1. There’s No Place Like Home!
Odyssey Book 13
There’s No Place Like Home!

3. Gifts to Odysseus
King Alcinous assures Odysseus that he is in good hands and he and his men give Odysseus gifts. (These gift are given the next morning)
Gold, bronze, a great cauldron, a great basin, well-made clothes, and many other gifts.
King Alcinous praises Odysseus which convinces the men to give gifts (“It is hard for a single man to give freely for nothing.”)

4. What is the simile that describes Odysseus waiting to leave Phaeacia?
A Day of Preparation
Alcinous packs the ship with all the gifts so as not to hinder the rowers. An ox is sacrificed and everyone eats, but Odysseus can’t wait to start on the voyage. He asks to begin (requesting a libation) and asks for them to pray that his journey is safe and that he returns to a home that is faithful.
What is the simile that describes Odysseus waiting to leave Phaeacia?

5. A Day of Preparation
Alcinous packs the ship with all the gifts so as not to hinder the rowers. An ox is sacrificed and everyone eats, but Odysseus can’t wait to start on the voyage. He asks to begin (requesting a libation) and asks for them to pray that his journey is safe and that he returns to a home that is faithful.
What is ironic about Odysseus’ wish to return to “my wife at home blameless”?

7. Odysseus and Arete What theme do we see presented here?
Odysseus holds out his wine and thanks Arete by toasting to her happiness and long life. Arete sends Odysseus with escorts and gifts (a well-washed mantle and tunic, a stout chest, bread, and red wine) to his homeward bound ship. Odysseus is met with a soft blanket so that he may sleep during the long journey.
What theme do we see presented here?
When have we seen events similar to this before?

8. Homeward Bound! What is the irony of Odysseus’ arrival in Ithaca?
Odysseus sleeps for the entire journey. The Phaeacians do not want to wake him so they take him and all of his stuff and leave him to sleep on Ithaca.
What is the irony of Odysseus’ arrival in Ithaca?
The harbour of Phorcys; smooth waters, an olive tree, and a shadowy cavern sacred to the Naiades
How is the harbour described?
What could be the significance of its description?

11. Poseidon’s Wrath Why is Poseidon so angry?
Poseidon was outraged and complains to Zeus. Zeus allows Poseidon to turn the Phaeacian ship into stone once they are in viewing distance of Scheria. Poseidon also wishes to turn surround Scheria with mountains. Alcinous prepares a large sacrifice to Poseidon in hopes that he will change his mind about the mountains.
Why is Poseidon so angry?
When, in the text, did we get an idea that this might happen?
How are the gods characterised in this section?

12. Why is this Unusual? What custom is Zeus in charge of?
To what extent do the Phaeacians abide by this custom (try to think of some examples)?
How can the reader reconcile Zeus’ actions towards the Phaeacians?

15. What is the irony of this situation?
Odysseus Wakes Up…
And doesn’t recognize where he is because Athene spread mist everywhere. She does this so that no one recognizes him—this gives her time to give him the plan.
What is the irony of this situation?
Odysseus thinks that the Phaeacians have dropped him off somewhere. He is angry with them and hopes that Zeus punishes them for their lack of hospitality.

16. Athene Saves the Day (Again)
Athene comes to Odysseus dressed as a feeder of sheep & Odysseus begs to know where he has landed. Athene explains to Odysseus that he is in Ithaca. Here we get an idea of his homeland.
How is Ithaca described?
How does Ithaca compare to other places Odysseus has visited on his travels?
What can we learn about the idea of nostos from this description?

18. Odysseus Tells a Lie
Cunning Odysseus decides to lie to the “sheep feeder”. He tells a story of how he had to flee because he killed the son of Idomeneus, Ortilochos who was a strong, swift man who wanted Odysseus’ gold from the war. He says that after other journeys, he and his men landed on Ithaca and that his men left him “grieving in his heart”.
Why does Odysseus lie at this point?
How does this lie characterise Odysseus?

19. Athene is Pleased with Cunning Odysseus
Athene, a clever immortal, is pleased with her cunning mortal. She praises Odysseus for his extemporaneous speaking. She then reveals herself and tells Odysseus of the suitors inhabiting his home.
Why would Athene approve of Odysseus cunning?
How does the relationship between Athene and Odysseus help to characterise him?

