OCR A Level Classical Civilisation Paper 1 (H408/11) - 14th May 2024 [Exam Chat]

1.

Disguise as something associated with the divine - Here, I'd talk about how disguise is often associated with the Gods, which means that when used by mortals, it's generally a much more impressive strategy. A good example is Theoxenia and how mortals must be cautious that gods often blend in amongst mortals, with Athene appearing as Mentes. Her disguise as Telemachus when preparing ships in Bk2, her accompanying Telemachus as Mentor through Bk3/4. Disguise is a means for the gods to intervene with mortal lives.

2.

Disguise as a method of showing Odysseus' metis - Quite general praise of Odysseus' intelligence, and possibly reference to how it enables him to gain the upper hand on his enemy. For example, Odysseus' commitment to his disguise at Troy (wearing rags, wounding himself) and the fact that he was the first to infiltrate the city in 10 years, Polyphemus and 'Nobody,' guarantees a safe escape, and also his beggar disguise in Ithaca, which allows him to determine which suitors/maids must be punished.

3.

Consequences/dangers of revealing yourself - Disguises in the Odyssey are a means of protection. Odysseus makes a fatal error when calling out his name to Polyphemus as it allows a curse to be placed upon him by Polyphemus. Odysseus learns from this, and he avoids questioning on Phaeacia asking for his identity. Agamemnon also warns Odysseus not to sail into the port of Ithaca, for fear that he will meet the same fate as he did at the hands of his wife, he must conceal his return and investigate first. The whole time Odysseus is in the palace as the beggar, a slip of his identity may be fatal as he would be overwhelmed by the suitors.

1.

Telemachus' uncertainty/naivety - He begins the epic as a poor example of the son of a great hero, he lacks guidance and a role model. He's disconsolate amongst the suitors, allowing them to ruin his home and pursue his mother with almost no consequence. I'd also draw attention to his emotional outbursts, notably in Bk2 at the assembly. Though what he says is justified, the suitors are in the wrong, the streaming tears and anger can be viewed as quite childish and inappropriate, not yet like his father with his measured way of speaking. He has moments of insecurity, namely in Bk3 when he is the last to leave the ship at Pylos. He feels he is not yet wise enough to address another king, and must be nudged by Athene/Mentor. Could also squeeze in about how Menelaus scolds him after making a comment about the palace in Sparta being as grand/luxurious as Zeus' home in Olympus.

2.

Telemachus' growth - I'd mention a point about Athene acting as a surrogate father who doesn't make Telemachus into a hero, but draws his inner heroism out. He is able to address his mother and dismiss her as the leading man of the house, despite her surprise at his newfound authority. Telemachus addresses the suitors and defends his home. His displays of xenia are great, and that sets him up as a heroic figure, directly contrasted against the suitors.

3.

Telemachus' aid to Odysseus - Though he isn't perfect and does make some mistakes, for example leaving the store room door open in Bk22, Telemachus tries his hardest to help and learn from his father. He has a heroic moment of justice when he kills Amphinomus and brings Odysseus the weapons he needs to slaughter the suitors. He helps him spare the innocent in Bk22 (Phemius, Medon) and punish the maids for their crimes against the household. Like Odysseus, Telemachus helps in delivering divine justice.

1.

Disguise as something associated with the divine - Here, I'd talk about how disguise is often associated with the Gods, which means that when used by mortals, it's generally a much more impressive strategy. A good example is Theoxenia and how mortals must be cautious that gods often blend in amongst mortals, with Athene appearing as Mentes. Her disguise as Telemachus when preparing ships in Bk2, her accompanying Telemachus as Mentor through Bk3/4. Disguise is a means for the gods to intervene with mortal lives.

2.

Disguise as a method of showing Odysseus' metis - Quite general praise of Odysseus' intelligence, and possibly reference to how it enables him to gain the upper hand on his enemy. For example, Odysseus' commitment to his disguise at Troy (wearing rags, wounding himself) and the fact that he was the first to infiltrate the city in 10 years, Polyphemus and 'Nobody,' guarantees a safe escape, and also his beggar disguise in Ithaca, which allows him to determine which suitors/maids must be punished.

3.

Consequences/dangers of revealing yourself - Disguises in the Odyssey are a means of protection. Odysseus makes a fatal error when calling out his name to Polyphemus as it allows a curse to be placed upon him by Polyphemus. Odysseus learns from this, and he avoids questioning on Phaeacia asking for his identity. Agamemnon also warns Odysseus not to sail into the port of Ithaca, for fear that he will meet the same fate as he did at the hands of his wife, he must conceal his return and investigate first. The whole time Odysseus is in the palace as the beggar, a slip of his identity may be fatal as he would be overwhelmed by the suitors.

1.

Telemachus' uncertainty/naivety - He begins the epic as a poor example of the son of a great hero, he lacks guidance and a role model. He's disconsolate amongst the suitors, allowing them to ruin his home and pursue his mother with almost no consequence. I'd also draw attention to his emotional outbursts, notably in Bk2 at the assembly. Though what he says is justified, the suitors are in the wrong, the streaming tears and anger can be viewed as quite childish and inappropriate, not yet like his father with his measured way of speaking. He has moments of insecurity, namely in Bk3 when he is the last to leave the ship at Pylos. He feels he is not yet wise enough to address another king, and must be nudged by Athene/Mentor. Could also squeeze in about how Menelaus scolds him after making a comment about the palace in Sparta being as grand/luxurious as Zeus' home in Olympus.

2.

Telemachus' growth - I'd mention a point about Athene acting as a surrogate father who doesn't make Telemachus into a hero, but draws his inner heroism out. He is able to address his mother and dismiss her as the leading man of the house, despite her surprise at his newfound authority. Telemachus addresses the suitors and defends his home. His displays of xenia are great, and that sets him up as a heroic figure, directly contrasted against the suitors.

3.

Telemachus' aid to Odysseus - Though he isn't perfect and does make some mistakes, for example leaving the store room door open in Bk22, Telemachus tries his hardest to help and learn from his father. He has a heroic moment of justice when he kills Amphinomus and brings Odysseus the weapons he needs to slaughter the suitors. He helps him spare the innocent in Bk22 (Phemius, Medon) and punish the maids for their crimes against the household. Like Odysseus, Telemachus helps in delivering divine justice.