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.
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What this dot point is asking
The Literature section of The Homeric World studies Homer's Odyssey (the prescribed books are 9, 10, 19, 21 and 22). Before the episodes, you need to understand the world the poem reveals: the structure of Homeric society (kings, nobles, ordinary people and enslaved people), the heroic values of kleos (glory), time (honour) and arete (excellence), the central importance of the household (oikos) and gift-exchange, and how this literary world relates to the Mycenaean evidence. The paper tests precise knowledge of the text (AO1) and analysis plus your own argument (AO2).
The answer
The structure of Homeric society
The household (oikos)
The heroic values: kleos, time and arete
Gift-exchange and the link to the Mycenaeans
Relationships between elite men were maintained through xenia (guest-friendship) and gift-exchange: hosts and guests gave one another valuable gifts, creating lasting bonds and obligations.
This heroic world is not a documentary of one period. It mixes:
- Memories of the Bronze Age Mycenaean world - great halls, kings, gold, feasting and warfare.
- Features of Homer's own later age.
So when you compare the poem with the Mycenaean archaeology (the palaces, the megaron, the gold of the graves), you should look for echoes, not an exact match.
Examples in context
A strong essay would argue that reputation (kleos and time) is central to the heroic code but is balanced by the equally strong pull of home, family and survival.
Try this
Q1. What is the oikos, and why does it matter in the Odyssey? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The household: the householder, his family, land, livestock, goods and servants. It matters because the poem is largely about the threat to, and restoration of, Odysseus's oikos while he is away.
Q2. Explain the difference between kleos and time in the heroic value system. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Kleos is glory or fame, won by great deeds and remembered after death; time is honour, the respect and gifts a man receives from others in his lifetime. Both measure a hero's worth, but kleos is lasting fame while time is present honour.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J199/21 2019 (style)4 marksDescribe two features of the household (oikos) in the world of the Odyssey. [4]Show worked answer →
A short literature question (4 marks, AO1, 2 marks each). Reward two distinct, accurate features.
Feature one. The oikos was headed by a male householder (such as Odysseus) and included his wife, children, livestock, land, goods and enslaved workers; its wealth and good order showed the family's status.
Feature two. The oikos depended on loyal members and servants (such as the swineherd Eumaeus and the nurse Eurycleia) and on a strong master to protect it; in Odysseus's absence the suitors threaten the oikos by devouring its wealth.
Top marks. Two separate, correct features supported from the prescribed books.
OCR J199/21 2021 (essay, true tariff 15)15 marks'In the Odyssey, a hero's reputation matters more than anything else.' How far do you agree? Justify your response with reference to the prescribed books. [marked here out of 15; this is the true J199/21 tariff]Show worked answer →
The 15-mark extended response (AO1 and AO2). The marker rewards a clear argument supported by close reference to the text.
For (reputation). The heroic world runs on kleos (glory) and time (honour): Odysseus boasts his name to Polyphemus to win fame, and a hero's worth is measured by reputation and the honour others give him, so the desire for a great name drives much of the action.
Other values. The poem also prizes the safe return home (nostos), the protection of the household (oikos) and family, loyalty (Penelope, Eumaeus, Telemachus), cunning (metis) and the favour of the gods, so reputation is not the only good.
Judgement. The top band argues a clear line, for example that reputation is central to the heroic code but is balanced by the equally strong pull of home, family and survival, which sometimes requires Odysseus to hide his name rather than boast it. Support with the prescribed books.
Related dot points
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mycenaean society and the palace: the role of the king (wanax) and the social hierarchy, the megaron at the heart of the palace, and the evidence of the Linear B tablets for administration, economy, religion and trade.
An OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199) study of Mycenaean society in The Homeric World. Covers the role of the king (wanax) and the social hierarchy, the megaron at the heart of the palace, and the evidence of the Linear B tablets for administration, economy, religion and trade, with the source and essay skills the J199/21 paper rewards.