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Homer’s Odyssey: A Three-Part Course with Dr. Joseph Luzzi
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- the identity of “Homer” and how scholars continue to debate the poem’s authorship to this day
- the relation, the similarities, and especially the differences, between the Iliad and the Odyssey
- the connections between the pagan gods and the humans they interact with
- the psychological depth and complexity of characters including the protagonist Odysseus, his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus.
Joseph Luzzi received his Ph.D. from Yale University and is a Professor of Comparative Literature and Faculty Member in Italian Studies at Bard College, where he has taught since 2002 after being a visiting faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania. A frequent contributor to publications including the New York Times, TLS, and Chronicle of Higher Education, he is the author of 5 books, including "My Two Italies," a New York Times Editors' Choice selection and "In a Dark Wood: What Dante Taught Me About Grief, Healing, and the Mysteries of Love," a Vanity Fair “Must-Read” selection. His work has been translated into multiple languages and his many awards include a Yale College Teaching Prize, Dante Society of America Essay Prize, and Wallace Fellowship at Villa I Tatti, Harvard's Center for Italian Renaissance Studies. In 2017 he was named Cittadino Onorario/Honorary Citizen in Acri, Calabria, his Italian parents' birthplace. His next book is "Botticelli's Secret: The Lost Drawings and the Rediscovery of the Renaissance," which will be published by W. W. Norton. Professor Luzzi is the founder of the Virtual Book Club, an online community of readers dedicated to exploring some of the best books ever written. Learn more at JosephLuzzi.com.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
60 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Dr. Luzzi's genuine passion and enthusiasm make for a wonderful journey through The Odyssey. He is a master at linking ancient texts to the contemporary world.
First time reading the Odyssey. Dr. Luzzi's presentations enriched the adventure. His energy and insight - such a gift.
I look forward to his future seminars.
Dr. Luzzi is an excellent teacher whose enthusiasm for and insights into the subject make for a dynamic experience. I'll take another course with him any day.
Dr. Luzzi has the rare gift of being completely connected to his subject matter combined with enveloping you in his clear, empathetic analysis of the text. All that without overwhelming students with detail. A joy to have taken his class.
I love hearing the stories in the Odyssey. Tales that have endured for centuries should be regularly revisited.