20. Odysseus Gets Risky
After Athene reveals herself to him, Odysseus doubts that Athene is really who she says she is. He is angry at all the troubles he has been through and gives Athene a “Where were you then?” speech. Athene reveals Ithaca to Odysseus and explains her absences.
What reason does Athene give Odysseus for her absences?
How does Athene react to Odysseus accusations?
How is their relationship portrayed in this passage?

22. The Plan
Athene reveals the cave to Odysseus who rejoices in seeing the Naiades. They hide Odysseus’ gifts from the Phaeacians in a nook and cover it with a rock. Athene tells of Penelope’s loyalty. Odysseus is glad that his fate is not like that of Agamemnon.
Where do Athene and Odysseus sit to talk?
What is the symbolism of where they sit?
How is Penelope characterised in this passage and what is the importance of her fidelity?

23. The Plan… How does Athene talk about Odysseus’ revenge on the suitors?
Odysseus realizes that with Athene he will be able to conquer the suitors.
How does Athene talk about Odysseus’ revenge on the suitors?
Athene instructs Odysseus to go to his swine shepherd and ask him of all things.
Meanwhile, Athene plans to go to Sparta to tell Telemachos to come home
What does Odysseus ask Athene about Telemachus?
What does Athene’s reply tell us of the nature of divine intervention?

24. Odysseus’ “Transformation”
Athene assures Odysseus of his son’s safety
Turns Odysseus into an ugly old man
What is Odysseus’ disguise?
How is Odysseus’ transformation described?
What does Odysseus’ choice of disguise tell us about him as a character?

25. And they part… “When they had made this plan, the two of them parted.
And she went to godly Lacedemon after the child of Odysseus.”
SPARTA

26. Task
What is the importance of wine after Odysseus' "farewell dinner" on Scheria -- for religion, human social interaction, and for sustenance?
What happens when Poseidon sees how the Phaeacians have helped Odysseus?
Why is Odysseus confused when he wakes up on Ithaca?
What is the first thing that Odysseus does when he first wakes up on Ithaca?
What do his first speech and his first actions there tell us about his character?
What happens when Odysseus is sleeping in this book?
When have we seen Odysseus sleeping elsewhere?
How does Odysseus' speech to a disguised Athena show his character?
How does Athena react to his lies?
How do Odysseus and Athena compliment each other?
How do Odysseus and Athena criticize each other?
How would you characterize the tone of Odysseus and Athena’s conversation?
In what three ways does Athena help Odysseus before he goes to Eumaeus' hut?

27. Task
“Book 13 is all about deception and illusion”. How far do you agree with this statement? 20 marks

28. Essay Planning
“Book 13 is all about deception and illusion”. How far do you agree with this statement?
20 marks
Your evidence will come from Book 13
You need to think of all examples of deception/ illusion
20 marks = 30 minutes in exam

29. Examples of deception and illusion in Book 13?

30. Deception/ Illusion Who? What’s the point? Odysseus’ word spell (1-2)
Phaeacians
Odysseus asleep/dead
(78-81)
An onlooker
Treasure in the cave
(121-24, )
Robbers
Ship to stone
(169-71)
Mists of Ithaca
(190-99)
Penelope, Odysseus
Phaeacian xenia
(200-16)
Odysseus
Athene as shepherd
(222-27)
Odysseus as exile
( )
Athene
Penelope’s flirting
(371-82)
Suitors
Odysseus’ disguise
( , )
Penelope & Suitors

31. Organising examples into an argument
Deception/ Illusion
Who?
What’s the point?
Ship to stone
(169-71)
Phaeacians
Mists of Ithaca
(190-99)
Penelope, Odysseus
Athene as shepherd
(222-27)
Odysseus
Odysseus as exile
( )
Athene
Penelope’s flirting
(371-82)
Suitors
Odysseus’ disguise
( , )
Penelope & Suitors

32. Structuring the essay
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH 1 PARAGRAPH 2 etc. CONCLUSION