A Companion to Homer's Odyssey (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780313318542)

Odysseus lost his way, but students shouldn't have to. This delightful companion, written in a lively narrative style and full of fresh insights and interpretations, offers teachers a wealth of ideas for making Homer's timeless epic come alive for students. Introductory chapters provide the historical and mythological background necessary to fully appreciate the events in the Odyssey. A fascinating essay acquaints students with Homeric values and another examines the Odyssey as literature, offering expert discussion of the work's structure and poetic features and situating it in the oral tradition it exemplifies. Maps, charts, tables, and photographs help readers further appreciate the story and its historical context. At the core of this resource are units on each of the 24 books of the Odyssey; each is attractively presented with an illustration, plot synopsis, and discussion of theme and character development.

Well-placed sidebars offer supplemental information on various facets of classical antiquity, such as the position of women in Ancient Greece, the role of competitive sports, and interesting etymological aspects of the Greek language. At the back of the book is a listing of main characters, along with a handy pronunciation guide. Additional appendices explore the enduring influence of the Odyssey in literature, the arts, and even popular culture, with a separate section examining Odyssean themes in movies. Useful ideas for activities and classroom projects are offered, as are suggestions for further reading and online research.

Author: James V. Morrison
ISBN-10: 0313318549
ISBN-13: 9780313318542
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Language: English
Published: 06/30/2003
Pages: 224
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.42lbs
Size: 10.28h x 7.24w x 0.77d

Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 12/01/2003 pg. 96
Voice of Youth Advocates 06/01/2004 pg. 157