Strange Instances of Time and Space in the Odyssey

Strange Instances of Time and Space in the Odyssey explores the relationship between time and space in Odysseus' maritime journey, suggesting that the murder of Palamedes could be the real reason for Poseidon's wrath, and that the poem advocates a new epic model of life based on the preservation of life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 102 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Strange Instances of Time and Space in the Odyssey delves into various facets of the Homeric Odyssey, with a particular emphasis on the intricate interplay between time and space in Odysseus' maritime adventures. Menelaos Christopoulos employs the mega-theme of nostos to explore Odysseus' journeys to the treacherous strait of Skylla, the enchanting island of Calypso, and the underworldly realm. Through a close examination of these encounters, Christopoulos raises thought-provoking comparisons between Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus, drawing attention to the striking parallels between their fates and the end of Odysseus' reign in Ithaca. This book presents novel arguments, including the possibility that the murder of Palamedes could be the true source of Poseidon's wrath, the depiction of a clear-cut divide between Odysseus and his companions, who perish without leaving any trace of their prior existence, with the sole exception of Elpenor, and the advocacy of a revolutionary epic model of life centered around the preservation of life rather than the pursuit of heroic death and glory.

Weight: 304g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666920390