Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Garlick is joined by the always wonderful Alberto Fernandez to discuss "Red Shadows," a salvage tale of Solomon Kane by Robert E. Howard.

Check out our website for our reading schedule, articles, written guides, and more.

Dcn. Garlick and Alberto discuss Robert E. Howard’s 1928 Solomon Kane tale “Red Shadows,” a pulp adventure chosen as a lively Short Story September “palette cleanser” after heavier classical reading. Howard (1906–1936), the Texas-born creator of Conan the Barbarian, produced hundreds of stories in a short life. Alberto first encountered him through the 1960s–70s Lancer paperbacks with Frank Frazetta covers. Kane, Howard’s only recurring explicitly Christian series character, is described as a grim Puritan-Cavalier mix with pagan and philosophical streaks—“God’s angry swordsman”—a remorseless wandering avenger who rights wrongs he encounters by chance.

The story opens in the French countryside when Kane finds a dying young Catholic woman assaulted by bandits led by Le Loup (“the Wolf”). The stranger’s death prompts Kane’s vow that “Men shall die for this,” launching a relentless pursuit that takes him from France across Europe to the West African jungle.

There the narrative juxtaposes Kane’s grim, driven sense of justice (he sees himself as a “vessel of wrath”) against Le Loup’s cynical evil, tribal politics, the witch-doctor N’Longa, voodoo, jungle drums, and “blood memory.” Unlike the mirthful, vitalistic Conan, Kane is cold and mysterious even to himself. The climax features a duel framed as cosmic justice versus injustice, followed by a second, primal coda in which a gorilla avenges his mate—showing that nature itself can enact justice and that Kane often needs allies to complete vengeance.

Alberto highlights Howard’s youthful ambition (he wrote the story at 21), his debt to adventure writers like Edgar Rice Burroughs and H. Rider Haggard, and the way Africa becomes a recurring, almost inescapable landscape in later Kane tales. He recommends the Del Rey edition and especially the later novella “Wings in the Night” as Howard’s finest Kane story. Both hosts note the stories’ value as high-energy, well-crafted adventure that can later be shared with sons, and they close by pointing listeners toward the next Short Story September episode on Neil Gaiman’s “Chivalry.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Robert E. Howard and Solomon Kane

02:13 Howard's Background and Literary Influence

04:37 The Character of Solomon Kane and His Morality

08:36 Howard's Philosophy and Moral Duality

11:02 Why Red Shadows Was Chosen for Discussion

14:48 Beginning of the Story: France and the Dying Girl

16:52 Stranger Motif and the Western Influence

19:10 Cain's Vengeance and Inner Drive

22:50 Primal Justice and the African Setting

26:53 Howard's Use of Africa and Its Significance

32:52 Howard's Publishing Journey and African Themes

36:07 The Role of Ilonga and African Characters

43:49 Eternal Forces: Justice and Injustice

45:58 The Ending: Gorilla and Primal Justice

50:49 Howard's Final Warning and Blood Memory

54:41 Recommended Follow-up Stories and Howard's Legacy

Keywords

Solomon Kane Red Shadows, Robert E. Howard Solomon Kane, Ascend Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick, Alberto Fernandez, Weird Tales 1928, pulp fiction, sword and sorcery, God’s angry swordsman, Conan the Barbarian comparison, Tower of the Elephant, Le Loup the Wolf, N’Longa witch doctor, G’loka the Gorilla Slayer, Short Story September, Del Rey Solomon Kane, Wings in the Night, Moon of Skulls, Hills of the Dead, Puritan avenger, vengeance for a stranger, West Africa jungle, blood memory, jungle drums, Howard pulp adventure, 16th century historical fantasy, Christian hero pulp fiction, Frank Frazetta, Centaur Press Solomon Kane, Lancer paperbacks, Argosy rejection, eighty dollars Weird Tales, grim Puritan Cavalier, vessel of wrath, justice versus injustice.

NEXT WEEK we discuss Neil Gaiman's "Chivalry" with His Excellency Eduard Habsburg, the Archduke of Austria.

Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule, articles, and a whole host of written guides.

Asbury Fox, the failed New York writer who returns home to his mother’s dairy farm convinced he is dying a tragic, Kafka-esque death, meets a rural doctor, two farmhands who refuse to share his resentment, and a deaf, one-eyed priest from Purrgatory who simply walks him through the Baltimore Catechism. What begins as another Southern Gothic confrontation with pride becomes something rarer in O’Connor: a dark comedy in which the protagonist desires of a romantic death are met with an enduring chill.

Dr. Boyne and Dcn. Garlick draw out the story’s autobiographical shadows, its critique of performative liberalism and abstract love of humanity, and the way O’Connor uses both the Jesuit in New York and the homely Father Finn to insist that meaning—and grace—cannot be manufactured from the self. The conversation lingers on the water-stain dove that descends as ice rather than fire, the question of whether the tale is comic or merely purgatorial, and what it means for those of us who prize the Great Books that education, by itself, is never enough.

Listeners who have been scarred by “The Lame Shall Enter First” will find this one far easier to finish—and far more unsettling in its quiet demand that we keep living.

Chapters

00:05 — Podcast intro and the reading plan for Short Story September

01:01 — Introducing Enduring Chill and Dr. Joseph Boyne

03:21 — Why Dr. Boyne picked the story

05:00 — Flannery O’Connor and the Southern Gothic tradition

12:55 — The grotesque, violence, and grace in O’Connor

20:32 — Asbury returns home and the education theme

30:30 — Asbury’s desire for a meaningful death and the Jesuit in New York

41:42 — Dr. Block and Asbury’s confrontation with illness

50:00 — The dairy farm, the black workers, and failed communion

57:13 — Asking for a priest and the dream sequence

70:29 — Father Finn arrives and subverts Asbury’s expectations

80:31 — Randall and Morgan return

85:34 — Dr. Block diagnoses the illness correctly

87:40 — Final scene: the Holy Ghost in ice and the enduring chill

96:23 — Closing reflections on O’Connor and the story’s meaning

Keywords

Flannery O’Connor The Enduring Chill short story analysis, Ascend the Great Books Podcast Short Story September episode with Deacon Harrison Garlick and Dr. Joseph Boyne of Tulsa Community College, Southern Gothic literature, Catholic short stories, Christ-haunted South, Asbury Fox character study, Jesuit priest Ignatius Vogle, Father Finn from Purgatory, Baltimore Catechism, Holy Spirit as ice instead of fire, undulant fever raw milk irony, performative liberalism and racial condescension, education versus practical wisdom, grotesque as medium of grace, O’Connor comedy versus tragedy, Good Country People comparison, lupus and autobiographical elements, Great Books education critique, upcoming Plato Republic series, Robert E. Howard Red Shadows Solomon Kane, Neil Gaiman Chivalry with Archduke Eduard Habsburg, Herman Melville Bartleby the Scrivener.

10 Question Written Guide on Plato's Ion

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Plato’s Ion opens with a victorious rhapsode who claims to speak more beautifully about Homer than any other human being. Socrates grants the premise that a true rhapsode must not merely recite but interpret the poet’s thought to his hearers—and then tests whether that excellence is a techne, a teachable art that should apply across all poets who treat the same subjects.

Ion fails the test. He is “asleep” except when Homer is mentioned. Socrates therefore offers another account: poets and rhapsodes work not by craft but by divine mania. The Muse is a lodestone, and poet, reciter, and audience form a chain of possession. Ion recognizes himself at once. On stage he is outside himself, and he can move twenty thousand hearers to tears and terror (with a subtle nod in the dialogue about the desire to make money...).

