The social, cultural and religious context

Question 1

Power of fate

Question 2

Role of the immortals

Question 3

Relationship between immortals and mortals

Question 4

Justice and Revenge

Question 5

Hospitality and guest friendship (xenia)

Question 6

Family

Question 7

Relationships between men and women

Answer 7

Womens’s experiences do create a very different world and a very different view from that of men’s and (that) Homer is certainly interested in exploring that different world. So we get these moments where the women’s world is entered into - Emily Hauser

Question 8

Relationships between parents and children

Question 9

Part played by women in the epic

Question 10

Women’s role in society

Answer 10

Dr Emily Hauser
The stories depend on women
Women are difficult to hear

Penelope is particularly important because the major theme of the Odyssey is nostos and return to the oikos. Penelope’s fidelity is important in ensuring that oikos remains intact.

Odysseus and Penelope have ‘homophrosyne’ = same thinking. This is the term Odysseys uses when talking to Nausicaa in Odysseus Book 6 to describe a good marriage.

Question 11

Role of slaves