1. What is the Homeric chief/king like? In what ways is he different from the non-chiefs? What motivates him? Contrast between poems (when we've read the Odyssey)?2. What is the governmental structure in the poems? Contrast between poems (when we've read the Odyssey)?
3. How do these chiefs/kings relate to each other? What are the components of xenia (guest-friendship)? How is it important for the poems? Contrast between poems (when we've read the Odyssey)?
4. What is the position of women in the society (or positions)? Contrast between poems (when we've read the Odyssey)?
5. Religion: How do the deities relate a) to one another, b) to humans. How do the deities act with regard to morality? Other aspects of religion in the poems? Contrast between poems (when we've read the Odyssey)?
Helpful links for the Iliad:
- A summary of the Iliad (click here)
- A quick reference guide for some of the main characters (click here)
Helpful links for the Odyssey:
- A summary of the Odyssey (Bullfinch's Ch29 and Ch30)
For a more humorous view, courtesy of a former student:
- A quick reference guide for some of the main characters (click here)