The dialogue then presses the distinction between speaking beautifully and speaking correctly. On charioteering, medicine, and the other arts present in Homer, the expert—not the rhapsode—speaks rightly. Unwilling to admit he has no art at all, Ion seizes the last remaining claim and declares himself the best general. The identification is absurd, and the conversation nearly collapses. Socrates leaves him a choice: to be called unjust, or divine. Ion takes the latter. Skill and inspiration remain unreconciled. What the short work has done is place poetry, possession, and the education of the city on the table—and prepare the larger judgment of the poets that the Republic will make.

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome to Ascend and overview of the episode's purpose

01:05 - Introducing Ion and the returning and first-time guests

02:29 - Erik Rostad explains Book of Titans and his lifelong reading project

06:28 - First reactions to Ion and its perplexing character

07:11 - Preliminary framing: subtitle, translation, and why the dialogue matters

10:10 - Ion's claim to be the finest speaker on Homer

11:44 - What techne means in this dialogue

20:00 - Does Ion really claim knowledge, or only beautiful performance?

23:50 - Ion's claim that no one else speaks more finely on Homer

28:37 - The question of poetry as a better educator than philosophy

31:03 - Ion admits he dozes off when other poets are discussed

38:45 - The magnet metaphor and the chain of divine influence

44:32 - Is divine inspiration irrational, or can it be a real source of truth?

55:31 - A third sense of possession: skill, demonization, and being subsumed into beauty

60:15 - Ion says he watches the crowd and adjusts for money and effect

62:49 - Does Ion have a real art, or is he just managing audience response?

70:29 - The charioteer, the physician, and whether Socrates is being fair

72:26 - Does philosophy itself become a narrow specialty in the same way?

76:03 - Why actors may be excellent performers but poor explainers of their craft

78:10 - Socrates as a guide toward self-recognition of Ion's actual techne

87:25 - Plato as storyteller and the philosopher's need for a better story

90:20 - Storytelling, parables, and the pedagogical power of narrative

92:37 - Plato's self-reflection on his own art and craft

94:36 - The unresolved tension between inspiration and skill

99:44 - Closing thanks

Keywords

Plato’s Ion, On the Iliad, Ion of Ephesus, rhapsode, Homer, Iliad, Odyssey, technē, techne, divine inspiration, mania, theia moira, magnet metaphor, lodestone, Muse, speaking beautifully, speaking correctly, kalos, orthos, Socratic dialogue, forgotten Platonic dialogues, aporetic dialogue, poetry versus philosophy, education of the city, Republic Book 10, poets as imitators, Allan Bloom, Thomas Pangle, Roots of Political Philosophy, Debra Nails, Dr. Frank Grabowski, Thomas Lackey, Jack Drury, Erik Rostad, Book of Titans, Ascend the Great Books Podcast, rhapsodic contest, Asclepieia, Epidaurus, generalship, polymathy, Plato as dramatist.

8 Questions on Hippias Minor Study Guide

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Plato’s Hippias Minor is a short, strange dialogue with a traditional subtitle that cuts straight to the point: “On the Lie.” After the boastful sophist Hippias finishes a public speech ranking Achilles the best and Odysseus the most polytropos—the man of twists and turns—Socrates is drawn into a conversation that begins with Homer and ends in one of the deepest aporias of the early dialogues.

What starts as a dispute over who is the better man, the straightforward Achilles or the wily Odysseus, quickly becomes a rigorous examination of voluntary versus involuntary wrongdoing, the nature of knowledge and power, and the unsettling claim that the man who does injustice on purpose is better than the one who does it by accident.

Deacon and the guests work through the dialogue’s sharp arguments and its surprising relevance. The conversation exposes the limits of treating virtue as mere knowledge plus power, raises the question of whether a just person might ever speak falsely for a good end, and serves as a genuine appetizer for the noble lie in the Republic.

Come listen—and discover why even Socrates, at the end, cannot agree with himself.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hippias Minor and its Context

04:55 Setting the Scene: Hippias' Speech and Socrates' Role

09:22 Hippias' Boasts and Socrates' Irony

17:55 The Homeric Heroes: Achilles and Odysseus

25:04 Knowledge, Power, and the Art of Lying

36:15 The Distinction Between Capacity and Action

44:53 The Nature of Truth and Falsehood in Socratic Dialogue

46:43 Conclusion: What Socrates Reveals About Knowledge and Lies

02:39 Socrates' questioning of Hippias and the nature of virtue

04:55 The analogy of athletic competitions and the concept of justice

07:57 Socrates' discussion on voluntary and involuntary actions

12:05 The role of knowledge and capacity in moral actions

15:34 Hippias' understanding of justice and its relation to power

19:50 The concept of noble lies and pedagogical deception

25:04 The absence of forms and gods in the dialogue

30:14 The deeper meaning of Socratic ignorance and self-awareness

34:54 The significance of the question: Is justice knowledge or power?

39:51 Conclusion: What we learn about virtue, knowledge, and truth

Keywords

Plato’s Hippias Minor, Lesser Hippias, On the Lie, Hippias of Elis, Achilles and Odysseus, polytropos, voluntary and involuntary wrongdoing, voluntary liar, Socratic dialogue, aporetic dialogue, forgotten Platonic dialogues, noble lie, Republic, virtue is knowledge, knowledge and power, sophist, polymath, Eudicus, Embassy scene Iliad, teleology, Forms, Socratic irony, beneficial falsehood, Dr. Frank Grabowski, Dr. Brett Larson, Thomas Lackey, Ascend the Great Books Podcast, political philosophy, Allan Bloom, Roots of Political Philosophy.

Next week we discuss Plato's Ion!

We are celebrating ONE YEAR of our sister-company, The Ascent, a top 100 Substack on Christian spirituality.

Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Lovers.

Plato’s Lovers is a short, strange, and easily overlooked dialogue that asks one of the most important questions in the entire Platonic corpus: What is philosophy?

Set in a grammar school where two rival older lovers—one an athlete, the other a cultured “know-it-all”—compete for the attention of younger boys discussing astronomy, the conversation quickly becomes an erotic and educational contest. Socrates enters the scene and quietly reorders the loves on display, showing that philosophy is not the accumulation of many things, that self-knowledge must come before any claim to rule, and that the true lover of the young is the one who leads their souls toward wisdom.

In this episode of Ascend, Dcn. Garlick is joined by Dr. Grabowski and Dr. Larson to unpack the dialogue’s subtle images of the soul, its playful yet serious treatment of eros, and its surprising role as an appetizer for the Republic.

The accompanying written guide offers a clear outline, preliminary questions, and dense Q&A—perfect for first-time readers, small groups, or anyone who wants to follow the argument more carefully.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Plato's 'The Lovers'

02:07 The setting and context of the dialogue

06:19 Who is the dialogue for? Audience and purpose

11:12 The erotic dimension of philosophy and education

16:10 The strangeness of the dialogue's setting

22:02 What is philosophy? The first definitions

27:36 The analogy of athletic training and measured learning

37:25 Usefulness, goodness, and self-knowledge

41:11 The political implications and the role of the philosopher

50:11 The dramatic and rhetorical aspects of the dialogue

57:32 The aporetic ending and its significance

Keywords

Plato’s Lovers, Rival Lovers, Erastai, what is philosophy, polymathy, much learning, Socratic dialogue, aporetic dialogue, forgotten Platonic dialogues, eros, erotic education, true love of the soul, tripartite soul, music and gymnastics, mousikē, gymnastikē, self-knowledge, know thyself, Socrates as third lover, Dionysius grammar school, anonymity in Plato, via negativa, aporia, preparation for the Republic, Dr. Frank Grabowski, Dr. Brett Larson, Ascend the Great Books Podcast, Platonic education, philosophy and politics, soul craft before statecraft.

