Where are thou, Odysseus? Why do you speak in parables?

We discussed how Christ's identity is often concealed at first and revealed in significant ways that pertain to his character, such as in "the breaking of bread." In a similar way, Odyssey is known for what we have called "delayed identification." Recall that he is the "great tactician" and that all throughout the epic our hero conceals his true identity when he is the company of those whom he cannot fully trust. We are at the point in the narrative where Odysseus has finally reached his Ithacan shores, but even here he must be on guard. So Athena transforms him into the likeness of a beggar. The irony notwithstanding, Odysseus always has a strategy for his words and for the oblique presentation of himself. Just as Christ speaks in parables not to "hide" and embed certain truths in narrative form (concealed in beauty), so Odysseus conceals himself in the disguise.

Agenda for this WEEK:

1. Prayer

2. Work on the Great Ideas Reading Guide for this week

3. Historia:

4. Book I of Herodotus (studying Cyrus)

5. Literae:

6. Finish Book XV of The Odyssey.

REVIEW HW:

1. Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. Pray, that you may not stumble.

2. Complete your Great Ideas Reading Guide for this week

3. 5 Commonplaces and 1 memorized for Friday.

4. Study for the Odyssey Books 1-12 Quiz

5. Dig Deeps due on Monday (5/9) — see Reading Lists here

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Penelope and the Suitors by John William Waterhouse (1911-1912)