Podcast
The Odyssey Odyssey
Hosted by Tom Lee · EN
Tom Lee retells the epic poem "The Odyssey" with diversions and excursions into the vast constellation of Greek myths surrounding the central story. The Odyssey describes a journey through time and against death, away from demons and towards home - if home is still there. Hear the story and the stories surrounding story while reflecting on how how humans have connected with this complicated hero for almost three thousand years.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
19: Oh, The Wayward Wind
Aug 1400:35:33Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIN WHICH: We consider the implications of windbags, pompous and otherwise, as our hero begins to feel the full effects of the parting curse of the Cyclops.
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Episode 18: The Big Bad
Aug 700:54:48Tap to summarizeSend a textIN WHICH: Our hero seeks hospitality in The Wrong Cave. We meet everyone's favorite mythological monster: Polyphemus the Cyclops, whose appetites are as shocking as his social skills.
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BONUS: Anyone for Tennyson?
Aug 400:18:15Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIN WHICH: We hear the complete poem "The Lotos-eaters" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
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17: "It's Lotus, Dude..."
Jul 3100:40:03Tap to summarizeSend a textIN WHICH: Odysseus himself takes over the narrative and decides to begin at the beginning. He recounts the departure of his twelve ships with 600 men from the ruins of Troy to an audience that knows the ending: only one of them will survive.A raid on the Cicones goes horribly wrong, and our hero and his trusted companions are blown wildly off course - almost as if they had gone up in a cyclone.FOOTNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE ARE HERECONTACT TOM LEE HERE
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SUMMER SPECIAL: IRON MAN
Jul 25, 202400:40:23Tap to summarizeSend a textIN WHICH: we delve into the life and stories of Hephaestus, the god of fire, bearer of culture, architect and blacksmith to the gods. The child of dysfunctional immortals, he struggles to find a home and a family.LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODEE-mail Tom Lee
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16: Storytime
Jul 18, 202400:44:05Tap to summarizeSend a textIN WHICH: Odysseus is entertained by the rhapsode Demodacus, who is inspired to tell our hero his own story. An athletic competition gives rise to tension, which another story dispels. The entertainment continues over roasted boar, where art and life collide in a third and final story.FOOTNOTES: More about this episode.
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15: Consider Yourself at Home
Jul 11, 202400:39:08Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIN WHICH: Odysseus casts an epic gaze over the palace of King Alcinous and Queen Arete, who demonstrate their hospitality and provide our hero with hope.VISUAL FOOTNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE CAN BE SEEN HERE
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EPISODE 14: We Have to Talk About the Giants...
Jan 22, 202400:33:41Tap to summarizeSend a textIN WHICH: We explore the lineage of King Alcinous, Odysseus's host, tracing his family line back to the notorious and ill-fated race of Giants.
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BONUS: Christmas With A Pope
Dec 21, 202300:48:36Tap to summarizeSend a textIN WHICH: We return from an unexpected hiatus with a "party piece" - a performance of an excerpt from Alexander Pope's 1726 verse translation of The Odyssey, Book V.
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EPISODE 13: Laundry Day
Sep 21, 202300:35:29Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIN WHICH: Odysseus is rescued by a young princess engaged in pursuits of domestic management. Athena returns him to a state of manly elegance, and the princess promises him a speedy return to his homeland on a magical ship.
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