HUM 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Odysseus
Document Summary
Odyssey"s background lie, son of a wealthy man. Though had nothing, did had the prestige of father"s son. Arete : manly excellence possessed by odyssey, is also intellectually discerning. Because of his arete, he served as leader of a gang of pirates. Odyssey stayed a leader through generosity recounts joining the troy army leader"s responsibility to lead followers to enrichment. Odysseus married a woman because of his arete . Odysseus gets woman in exchange for his legitimacy and prominence. *sources of odysseus"s authority: personal qualities, reputation, generosity, companions, political savvy, deal with wealthy family: the gift (social institution in homeric society) No incentive for trust, through gift exchange reduces the hostility between strangers. If accepted a gift of higher value, than the person who receives it owes the giver an obligation. Tim (honor): respect a man"s honor is entirely dependent on how. E. g refuses to fight a man because other in community regards him (competitive nature) of fear of losing.