Check out our 15 Q&A Written Guide to the Hipparchus - great for small groups, homeschooling, autodidacts, and more!

What begins as a simple question—“What is the love of gain?”—quickly becomes a sharp and unsettling examination of the democratic soul. With no dramatic setting and a nameless interlocutor, the dialogue feels almost like overhearing Socrates in the marketplace, pressing an ordinary Athenian citizen on whether the desire for more is always shameful, or whether the soul might rightly love higher forms of gain: nobility, honor, and even wisdom itself.

What makes the conversation especially rewarding is how Socrates deliberately chooses a shocking example—the tyrant Hipparchus—and reimagines him as a lover of wisdom who sought to educate the city. In doing so, the dialogue quietly draws a parallel between the supposed tyrant and Socrates himself, both of whom attract the youth, challenge conventional order, and are ultimately rejected by a democratic culture that cannot tolerate excellence.

Along the way, listeners encounter an early sketch of the tripartite soul, a critique of the leveling effects of egalitarianism, and an aporetic ending that leaves the interlocutor “compelled rather than persuaded.” Brief, strange, and surprisingly profound, this episode is an excellent preparation for the Republic and a compelling invitation to reconsider what the soul truly seeks.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Plato's Hipparchus and its significance

01:54 Main themes: Love of gain, democracy, and wisdom

04:03 The character of Socrates and the setting of the dialogue

06:03 Hipparchus as a figure in political myth and history

07:58 Translation choices and interpretive approaches

10:00 The dialogue's structure and lack of dramatic setting

11:56 The definition of love of gain and greed

13:54 Socrates' critique of the love of worthless things

16:06 Hipparchus as a symbol of love of wisdom and fame

18:04 The political implications of Hipparchus' love of wisdom

20:00 The role of the democratic man and the love of gain

21:49 Socrates' pedagogical method and the nature of knowledge

23:52 The significance of the tyrant example and Hipparchus' myth

26:04 The character of the interlocutor and the setting of the dialogue

28:03 The introduction of Hipparchus and its layers of meaning

30:10 The political myth of Hipparchus and its revisionist history

32:00 Hipparchus' love of wisdom and the Herms

34:08 The allegory of knowledge and the tripartite soul

35:53 The love of gain as a love of wisdom and truth

38:08 The democratic man, shame, and the pursuit of philosophy

40:00 The role of philosophers in democratic society

42:01 The character of Socrates as a gadfly and teacher

43:48 The process of being compelled towards truth

45:54 Bloom's interpretation: Socrates as a political and epistemological figure

48:00 The significance of the short dialogues for understanding Socrates

50:12 The importance of humility and piety in reading Plato

51:57 Next week's discussion: Rival Lovers and the nature of wisdom

Key words: Plato Hipparchus, love of gain, philokerdia, Socratic dialogue, political philosophy, Alan Bloom, Thomas Pangle, Roots of Political Philosophy, democratic man, egalitarianism, leveling effect, tripartite soul, thumos, nous, appetitive soul, tyrant Hipparchus, Herms, Socrates as gadfly, aporetic dialogue, compulsion versus persuasion, preparation for Plato’s Republic, philosopher-king, Great Books podcast, Ascend the Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick, Frank Grabowski, classical education, ancient philosophy, Plato short dialogues, forgotten Platonic dialogues.

What if the restlessness in your soul—the endless craving for more beauty, more fulfillment, more rest—is not a curse but a divine gift?

Reclaiming Holy Eros https://www.theascent.io/p/reclaiming-holy-eros

Women as Icons of God, Beauty-itself https://www.theascent.io/p/the-beauty-of-woman-as-an-icon-of

Porn as a Poor Expression of Eros https://www.theascent.io/p/the-poor-erotics-of-porn

Far from the pornographic or puritan distortions that dominate modern thinking, this ancient concept runs like a golden thread through Homer, Hesiod, Plato’s Symposium, the Old and New Testaments, the Church Fathers, Dante, and even Pope Benedict XVI’s Deus Caritas Est. Deacon shows how eros is the very question of the human condition—an upward call that moves the soul from lesser beauties to greater ones until it finds rest in Beauty itself.

Drawing on his own spiritual labors, the host walks listeners through Plato’s ladder of love, the marital imagery of God’s covenant with Israel, the Song of Songs, Christ’s union with the Church, and the harmony between erotic ascent and the self-giving love of agape. Along the way he recovers a lost grammar of desire that is both natural and supernaturally elevated by grace—one that produces virtue, fecundity, and genuine theosis. The result is not abstract theory but a living path: a latticework upon which your own understanding of restlessness, happiness, and the call to become more Christlike can grow.

Whether you have wrestled with the restlessness of the heart, wondered how pagan wisdom and Christian revelation speak to one another, or simply want a deeper vision of love that orders the soul toward God, this conversation offers something rare: a beautiful, coherent tradition that answers the deepest questions of what it means to be human. Listen, and begin the ascent.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Eros and its significance in Christian spirituality

01:54 Eros in Homer, Hesiod, and the primordial cosmos

07:12 Plato's Symposium and the ladder of love

15:07 Eros in the Old Testament: Marriage and divine love

20:00 Eros in the New Testament: Christ and the Church

30:06 Eros and the ascent to divine beauty

40:11 Eros, virtue, and happiness in Christian thought

50:02 Eros and grace: the divine ascent and participation in God

01:00:10 The harmony of eros and agape in Christian life

01:10:08 Practical implications: loving God and neighbor through eros

01:20:01 Conclusion: recovering holy eros as the heart of human and divine love

Keywords

Holy Eros, Christian eros, Plato Symposium ladder of love, divine beauty, eros and agape, Deus Caritas Est Pope Benedict XVI, Song of Songs, marital imagery God and Israel, Christ bridegroom Church bride, Ephesians 5, St Augustine restless heart, Gregory of Nyssa, bridal mysticism, Bernard of Clairvaux, John of the Cross, Diotima, ascent to God, theosis, pagan and Christian erotics, Homer Hesiod Aristotle eros, natural and supernatural love, virtue and beauty, Ascend Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick, reclaiming holy eros, spiritual ascent, rest in God.

Check out our LIBRARY on the great books. https://www.patreon.com/cw/greatbooks/collections

23 Raw Thoughts on the New Odyssey Movie https://www.patreon.com/greatbooks/posts/23-quick-on-164190324

SEE OUR SCHEDULE BELOW!

Fresh off a twelve-week deep dive into Homer’s epic with thousands of listeners, Deacon argues that the movie is no mere adaptation but a modern ideological rewriting that flattens Homer’s rich characters, mutes the divine, and replaces sacred myth with progressive lessons about shame, war, race, and power.

From Odysseus reduced to a guilt-racked figure who “defies the gods,” to the deliberate recasting and reframing of Helen, Menelaus, Circe, Athena, and even guest-friendship itself, Deacon contends that Nolan’s version marries cultural illiteracy with calculated compromise—and that both the film and the culture’s eager defense of it reveal far more about us than about Homer.

Yet this is more than a film review. Deacon uses the movie as a lens to examine how stories shape a civilization’s soul, why myths matter more than mere fiction, and why Christians and lovers of the Western tradition must resist the slow leftward drift of endless compromise.

