That it is a very challenging read and that you should pause when you need to in order to look things up. Pax - C.
2007-03-24 15:58:58
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answer #1
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answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7
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First of all, it is a great read if you can get into it. It took me awhile to do so, but afterwards I couldn't put it down.
Also, before you read Homer's Odyssey, it helps to have read the Iliad. Depending on the translation, it can be easier or more difficult to read for both. As to the Greek gods, Homer presents them and their personalities within the story, so you don't really need to have much previous knowledge of them. The Odyssey takes place right after the Trojan War. The Achaeans (Greeks) were victorious over the Trojans. One Achaean general, Ulysses (also known as Odysseus), is now returning home, but he is thrown off track and goes through an entire array of events and travelings to try to return home.
If you want a more modern telling of the Odyssey, you can read James Joyce's Ulysses. It is about as hard to read as the Odyssey, but it is in a more modern setting, telling the story of Leopold Bloom, a salesman who spends the day running errands and making various business appointments before he returns home at long last. Some parts are confusing, such as near the end, but it, too, is also a great read.
2007-03-24 23:23:20
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answer #2
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answered by J.S.Bach 2
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Wow, lotta hate for The Odyssey on here. Here's a few things to know before you start:
--The Odyssey picks up after the end of the Iliad, which is another long epic poem by Homer. The Iliad tells the events of the Trojan War.
--The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus' travels. Odysseus was one of the Greeks who fought in the war; now he's trying to get back home to his wife Penelope, with the crew of men who fought with him and are now travelling home with him.
--It's good to know a little something about the Greek gods, I suggest reading up in Wikipedia on the basic overview and then looking up anything you find puzzling. Basically the Greek gods were a big fussin' feudin' family with Zeus and Hera at the top of the heap as the king and queen of the gods. One of the ways the gods and goddesses fight with each other is to pick favorites among humans and support their own favorites or mess with the favorites of other gods. There's some of this going on in the background of the story.
--A lot of the poem is the adventures of Odysseus and his crew in their travels. Think of it as a big road movie with various stops along the way. You'll probably recognize a lot of the monsters and references made, like Cyclops and Sirens, because they've become such a part of our overall culture, they pop up in all sorts of movies, cartoons, even song references. You might be surprised how many things are familiar to you from other contexts.
--Try to imagine how the poem was experienced in its own time--people didn't read it to themselves in books, then. There were people whose entire job was to memorize the legends and stories of their people and recite them on festival occasions. Writing it as apoem aided in the memorization. If it doesn't feel too dorky, try reading a little of it aloud to yourself (works better ifyou have a good translation).
Don't let the haters get you down--go to the notes if you need to but give the real thing a try. Theres a reason stories like the Iliad and the Odyssey have survived for several millenia (and can still be fresh--look how popular the movie 300 is, which is a retelling of another great story from Greek history/mythology).
2007-03-24 23:33:57
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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You should know the greek gods, basically just Zeus, Posiden and Athena. Also, you should know a little about the Trojan War and the Trojan horse in particular because that will be very important.
2007-03-24 23:03:36
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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Firstly if you have a choice DON'T READ IT! This is at the top of my hate list.
If this is something you must read or just find interesting then try going to
http://www.bookrags.com/notes/od/
http://www.bookrags.com/notes/od/
http://www.mythweb.com/
http://www.hol.gr/greece/ancgods.htm
The first 2 have complete summaries of all chapters/books and backroom information on Homer. The 3rd and 4th have information on all the main Greek gods and goddesses.
2007-03-24 23:09:07
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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you should probably know the gods and a little about their customs. its really good after you get into it
2007-03-24 22:59:34
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answer #6
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answered by um...YEAH! 3
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It doesn't always go in chronological order.
But aside from that, I say if you can help it, don't even read it.
2007-03-24 23:04:16
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answer #7
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answered by foreveratlantic 2
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i have to read that poem book next year and English
2007-03-24 22:58:45
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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Spare yourself and don't read it.
Because it basically sucks.
Sparknotes work wonders if this is for school...
2007-03-24 22:57:34
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answer #9
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answered by Hayley L 1
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