Ascend - The Great Books Podcast
Episode: The Odyssey Book Twenty-Three: The Great Rooted Bed
Release Date: December 10, 2024

Introduction

Welcome to Ascend, the weekly podcast dedicated to exploring the Great Books that have profoundly shaped Western civilization. Hosted by Deacon Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan, this episode delves into Book 23 of Homer's Odyssey, titled "The Great Rooted Bed". As the culmination of their year-long journey through Homer’s epic, the hosts engage in a deep and insightful discussion with their esteemed guest, Mrs. Rachel Greb, a 12th-grade Humanities teacher with extensive experience and passion for classical texts.

Guest Introduction: Rachel Greb

The episode features Rachel Greb, who brings a wealth of knowledge and personal connection to the text. Rachel shares her journey of becoming enamored with the Odyssey, having read it 24 times and integrating its lessons into her teaching at Veritas. Her academic background includes a BA in Christian Studies from Hillsdale College, an MA in Christian and Classical Studies from Knox Theological Seminary, and ongoing doctoral studies in the History of Philosophy of Education.

Quote [00:03:03]:
Host: "Rachel Greb: That is true. It might be 24 by now. I've lost track the last couple of years because sometimes I read it more than once per year."

Rachel’s Connection with the Odyssey

Rachel discusses how the Odyssey awakened her appreciation for classical literature during her freshman year at Hillsdale. She describes her initial encounter with Homer’s work as “feeling like I was given oxygen after drowning” and highlights the timeless themes of love, home, family, loyalty, honor, justice, and paideia that resonate through the epic.

Quote [00:03:23]:
Rachel Greb: "It felt like I was given oxygen and I'd been drowning my whole life. And I couldn't believe the things that I felt like were awakening."

Incorporating the Odyssey into Teaching

Rachel explains how she incorporates the Odyssey into her curriculum at Veritas, emphasizing the value of rereading classic texts. She believes that revisiting the Odyssey in 12th grade allows students to engage with the material on a deeper level, enriched by five years of personal growth and life experience since their initial encounter at age 13.

Quote [00:04:51]:
Rachel Greb: "The experience of rereading a classic text is so valuable, and they're not the same person they were the first time they read it at 12 or 13, 14 years old."

Exploring The Odyssey: Key Themes and Characters

The hosts and Rachel delve into the multifaceted themes of the Odyssey, particularly focusing on Telemachus’ coming-of-age journey and the intricate relationship between Odysseus and Penelope. Rachel emphasizes that Telemachus’ development is a central, yet often overshadowed, aspect of the epic.

Quote [00:06:56]:
Rachel Greb: "The coming of age of Telemachus is such an important theme throughout the book, and it gets overshadowed a little bit by, you know, Odysseus's storytelling and his own adventure."

Analysis of Book 23: The Great Rooted Bed

The core of the episode examines Book 23, where Odysseus finally reunites with Penelope. Rachel and the hosts analyze the intricate dynamics of this reunion, highlighting Penelope’s guarded skepticism and the symbolic significance of the marital bed.

Key Points:

• Penelope’s Skepticism: Despite her overwhelming joy, Penelope remains cautious, studying Odysseus’ face to confirm his identity.

  Quote [00:00:00]:
  Host: "Penelope, however, falls back into her guarded skepticism."

• The Test of the Bed: Penelope instructs her servants to move the marital bed, knowing that it is immovable due to its construction from an olive tree stump rooted in the ground. Odysseus’ furious reaction confirms his true identity.

  Quote [00:03:08]:
  Rachel Greb: "There is one particular feature in the bed's construction ... no other man made it."

• Symbolism of the Bed: The unmovable bed symbolizes the permanence and truth in Odysseus and Penelope’s relationship, echoing Greek notions of aletheia (truth).

  Quote [00:33:28]:
  Rachel Greb: "This is the immovable thing, which really speaks to the Greeks because of their idea of...a truth with a big T are the, the permanent things that exist out there that can't be moved."