SCHEDULE

July 28, 2026 - Holy Eros: An exploration of eros in Plato, the Bible, and Christian thought

August 4, 2026 - Plato's Hipparchus

August 11, 2026 - Plato's Lovers

August 18, 2026 - Plato's Hippias Minor

August 25, 2026 - Plato's Ion

September 1, 2026 - Enduring Chill by Flannery O’Connor

September 8, 2026 - Red Shadows by Robert E. Howard

September 15, 2026 - Chivalry by Neil Gaiman

CHAPTERS (Updated)

00:00 — Intro: why this review matters

01:00 — Piety toward Homer and the problem with the film

03:05 — Why the movie is not a “conservative Trojan horse”

05:05 — The danger of relativism and compromise

07:10 — Myth vs. fiction: why adaptation matters

10:10 — Odysseus as a shame-filled hero

12:50 — Menelaus, Helen, and the film’s cultural messaging

15:30 — How Nolan flattens characters and tension

18:05 — Penelope and the loss of the rooted-bed scene

21:10 — Casting, modern language, and suspension of disbelief

23:55 — Calypso and the removal of Odysseus’s moral triumph

26:25 — Athena as shame and post-traumatic projection

29:55 — Nolan’s treatment of the Trojan War

32:55 — The Lystragonians and armor/costume criticism

35:05 — The cult of Nolan vs. the cult of Homer

37:00 — Gods, superstition, and the muted divine

39:15 — The slaughter of the suitors

41:10 — Guest-friendship, Xenia, and Christian themes

43:00 — Circe, the deer, and the soul of the crew

44:55 — Pacing, emotional investment, and the bard

KEYWORDS

Christopher Nolan Odyssey movie review, Homer Odyssey film adaptation critique, Ascend the Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick, cultural illiteracy in modern cinema, myth versus fiction in storytelling, Odysseus shame and guilt, Nolan casting controversies Helen Menelaus, Circe Athena Penelope Telemachus character changes, xenia guest friendship Golden Rule, Trojan War regret in film, Defy the Gods tagline analysis, classical education and Great Books, piety toward Homer, liberalism compromise in culture, upcoming Plato Republic study, Holy Eros episode, short Platonic dialogues Hipparchus Lovers Hippias Minor Ion, Short Story September Flannery O’Connor Robert E. Howard Neil Gaiman Melville, and Western civilization sacred myths.

Pick up the AMERICAN ODYSSEY out today!

https://a.co/d/01rpYuwt

23 Observations on the new Christopher Nolan Odyssey Movie

https://www.patreon.com/greatbooks/posts/23-quick-on-164190324

In this special episode of Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Garlick welcomes back renowned Notre Dame political thinker Dr. Patrick Deneen—author of Why Liberalism Failed and Regime Change—to celebrate the release of his brand-new book, The American Odyssey: What an Ancient Story Reveals About Our Divided Souls.

Fresh off a 12-week deep dive into Homer’s epic, the conversation reveals why Odysseus is the ultimate “proto-American” hero: a restless seeker torn between the hunger for home and the irresistible call of the frontier. Deneen traces this tension from the ancient text through Dante’s damning portrayal of Odysseus as a villain of forbidden knowledge, to the Renaissance reinvention of him as the triumphant explorer who metaphorically discovers America itself.

What makes this episode unmissable is how Deneen unlocks Aristotle’s radical claim that humans are political animals precisely because we are neither beasts nor gods, the “citylessness” that turns Ithaca into a Cyclopean free-for-all, and the startling parallels between Odysseus’ refusal of immortality and Huck Finn’s decision to “go to hell.”

Pairing iconic American stories like The Wizard of Oz, Field of Dreams, and Huckleberry Finn with Homer’s timeless episodes, Deneen shows that the Western tradition isn’t locked in dusty classics—it’s alive in our movies, novels, and national character, especially as America marks its 250th anniversary. Dive in and discover how an ancient tale of departure and return still maps the divided soul of a nation that can’t stop exploring… or longing for home.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Patrick Deneen and the Book

01:54 Deneen's Return to Homer and the Odyssey

03:59 Odysseus as a Proto-American Figure

06:59 The Tension Between Flourishing and Discontent

12:07 Odysseus and the Pioneering Spirit of America

19:02 The Shift in Odysseus' Image from Medieval to Renaissance

27:01 Odysseus as a Figure of Forbidden Knowledge

34:08 The Connection Between Odysseus and Columbus

40:02 The Polis and Citylessness in Homer and Aristotle

48:07 The Return of the Polis and the Homecoming

56:06 Huckleberry Finn as an Odyssean American Hero

59:45 The Western Tradition in Popular Culture

Key words: Ascend Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick, Dr Patrick Deneen, The American Odyssey book, Homer Odyssey, Odysseus proto-American hero, Why Liberalism Failed, Regime Change, Western tradition, Aristotle Politics, man political animal, apolis citylessness, Dante Inferno Odysseus villain, Renaissance explorers, Columbus Amerigo Vespucci, American character, pioneering spirit, frontier homecoming, Calypso immortality, Huckleberry Finn, Field of Dreams, Wizard of Oz, 250th anniversary Declaration of Independence, Notre Dame political science, Homeric studies, great books podcast, Platonic dialogues, American soul, divided souls, political theory, classical literature, Americana, Odyssey episodes.

There is yelling, laughter, cursing, and general chaos--but more of Homer's truth is unearthed in the process.

Check out our ONLINE LIBRARY for resources on the great books.

Check out Dr. Justin Jackson's Substack working through the Bible.

Check out Dr. Justin Whalen at Hillsdale College.

The long-awaited homecoming unfolds with Odysseus and Penelope's emotional reunion, the famous test of the immovable olive-tree bed, and the climactic confrontation with the suitors' vengeful families. The conversation crackles with insight as the guests unpack Penelope's cunning, Odysseus' complex character, parallels to Achilles and Heracles, and the poem's meditation on fidelity, mortality, justice, and the costs of homecoming.

Dr. Jackson brings contrarian fire—challenging heroic ideals, celebrating the domestic, and wrestling openly with whether Odysseus' reckoning is justice or raw revenge—while Dr. Whalen offers sharp textual observations on themes of rootedness, temptation, and the poem's unresolved tensions.

Expect yelling, laughter, heartfelt disagreement, and the kind of raw intellectual energy that makes great books come alive.

Whether you’ve followed the whole series or are just dipping in, this capstone will leave you rethinking everything you thought you knew about the Odyssey. Stick around after the discussion for a look ahead at Plato’s Republic and more. If you love the Great Books, this is unmissable.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction: Finishing the Odyssey Journey

04:46 - Host Welcome & Episode Setup

06:27 - Guest Introductions: Dr. Justin Jackson & Dr. Benedict Whalen

07:04 - Dr. Jackson’s New Book on Reading Literature

16:28 - Diving into Book 23: Penelope Learns Odysseus Has Returned

21:07 - Penelope’s Skepticism & the Secret Signs

25:05 - The Great Rooted Bed Test & Recognition Scene

36:36 - Odysseus & Penelope Reunion, Emotional Moments

47:05 - The Final Labor & Comparison to Heracles

59:11 - Temptations: Calypso, Nausicaa & Penelope

1:11:32 - Transition to Book 24: Laertes & the Avenging Families

1:15:26 - Achilles & Agamemnon in the Underworld

1:35:02 - Reunion with Laertes & Proof Scenes

1:49:10 - Dolius, the Final Battle & Deus Ex Machina Ending

2:11:04 - Reflections on Justice, Revenge & the Poem’s Message

2:16:50 - Closing Thoughts & Upcoming Episodes

Keywords

Odyssey Books 23 and 24, Homer's Odyssey finale, Odysseus Penelope reunion, rooted bed test, immovable olive tree bed, suitors slaughter, Ithaca homecoming, Penelope cunning, Odysseus homecoming, Great Books podcast, Ascend podcast, Hillsdale College professors, Dr. Justin Jackson, Dr. Benedict Whalen, Homer teacher philosopher, Telemachus maturation, Achilles Agamemnon underworld, Laertes reunion, Poseidon penitential journey, justice vs revenge Odyssey, classical literature podcast, Western canon Odyssey analysis, father son reunion Odyssey, Penelope faithfulness, heroic fate comparison, Plato Republic preview.

