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EnglandClassical Civilisation

The Homeric World: The Odyssey

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What kind of hero is Odysseus, and how do the prescribed books show his cunning and endurance?

The characterisation of Odysseus as a hero: his cunning and cleverness (metis), shown in the blinding of the Cyclops and the 'Nobody' trick (Book 9), his endurance and leadership, his flaws (curiosity and boastfulness), and how he differs from a hero of pure strength.
An OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199) study of Odysseus as a hero in The Odyssey. Covers his cunning (metis), shown in the blinding of the Cyclops and the 'Nobody' trick in Book 9, his endurance and leadership, his flaws of curiosity and boastfulness, and how he differs from a hero of pure strength, with the source and essay skills the J199/21 paper rewards.
16 min answer →

How do the gods and fate shape the action of the Odyssey, especially through Athene and Poseidon?

The role of the gods and fate in the Odyssey: Athene as Odysseus's divine helper and patron, Poseidon as his divine enemy, the way gods intervene in disguise and through omens, and the relationship between divine will, fate and human choice.
An OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199) study of the gods in The Odyssey. Covers Athene as Odysseus's divine helper and patron, Poseidon as his enemy, how the gods intervene in disguise and through omens, and the relationship between divine will, fate and human choice, with the source and essay skills the J199/21 paper rewards.
16 min answer →

How do the prescribed books of the homecoming explore recognition, loyalty and revenge?

The homecoming in Books 19, 21 and 22: the disguised Odysseus and Penelope, the recognition by the scar (Eurycleia), Penelope's loyalty and cleverness, the contest of the bow, and the killing of the suitors and the theme of justice and revenge.
An OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199) study of the homecoming in The Odyssey (Books 19, 21 and 22). Covers the disguised Odysseus and Penelope, the recognition by the scar, Penelope's loyalty and cleverness, the contest of the bow, and the killing of the suitors and the theme of justice and revenge, with the source and essay skills the J199/21 paper rewards.
16 min answer →

What kind of society and values does Homer's Odyssey reveal?

The world of the Odyssey: the structure of Homeric society (kings, nobles, ordinary people and enslaved people), the heroic values of kleos (glory), time (honour) and arete (excellence), the importance of the household (oikos) and gift-exchange, and how this world relates to the Mycenaean evidence.
An OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199) study of Homeric society in The Odyssey. Covers the structure of Homeric society, the heroic values of kleos, time and arete, the importance of the household (oikos) and gift-exchange, and how this world relates to the Mycenaean evidence, with the source and essay skills the J199/21 paper rewards.
16 min answer →

What was xenia, and how does the Odyssey use good and bad hosts to explore it?

Xenia (guest-friendship) in the Odyssey: the rules and importance of hospitality, the gods as its protectors (Zeus Xenios), good hosts and guests, and the great violations of xenia by the Cyclops Polyphemus (Book 9) and by the suitors.
An OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199) study of xenia in The Odyssey. Covers the rules and importance of guest-friendship, the gods as its protectors (Zeus Xenios), good and bad hosts, and the great violations of xenia by the Cyclops Polyphemus in Book 9 and by the suitors, with the source and essay skills the J199/21 paper rewards.
16 min answer →