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Dan Elrod's avatar

I agree with the prior comments about how difficult it is add anything intelligent to Matthew's essay. Just a couple of random observations: The scene where the suitors cavalierly reject the interpretation by Halitherses of the eagles was particularly powerful to me. When villains disregard advice or prophesies from wise elders, you know they will get their comeuppance. And the ending scene, where Telemachus sets sail, uses vivid detail to convey a strong sense of adventure and anticipation for what lies ahead in the story.

The themes in the Odyssey (greed, gross disregard for cultural traditions, violations of the norms of human decency, coming of age of a charismatic leader to set the world right) are universal and timeless. We can certainly seem them in modern literature and life.

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Sarah Margolis's avatar

Obviously the subject of the Odyssey is Odysseus, but I’m enjoying the scene setting for Telemachus’s growth.

When previously starting the book I’ve always written him off as a bit of brat (especially in the way he talks to Penelope). Your aframing of his development in this write up has peaked my interest for the rest of the story

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