Check out our LIBRARY of written guides to the Great Books.

Check out Dr. Priou's new Substack: The Close Read.

What happens in Book 22?

Odysseus stands at the threshold of his home, cries out to Apollo, and lets loose an arrow straight through the neck of Antinous (22.15). Chaos erupts in the hall as bread and meats are soaked in a swirl of bloody filth (22.21). Eurymachus attempts to broker a truce with Odysseus, but it is rejected (22.57); he then calls the suitors to arms and is slaughtered (22.73). Telemachus brings armor and weapons to his father, the swineherd, and the cowherd (22.121), but the goatherd sneaks weapons to the suitors (22.151).

On his second run, the cowherd and swineherd intercept the goatherd, tie him up, and hang him from the rafters (22.196). Athena first arrives in the guise of Mentor (22.217) and then perches like a sparrow on the rafters, assisting Odysseus with her man-destroying shield of thunder (22.250). The suitors fall into panicked madness as Odysseus and his men wheel into the slaughter, slashing left and right, with grisly screams breaking from cracked skulls and the floor awash with blood (22.311).

Odysseus spares the bard and the herald but shows no mercy to the prophet (22.327). The slaughter complete, Eurycleia summons the disloyal female servants, who help carry out the corpses and clean the gore (22.458–471). Telemachus oversees the disloyal women being slowly hanged in the courtyard—a pitiful, ghastly death (22.487)—while the goatherd is retrieved and mutilated to death by the swineherd and cowherd (22.500). Odysseus purifies his home with fire and brimstone (22.518), and the book ends with the loyal maidservants surrounding their king as he breaks down and weeps (22.528).

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Great Books Podcast

04:40 Exploring the Odyssey: Book 22 Overview

06:58 The Role of the Gods in the Odyssey

09:55 Justice and Revenge in the Slaughter of the Suitors

12:54 Imagery of Food and Gore in Homer

14:49 The Cyclops Narrative and Guest Friendship

18:51 Antinous: The First Death and Its Implications

22:36 The Role of Recognition in Justice

25:05 Eurimachus and the Plea for Mercy

29:18 Piety and the Restoration of Order

32:53 The Political Landscape of Ithaca

33:48 Purging and the New Order in Ithaca

34:18 The Balance of Power and Leadership Lessons

35:24 Pedagogical Journeys: Odysseus and His Men

37:39 Divine Endorsement and the Purging of the Unworthy

39:35 Odysseus's Transformation: From Arrogance to Understanding

41:36 The Role of Recognition in Identity

43:08 The Consequences of Identity and Wisdom

46:29 The Tragedy of Odysseus and Penelope

48:42 Telemachus's Growth and Inexperience

53:12 Divine Justice and the Nature of the Fight

58:11 The Role of Prophecy and Piety in Justice

01:05:23 The Nature of Piety and Accountability

01:06:59 Eros and the Path to Ascent

01:09:52 Self-Reflection and the Nature of Desire

01:13:10 Justice and the Fate of the Maidservants

01:23:36 The Consequences of Disloyalty

01:30:37 Recognition and Political Rule

Discussion:

Dr. Priou and Dcn. Garlick examine the justice of the slaughter, noting that while Antinous dies without recognizing Odysseus, the goatherd Melanthius suffers one of the most gruesome tortures in Homer—strung up and mutilated in language echoing the barbaric king Echetus. They discuss the hanging of the disloyal maidservants, Telemachus’s role in their execution, and why such violence may be necessary to purge disloyalty and restore order. Key themes include the restoration of piety, the shift from a decayed oligarchic rule by the suitors to a new natural aristocracy involving loyal servants, Odysseus’ pedagogical journey, and the tension between recognition, glory, and the establishment of a stable political regime supported by fear of the gods.

Overall, the episode portrays Homer as a profound teacher on the ugly necessities of justice and political founding.

The speakers reflect on how the book repudiates certain Iliadic values like vaunting over the slain, emphasizes cleansing and purification, and sets the stage for the final books. Dr. Priou highlights Odysseus’s cunning, the limits of rhetoric, and the need to curtail eros for civilized life, while both Dr. Priou and Dcn. Garlick encourage listeners to confront uncomfortable questions about revenge, mercy, and the role of divine and human violence in re-founding a polity.

Next week our 12-week study of the Odyssey ends with Books 23-24!

NEW ARTICLE: Why Should Christians Read Homer?

Check out our COLLECTION OF WRITTEN GUIDES.

In this episode of Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick and guests Dr. Frank Grabowski and Thomas Lackey dive into Books 20 and 21 of Homer’s Odyssey, where the stage is set for the long-awaited slaughter of the suitors. The portents multiply: Theoclymenus’s terrifying vision of the palace drenched in blood and gore, Athena’s divine orchestration, and Penelope’s masterful test with Odysseus’s legendary bow. Amid feasts for Apollo, disloyal servants, and growing frenzy, Odysseus the beggar masters his patience while Telemachus comes fully into his own—echoing the father-son reunion and the maturation arc that began in Book 2.

The conversation has rich insights on Homeric anthropology, the thumos (spirited), xenia’s sacred bonds, ritual symbolism, and the limits of repentance under divine justice.

Listeners will relish the similes, prophecies ignored at peril, subtle Christological resonances, and the masterful dramatic pause Homer builds before the violence erupts in Book 22. Whether you’re tracking Odysseus’s cunning, Telemachus’s growth, or the poem’s deeper moral and theological layers, this episode delivers fresh appreciation for why the Odyssey endures.

Don’t miss it—especially with Dr. Patrick Deneen joining soon to connect the epic to our own age.

Subscribe, grab the written guide, and join the journey on Patreon, YouTube, or thegreatbookspodcast.com.

Keywords: Odyssey Book 20 summary, Odyssey Book 21 analysis, Homer Odyssey Books 20 and 21, Penelope bow test, Odysseus bow contest, Theoclymenus prophecy vision, slaughter of the suitors setup, Odysseus beggar disguise, Telemachus maturation, xenia guest friendship Odyssey, divine justice in Homer, Homeric thumos anthropology, Apollo feast day Odyssey, Greek classics podcast, Great Books discussion Odyssey, Odysseus revenge portents, Penelope cunning test, Homer similes Book 20, ritual symbolism Odyssey, Christological parallels Odyssey, Ascend Great Books Podcast.

Check out our WRITTEN Q&A GUIDE TO THE ODYSSEY.

Check out Dr. Grabowski's new Substack: The Porch and the Altar.

The conversation explores iconic moments like Odysseus’s heartbreaking reunion with his loyal dog Argos, the tense first dialogue with Penelope that raises fascinating questions about what she truly knows or suspects, and the escalating violations of xenia by the suitors. Listeners will appreciate the rich analysis of loyalty as the ultimate standard, Odysseus’s hard-won maturation in temperance and piety, and striking contrasts between faithful servants like Eumaeus and disloyal figures like Melanthius.

