Reading the Odyssey

Rating:
Summary: From Folk Tale to Epic and beyond
Review: It has been said that each generation invents its own Greeks. Especially the figure of Odysseus has been endlessly fascinating to readers, poets, and critics. Vergil despised wily, dissembling Odysseus and contrasted him with his more "virtuous" Aeneas. Modern audiences, depending on their cultural background and ideological bent, are more inclined to admire Odysseus for his resourcefulness and survival skills.

The interpretive approaches presented in this collection span half a century of Homeric studies, occasionally dipping into much older and even less accessible material. From dispassionate basic research in the field of traditional classical philology to more narrowly focused interpretations, a variety of perspectives is offered.

Of general interest is a comprehensive survey of older folk tale sources of the Odyssey and their transformation into epic. Studies on the religious and mythical content of the poem, comparison with the Iliad and other ancient epics, and inquiries into different concepts of heroism - and changing attitudes concerning the celebration of heroic achievement - yield valuable insights.

The suggestion of "weaving and unweaving" as a metaphor for bardic creativity is particularly intriguing in connection with Penelope,who"weaves plots" worthy of her crafty husband. In fact, Penelope is credited here with greater complexity and resourcefulness than older interpretations would have allowed.

The introduction by Seth L. Schein, the editor, is very helpful in pulling it all together and coordinating different strands of inquiry.