Odysseus’ tale of his journey is one of the most-well known and fantastic tales from ancient literature—it has most of the elements people recall when discussing the Odyssey. But from the beginning his tale is more complicated than it seems. In ancient discussions of the epic, this segment is called the Apologos (the “defense speech”). This word is related to our modern “apology” but it has a very different sense to it. Where our “apology” usually entails the admission of wrong-done and a promise to make amends for it, Odysseus’ defense-speech is more akin to an ‘explanation’. Any modern reader faced with this, however, must consider what Odysseus has to explain.

This passage answers both a logical question about Odysseus’ return home (where did all his men go?) and a thematic question posed by the beginning of the poem (why did he lose his men even though he didn’t want to?) Because this speech is about the relationship between a leader and his men, it directly impacts our view about Odysseus as a leader. What does it mean that he lost his men? Does Odysseus accept responsibility? Is the situation more complicated than the beginning of the poem sets it out to be? How does this section impact the rest of the poem?

Readings

Odyssey, books 10-12

Selections from Shay on Odysseus as a Leader

Listening for Leadership

Possible Group Activity