Homer emerges here as both poet and philosopher, using these scenes to probe justice, the nature of heroism, the city at peace, and the interplay of fate and human choice.

With Athena guiding events and the tension building toward the suitors’ doom, Deacon and Dr. Grabowski illuminate how Odysseus’ trials have prepared him not just for revenge, but for restoring order.

Whether you’re new to the epic or a longtime reader, this episode offers fresh insights that make the ancient story feel urgently relevant. Don’t miss it—subscribe and join the community as the Odyssey study continues toward its dramatic climax!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Odyssey Study

04:30 The Role of Penelope and Theoclymenus

07:14 Contrasting Characters: Eumaeus and Melanthius

10:28 Odysseus' Growth and Maturation

13:11 The Loyalty of Argos

16:26 The Test of Guest Friendship

19:10 The Fate of the Suitors

22:22 The Beggar Fight and Its Implications

24:43 Odysseus' Reflection on His Journey

27:21 The Irony of Antinous

30:45 Penelope's Anticipation and the Build-Up to Reunion

33:28 Odysseus' Moral Self-Awareness

36:37 Conclusion and Themes of Justice

42:10 The Philosopher Beggar and the Blindness of the Suitors

44:49 The Nature of Law and Lawlessness

47:33 Penelope's Cleverness and the Suitors' Downfall

52:09 Telemachus' Growth and the Stability of Society

57:19 The Reunion of Odysseus and Penelope

01:01:40 The Test of Loyalty and the Nature of Guest Friendship

01:06:23 The Subtlety of Odysseus and Penelope's Intuition

01:12:19 The Significance of Names and Identity

01:19:33 The Tension of Recognition and the Test of the Suitors

Keywords: Odyssey Books 17-19, Homer Odyssey summary, Odysseus as beggar, reunion with Argos, Penelope and Odysseus dialogue, what Penelope knows, xenia guest friendship, loyalty in the Odyssey, Argos the dog, Melanthius goat herder, Eumaeus swineherd, Theoclymenus prophecy, suitors fate, Odysseus maturation, temperance and piety, Homer philosopher, city at peace, Athena disguise, beggar fight Book 18, bow of Odysseus, scar of Odysseus, Great Books Podcast, Ascend podcast Odyssey, Frank Grabowski Homer, classical education Odyssey, Western literature analysis.

Check out all our resources on the great books!

Check out Dr. Grabowski's new Substack on the great books.

The conversation explores Telemachus’s maturation and homecoming, the poignant father-son reunion in the swineherd’s hut, and the deepening bonds of loyalty with Eumaeus. Listeners will enjoy thoughtful reflections on xenia (guest-friendship), Theoclymenus the mysterious prophet, Helen’s prophetic insight, Menelaus’s gracious hospitality, and the growing threat of the suitors, all while tracking themes of thumos, divine guidance, and the slow unfolding of justice.

With warmth, humor, and insight, the trio unpacks Homer’s masterful storytelling—why Telemachus must become a threat, the nobility of the “lowly” swineherd, and the beautiful (and bittersweet) dynamics of recognition and reunion.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Great Books Podcast

09:15 Telemachus' Journey: A Coming of Age Story

15:25 Menelaus: The Gracious Host

22:57 The Arrival of Theoclymenus: A Mysterious Prophet

30:36 Odysseus and Eumaeus: Testing Loyalty

31:05 The Swineherd's Loyalty and Laertes' Mystery

32:41 Odysseus' Questions and Eumaeus' Story

34:41 The Tragic Tale of Eumaeus

38:36 Social Status vs. Moral Character

41:47 The Unique Island and Divine Justice

43:43 Guest Friendship and Telemachus' Choices

46:25 The Reunion of Father and Son

50:29 Telemachus and Odysseus: A Complex Relationship

55:27 Testing Nobility and Virtue

01:00:25 Divine Disguises and Recognition

01:04:59 The Standard of Belief

01:11:37 The Plan Against the Suitors

01:18:58 The Nature of Justice and Retribution

Whether you’re reading the Odyssey for the first time or returning to it with fresh eyes, this episode illuminates how these ancient books continue to form souls and speak to fatherhood, virtue, and the return to order. Perfect listening for anyone journeying through the Great Books—don’t miss it!

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Check out the Cost of Glory!

Check our the Porch and Altar, Dr. Grabowski's Substack.

Odysseus finally reaches Ithaca—sleeping peacefully through the voyage as the Phaeacians carry him ashore—only to awaken uncertain and disguised by Athena as a beggar. The conversation explores his strategic plotting with the goddess, the symbolic Cave of the Nymphs (including a fascinating Neoplatonic reading from Porphyry), the poignant encounter with the loyal swineherd Eumaeus, and Odysseus’s layered “lies” that reveal deep truths about his character.

The guests delve into themes of homecoming, the restoration of patriarchal order, xenia (guest-friendship), internal moral growth, and the slowing narrative pace as Homer shifts focus from external adventures to the subtle work of reclaiming one’s house.

This episode offers fresh, layered insights perfect for both first-time readers and Odyssey veterans, blending literary analysis, philosophy, and practical wisdom on loyalty, cunning, and self-mastery.

Whether you’re drawn to the theological depth of the cave, the psychological realism of Odysseus’ deceptions, or the timeless lessons on rebuilding order amid chaos, Dcn. Garlick, Dr. Grabowski, and Dr. Petkas make these often-overlooked books come alive with warmth, humor, and profound appreciation. Tune in for an engaging, accessible conversation that will deepen your love for Homer and leave you eager for the next leg of the journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Odyssey and Guests

08:38 The Slow Pace of the Odyssey

13:15 Themes of Homecoming and Restoration

18:07 The Significance of Sleep and Rebirth

23:22 Divine Intervention and the Phaeacians

28:24 Odysseus' Identity and the Role of Athena

36:26 The Art of Deception: Odysseus and Athena's Intrigue

37:19 The Mist of Disguise: Odysseus' Identity Crisis

39:46 Inner Odyssey: The Journey of Self-Discovery

42:34 The Goddess of Trickery: Athena's Role in Odysseus' Return

44:39 The Cave of the Nymphs: Symbolism and Allegory

51:03 Depositing Treasures: Spiritual Growth and Cooperation with the Divine

59:13 The Loyal Swineherd: Eumaeus and the Theme of Hospitality

01:02:39 The Encounter with the Dogs

01:03:44 Loyalty and the Commoner's Perspective

01:05:11 The Swineherd's Knowledge and Loyalty

01:06:16 Odysseus's Tests and Coalition Building

01:07:59 Reflections on War and Leadership

01:11:35 Odysseus's Crafty Storytelling

01:14:58 The Nature of Lies and Truth

01:18:12 Piety and Character in the Odyssey

01:22:06 The Art of Storytelling and Requests

01:25:20 Final Thoughts and Future Encounters

Be sure to check out our website for more resources on the great books!

Check out Ascend's LIBRARY of written guides and SOCIAL MEDIA.

Check out Luke's Substack at CoCrucified and Dr. Grabowski's at Porch & Altar.

Summary

Listeners are taken on Odysseus’ harrowing katabasis into the underworld, where he confronts shades of the dead, including his mother, the tragic Agamemnon, and especially Achilles, whose devastating reflection on glory versus life delivers one of the most “blood on the floor” moments in Western literature. The conversation masterfully unpacks themes of piety, humanization, fate and free will, and the meaning of a well-lived life, while drawing illuminating connections to Plato, Dante, Boethius, and the Christian tradition.

