The Powerful Women of Homer's Odyssey

In "Wives, Witches, and Whirlpools: The Powerful Women of Homer’s Odyssey," Professor Jessica Blum-Sorensen offers a fresh perspective on this classic text by shifting the focus from the legendary hero Odysseus to the remarkable women who shape his journey. Through seven engaging lectures, listeners will explore how these complex characters—deities, wives, maidens, and witches—challenge traditional notions of heroism and demonstrate their own power and agency. From the cunning Circe to the faithful Penelope, this exploration invites a reevaluation of foundational themes in literature, revealing that the women of The Odyssey are as vital to the narrative as the hero himself.