Homer: A Beginner's Guide

Highlighting the influence of Homer, the father of Western literature, throughout history, this introduction for new readers of the great poet celebrates the complexity of his two epic poems—The Iliad and The Odyssey. Original.
Presents a guide to the writings of Homer that uses elements of familiarity, such as rap and Lord of the Rings, to help the reader understand these ancient writings and how they deal with timeless questions that are still a part of the modern world.
Widely revered as the father of Western literature, Homer was the author of The Iliad and The Odyssey, the epic poems which immortalised such names as Cyclops, Menelaus, and Achilles, and inspired such films as the Brad Pitt blockbuster Troy. In this vivid introduction, Elton Barker and Joel Christensen celebrate the complexity, innovation and sheer excitement of Homer’s two great works, and investigate the controversy surrounding the man behind the myths ? asking who he was and whether he even existed.From soap operas to Salman Rushdie, the authors also highlight just how much we owe Homer and why he has been so influential. Perfect for new readers of the great poet but full of insights that will delight Homeric experts, it will inspire you to discover (or rediscover) his epic masterpieces first-hand.