tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post172832639372065787..comments2024-02-09T16:13:32.416-08:00Comments on Classical Carousel: The Odyssey (an Oral Tradition) by HomerCleohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-48795730487432488542018-03-02T09:20:33.308-08:002018-03-02T09:20:33.308-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.pussyboi666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-49968605481935009592018-03-02T09:17:24.494-08:002018-03-02T09:17:24.494-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-13846341529371843062014-04-17T21:16:23.975-07:002014-04-17T21:16:23.975-07:00It's hard to know which path to take sometimes...It's hard to know which path to take sometimes. You just have to start and then the clues from your children decide which way you go. All the best with your planning!Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-51686920346666458122014-04-17T07:57:39.031-07:002014-04-17T07:57:39.031-07:00Well, I have to read Homer for TWEM poetry, which ...Well, I have to read Homer for TWEM poetry, which is years from now, and I guess it would not hurt to do it now if it will help my daughter. And I believe Bauer suggests prose (Fitzgerald, Fagles, Lattimore) anyway. I still have a lot of planning and research to do for the school year, so I have not made up my mind what to do. Thanks for the suggestions.Ruth @ with freedom and bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15531827758868215023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-60223062417383671852014-04-16T11:20:55.534-07:002014-04-16T11:20:55.534-07:00It would really help if you read them first (you d...It would really help if <i>you</i> read them first (you didn't want to hear that, did you? ;-) ) You could then explain any parts that may be unclear to her. I feel MUCH more equipped having read them to be able to teach them. <br /><br />I really like the re-tellings and certain simplified versions for younger children. They are so helpful for cementing the basic story. However, I tend to shy away from these versions when they are older because they are at an age when they should, with a little work, be able to understand "the original", and by reading the simplified versions you are not really reading Homer. Homer is verse, which is a large part of its beauty and grandeur. For example, pretend someone re-wrote a Wordsworth poem in rap. Of course, it would be understandable to a rapper and he might get some of the meaning, but it wouldn't really be reading Wordsworth, KWIM? And certain simplified versions tend to get away from what Homer actually wrote. For example, Butler appears to have tried to improve on Homer (he doesn't), so you are not getting Homer, but Homer <i>and</i> Butler (I may even say Butler and Homer). :-Z Even Fitzgerald embellishes but not enough to detract from the original. I actually quite like him but I know some purists don't. <br /><br />Don't let the verse intimidate you, honestly it is very similar to reading prose. One of my Odyssey reading buddies was completely intimidated by Lattimore, but once she read him, she found he wasn't nearly as difficult as first anticipated.<br /><br />You also may be able to get the Great Courses lectures (Iliad, Odyssey & Aeneid) at your library, if you don't want to purchase them. Elizabeth van Diver, the lecturer, is excellent and they are very helpful.<br /><br />In any case, whatever you decide your children will move further along in their classical journey! And we can compare notes when the year is over! :-)Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-38738608322083711602014-04-16T10:21:48.331-07:002014-04-16T10:21:48.331-07:00Well, The Iliad is my favourite so I certainly wou...Well, The Iliad is my favourite so I certainly wouldn't dissuade you! ;-) Actually, I find The Iliad and The Odyssey very different, especially if you examine the actions and behaviour of the gods. There is no real benefit that I can see to reading them "in order". Try the Great Courses lectures if you really have trouble. They go on sale quite often and are a good tool for understanding. For The Iliad, I used A Companion to The Iliad which was really helpful but it is based on the Lattimore translation. Good luck with your quest! Consolation of Reading blog is reading Ulysses (Joyce) at the moment and is doing an excellent job of noting where it intersects with The Odyssey. It is almost making me want to read Joyce ……. almost …….. ;-)Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-8827320872401744332014-04-16T06:16:11.552-07:002014-04-16T06:16:11.552-07:00That's what I am afraid of - getting burnt out...That's what I am afraid of - getting burnt out. But I want her to enjoy the stories more than anything, and she is already familiar with them and the characters. So I think I am going to stick with the best versions for simple, plain English. <br /><br />For example, my Lattimore trans. of Iliad looks