Shooting through axe-heads Clas. 4110 Oct. 16
Divine Justice and The Argonautica Myth

1.1 Odysseus' bow and bed. Objects as emblems of their owners.
1.2 History of the bow (like Achilles' armour), 21.12ff. Odysseus as the archer, par excellence (8.227ff). Connection with archer heroes: Herakles, Eurytos. Does Odysseus differ? Cunning vs. violence.
1.3 Archaeological digression I. Why is stringing the bow so much work? A composite bow (see illustration below). Odysseus demonstrates strength, as well as skill.
1.4 Shooting through axe-heads. Feat described 19.665ff and 21.481-3. What is happening. Curved axe theory. Ring theory. Socket theory. Level of the axes? This is short-range archery, a demonstration of excellent aim.

2.1 Archaeological digression II. The layout of the palace. The megaron (="Great Hall") and its exits. Storage chambers and women's quarters. A typical bronze age palace (cf. Pylos, from Mary's talk).

3.1 Divine Justice? Killing the women, by hanging (gendered). A 'heroic' death for the suitors? Represented by Odysseus as justice: 22.50, 22. 356, 22.466, 23.73 all refer to 'recklessness' (atasthalia), as in Hector's final speech and Od. 1. 12. Odysseus' anger. Death of Melanthios (poetic justice? killed by a cowherd). Sparing of Phemios (singer) and Medon (herald). Why?

4.1 Odysseus' bed. What does it represent? As an emblem of Odysseus? Of Penelope? Of their marriage? Implications of moving the bed (=adultery?). Comparison with the 'trick' bed of Demodocus' second song. Odysseus as 'husband'. Odysseus as craftsman. Comparisons to Hephaistos/Aphrodite. Odysseus and his bed: 23.175ff and 23.224-5.

5.1 Introduction to the Argonautica. Characters: Jason (hero), Pelias (usurper), Hera and Aphrodite (protectors of Jason), Aeetes (king of Colchis), Medea (his daughter), the Argonauts (sailors with Jason).

Bibliography
Fernandez-Galiano, M., A Commentary on Homer's Odyssey. Vol. III. (Books XXI-XXII). Oxford: 1992.
Zeitlin, F. 'Figuring fidelity in Homer's Odyssey,' in B. Cohen, ed. The Distaff Side: Representing the Female in Homer's Odyssey. Oxford and New York: 1995.