The discussion continues into Book 12 with the irresistible Sirens, the terror of Scylla and Charybdis, and the fateful transgression with the Cattle of the Sun. Throughout, the guests offer sharp insight into Odysseus’s evolving character, the tensions between cunning and virtue, and why these ancient stories remain essential for forming minds today.

Whether you’re a longtime lover of Homer or new to the Great Books, this episode delivers rich intellectual conversation, pedagogical wisdom, and profound reflections that will leave you eager to pick up the text—or re-read it with fresh eyes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Great Books Podcast

06:01 Exploring the Odyssey: Books 11 and 12

12:54 The Theme of Descent into the Underworld

16:57 Elpenor's Ignoble Death and Its Significance

23:42 Tiresias and the Prophecies for Odysseus

31:43 Fate vs. Free Will in the Odyssey

38:29 The Role of Women in the Odyssey

43:24 The Significance of Penelope in the Odyssey

45:48 Odysseus' Emotional Journey and Family Dynamics

53:13 Agamemnon's Narrative and the Role of Women

58:32 Achilles' Regret and the Nature of Glory

01:09:41 Ajax's Silence and the Weight of Honor

01:17:53 Exploring the Underworld: Tantalus and Heracles

01:20:34 Odysseus's Descent: Fear and Fate in Hades

01:21:38 Homer's Philosophical Insights: Preparing for Christ

01:22:29 Homer as a Teacher and Philosopher

01:24:15 The Sirens: Temptation and Knowledge

01:33:46 Scylla and Charybdis: Leadership and Sacrifice

01:39:31 The Cattle of the Sun: Fate and Free Will

01:46:04 Odysseus's Reflection: Mortality and Leadership

Keywords

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Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey--great for small groups!

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Summary

Books 9 and 10 of the Odyssey feature Odysseus revealing his identity to the Phaeacians and recounting his adventures after Troy. The episodes include the raid on Ismarus, the encounter with the Lotus Eaters (whom Odysseus forcibly removes to prevent them from forgetting home), the harrowing trap in Polyphemus the Cyclops's cave (where Odysseus uses the "Nobody" ruse, wine, and an olive-wood stake to blind the giant before taunting him and invoking Poseidon's curse), the visit to Aeolus (whose bag of winds is opened by the crew, blowing them off course), the cannibalistic Laestrygonians (who destroy the fleet except Odysseus's ship), and the stay with the goddess Circe (who transforms his men into pigs, but is countered by Hermes' moly herb, leading to a year of feasting and Odysseus bedding her under divine instruction before she directs him to the underworld).

The hosts explore deeper philosophical and moral themes, viewing these stories as Odysseus's moral and theoretical education. They discuss xenia (guest-friendship) and its perversions, the tension between Odysseus's cunning intellect and his men's appetites or spiritedness, leadership failures, and Homer's intentional dialectic presenting human nature. Particular attention is given to Odysseus's curiosity, pride, and evolving understanding of place, home, mortality, and nature (highlighted in the moly scene as a discovery of physis). The conversation frames Circe as a structural pivot, contrasting earlier moral tales with later intellectual ones, and portrays Odysseus as a complex, self-serving yet learning figure whose narrative may blend truth and rhetoric tailored to his audience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books

07:42 Professional Updates and New Opportunities

09:37 Teaching Homer: Insights and Anecdotes

10:58 Homer as a Philosopher: Dialectics in the Text

14:08 Odysseus: The Complicated Hero

15:47 Odysseus' Journey: Learning and Growth

17:54 The Role of Storytelling in the Odyssey

23:05 The Importance of Place and Homecoming

28:08 Odysseus and His Men: Leadership Dynamics

35:47 The Lotus Eaters: Virtue and Temptation

40:31 The Nature of Happiness and the Soul's Journey

44:04 Odysseus and the Cyclops: A Political Critique

54:20 Guest Friendship and Ethical Dilemmas

01:05:01 Rhetoric and the Limits of Persuasion

01:09:21 Understanding Polyphemus: The Nature of Deception

01:11:20 Odysseus's Internal Monologue: The Role of Wisdom

01:12:46 The Cyclops's Overconfidence: A Fatal Flaw

01:13:49 The Role of Wine: A Tool for Manipulation

01:14:58 Guest Friendship: A Perverse Parody

01:16:36 The Blinding of Polyphemus: A Turning Point

01:17:47 Community Response: The Cyclops's Isolation

01:18:41 The Consequences of Pride: Odysseus Reveals His Name

01:20:51 The Significance of 'Nobody': Identity and Cunning

01:23:24 The Escape Plan: Cleverness in Adversity

01:24:05 The Curse of Polyphemus: A Divine Retribution

01:26:42 The Cycle of Violence: Guest Friendship Violated

01:27:34 The Structure of the Odyssey: Peaks and Valleys

01:29:09 The Role of Agency: Human Choices vs. Divine Will

01:29:38 The Heartbreak of Aeolus: Trust Broken

01:33:56 The Lystra-agonian Encounter: A Leadership Crisis

01:36:31 Odysseus's Leadership and Responsibility

01:39:50 The Enigmatic Circe: Goddess and Witch

01:45:13 Odysseus's Encounter with Circe: A Test of Will

01:50:59 The Nature of Eros and Odysseus's Choices

01:56:56 The Philosophical Journey: Nature and Mortality

02:01:51 The Path to the Underworld: Elpenor's Fate

Keywords

Key keywords for this episode include Odyssey Book 9, Odyssey Book 10, Odysseus Cyclops, Polyphemus, Circe Odyssey, Homer Odyssey summary, Odysseus adventures, Lotus Eaters, Aeolus bag of winds, Laestrygonians, Odysseus and Circe, Nobody Odysseus, Xenia guest friendship, Homer philosophy, Odysseus leadership, Odysseus moral education, Summary of Odyssey Books 9 and 10, Odysseus vs Polyphemus, Circe turns men into pigs, Philosophical themes in The Odyssey, Homer Odyssey Cyclops episode, Odysseus journey home, Guest friendship in The Odyssey, Ascend Great Books Podcast, Harrison Garlick Odyssey, and Gregory McBrayer Homer.

Check our our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey.

10 Reasons to Read the Odyssey (The Ascent)

Why Odysseus Refused to Become a God (The Ascent)

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Odyssey and the Phaeacians

10:45 The Nature of the Phaeacians

16:38 The Role of Rhetoric in Nausicaa's Character

22:41 Cultural Norms and Guest Friendship

28:23 Marriage Motifs and Political Wisdom

34:09 Nausicaa as a Symbol of Virtue

43:06 Odysseus and the Gods: A Growing Understanding

48:53 The Unique Role of Women in Homeric Epics

52:02 The Complexity of Guest Friendship

57:25 Divine Intervention: The Role of the Gods

01:02:24 Marriage Proposals: Naivety or Strategy?

