Why do some ancient scholars claim the epic originally ended around line 296 of Book 23?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks why some ancient scholars claim the epic originally ended around line 296 of Book 23.
Option 1: 'They believed Odysseus died soon after reuniting with Penelope.' This claim would imply a very different, fatalist ending, but the scholarly note focuses on where the manuscript originally concluded rather than a fatal ending for Odysseus, making this option inconsistent with the stated reasoning about the ending point.
Option 2: 'They felt the suitors’ slaughter was enough closure for the poem.' While the slaughter at the end provides dramatic closure, the specific claim about ending around line 296 centers on the position of Book 24’s absence or presence, not just closure through the plot beat of the suitors’ fate. Thus, this option mischaracterizes the rationale attached to the early ending claim.
Option 3: 'They lost the manuscripts detailing Book 24.' This would be a practical explanation for discontinuity, but the scholarly discussion about an earlier ending is tied to the literary structure and intended ending, not to a missing manuscript record. Therefore, this option attributes a textual mishap rather than a interpretive or textual-historical claim about the ending.
Option 4: 'They considered the reunion the climax, not needing further resolution.' This aligns with the idea that for some ancient readers or editors, the reunion with Penelope served as the narrative peak, after which no additional resolution was deemed necessary, explaining why the text might have been understood to end at or near Book 23 line 296. This option directly reflects the interpretive rationale behind an early ending.

6(A) - Exploring Novels and Literature The Odyssey XXIII

Why do some ancient scholars claim the epic originally ended around line 296 of Book 23?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

In Rey Chow’s view of Harvard Professor Stephen Owen, what is the cause of his mistaken judgement of contemporary Chinese poet Bei Dao’s work?

The novel René Leys by Victor Segalen is best characterized as:

What does Harvard Professor Stephen Owen’s complaint about Bei Dao’s poetry center on?

Simon Leys faults Edward Said’s book Orientalism for

Based on our reading and coursework, the opinions of literary critics and scholars

In the essay, "Moving Beyond Pain," bell hooks claimed that in the visual album, Lemonade, Beyoncé celebrates rage and embodies a fictitious form of female power.

According to the video on Greek Tragedy, the themes of Greek tragedy and the nature of suffering are universal, and watching them helps us feel the emotion of catharsis.

位置50的问题 Who states in Ars Poetica that drama should both teach a lesson and entertain?Who states in Ars Poetica that drama should both teach a lesson and entertain?PlautusTerenceSenecaHorace

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler