The Odyssey Book 5 with Dr. Glenn Arbery and Dr. Frank Grabowski
Odysseus rejects becoming a god… why?
Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Glenn Arbery of Wyoming Catholic College and Dr. Frank Grabowski of Holy Family Classical School to discuss BOOK FIVE of the Odyssey–arguably one of the important passages in the entire Odyssey and in the Western canon.
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Odysseus is offered everything a man could desire: immortality, endless pleasure, and the love of the goddess Calypso on her enchanted island. Yet he refuses, choosing instead the path of suffering, homecoming, and humanity. The conversation unpacks why Odysseus weeps on the shore despite his Edenic surroundings, the deeper meaning of his refusal, and the timeless question Homer poses to every listener: Would you say no to immortal pleasure?
The scholars dive into rich themes—Odysseus’s interior dialogue with his own thumos (spirit), the contrast between Calypso’s cave and rocky Ithaca, the subtle work of the gods and fate, and striking antecedents to Platonic psychology.
With insightful close readings, connections to the Iliad, and reflections on identity, place, and human flourishing, this discussion transforms a single book into a meditation on what truly makes life worth living. Whether you’re new to Homer or revisiting the epic, this episode will leave you eager for more. Highly recommended for anyone who loves great books, philosophy, or wrestling with life’s biggest questions.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books
04:13 Exploring the Odyssey: Book Five
09:41 Athena’s Plea and Zeus’s Response
23:53 Odysseus on Calypso’s Island: A Study of Contrast
34:43 The Choice of Immortality: Odysseus’s Dilemma
39:32 The Identity of Odysseus: Suffering and Immortality
41:02 The Nature of Human Desire and Fulfillment
42:56 The Dilemma of Odysseus: Choices and Consequences
45:14 The Complexity of Fidelity: Odysseus and the Goddesses
48:09 Homer’s Moral Landscape: Understanding Odysseus
51:14 The Role of Place in Identity and Homecoming
54:05 The Symbolism of Clothing: Calypso vs. Nausicaa
01:09:40 The Wrath of Poseidon: Odysseus’s Struggles at Sea
01:13:35 The Inner Dialogue of Odysseus: Heart and Mind
01:17:23 The Weight of Time and Suffering
01:20:04 The Complexity of Divine Intervention
01:22:21 Agency and Internal Dialogue
01:25:20 Mortality and Immortality: The Role of Women
01:29:10 Navigating Divine Guidance
01:31:20 The Human Experience and Divine Learning
01:33:56 The Journey to the Shore: A Symbol of Rebirth
01:40:05 The Significance of the Olive Tree
01:43:41 The Transformation of Odysseus
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Be sure to check out our Odyssey episodes from 2024 too!
