just a few observations...

     After Tuesday's class I started looking for things such as weaving & shining women which seem to repeat throughout the tale.  While we do see Penelope standing by the pillar and shining, another thing maybe worth discussing in class further is the constant reference to Odysseus as a bird (in particular a bird of prey).    This occurs many times and the characters always do the work for us when they analyze Homer's symbol as a representation of Odysseus.  I guess Homer didn't want us to miss that! 

     Another lens I looked through the story with was one that looked for mirrors of other portions of the tale or even the Iliad.  I find it interesting that Odysseus has to invade his own country (in disguise as a beggar).  It is perhaps intended to bring the story "full-circle;" he left to invade Troy and now upon his return, he must invade Ithaka. Additionally, again we have our hero wearing a disguise upon his entry, which we learned in previous book (book 3, I think) that he did the same thing in Troy (only Helen recognized him).

     In response to Stephanie's blog, I think that he did change in regards to resisting temptation.  In the last few tales he resists the urge to fight the suitors who taunt him, & he resists the urge see & tell Penelope who he is.  The taunting I feel is almost a test he must pass because we learn that the Gods not only allow the taunting , but encourage it.  Earlier in the tale Odysseus, cannot resist temptation in many instances (in particular with Polyphemus, the Cyclops).  Later he avoids temptation when having his men tie him to the mast.  And finally, he resists the temptation on his own when he returns home.