author : Elizabeth Vandiver

This is the course guidebook that accompanies the 12 lecture “Great Course” of the same name. It is essentially an abbreviated transcript of each lecture, a few pictures, and some related reading. (I watched the lectures, which is what I am reviewing here, and am using the book simply as an aide-memoire.)

Here we have a literary discussion of the Iliad, along with a bit of history (was there a Homer? What was life like in the period?) The discussion of why Achilles’ initial snit (or ‘wrath’) makes perfect sense given the historical context (even if that context is somewhat appalling) is interesting. An analysis of various key scenes follows, and there is some great discussion of fate, the role of the various gods, and the sympathetic portrayal of the enemy Trojans. Vandiver clearly relishes her subject, and I learned a lot.

Even if Achilles’ initial wrath is justified, given his later behaviour, I still think he’s a jerk.

This is the course guidebook that accompanies the 12 lecture “Great Course” of the same name. It is essentially an abbreviated transcript of each lecture, a few pictures, and some related reading. (I watched the lectures, which is what I am reviewing here, and am using the book simply as an aide-memoire.)

Here we have a literary discussion of the Odyssey, along with a bit of history (What was life like for women in the period? What about the archaeology of Try?) The story of the Odyssey is well-know from various film and other adaptations. Except it’s not: the part with all the monsters and other encounters that Odysseus encounters on his voyage home is only a small portion of the whole; there is lots of other action, too. This companion series to the Iliad lectures offers similar insight into the rationale for many of the actions taken by the various participants, and interesting discussion of the ambiguity of Penelope’s reaction to meeting the incognito Odysseus: did she recognise him, or not?

Again, Vandiver clearly relishes her subject, and again, I learned a lot.