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Free course

Exploring Homer’s Odyssey

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Exploring Homer’s Odyssey
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Course description

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This free course introduces Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, the Odyssey, which tells of Odysseus’ long journey home after fighting in the Trojan War, and his eventual reunion with his wife Penelope. Odysseus is famous for his cunning and his courage, and for the exploits he undertakes on his travels; meanwhile Penelope is renowned for her patience and faithfulness as she awaits his return. Meet Penelope and Odysseus and learn more about what it means to be a hero in their world as well as in our own.

Interested in taking your learning further? You might find it helpful to explore the Open University’s Classical Studies courses and qualifications.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • understand the plot and structure of the Odyssey
  • identify some of the ways in which Homer constructs the characters of Penelope and Odysseus
  • read in detail short passages of text and analyse the effects of the poetic techniques used
  • discuss some key themes of the Odyssey including: homecoming; disguise and recognition; gender roles; and the representation of the figure of the hero.

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First Published: 08/11/2023

Updated: 08/11/2023

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