We begin at book V with Odysseus weeping on Calypso’s island.
We then cover the great encounters: Princess Nausika, the Cyclops,
Circe, Hades, the Lotus Eaters. We end on Ithaka, with the recognition
scenes, confrontations with the suitors, and resolution with Penelope.
Themes: the laws of hospitality, mortality and immortality, words
before violence, reconciliation, olive wood as a symbol of restored
peace and civility: the journey as allegory.
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Meet the King of Kings, Gilgamesh. The Gods create Enkidu as
a companion and equal. Gilgamesh and Enkidu set off to defeat
the great monster of the forest: Enkidu’ death and Gilgamesh’s
journey to find out why we die.
Themes: coming of age, recognizing mortality, friendship, hubris,
the power of story.
Monkey: A Journey to the West
The monk, Tripitaka must make a journey to the west to collect
sacred texts. For his journey he is to have three companions:
Monkey Pigsy and Sandy. This story, written down in China
in 560, runs to a hundred chapters and is loved by the Asian
world. We cover the origin of Monkey, his journey to heaven,
his disgrace and release to join the monk Tripitaka and their
Journey to the West.
Themes: the journey to enlightenment. Overcoming the monsters
within. The nature of earth and heaven. The journey through
samsara to a higher goal.
Caesar, Cicero & Cato
These three towering figures grow up together in Rome
as witness to the dictator Sulla, Civil war, return of
the republic and the great battles between them that end
with the murder of Caesar.
Themes: Power, politics and corruption. Democracy, the
republic and dictatorship. The means versus the ends.
The meaning of freedom. The power of friendship.
Beowulf
Beowulf is the hero who saves the Danes from the
monster Grendel, and Grendel’s mother. He returns
home and rules for fifty years and then dies in old
age in another great battle with a dragon. We encounter
the monster, defeat it and then come to terms with
the aftermath of battle.
Themes: The hero against impossible odds: light over
darkness. The battle within.
