What should I read before the Iliad and Odyssey?

It’s true that the Iliad is set chronologically before the Odyssey, but in my opinion it doesn’t make much of a difference which one you read first. Before reading either of them, I would recommend reading a brief synopsis of the Trojan War; most of the original audience would already know the basic stories beforehand.

What do you need to know before reading the Odyssey?

Starts here4:57Everything you need to know to read Homer’s “Odyssey” – Jill DashYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clip59 second suggested clipThe desire to please the gods was. So great that the ancient Greeks traditionally welcomed allMoreThe desire to please the gods was. So great that the ancient Greeks traditionally welcomed all strangers into their homes with generosity. For fear that the strangers might be gods in disguise.

Should I start with the Iliad or Odyssey first?

Juan Francisco Although they’re not exactly sequential, I’d recommend you to read The Iliad first, then The Odyssey. The Iliad provides you huge context, involving the Trojan War, plenty of characters (including Odysseus), and the cosmovision of Ancient Greece.

Is Odyssey hard to read?

The Odyssey is not a difficult book to read when it is translated into English! Because we translate the text into modern English it can be a lot easier to read than Shakespeare!

Is it worth reading the Odyssey?

It’s an essential book for students of literature and students of Greek history and culture. Because the book recounts not only Odysseus’ tumultuous journey home and his son Telemakhos’ coming of age but also tales of Odysseus’ bravery in the Trojan War, it includes a good deal of violence.

Is it worth reading Iliad?

The Iliad, Homer’s legendary account of this nine-year ordeal, is considered the greatest war story of all time and one of the most important works of Western literature. It’s a stirring tale of action, drama, romance, and tragedy. 2. It’s our best window into life in Bronze Age Greece, three thousand years ago.

Should I read the Iliad before I start reading it?

If you use this handbook while you read the Iliad, I recommend that you read the introduction to the list and look through it before you start reading, and then use it afterward if you get confused about who is who. If you are content with a quick overview of the book, you probably don’t need it.

Is there a reference list for the Iliad?

There are lots of them, so it makes life easier to have a reference list. If you use this handbook while you read the Iliad, I recommend that you read the introduction to the list and look through it before you start reading, and then use it afterward if you get confused about who is who.

Are You intimidated by the length of the Iliad?

Many people are intimidated by the length of the Iliad and its status as ancient literature. However, the Iliad is much more accessible to modern readers than you might think and there are several helpful strategies that you can try if you want to read it.

What are the main themes of the Iliad and Odyssey?

Many of the overriding themes of the Iliad —cocksure self-confidence, death, mortality, loss, fate— are also found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, probably dating from about the time of the Trojan war, some hundreds of years before Homer, and it seems probable that the widespread Gilgamesh story influenced the traditions that became the Iliad.