Odyssey Finale

Well, this week, we reached the end of the enormous epic that is the Odyssey. The end wasn't particularly interesting to me, and I can't exactly say why... It just wasn't the type of reading that I would normally go to for entertainment. Then again, that fan really be said for the majority of the Odyssey... And I have to say I am left with nothing that I didn't have before. I was unable to find a trace of a moral or lesson of any kind really. And the way I see it, if a story has no point, then it is a waste of time. I would not; however say this abOut the whole of the story, as granted there were some more intense parts, but as an end result, I confess myself unimpressed.

The Odyssey: books 13-17

The reading this weak I found to be somewhat dry and anticlimactic, I suppose simply due to the fact that the bulk of the pertinent story that I have grown to know is now over, and we now returned to the adventures of Telemachus, rather than Ulysses. One thing that confuses me, however, is that, although Ulysses is talking with Eucameus (the swine-herd.. I think that's his name...) he doesn't tell him that he is Ulysses. I don't exactly understand what he or Minerva is trying to gain by keeping his true identity Anonymus. It seems like it would help the situation rather than hindering it, but that's just my opinion.

The Odyessy: Books VII-X-II

The Odyssey reading this week, I thought, was more entertaining, as it read more like a story, as opposed to the past reading, which I found to be almost of a history-textbook nature. The cyclops description (eating-style wise) was, in a word... Interesting. However, I still don't understand exactly why the Cyclopes behave as they do; inhospitable and rude in general, with blatant disregard for any rules. Why do they behave as though they are in any way superior to general society, seeing as they are cyclopes, which I would assume they would be lower status-wise to the human population. Also, another thing I didn't really understand; why does Polyphemus, of all Cyclopes, not care for the rules of the gods? I mean, Neptune is his father, so it would only make sense that he have greater respect for the gods then the rest of his species, if indeed being contrite is a common attribute among them.

The Oddyssy- Books V-VII

The reading this week was much more fulfilling and interesting to read. We finally got into the reason the story is named: Oddyseus! His story is finally beginning, and has much more validity and pertinence then the ramble going on with Telemachus.
A trend that I'm noticing to be consistent throughout is how, whenever someone comes to some else's house, the host or hostess brings them lavish refreshments and treats the guest like royalty, regardless of whether or not they actually know the person. The people really do hVe a sense of hospitality.

The Oddyssey Review (books 2&3)

As I read through books 2 and 3, I am using the active reading method and, I have to admit, it does make the story a lot easier to digest. It does take a lot of time, but in the long run it's worth it because you can understand the story much better. Also, yes! The explanation that I have the Roman version makes sense. However, I find it kind of strange that the Romans changed the main character names and the gods names, but kept the supporting characters (Telemachus, Polyphemus, etc) the same...?

The Oddessy review

Book 1 of the Oddessy was quite an experience;my eyes just sort of glazed over as I attempted to read. I'm curious, however; it says that the main character is Ulysses, whereas I always thought his name was Oddyseus. Any ideas?