The Odyssey, Book 2

Though yesterday was an impressive first attempt at discussing The Odyssey, today was even more stunning. You rose to my challenge of seeing ideas through. Even when you jumped from the beginning of Book 2 to the end, you did so in pursuit of a single idea. You proved yourself very adept at tracing a theme throughout the book. When I asked you to focus on specific words and phrases in support of your ideas, you added some nuance to your understanding of Telemachus journey toward maturity. As you become more adept at this method of discussion, I hope that you pay attention to the connotations of specific words as a matter of course. As good as the ideas presented during today’s discussion were, you should be most proud of the fact that everyone in the class spoke. This 100 percent participation rate means that all of you feel comfortable enough to speak, and that all of you are welcoming enough to make room for others to have their say. Keep up the good work.

It did not take you long to notice that Book 2 is about Telemachus beginning to grow up. From the opening lines in which Homer tells us he “sprang up from bed and dressed” (2.2), Telemachus makes attempts to gain control of his destiny as the son of his father should. The mastery embodied in the word “strode” (2.10) contrasts with Telemachus’ weakness the day before has he sat “Daydreaming…as he sat among the suitors” (1.138), and had his nurse tuck him in. Had we had time, you might also have noticed that the sword Telemachus dons at the beginning of Book 2 is “well-honed” (2.3), suggesting that Telemachus has sharpened his sword to be ready for action. He also straps on “rawhide sandals under his smooth feet” (2.4). The sandals symbolize Telemachus’ journey. They are rawhide and so durable and tough, suggesting his road will be difficult. That his feet are smooth tells us that he is not yet well traveled, that he has not taken many steps along his path. Such details can reveal a great deal. What other details did we not have time for you to share?

If you were to reflect on your ongoing development into young women, you would no doubt notice that your progress has not been linear. Though one moment you seem adult and mature enough to take command of your lives, in the next you may be a little girl again, petulantly bemoaning your circumstances. So too, Telemachus’ journey has its reversals. You noticed, for example, that he has difficulty commanding his crew without Athena’s inspiration. You also noted that after taking abuse from the suitors, he…. Tears are a complicated business, and you will see that they often had different meaning for men of Ancient Greece, but the action of throwing down his spear is quite childlike.

One detail I hope you notice is the name of the man whom Athena impersonates to help Telemachus.