Dr. Dalby:
With all due respect, I believe your hypothesis is not very plausible, although it's possible. My impression is based on Homer's intimate knowledge of Sailing.
I admit I reread both works about 13 yrs. ago and am remembering somewhat fuzzily, but I recollect Homer had some grasp of sailing mechanics. I consider operating and navigating a ship to be the "moon shot" of its time.
Even today with much better and simpler equipment and navigation, from my observation, most sailors are men.
From common sense, or whatever convoluted reasoning passes for it in me, I conclude, without having read your book that I'm quite skeptical of your hypothesis.
I will read 'Rediscovering Homer' and give your reasoning a fair shake. I also apologize for being dismissive. My pedant is showing. Forgive me!
Sincerely,
shamusotool
Thanks, Shamusotoole, that's all I ask. No need for apology! Yes, I understand the point about the poet's skills: sailing and boat-building are fine examples (cheese-making, too). Yet it's a complicated argument when we're talking about a poem from oral tradition, because such details can be inherited from earlier poets. The fact is, we won't ever know as much as we would like about this poet ...