Question

List the examples of important details the author chose to omit in the odyssey. Explain how these missing details contribute to the emotional power of the piece.

Answer 1

When the Cyclops dies in the text, the author doesn’t talk about him anymore because it would be sad to know that he died. The author also took out details of the sheep because he thought that it would be boring for the story. The author also left out details of Odysseus’ peers because it would be sad to talk about them.

Answer 2

1- The author did not add details about the cyclops, so as to not make the tone sad after he is harmed, by making us like him first. It would not only be sad to like the cyclops, but we would resent the one hurting him as well.

2- The author left out details about the sheep, seeing as they’d take away from the adventure and the excitement. Among all the exciting things we encounter in the story of Odysseus, reading about sheep is hardly one of them.

3- The author omitted details about Odysseus’ fellows as to not add too much sadness to the tone. Reading about their stories and lives would've been nice but, like in point one, it would be sad (and the reader would feel upset) because as they die it would be like some sort of joke.