687. The Odyssey: Hero of the Trojan Horse (Part 1)
Summary
This episode explores Homer’s *The Odyssey*, featuring a reading by Russell Crowe and analysis by Daniel Mendelsohn. The hosts chronologically recount Odysseus’s perilous journey home from Troy, detailing encounters with the Lotus Eaters, the Cyclops Polyphemus, and the Laestrygonians. They discuss how these mythical adventures reflect ancient Greek anxieties about colonization, navigation, and the unknown.
Topics discussed
Introduction to The Odyssey and guest Daniel Mendelsohn
Sponsor reads for Lloyd's Bank and cat food
The Odyssey's structure, themes, and historical context
The Trojan War, Odysseus' character, and his family
The Lotus Eaters and the danger of forgetting home
The Cyclops Polyphemus and the curse of Poseidon
Sponsor reads for Indeed, Quaker, and Uber Eats
Historical interpretations of the Cyclops myth
Aeolus, the bag of winds, and the Laestrygonians
Circe, the transformation into pigs, and the year on the island
The descent to the Underworld and meeting Achilles
The Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis, and the Cattle of the Sun
Shipwreck, Calypso, and preview of the next episode
Outro, bonus content, and other podcast recommendations
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