Book+VIII+discussion+questions

What is the frame for the stories in this chapter? Another way to think about that is to consider the context of the stories that are told. To whom are they told? Why are they told? Who urges them to be told? What happens at the end of the book?
 * Group 1**

The frame story of the chapter is when Demodokos sings about the Wooden Horse and the Fall of Troy. Odysseus urges him to sing about this because he wanted to here about the accomplishment. At the end of the book King Alcinous stops the music when seeing Odysseus sad and in grief. He then proceeds to ask him who he is, where he is from, and why he is here.

Who is Demodokos? What stories does he tell? How does Odysseus react?
 * Group 2**

Demodokos is a blind minstrel who preforms for Odysseus and Alkinoos at the feast in the palace on the island of Skheria. A minstrel is a person who performed songs whose lyrics told stories about distant places or about real or imaginary historical events. He is supposed to be a favorite of the Muse. He told stories about Ares and Aphrodite's affair and the fall of Troy and the Trojan horse. Odysseus was distraught by this and started to cry when Demokodos sang.

What is the story of Ares and Kythereia? What practical purpose does it serve? What parallels exist?
 * Group 3**

In the story, Ares, the god of war, has a secret affair with Kythereia, also known as Aphrodite, the goddess of love. This affair is overseen by Helios, who later informs Hephaistos about it. Hephaistos, Aphrodite's husband by arranged marriage, is mad with rage and sets up a trap to catch the two in the act. Once the trap is set, he fakes his departure and secretly waits for Ares and Kythereia to appear, trapping them when they do. Naked, the pair are strung together and held up by chains, and the gods all gather around to watch and laugh. It ends with Hephaistos eventually freeing the pair by request of Poseidon.

What challenge does Seareach present? What do you learn about Odysseus from this story?
 * Group 4**

Seareach insults Odysseus when he refuses to join the games. After this Odysseus does join the games. We learn that Odysseus has a lot of Pride and is very cocky. When he's insulted him, he is offended greatly because he thinks he is better then anyone else, which he proves by winning all the games. We also learn that Odysseus is very emotional.He started crying both times when the minstrel sang about the Trojan War and Achilles.