The Odyssey VIII-IX on Core Curriculum

Odysseus and Polyphemus, by Arnold Böcklin (1898)

The Core Curriculum Podcast’s odyssey through Homer continues! This morning the fourth episode of the season dropped, in which David Grubbs and I discuss books VIII and IX of the Odyssey.

These are two of the most well-known parts of Odysseus’s story, relating the feast and games held in Odysseus’s honor by his host Alcinous, who finally prompts the mysterious stranger—who may or may not be a god in disguise—to tell his story. This gives us the beginning of Odysseus’s story of woe and perhaps the most famous incident in the book, his story of his encounter with and narrow escape from the cyclops Polyphemus. Along the way David and I talk more about the poem’s rich theme of hospitality as well as a possible cameo by Homer himself, the (mostly) bloodless and (totally) sacred aristeia of athletic competition, and whether or not Odysseus is a bad guest.

Had a great time hosting this conversation with David and talking about one of the great works of the Western canon. I hope y’all will enjoy listening as much as we did recording.

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Thanks for listening!