This course will explore what is commonly thought to be one of the earliest pieces of literature (behind Gilgamesh and Iliad). Homer’s epic focuses on Odysseus’ ten-year journey across the “wine dark sea” to his beloved Penelope at home in Ithaca. Students will engage with the conventions associated with epic poetry as they write about both character and conflict. Additionally, rather than all read the same translation, the class will be exploring the nuances of language by utilizing four different translations of the poem. This epic poem is widely considered a “right of passage” for high school students, and we will read and discuss the poem in its entirety. Modern texts, like Madeline Miller’s Circe for example, frequently allude to elements of Homer’s tour de force, and we will actually read excerpts from Miller’s novel to help inform our reading of Homer’s Circe. Also, a guest artist will visit Pomfret who has put the entire epic to song.

Departmental approval is required for this course.