Discussion Questions for the Iliad:
1. What is the Homeric chief/king like? In what ways is he different from the non-chiefs? What motivates him?

2. What is the governmental structure in the Iliad?

3. How do these chiefs/kings relate to each other? What are the components of xenia (guest-friendship)? How is it important for the Iliad?

4. What is the position of women in the society (or positions)?

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 Iliad?

Helpful links for the Iliad:
 

Discussion Questions for the Odyssey:
 
Essentially the same questions as the Iliad only consider also if there is a difference between the poems.

(Note: as you read the Odyssey make note of specific examples which answer the questions below):

1. What is the Homeric chief/king like? In what ways is he different from the non-chiefs? What motivates him?

2. What is the governmental structure in 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 Odyssey?

4. What is the position of women in the society (or positions)? What can they do and not do? How do the men treat the women?

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 Odyssey?

Helpful links for the Odyssey: