Books XXII-XXIV

Topics

• Odysseus's Homecoming: Identity.
• Learning from Mistakes: Odyssey or Iliad?
• Violence: "There will be killing till the score is paid" (XXII, 64).
• Glory: Odysseus's comments to Eurykleia: (XXII, 425-35).
• Purification: (XXII, 509-10)
• Telemachos: Why begin the epic with Odysseus's son?
• Tiresias's Task: Symbolism?
• Problem of Revenge: (XXIV, 440-59)
• Zeus and Athena: (XXIV, 487-504)
• The Feminine Principle

Developement from Iliad to Odyssey:

Progress represented by Odyssey: In the femininization of the oppressively masculinity of the culture the Odyssey stresses

• Peace rather than war
• Marriage rather than male-bonding
• Family rather than war-time allies
• Law rather than glory
• Justice rather than revenge