Simviation Forum - The Odyssey by Homer

Oct 7^th, 2003 at 7:37pm

Paz Offline
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I found a copy of Homers Odyssey at a used book store and since I have always heard of it being such a great piece of literature I went ahead and started reading it, it reminds me of Jason and the Argonauts or Clash of the Titans.
I'm reading along fairly steady and plan to finish the book, but I just can't help wondering what the big deal is, I mean it seems to be a cool story and all but can someone tell me why this book is held in such high regard?
Is it because the original story was written like over 2000 years ago?
Anyone else read it? What did you think?

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Reply #1 - Oct 8^th, 2003 at 5:07am

Polynomial Offline
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I think it is because they have actually found archeaological remains of the city of Troy. All i know is my english teacher raved on for a whole lesson about it when we were doing something completely different. It might just be one of those things that grabs people completely or it doesnt - like Lord of the Rings.

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Reply #2 - Oct 8^th, 2003 at 11:11am

ozzy72 Offline
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Its simply a great story! And written brilliantly. I think it might depend a little on who did the translation of the version you are reading. I haven't read it for a couple of years, but I know I'll pick it up again during the Autumn for a read.....

Ozzy

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Reply #3 - Oct 8^th, 2003 at 5:54pm

Paz Offline
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Quote:

Its simply a great story! And written brilliantly. I think it might depend a little on who did the translation of the version you are reading. I haven't read it for a couple of years, but I know I'll pick it up again during the Autumn for a read.....

Ozzy

I'm reading the Robert Fitzgerald version, is there that much of a difference between the interpretations?
In your opinion Ozzy, which is the best translation and how does the version I'm reading rate?

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Reply #4 - Oct 8^th, 2003 at 6:05pm

ozzy72 Offline
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Fitzgeralds was a little err pants in my IMHO.
I quite liked Robert Fagles one

Ozzy

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Reply #5 - Oct 8^th, 2003 at 6:21pm

Paz Offline
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Really??
Hmmm, I will have to check the library and see if they have the translation you recommend Ozzy, I suppose you get what you paid for, and I only paid .50 for the copy I have.

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Reply #6 - Oct 8^th, 2003 at 6:35pm

OTTOL Offline
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I'm not much on poetry, but a poem that fills a book as big as a dictionary is pretty extaordinary! It's not so much the content of the story, as much as the time in which it was written. In a time of HIGH literacy in the world, it's perhaps harder to appreciate this book as a great work. You really have to put yourself back in that time, when the " written word" was a rare animal, to fully appreciate it. There are theories that it was not a work of one individual, but perhaps several.

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Reply #7 - Oct 8^th, 2003 at 7:22pm

Paz Offline
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I believe I read that this was written in the 8th century B.C., that's like 2800 years ago correct?
I keep this in mind as I am reading, it just amazes me that this was written nearly a millineum before the birth of christ.

I don't know the whole story behind this book, but I did read the theory of it being multiple authors, and the version I'm reading doesn't really read much like poetry, some parts are interpeted quite poetically, but for the most part it just reads like a book.

In any case, I am enjoying it.

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Reply #8 - Oct 8^th, 2003 at 8:19pm

Travis Offline
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Paz, Homer's Odyssey was never written down by him, he told it in a poetic form that is supposed to take about ten to fifteen hours to tell correctly. Enough for a good two weeks of bedtime stories for young Greeks (or so my English teacher told me). So my opinion on the subject is that it should be read in the form it was written: poetry. You wouldn't read Tolstoy or Tolkien in Gospel form, would you?

As far as the translation, I agree with ozzy on this one: Robert Fagles is quite good, having read that version in high school.

Congratulations, BTW! Not many people will pick up that book and attempt to read it if they are not being made to. Good on yer!

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Reply #9 - Oct 9^th, 2003 at 9:54am

SaVas Offline
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since I rarely watch television (got rid of cable 3 yuears ago and havent looked back) I read all the time.

The Odyssey is an epic story of adventure written with a passion, I can immerse myself into with each reading of it.

Classic literature has always been my favorite read.

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Reply #10 - Oct 9^th, 2003 at 6:00pm

Woodlouse2002 Offline
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Realising the other day how rusty my knowledge in greem mythology is i have decided to read up on it once i've cleared the backlog of books i'm reading at the moment.

Just to show you how rusty my greek mythology is I only remember two of Odysseuss' shinanigans. Tongue

So yeah... Any books you goons recommend? Grin

Woodlouse2002 PITA and BAR!!!!!!!!&&&&Our Sovereign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all persons, being assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the Act made in the first year of King George the First for preventing tumults and riotous assemblies. God Save the King.&&&&Viva la revolution!

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Reply #11 - Oct 9^th, 2003 at 8:40pm

Travis Offline
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