Review by Choice Review
This line-by-line commentary sets out to do for the Odyssey what M.M. Willcock's A companion to the Iliad (1976), also based on Lattimore's translation, has done for the Iliad. Included are a good general introduction on oral poetry and the historical background, a brief helpful bibliography and index, sketches of Odysseus' palace and the Homeric ship and of how the ax heads may have been set up for the archery contest, a table of the poems in the Trojan cycle, and three maps. The comments are sane and cautious. There are well-balanced discussions of such controversial topics as the authenticity of the last book, and there are interesting suggestions about alternative versions whose influence may still be seen in our text. The importance of certain themes, such as guest-friendship, is emphasized; and the poet's use of irony and pathos is explored. This is an excellent commentary, highly recommended for all students of Homer whether or not they know any Greek. R. M. Frazer Tulane University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