Themes Explored

Justice vs. Revenge

The discussion highlights the distinction between Odysseus’s pursuit of justice versus personal revenge, especially in the context of the slaughter of the suitors. Rachel underscores that Odysseus acts under divine instruction, emphasizing the concept of lex talionis ("an eye for an eye") and his role as an agent of fate rather than a mere avenger.

Quote [00:13:08]:
Rachel Greb: "He's clearing his house as a means of... He's carrying out justice, not revenge. He's carrying out justice that the gods have asked him to do."

Loyalty and Guest Friendship

The conversation delves into the importance of loyalty and the sacred bond of guest friendship in ancient Greek society. The violation of these principles by the suitors is central to understanding the subsequent actions taken by Odysseus.

Quote [00:15:28]:
Host: "Guest friendship is a practice that makes civilization work, that you can actually travel and be hosted. And there's a vulnerability on both sides."

Symbolism of the Olive Bed

The bed, built from an olive tree stump, serves as a powerful symbol of the enduring and immutable nature of Odysseus and Penelope’s marriage. The inability to move the bed underscores the inviolable bond between them.

Quote [00:36:33]:
Host: "The bed rooted in the bridal chamber that cannot be moved is kind of the answer finally to the Agamemnon story."

Character Dynamics: Laertes and Telemachus

The hosts and Rachel discuss Laertes’ role, Odysseus’s father, who remains largely absent and secluded, tending to his trees in grief. This absence places the onus on Telemachus to step into his role as the rightful heir and leader of Ithaca.

Quote [00:56:19]:
Host: "It's not his place even to step back in. It is truly Telemachus' place. Then he's the one who is not fulfilling the role that he's supposed to."

Telemachus’ Coming of Age

Telemachus' transformation from a passive youth to a decisive leader is a focal point, showcasing his growth and the fulfillment of his destiny in restoring order to Ithaca.

Quote [00:58:43]:
Host: "As a father of three boys and one on the way, I just love how much Telemachus steps into adulthood, into being a man."

Symbolic Patterns and Foreshadowing

The discussion highlights recurring symbols, such as olive trees, which appear throughout the narrative, foreshadowing pivotal moments like the revelation of the marital bed and Odysseus’s resurrection-like emergence from supplication.

Quote [00:52:37]:
Host: "Olive trees throughout the text... he's fallen asleep and they carry him onto shore and they pile up all of the things that they've given him are laid under an olive tree."

Conclusion: Wrapping Up Book 23

As the episode draws to a close, Rachel and the hosts reflect on the structural and thematic richness of Book 23. They commend the seamless blend of comedy and tragedy, the depth of character interactions, and the intricate symbolism that elevates the narrative.

Quote [00:61:02]:
Rachel Greb: "There's just so much happening there. But, yeah, he gives this wonderful description of how he made this bed. And she finally melts... It just resonates in the Greek reader's mind."

The episode concludes with anticipation for the final exploration of Homer’s Odyssey in Book 24, promising listeners a comprehensive and enriching end to their classical journey.

Quote [00:62:43]:
Host: "So next week, we will actually end our year of Homer with Book 24, and so we will see everyone next week. Thank you, everyone."

Key Takeaways

• Book 23 serves as a pivotal moment in the Odyssey, encapsulating themes of loyalty, justice, and the unbreakable bond between Odysseus and Penelope.

• Rachel Greb’s insights emphasize the importance of understanding the deeper symbolic elements of the text, such as the immovable bed and the coming-of-age journey of Telemachus.

• The episode underscores the enduring relevance of the Odyssey, highlighting its profound impact on both personal development and societal values.

Resources:

• For a deeper dive into The Odyssey, visit thegreatbookspodcast.com to access the free 115 Question & Answer Guide to the Iliad by Deacon Harrison Garlick.
• Follow Ascend - The Great Books Podcast on Twitter and YouTube for weekly conversations and updates.

Thank you for joining Ascend in this enlightening exploration of Book 23 of The Odyssey. Stay tuned for the final episode as we conclude our year of Homer with Book 24.