About Online Course: Homer's Odyssey
Join us over two mornings online for a deep dive into Homer's Odyssey with expert guidance from Homer specialist, Dr Antony Makrinos. In our first session we discuss the first stories in The Odyssey, including nymph Calypso and the Phaeacians. We continue on with the stories of the Cicones and the Lotus Eater, and the final hour is devoted to the famous story of the Cyclops Polyphemus.
Our second session explores Odysseus in the island of the god of the winds, Aeolus, and his encounter with the Laestrigonians and the witch Circe. After a short break we analyse Odysseus’ journey to the Underworld, and finish the day examining his encounters with the Sirens, the monsters Scylla and Charibdis.
Throughout the course we will also discuss the many rich literary interpretations of The Odyssey, including Margaret Atwood's Penelopiad and Emily Hauser's For The Most Beautiful.
This course takes place on Microsoft Teams. A joining link will be emailed to you ahead of each session. Both sessions are recorded and can be accessed on the Course Padlet at your leisure for 1 month after the final session.
Dr Antony Makrinos
Dr Antony Makrinos is an Associate Professor in Classics at UCL and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
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Dr Antony Makrinos has been a Visiting Lecturer in the School of English and Drama at Queen Mary College and a Research and Teaching Fellow at KCL and UCL. He is currently an Associate Professor in Classics at UCL and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His research interests include Greek epic (esp. Homer), scholarship in Byzantium, Greek education and Reception studies. He works on an edition of Eustathius’ Commentary on Homer’s Odyssey (book one). He has published articles and chapters on Homer and Eustathius and contributed to many undergraduate and graduate courses in Classics. He is also the Director of the Summer School in Homer at UCL.
Programme
Friday 7 August
9.30 – 9.40: Welcome and introductions
9.40 – 10.30: Teaching Session 1: Introduction to the Odyssey
10.30 – 10.40: Break
10.40 – 11.30: Teaching Session 2: the goddess Calypso and the land of the Phaeacians (books 1, 5, 6–8)
11.30 – 11.40: Break
11.40 – 12.30: Teaching Session 3: Cicones, Lotus Eaters, and the Cyclops Polyphemus (book 9)
Friday 14 August
9.30 – 9.40: Welcome and recap
9.40 – 10.30: Teaching Session 1: Aeolus, the Laestrigonians, and the witch Circe (book 10)
10.30 –10.40: Break
10.40 – 11.30: Teaching Session 2: journey to the Underworld – the spirits of the dead (book 11)
11.30 – 11.40: Break
11.40 – 12.30: Teaching Session 3: the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, Helios’ cattle (book 12)
Concessions
There are a range of concessions available. These include discounts for Members, Young Persons (16–25s) and visitors on Universal/Pension Credit. Press Book Now to see the full range of concessions for this event.
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