01:04:53 Cultural Embarrassment: Odysseus's Maturity

01:08:52 Exploring the Human Side of Heroes

01:09:55 The Complexity of Virtue in Homer

01:10:50 Beauty and Political Instability

01:11:35 Marriage Proposals and Hidden Identities

01:11:58 Odysseus' Response to Offers of Hospitality

01:13:35 Cultural Insights from the Phaeacians

01:15:08 The Nature of Athleticism and War Games

01:16:44 The Role of the Bard in Storytelling

01:18:32 Odysseus' Emotional Depth and Vulnerability

01:19:44 Guest Friendship and Reciprocity

01:21:38 Odysseus' Identity and the Stakes of Revelation

01:24:07 The Bard's Song and Its Implications

01:25:59 Craft vs. Strength: Lessons for Odysseus

01:30:09 Adultery and Its Consequences in Homeric Society

01:31:15 The Warning Embedded in the Bard's Tale

01:34:10 Nausicaa's Role and the Theme of Marriage

01:37:04 Odysseus Weeping: A Complex Hero

01:40:45 The Final Ask: Identity and Storytelling

01:42:13 Prophecies and Their Consequences

01:45:10 Narrative Structure and the Art of Storytelling

Book 6 Summary

Odysseus washes ashore on the island of the Phaeacians. Athena appears to Princess Nausicaa in a dream and inspires her to go wash clothes at the river with her handmaids. Odysseus awakens, naked and brine-covered, and approaches the princess cautiously. He flatters her with rhetorical skill (comparing her to Artemis), requests aid without grasping her knees, and bathes privately. Nausicaa, showing courage, wit, and political savvy, provides him clothes, food, and careful instructions on how to approach the palace and supplicate her mother, Queen Arete, while avoiding gossip. The book ends with Odysseus praying to Athena in a sacred grove.

Book 7 Summary

Guided invisibly by Athena, Odysseus enters the splendid, utopian palace of King Alcinous and Queen Arete. He supplicates the queen as instructed, pleading for passage home. The court is initially stunned into silence until an elder prompts hospitality. Odysseus is bathed, feasted, and given a seat of honor. Queen Arete recognizes her daughter’s clothing and questions him; he recounts his arrival but omits some divine help. King Alcinous offers generous hospitality, promises to convey him home, and even subtly proposes marriage to Nausicaa (which Odysseus sidesteps). The Phaeacians are portrayed as peaceful, technologically advanced, and god-kin, living in an Edenic setting.

Book 8 Summary

The next day features athletic games, feasting, and bardic performance. A young Phaeacian (Broadsea) taunts Odysseus, prompting him to compete and win the discus throw, demonstrating his prowess. The bard Demodocus sings of the Trojan War (stirring Odysseus to tears) and the comic adultery of Ares and Aphrodite (trapped by Hephaestus’s craft), which Odysseus enjoys. More gifts and dancing follow. Nausicaa bids Odysseus a quiet, flirtatious farewell. Alcinous finally asks his name, setting up the hero’s full tale in the next books. The episode underscores themes of hospitality, craft over brute strength, and Odysseus’s emotional vulnerability.

Check out our 2024 playlist on the Odyssey too!

Keywords

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Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Glenn Arbery of Wyoming Catholic College and Dr. Frank Grabowski of Holy Family Classical School to discuss BOOK FIVE of the Odyssey--arguably one of the important passages in the entire Odyssey and in the Western canon.

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Check out our written study guide to the Odyssey!

Odysseus is offered everything a man could desire: immortality, endless pleasure, and the love of the goddess Calypso on her enchanted island. Yet he refuses, choosing instead the path of suffering, homecoming, and humanity. The conversation unpacks why Odysseus weeps on the shore despite his Edenic surroundings, the deeper meaning of his refusal, and the timeless question Homer poses to every listener: Would you say no to immortal pleasure?

The scholars dive into rich themes—Odysseus’s interior dialogue with his own thumos (spirit), the contrast between Calypso’s cave and rocky Ithaca, the subtle work of the gods and fate, and striking antecedents to Platonic psychology.

With insightful close readings, connections to the Iliad, and reflections on identity, place, and human flourishing, this discussion transforms a single book into a meditation on what truly makes life worth living. Whether you’re new to Homer or revisiting the epic, this episode will leave you eager for more. Highly recommended for anyone who loves great books, philosophy, or wrestling with life’s biggest questions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ascend and the Great Books

04:13 Exploring the Odyssey: Book Five

09:41 Athena's Plea and Zeus's Response

23:53 Odysseus on Calypso's Island: A Study of Contrast

34:43 The Choice of Immortality: Odysseus's Dilemma

39:32 The Identity of Odysseus: Suffering and Immortality

41:02 The Nature of Human Desire and Fulfillment

42:56 The Dilemma of Odysseus: Choices and Consequences

45:14 The Complexity of Fidelity: Odysseus and the Goddesses

48:09 Homer's Moral Landscape: Understanding Odysseus

51:14 The Role of Place in Identity and Homecoming

54:05 The Symbolism of Clothing: Calypso vs. Nausicaa

01:09:40 The Wrath of Poseidon: Odysseus's Struggles at Sea

01:13:35 The Inner Dialogue of Odysseus: Heart and Mind

01:17:23 The Weight of Time and Suffering

01:20:04 The Complexity of Divine Intervention

01:22:21 Agency and Internal Dialogue

01:25:20 Mortality and Immortality: The Role of Women

01:29:10 Navigating Divine Guidance

01:31:20 The Human Experience and Divine Learning

01:33:56 The Journey to the Shore: A Symbol of Rebirth

01:40:05 The Significance of the Olive Tree

01:43:41 The Transformation of Odysseus

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Be sure to check out our Odyssey episodes from 2024 too!

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Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey.

In this rich second episode of our 12-week Odyssey series, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski dive deep into Books 2–4 — the Telemachy — exploring Telemachus’s powerful coming-of-age journey from a fatherless, disordered Ithaca to the ordered poleis of Pylos and Sparta.

They unpack how Homer paints a vivid picture of political decay: twenty years without an assembly, a missing generation of men, and suitors devouring the household while logos itself loses its force. Yet as Telemachus steps into his father’s seat and sets sail under Athena’s guidance (disguised as Mentor), we witness not only his maturation but a masterclass in what makes a healthy polis. The conversation shines especially when they examine the suitors’ impiety, the beautiful practice of guest-friendship (xenia), and the threefold piety it reveals — toward the gods, the city, and the family.

From Nestor’s sacrifices and storytelling to Menelaus and Helen’s double wedding feast, the episode is packed with insight, humor, and timely wisdom. Whether you’re reading the Great Books for the first time or returning to Homer with fresh eyes, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for the political, moral, and spiritual layers of the Odyssey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Odyssey Study

06:18 Telemachus' Journey and Athena's Role

08:01 Political Instability in Ithaca

09:38 The Assembly and Telemachus' Leadership

15:48 Penelope's Dilemma and Guest Friendship

17:47 Xenia: The Importance of Hospitality

24:16 The Omen and the Suitors' Fate

30:37 Justice and the Role of the Gods

32:11 Mentorship and Guidance in Telemachus' Growth

39:45 Telemachus' Transformation and Epithet Significance

44:15 The Evolution of Characters in Homer

45:01 Telemachus' Journey to Maturity

47:42 The Role of Divine Guidance

48:38 Sacrifices and Natural Religion

52:56 Pylos: A Model of a Healthy Society

54:44 The Power of Prayer and Rhetoric

59:15 The Tragedy of War and Its Heroes

01:03:58 The Consequences of Choices in War

01:10:57 The Role of the Bard in Society

01:14:46 Foreshadowing and Sacrifice in the Odyssey

01:19:34 The Double Wedding Feast and Hospitality

01:22:08 Piety, Gratitude, and Debt

01:25:46 Reflections on War and Loss

01:28:12 Helen's Duality and the Nature of Free Will

01:29:10 Temptation and the Role of Wisdom

01:39:07 Menelaus' Journey and Wrestling with Fate

01:45:00 The Return to Ithaca and the Threat to Telemachus

Here are more videos from our 2024 study!

Book 2 of the Odyssey with Dr. Grabowski and Thomas Lackey

Book 3 of the Odyssey with Dr. Grabowski and Thomas Lackey

Book 4 of the Odyssey with Adam Minihan and Fr. Bonaventure, OP.