LITERATURE CIRCLES

Literary Luminary
Name: Kyle Lim
Text: The Odyssey of Homer
Date: August 31, 2010

Books: 13-15

Literary Luminary: The Odyssey features a powerful array of epithets and figures of speech.
Your job is: (a) to prepare a summary of the reading. Make a quick statement to discuss the
UNIVERSAL TRUTH found in the text; (b) to identify “Golden Lines”—or special passages in the
text (interesting, powerful, funny, puzzling, or important sections). You will also ponder on how
certain lines in the text are further illuminated in succeeding scenes. Decide which passages or
paragraphs are worth remembering, and indicate how you plan to present them: (a) You can
read the passages aloud yourself, (b) ask someone else to read them, or (c) read them together
as a group. Make sure to discuss your analysis of the selected text.

Quick Statement: What, for you, is the UNIVERSAL TRUTH in the text? Compare this
with others’.
The primary focus of books 13-15 is the arrival of both Odysseus and
Telemachos in Ithaca, but the aspect of Odysseus that these books focus on
is his wit. Here, we are able to see how Odysseus’ mind works. He was able
to transform into this cunning person who knew how to think and plot well,
and this is seen when he lied to Athena and Eumaeus to conceal his
identity, as well as when he started to think of ways to deal with the suitors.
From being a total wreck in books 9-12, it’s like Odysseus finally reveals his
true colors after arriving in his home, Ithaca. In short, the universal truth of
these books is that Odysseus is truly “god-like,” in a sense that he has a
powerful mind.
 LITERATURE CIRCLES

GOLDEN LINES Book Significance and Analysis

13
“Ah now, the prophecy of old is It is the fulfillment of the
come to completion...and pile a prophecy that the father
great mountain over our city, to of Alkinoos once said,
hide it.” and it ultimately leads to
the king’s decision to
stop being so kind to
strangers.

13
“And so, he answered her again
and addressed her in winged This is the first time in
words; but he did not tell her the books 13-15 that we see
truth...the mind that was in him:” Odysseus use his
intelligence and wit to his
advantage.

13
“It would be a sharp one, and a Athena even
stealthy one, who would ever get acknowledges Odysseus
past you...even if it were a god of his trickery, and says
against you.” that he even has the
power to fool a god.
 LITERATURE CIRCLES

“Come then, weave the design, 13

the way...freely and full in heart, Odysseus is determined
would help me.” to get rid of the suitors
once and for all, and he is
confident since Athena is
with him.

13
“But come now, let me make you
so that no mortal can recognize Athena disguises
you.” Odysseus as an old
beggar. She uses this
tactic several times on
herself in the past few
books.

14 Even in the simple home

“Come, old sir, along to my of a swineherd, the code
shelter...sorrows you have been of Xenia (hospitality) is
suffering.” evident.

14
“Old sir, I will never pay you that
gift for good news, nor will Just like Penelope and the
Odysseus come to his house suitors, the swineherd is
again.” convinced that Odysseus
is gone.
 LITERATURE CIRCLES

14
“I announce that my origin is from
Crete...So now, life is still my Once again, we see how
portion.” Odysseus uses his wit to
fool the swineherd in
order to conceal his
identity.

15
“As he spoke a bird flew by on the
right, an eagle carrying in his An important sign that
talons a great white goose.” Odysseus, after suffering
so much, is ready to take
revenge.

15 Odysseus once again

“Odysseus spoke to them, making displays his intelligence
trial of the swineherd, to see if he in fooling the swineherd.
was truly his friend...”

15
“As he spoke, a bird flew by on Another important sign
right, a falcon, and in his claws he that Telemachos’ family
carried a pigeon and tore at it...” is of great strength.

Possible Reasons for Picking a Passage:

 LITERATURE CIRCLES

funny controversial important surprising

confusing informative