The Odyssey, Ep. 2: Rumors of Odysseus

About this episode

The episode discusses the portrayal of women in The Odyssey and features a lecture on Odysseus's journey home.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the ways that Homer depicts women in The Odyssey before introducing a lecture from Dr. Benedict Whalen. Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, uses her own cunning to deceive the suitors while she awaits her husband’s return. Telemachus, their son, journeys to Sparta seeking news of his father. The Odyssey  tells the tale of the cunning and crafty hero of the Trojan War on his journey home. After ten years of war, Odysseus faces another ten years of fantastic temptations, deadly monsters, treacherous seas, and impious men. Meanwhile, Ithaca is threatened by suitors who plague his wife and plunder his wealth. When Odysseus reaches home, he must slay the suitors, test the loyalty of his friends and family, and restore order to his marriage and his kingdom. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Jeremiah

Guest: Juan

Topics covered

• Homer
• The Odyssey
• depiction of women
• cunning
• hero's journey
• suitors
• restoration of order

Keywords

• Homer
• The Odyssey
• Penelope
• Odysseus
• Telemachus
• suitors
• cunning
• hero's journey
• Ithaca

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Odyssey

Places: Sparta, Ithaca

More episodes of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast

• The Odyssey, Ep. 8: Return to Ithaca · September 9, 2026 · 26 min
• The Odyssey, Ep. 7: Death and Woe · September 2, 2026 · 32 min
• The Odyssey, Ep. 6: Circe · August 26, 2026 · 25 min
• The Odyssey, Ep. 5: The Cyclops · August 19, 2026 · 34 min
• The Odyssey, Ep. 4: The Kingdom of Phaeacia · August 12, 2026 · 25 min
• The Odyssey, Ep. 3: Calypso · August 5, 2026 · 31 min