An Odyssey Reader: Selections from Homer's Odyssey, Books 1-12

by Pamela Ann Draper

Overview

Homer's Odyssey has captivated readers and influenced writers and artists for more than 2,000 years. Reading the poem in its original language provides an experience as challenging as it is rewarding. Most students encountering Homeric Greek for the first time need considerable help, especially with vocabulary and constructions that differ from the more familiar Attic forms. For anyone who has completed studies in elementary Greek, this edition provides the assistance necessary to read, understand, and appreciate the first book of the Odyssey in its original language.

Structured to maximize reading ease, P. A. Draper's volume stands out among introductions to the Greek Odyssey. Readers of this edition will appreciate the positioning of all notes facing the Greek text; the frequent vocabulary entries; the complete glossary; the appendix on basic Homeric forms and grammar; and the copious annotations on vocabulary, grammar, meter, historical and mythological allusions, and literary interpretation.

Primarily designed as a textbook, this volume will be an effective classroom tool and a useful acquisition for any library supporting a classics program. The book will find readers among high school and college Greek students, advanced students in Homer or epic poetry classes, graduate students working on reading-list requirements, and anyone interested in maintaining Greek reading skills.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780472051922
Publisher:	University of Michigan Press
Publication date:	12/26/2012
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	994,558
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

P. A. Draper is Humanities Librarian, Cooper Library, Clemson University.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

Preface ix

Introduction 1

Book 1 1-95 Invocation to the Muse; Assembly of the gods 5

Book 2 85-110 How Penelope tricked the suitors 31

Book 5 116-191 Hermes / Calypso / Odysseus 39

203-227 Why Odysseus wants to go home 59

333-353 Leucothea saves Odysseus 65

Book 6 115-161 Odysseus meets Nausicaa 71

186-197 Nausicaa agrees to help Odysseus 83

Book 9 252-306 In the Cyclops' cave 87

347-370 Getting the Cyclops drunk 99

395-414 Blinding the Cyclops 105

502-536 Odysseus reveals his name / the Cyclops' prayer to Poseidon 111

Book 10 28-49 Odysseus' companions open the bag of winds 119

210-347 Circe 125

Book 11 100-137 Odysseus meets Teiresias in the Underworld 151

478-491 Achilles in the Underworld 159

Book 12 166-259 Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis 163

429-450 Odysseus escapes Charybdis after his ship is destroyed 183

Appendix 1 Source Notes 189

Appendix 2 Some Basic Homeric Forms and Grammar 197

Appendix 3 Meter and Scansion 209

Appendix 4 Readings 215

Greek Text without Notes and Vocabulary 221

Glossary 251