FS 163A - Homer’s Epic

Institution:

Merrimack College

Subject:

Description:

Homer’s two great epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, have stood for nearly 3000 years as the cornerstone of Western literature, inspiring figures as diverse as Virgil, Dante, Milton, Tennyson, Joyce, Katzanzakis, and Walcott. One deals with the towering rage of Achilles, the other with the protracted homecoming of Odysseus, and both are among the greatest works ever produced. But who was Homer, and what lies behind the poems’ creation? What did the poems mean for their original audience, and what have they meant for audiences over later centuries? This seminar will explore the world of Homer, at once foreign and familiar. Students will read both epics in their entirety, along with key secondary materials, and will study art, music, and poetry inspired by these two ancient epics. Graded work will include shorter and longer written projects, as well as exams.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.merrimack.edu

Phone Number:

(978) 837-5000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.