Assignment on Finley, World of Odysseus, Chapter 4: "Household, Kin and Community"

After reading this chapter carefully a few times, write your 300-word essay discussing the following themes or issues:

• the similarities and differences between kingly power in the state and aristocratic/paternal power in the family;
• gift-giving and guest friendship: How are they different? How are they similar?
• Odysseus' family in Ithaca: Penelope, Laertes, Telemachus. Finley finds inconsistency and confusion in Homer's portrayal of this family.

Explain these inconsistencies and confusions.

Write 300 - 350 words, excluding quotations. Email to your group and to me.