The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer: the timeless epics of Homer--memorably explored in 24 recorded lectures.When John Keats first read Chapman 's translation of the epics of "deep-brow 'd Homer," he was so overwhelmed, so overcome with the joy of discovery, that he compared his experience to finding "a new planet. "When you join award-winning classics professor Elizabeth Vandiver of the University of Maryland University of Maryland can refer to:
tr.v. en·thralled, en·thrall·ing, en·thralls 1. To hold spellbound; captivate: The magic show enthralled the audience. 2. To enslave. Keats and has gripped so many readers of Homer. Professor Vandiver makes it vividly clear why, after almost 3,000 years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time Homeric epics The Homeric epic refers to The Iliad or The Odyssey, or else to both together, a pair of epic poems written by the possibly mythical ancient Greek author Homer about the Trojan War and its aftermath. remain not only among the greatest adventure stories ever told, but also two of the most compelling meditations on the human condition ever written. Indeed, it is probably true to say that only the Bible rivals Homer for sheer depth and scope of cultural and literary influence. How is this so? At first glance, the Iliad and the Odyssey tell of a long-dead epoch that seems utterly alien to us. Indeed, the Bronze Age Bronze Age, period in the development of technology when metals were first used regularly in the manufacture of tools and weapons. Pure copper and bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, were used indiscriminately at first; this early period is sometimes called the Aegean was a distant memory even to the original audiences of these works. Yet the grandeur and immediacy of the Homeric world seem to defy time and space. The bard depicts a legendary era in brilliant, unforgettable hues. And he peoples it with towering heroes who thirst for honor and fight shattering wars; voyage to strange lands on the shores of wine-dark seas; deal face-to-face with gods and monsters; and act out awesome passions for glory, love, and vengeance. Or perhaps age seems only to burnish the luster of the Iliad and the Odyssey precisely because of their very strangeness strange·ness n. 1. The quality or condition of being strange. 2. Physics A quantum number equal to hypercharge minus baryon number, indicating the possible transformations of an elementary particle upon strong and distance, which throw so sharply into focus the timeless human issues that each raises. These issues are evoked, in each poem, by the power of a single dramatic question: In the Iliad, why does Achilles rage? In the Odyssey, why does Odysseus long so powerfully to go home? Around these questions the bard weaves a narrative that makes us ask many things, including: What are the limits of our freedom? Who or what shapes our actions and our ends? Is there a common humanity that we share, or is life only "a constant seeking of power after power "?What holds people together and keeps them going in extreme situations such as war or shipwreck shipwreck, complete or partial destruction of a vessel as a result of collision, fire, grounding, storm, explosion, or other mishap. In the ancient world sea travel was hazardous, but in modern times the number of shipwrecks due to nonhostile causes has steadily ? Why do we lo e our own so strongly? Where is the line between justice and revenge? And above all, what does it mean to be alive? Professor Vandiver builds her analyses skillfully skill·ful adj. 1. Possessing or exercising skill; expert. See Synonyms at proficient. 2. Characterized by, exhibiting, or requiring skill. around meticulous, insightful examinations of the most important episodes in the Iliad and the Odyssey. She explains the cultural assumptions that lie behind Homer's lines, and you'll join her in weighing the basic critical and interpretive issues. Professor Vandiver probes the relationship of the epics to traditional, orally transmitted poetry and surveys the archaeological evidence for an actual conflict. But most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , she explains with passion and clarity why Homer remains our contemporary, and why a knowledge of his masterpieces can show you the way to heightened enjoyment and comprehension in all your encounters with literature. Lecture Titles The Iliad of Homer (12 lectures) Introduction to Homeric Epic ... The Homeric Question The Homeric Question is the debate over the identity of Homer and the authorship of the Iliad and the Odyssey. This debate has roots in classical antiquity and the scholarship of the Hellenistic period, but is essentially a controversy among Homeric scholars of the 19th and 20th ... Glory, Honor, and the Wrath of Achilles ... Within the Walls of Troy ... The Embassy to Achilles ... The Paradox of Glory ... The Role of the Gods ... The Longest Day ... The Death of Patroklos ... Achilles Returns to Battle ... Achilles and Hektor ... Enemies 'Tears--Achilles and Priam The Odyssey of Homer (12 lectures) Heroes 'Homecomings ... Guests and Hosts ... A Goddess and a Princess ... Odysseus Among the Phaiakians ... Odysseus Tells His Own Story ... From Persephone 's Land to the Island of Helios ... The Goddess, the Swineherd, and the Beggar BEGGAR. One who obtains his livelihood by asking alms. The laws of several of the states punish begging as an offence. ... Reunion and Return ... Odysseus and Penelope ... Recognitions and Revenge ... Reunion and Resolution ... The Trojan War Trojan War, in Greek mythology, war between the Greeks and the people of Troy. The strife began after the Trojan prince Paris abducted Helen, wife of Menelaus of Sparta. When Menelaus demanded her return, the Trojans refused. and the About The Teaching Company: We review hundreds of top-rated professors from America's best colleges and universities each year. From this extraordinary group, we choose only rated highest by panels of our cutomers. Fewer than 10% of these world-class scholar-teachers are selected to make The Great Courses. We've been doing this since 1990, producing more than 2,000 hours of material in modern and ancient history, philosophy, literature, fine arts, the sciences, and mathematics for intelligent, engaged, adult lifelong learners. If a course is ever less than completely satisfying, you may exchange it for another or we will refund your money promptly. |
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