Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Topics include a continuation of discussion of complex Odysseus, focusing on both the events that befall the character as well as the narrative itself. A key theme which emerges in the conversation is the significance of nóos which seems to be the precise subject that the Odyssey is about. One might say in fact, no nóos, no nóstos. Other concerns include the cyclical nature of consciousness, and questions of completeness or incompleteness of a reading of the Odyssey. As Professor Nagy notes, perhaps a better question to pose is why Odyssey stops where it stops. Participants were also curious as to how much one can trust Odysseus' narrative. In this, Professor Nagy emphasized the importance of re-examining the way we understand the English term, "lie" versus the Ancient Greek term which aligns more closely with a sense of 'getting something wrong' often through concealment of a kernel of truth. Other themes include the meeting with Tiresias, prophecies that go beyond our version of the Odyssey, the narrative myth structure, and the etymology of λωτός/lōtós.
Recorded in Spring 2020 during v13 of the MOOC The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focusing on Hours 10 and 11, and responses to the Discussion Questions.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith DeStone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
Topics include a continuation of discussion of complex Odysseus, focusing on both the events that befall the character as well as the narrative itself. A key theme which emerges in the conversation is the significance of nóos which seems to be the precise subject that the Odyssey is about. One might say in fact, no nóos, no nóstos. Other concerns include the cyclical nature of consciousness, and questions of completeness or incompleteness of a reading of the Odyssey. As Professor Nagy notes, perhaps a better question to pose is why Odyssey stops where it stops. Participants were also curious as to how much one can trust Odysseus' narrative. In this, Professor Nagy emphasized the importance of re-examining the way we understand the English term, "lie" versus the Ancient Greek term which aligns more closely with a sense of 'getting something wrong' often through concealment of a kernel of truth. Other themes include the meeting with Tiresias, prophecies that go beyond our version of the Odyssey, the narrative myth structure, and the etymology of λωτός/lōtós.
Recorded in Spring 2020 during v13 of the MOOC The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focusing on Hours 10 and 11, and responses to the Discussion Questions.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith DeStone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
