In the Odyssey, as well as in much of Greek Culture, Paideia may be a way to shape growing minds and hearts, but Areté is THE outcome Greeks hoped for and strove for. This excellence of character, and excellence of good and effective action, of wisdom melded with doing -- always striving to become better, greater -- combined being, doing, and becoming. It brought potential to the table and challenged each person to bring potential to fruition, to actuality rather than vague hope. It drove each Greek to overcome any and all obstacles, at any and all costs, to arrive at and with Areté.

        After going through the various definitions and descriptions of Areté, consider the Odyssey before us. Book 13 slows down the outer action and delves into a more introspective and exploratory mode. Of course, Odysseus' Areté will overcome the kakia-filled suitors, but....

           But  much more subtly from Bk 13 on: Athena wakes Odysseus on the beach of Ithaka -- both are in disguise, both tell whopping lies about almost everything! Excellence? Yes for the Odyssey -- this is the mind saving the body in a dangerous situation.  Like Odysseus' crafty idea with the Trojan Horse, an excellent mind can save situations, keep death at bay for a while longer, result in glory and fame, win when success seems impossible.

        Still, Odysseus (unwisely?) criticizes the goddess Athena! And she responds with....  Crafty Odysseus. And Athena is pleased. Pleased by what, exactly? Get some details, so that in class, we can isolate, explore and discuss. Then the loyal swineherd Eumaios welcomes the stranger and Odysseus tells him a whopper. Does Eumaios display Areté? Is it for slaves and servants in the Odyssey?  Then father and son meet. In their discussions, how does each show excellence, as well as show failings in that very area of Areté? 

       For example, how does Areté square with Odysseus' investigation of the Sirens?

          And not to be bound and boundaried like Odysseus investigating the Sirens, please feel free to range over all the past delights we have already read in the Odyssey to find examples, counter-examples, questions, explorations, ambiguities to apply to our growing understanding of Areté.

          Here is a helpful and focused area to explore:  Eumaios is a good servant, as Bk 14 reveals. What qualities describe the good servanthood of Eumaios? Are these qualities related to Areté? (remembering Jaeger's limitation of Areté to the Aristos--Arché.... hmmmm).

         As ever, continue with your Favorite Lines and bring questions, comments, thoughts, insights, likes, dislikes, values -- in others words, bring your true self and like Odysseus and Penelope, anticipate and prepare.