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Summary Fantasy and the Supernatural in the Odyssey notes
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Fantasy and the Supernatural in the Odyssey notes
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Fantasy & The SupernaturalFantasy enhances the epic in many ways. It:
Appeals to the imagination of those listening, as they have to create the images in their heads
Stirs up terror, giving the excitement of a horror film
Portrays a world beyond the experience of the audience, and may prompt questions. Does this
fantasy world exist? Might it have been seen by travellers? There is perhaps here an element of the
thrill of science fiction.
Produces images of barbarian habits which perhaps unite Greeks in their civilised codes of
behaviour
Enhances Odysseus’ reputation as a hero as he takes on and survives these extreme dangers
Cyclopes Book IX: appears as an uncivilised Combines the familiar with the fantastic –
monster (drinks undiluted wine and we can blame Odysseus for this episode!
milk); does not follow xenia or the
gods; violent; duped; curses Odysseus
Sirens Book XII: lure men onto the shore with Voice that lures men onto rocks is
singing of their greatest desires; omnipresent; ‘The Sirens’ sweet song is a
terrifying women; live on top of magical route to oblivion that underscores
skeletons of men the dangerous power of words, especially
in the hands of female singers.’ – Ahuvia
Kahane
Scylla Book XII: strange dog monster with Even this monster has some recognisable
three rows of teeth, six heads and six features
arms; barks like a puppy, pacified only
by her mother
Charybdis Book XII: whirlpool monster that sucks Real sailors going through dangerous sea-
men down ways such as the Straits of Messina
probably felt more in control if they gave
the whirlpool a name
Circe Book X: same initial appearance as ‘The fear of being imprisoned by a powerful
Laestrygonians; turns Odysseus’ men woman is an explanation for the portrayal
into pigs; Hermes gives Odysseus of Circe, both because of her sexual powers
advice; she detains Odysseus for one and her magic ability to inflict locked-in
year; gives him advice syndrome.’ – Sally Knights
Laestrygonians Book X: violent, kill lots of Odysseus’ Barbarism!
men; strange little girl like Nausicaa
Lotus Eaters Book IX: eat lotus which make you ‘Strike a chord with anyone who would like
forget about everything to escape to a world without worries.’ –
Sally Knights
Phaeacians Books VII-XIII: follow xenia; magical Hyper-civilisation, perhaps; a vehicle for
ships sail themselves, gardens produce Odysseus to cross back from fantasy into
fruit, gods visit without disguise; the world of the heroes – he is now on his
underpinned by Greek values; very way home.
human – Nausicaa leaves her clothes
everywhere, taxes, etc
‘Odyssean monsters which decorated Roman villas speak of a terrifying and distant past, which is
reassuringly framed within an orderly architectural plan.’ – Lilian Balensiefen
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