Season 3, Episode 2 | Odyssey Books 1–8 (feat. Dr. Louis Markos)

Dr. Louis Markos from Houston Christian University joins Colton to discuss Homer the bard and books 1–8 of his Odyssey. They explore the identity of Homer and the significance of his works, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Dr. Markos engages the controversy surrounding the authorship of these epics and the importance of preserving the Western tradition. The discussion also highlights the oral tradition of storytelling and the use of repetition in Homer's works. The weaving motif in the Odyssey is examined as a metaphor for survival, beauty, and the skill of putting the pieces of life together. Additionally, the theme of weaving and deception in the Odyssey demonstrates how weaving also is a metaphor for covert deception to be viewed positively in the story. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the importance of tradition and the role of imitation in artistic creation. Dr. Markos reveals the concept of xenia, or the rules of hospitality, as a major theme in both the Iliad and the Odyssey—which Colton relates to the teaching children about hospitality and manners, providing some practical applications of these themes in everyday life.