People and Themes in Homer's Odyssey

Published in 1970, this exposition interprets the poem with a focus on the idiosyncrasies of its originally oral composition. In part I, the main themes of the Odyssey such as `guest-friendship¿ and `testing¿ are investigated. In Part II, the main characters of the Odyssey are described. In the conclusion, the author argues that it would probably have been performed over the course of three days: two sessions each day, with each recitation maintaining its own artistic unity.