which different gods take center stage at different times seems to show both the power of their emotions as well a their lack of self-control. Zeus's inattention also shows his lack of omniscience.
To me, the ships represent freewill. In the absence of ships, the Greeks have no choice but to fight. The ships provide an escape option.
I think the lion, boar and other wild animal similes throughout the Iliad are superb. They make what would otherwise be relentless gore into literature.
I was struck by the last part of this book, in which Polydamas urges Hector to pause and regroup- "less danger, more success." Hector sees the wisdom of this, but not for long. He learns of losses of vaunted commanders, and the passion of Paris and influence of Zeus bring Hector back to full battle mode. Is the failure of Hector to heed Polydamas advice meant to presage darker times ahead for the Trojans?
Hector just can’t stop. At the end of this book Ajax taunts Hector and then an eagle flies up on his right, which definitely does presage dark times. Wilson’s note claims that bird omens in Homer always come true.
I am still running a little bit ahead of our schedule as I work my way through book 16 in the Fagles translation. Most days I read about 100-200 lines at breakfast. It's become a well-established part of my morning routine. Better than days when I just read the news or scroll through social media.
Here is a link to an essay from lithub.com on the origins of the Iliad and the Odyssey. I hope everyone will find it as interesting as I did.
To me the ships represent home. Both a place to live while at sea and the calling of home when out at sea. It seems to also represent the smallness of thought and being compared to the bigness of the sea. They must of felt like they didn't have much control in the water.
Wilson has a note that only the Trojans get reinforcements in the Iliad. There’s something interesting about the Greek position that they are trapped here to some extent. Some combination of the fact that they have already been here for 9 years and that they feel they are in the right and that all of heaven and earth are focused on this war. But they are also exist somewhat out of time.
Matthew, I always find these post fascinating. I am currently reading The Odyssey and your essays always give meaning and context to what is happening in The Odyssey. I find that wild!
In addition they are well written and full of interesting information. For example, this post gives me more context to Poseidon and his motivations. We just read the part where Odysseus blinds Polyphemus.
The first line of my translation says, “Tell me about a complicated man.” After reading your article, it makes me see that Odysseus and Poseidon are oddly enough very similar. I had not noticed that before. Both could certainly be described as complicated, and I don’t mean that in a negative way—just complex.
Thanks for sharing!
The slaughter continues but here’s a quote from George Eliot that made me think of the last three books:
“Any coward can fight a battle when he's sure of winning; but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he's sure of losing. That's my way, sir; and there are many victories worse than a defeat.”
The additional background regarding Poseidon is interesting and helpful. I had no idea that Poseidon was such a prominent figure in pre-Hellenic times. The manner in which different gods take center stage at different times seems to show both the power of their emotions as well a their lack of self-control. Zeus's inattention also shows his lack of omniscience.
To me, the ships represent freewill. In the absence of ships, the Greeks have no choice but to fight. The ships provide an escape option.
I think the lion, boar and other wild animal similes throughout the Iliad are superb. They make what would otherwise be relentless gore into literature.
I was struck by the last part of this book, in which Polydamas urges Hector to pause and regroup- "less danger, more success." Hector sees the wisdom of this, but not for long. He learns of losses of vaunted commanders, and the passion of Paris and influence of Zeus bring Hector back to full battle mode. Is the failure of Hector to heed Polydamas advice meant to presage darker times ahead for the Trojans?
Hector just can’t stop. At the end of this book Ajax taunts Hector and then an eagle flies up on his right, which definitely does presage dark times. Wilson’s note claims that bird omens in Homer always come true.
I am still running a little bit ahead of our schedule as I work my way through book 16 in the Fagles translation. Most days I read about 100-200 lines at breakfast. It's become a well-established part of my morning routine. Better than days when I just read the news or scroll through social media.
Here is a link to an essay from lithub.com on the origins of the Iliad and the Odyssey. I hope everyone will find it as interesting as I did.
https://lithub.com/on-the-opaque-origins-and-tumultuous-ancient-history-of-homers-odyssey/
To me the ships represent home. Both a place to live while at sea and the calling of home when out at sea. It seems to also represent the smallness of thought and being compared to the bigness of the sea. They must of felt like they didn't have much control in the water.
Wilson has a note that only the Trojans get reinforcements in the Iliad. There’s something interesting about the Greek position that they are trapped here to some extent. Some combination of the fact that they have already been here for 9 years and that they feel they are in the right and that all of heaven and earth are focused on this war. But they are also exist somewhat out of time.