Special Guest: David Briggs on Homer's Odyssey and The Odyssey Complex

In this episode of the BGS Classics Podcast, Mr. Watkins and Mr. Keen welcome poet and teacher David Briggs to discuss his latest collection, The Odyssey Complex and Other Poems. The conversation delves into Homer’s Odyssey, midlife reflections, and the role of poetry in shaping and reshaping identity. David shares insights into his writing process, the themes that emerged from his exploration of nostos, xenia, and enantiodromia, and how Jungian psychology and Homeric storytelling intersect in his work.

Together, they examine Odysseus’ journey as a metaphor for midlife: the tension between ambition and reflection, the shifting nature of identity, and the challenges of finding one’s way home—both literally and metaphorically. They also discuss the oral tradition of Homer, the performative nature of storytelling, and the enduring power of poetry to capture life’s complexities.

Stay tuned for a reading from The Odyssey Complex that reimagines key moments from Odysseus’ journey through a contemporary poetic lens.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:32 The Odyssey Complex and Other Poems
• 1:58 The Odyssey in GCSE Class Civ
• 2:51 Enantiodromia
• 4:30 The Iliad vs The Odyssey
• 8:14 Nostos
• 9:52 Odysseus' identity and the search for yourself
• 13:07 Storytelling and performance
• 19:59 Poetry, metre, and rhythm
• 24:12 Xenia and Auden
• 30:16 Is Odysseus a good father?
• 34:31 Katabasis and the Underworld
• 38:47 Poetry Reading: The Odyssey Complex
• 39:09 The Odyssey Complex 1
• 40:00 The Odyssey Complex 2
• 40:50 The Odyssey Complex 3
• 41:43 The Odyssey Complex 4
• 42:35 The Odyssey Complex 5