The Odyssey , Books I-V Why does the book begin with the invocation of the Muse? Who/what is a muse? Why here? Odysseus's character is shown here:

The Odyssey, Books I-V

Why does the book begin with the invocation of the Muse? Who/what is a muse? Why here?

 Odysseus's character is shown here: his recklessness. Why is this important?

           What's Telemachus' problem? Why is he so unsure of his lineage?

           Hm. What about the suitors? What would you do with them?

           As Book II begins, Athena lavishes splendor on the prince. Why is that?

           While we're on Athena, she's a shapeshifter. Why is that?

           Lines 165-175, roughly, Zeus sends a sign: what do you make of it?

           The last dozen lines of Book II are wonderfully visual. Comment, please.

           Book III, line 112: tell me the truth. Why is that important?

           Book III is bloody and mean. Why is that?

           Helen of Troy -- why does she call herself a shameless whore? (Book IV, line 162)

           Talk about the Trojan Horse. Why is it so important? How does it fit in this book?

           Book V: Calypso. Held by the nymph. She promises him endless youth, endless sex. So what's the problem? (Serious question.)

           Line 65-84: What do you make of this description? Think about it.

           Line 245: Why does he pine all his days to go home? And why does he have sex after it?