The Sarcastic Odyssey

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For too long, readers had to choose an overly simplified version of The Odyssey or a long, academic one. In the first, the heroes lose their sarcastic edge and great characters are pushed to the side for the sake of making the text easy. In the second, the confusing historical context and excessive footnotes make the story difficult if not impossible for students to enjoy. A teacher certified in both English and history will take you on a tour of the full text of The Odyssey, explain the strange quirks of language (why does Penelope find it so delightful that her son sneezes?) and give historical context. More importantly, this text has two modern voices discussing some of the more problematic parts of the text. By having debates centered around the characters' decisions, these modern voices invite the reader to develop his or her own opinions while still understanding how ancient Greeks would have interpreted the myth.

This is for anyone who likes mythology or history but who simply couldn't get into The Odyssey. It's also for students who struggle to understand why readers have loved this myth for thousands of years.