At LSU, Shaq O’Neal recently wrote a thesis on mentorship in the Odyssey. I imagine the basketball examples he might have used.
Tag Archives: Odyssey
The Odyssey, U.S. Fascism, and the Iran War
Two recent applications of the Odyssey: Elon Musk complaining about a Black actress and Jay Kuo applying the poem to Trump’s Iran troubles.
Forging a Separate Identity from My Father
I which I explore the difficulties of a son forging an identity separate from his father.
How Homer Would Judge ICE
When ICE agents arrested people who had served them in a restaurant, they broke a taboo that goes at least as far back as Homer.
My College Search for Authenticity
In which I grapple with college feelings of inauthenticity.
Social Media’s Siren Call
Chris Hayes’s “Sirens’ Call” draws on a Homeric allusion as it warns us against being devoured by social media.
Classics to the Rescue in Dark Times
In Trump’s first 100 days, Jill Lepore turned to 100 classics to survive.
My Restorative Father-Sons Reunion
The presence of my sons at my brother’s memorial service proved deeply comforting, just as Telemakhos and Odysseus are comforted when they reencounter each other.
To Resist Trump, Be Like Odysseus
The Trump resistance started off like Telemachus overwhelmed by the suitors but, like Odysseus upon his return, it is starting to get strategic.