like prose, but my Palmer and Rieu translations of the Odyssey seem to be plain English and easier to read. So, I think I'll go that route. We'll see...Ruth @ with freedom and bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15531827758868215023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-17289251796424139642014-04-16T02:26:52.231-07:002014-04-16T02:26:52.231-07:00I'm considering putting it down for now and re...I'm considering putting it down for now and re-reading The Iliad first. Really want to read them both and then go back to Ulysses. I need a plan! :)ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01245931629228090133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-69045751696469446282014-04-15T21:29:07.064-07:002014-04-15T21:29:07.064-07:00My daughter is 15 now and will still be that age w...My daughter is 15 now and will still be that age when fall rolls around. She has her own classics list and this year has read Frankenstein, A Tale of Two Cities, Robinson Crusoe and is presently reading Vanity Fair. She shouldn't have a problem with The Iliad ……. she uses the Classical Writing curriculum and their literature component challenges the students with the books chosen, and the examples they use for teaching writing are often from ancient texts, so she's pretty familiar with the language. <br /><br />I've scheduled her to read The Iliad and The Odyssey but left out the Aeneid. I read through all three in a row and found it really burnt me out. But it's certainly doable. I'm going to play it by ear and see how it goes.Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-63112147039923992782014-04-15T21:02:38.863-07:002014-04-15T21:02:38.863-07:00How old is your daughter?
My younger ones will ...How old is your daughter? <br /><br />My younger ones will read the children's versions, but I want my 14-yr. old to read the Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid in their original. (She'll be 15 by then.) <br /><br />Maybe this fall I'll be reading them along with her. <br /><br />Ruth @ with freedom and bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15531827758868215023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-59178788437072191862014-04-15T11:29:55.613-07:002014-04-15T11:29:55.613-07:00Thanks, Ruth! I did have a companion book and a G...Thanks, Ruth! I did have a companion book and a Goodreads group for support when I read The Iliad but I kind of just stumbled through the Odyssey. I'm so happy I chose to read it again.<br /><br />Hey, we are starting the Ancients too this fall. I already have a large reading list for my daughter. She's read some of the Greek plays ….. Sophocles and Euripides ….. but I'm looking forward to introducing her to Homer. Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-79977266971861446292014-04-15T11:25:14.576-07:002014-04-15T11:25:14.576-07:00I know how dedicated you are to re-reading differe...I know how dedicated you are to re-reading different works of literature, so, if you need Fagles to understand the gist of the story initially, certainly go with Fagles. <br /><br />The Odyssey didn't grab me the first time around (however, The Iliad did). Yet when I read it this time, the second time, I was able to focus much more on different subtleties and give a more thorough examination to the Greek culture, which was so interesting. So don't worry if you feel "mpeh!" after the first read …… I think (hope) you'll then appreciate it more after you read it again. Or perhaps I'm just a weird ancient Greek literature geek …….. ;-)Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-55876826414834104702014-04-15T09:29:14.764-07:002014-04-15T09:29:14.764-07:00Ditto. You are doing an amazing job. Homer intim...Ditto. You are doing an amazing job. Homer intimidates me.<br /><br />I have two copies of The Odyssey, and neither are Lattimore or anyone you mention. (I do have Lattimore's translation of The Iliad.) <br /><br />And we have all of the children's versions you listed, which we love. They are perfect for getting acquainted with Homer. In fact, we are starting a new Ancients-Classical year this fall. Another excuse to read them all over again. Ruth @ with freedom and bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15531827758868215023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495382709151625398.post-58518813145608051032014-04-15T07:55:37.374-07:002014-04-15T07:55:37.374-07:00You've done so well on your series of posts! I...You've done so well on your series of posts! I'm still floundering :S <br /><br />I'm finding the Fagles translation easier - I remember what you said (I *think* it was you) about it being a bit "high school", but it works for me for that very reason! I'm thinking of re-starting it and getting a bit more involved with it as you did. I've not even come vaguely close to getting a grip on it so far!ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01245931629228090133noreply@blogger.com