i have to read it for getting into honors english.
i was wondering...for anyone who has read it, about
how long would it take to read and acctually understand it?
and any other information, tips, or heads-ups on it would be appreciated(:
2007-07-23 16:26:29 · 11 answers · asked by ? 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
well thats a releif(:
and i understand and read quickly.
2007-07-23 16:30:08 · update #1
given that it was written like 3000 years ago, no joke... its actually a pretty easy read.. just get a good translation, and look at the sparknotes online if you need them.. youll be alright though!! no worries.
2007-07-23 16:35:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are reading an abridged version which is likely it will take you about three days. Don't rush through it! The old style of language may be a bit difficult to grasp at first but will not be impossible. The story itself is not difficult to understand. The Odyssey is arguable the equivelant of first action movie in the Classical World.
After several thousands of years it is still as entertaining a story as it was when Homer was telling it. Keep that in mind during the Grecco-Roman period this story was an oral tradition. A story teller had to remember and relate to an audiance around a campfire with each telling the story took on a new life as a different story teller added their own style.
Some themes to note and keep in mind as you are reading to give you a better understanding
1.) Man vs. gods
2.) Odyesseus as a hero and his qualities
3.) The significance of Ithaca in the story
Poseidon the Greek god of the sea among others constantly throw obsticles ( i.e. monsters, storms, and temptations) in the way of the hero Odysseus on his journey home yet he constantly strives to overcome.
Pay attention to the qualities Odyesseus posseses for example: bravery, inginuity, and loyalty to family, these among others are the qualites the Greeks and later the Romans would admire and look for in their real life leaders.
2007-07-23 23:56:07 · answer #2 · answered by Hist-Nerd1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not read the Fagles translation. It does not complety give you the full experience of the bards of the past...i.e...bards are the ones that origanlly told the oral poetry.....
Don't concentrate on how long it is going to take you. You have to be able to understand the context and not worry about a reading marathon.
Use an annotated edition. Taking the time to read the footnotes helps to increase your understanding of the context.
2007-07-23 23:36:56 · answer #3 · answered by Gwenilynd 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The depends on your understanding of Greecian myth. This book is not nearly as hard to pick up on as The Iliad with its myriad of characters. Here we are on a voyage home. Following Odysseus back to his wife and child after being gone to Troy. What helped me was an understanding of the mythology of Ancient Greece, their Gods and the stories therein. Also, the creatures that populate that world.
2007-07-23 23:35:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have read the odyssey many times. a lot of people are put off by the idea of "old" language and writing style, but it really isnt terribly complicated. if you can, read a good version of the book, one that has footnotes and translations in the text. try to envision the events in the story as you read them; a picture enables you to utilize your eeys as well as your mind. spark notes are good BUT you would be doing the odyssey a disservice b not actually reading it and relying fully on notes. i had to read it again my freshmen in high school and had no difficulty understanding it, but that's just me. approach the story with and open-mind and reread sections several times if you have to . enjoy!
2007-07-23 23:42:00 · answer #5 · answered by YouKnowMyName 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its difficult. If you are approaching honors English, you should be able to read it in a few days. Take your time with the book. The Spark notes are slightly helpful.
2007-07-23 23:30:09 · answer #6 · answered by rcpaden 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Had to read it for tenth grade English, that was about fourteen years ago. It was pretty easy to read and understand, of course that may well have a lot to do with my English teacher. He made a lot of things we had to read for his class easier to understand and get into.
2007-07-23 23:43:03 · answer #7 · answered by knight1192a 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was a good book, but the things that were done are repetitve. Along his travels everyone give him gifts ...a bathrobe and annoints him with oil. I read it in 3 days, it was an easy read as I recall.
2007-07-23 23:31:39 · answer #8 · answered by Canadian ¼ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A couple of days. Read it and enjoy it. It is one of the all-time classic adventures. Pretend you are seeing it in a movie as you watch it. Don't let the old-time language get to you.
2007-07-23 23:30:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I read it in 3 days, but it depends on how fast/slow you read and understand. Obviously.
2007-07-23 23:28:51 · answer #10 · answered by angry 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