Exploring Homer’s Odyssey

This free course introduces Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, the Odyssey, which tells of Odysseus’ long journey home after fighting in the Trojan War, and his eventual reunion with his wife Penelope. Odysseus is famous for his cunning and his courage, and for the exploits he undertakes on his travels; meanwhile Penelope is renowned for her patience and faithfulness as she awaits his return. Meet Penelope and Odysseus and learn more about what it means to be a hero in their world as well as in our own.Interested in taking your learning further? You might find it helpful to explore the Open University’s Classical Studies courses and qualifications.

• 1 Introducing Homer’s Odyssey
• 1.1 The Odyssey: a first encounter
• 2 Thinking about heroes
• 2.1 Heroes in ancient Greek poetry
• 3 Penelope and Odysseus
• 3.1 Meeting Odysseus
• 3.2 Meeting Penelope
• 3.3 Comparing Penelope and Odysseus
• 3.4 Exploring Penelope’s story
• 4 Homecoming and reunion
• 4.1 The reunion of Penelope and Odysseus
• 4.2 Odysseus in disguise
• 4.3 The problem of recognition
• 4.4 Penelope and Odysseus reunited
• 5 Who is the hero?
• 6 Rewriting Penelope and Odysseus