The Odyssey Background
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Troy is based on The Iliad.
The Iliad and The Odyssey are both epics.
Epics are long narrative poems that are complex, revolve around several main characters, and span over many years.
Homerian epics (epics written by Homer) tell of the adventures of heroes.
These epic stories were told by rhapsodes (professionally trained poets who learned, taught, and performed a wealth of literary
material orally). They kept alive heroic Greeks of the past.
 The Greek heroes of the past embodied chivalric ideas. Chivalry refers to knights of the medieval period (they were loyal,
honorable, courageous).
 Arete’ are characteristics like intellect, courage, moral responsibility, insight, and ingenuity.
 This was highly valued by men especially when choosing a woman.
Book I
 Odysseus had been at the Trojan War—after the war he travels to different places and ends up on Calypso’s island. Calypso, a
witch and the daughter of Atlas, wants Odysseus to be her husband though Odysseus desires to return to Ithaca (his home
country).
 The gods pity him except Poseidon (b/c Odysseus blinds his son the Cyclops).
 While Poseidon feasts in Ethiopia on a sacrifice, the other gods meet on Mt. Olympus.
 With Athena leading the cause, the gods agree that Odysseus should be released. Hermes is sent to inform Calypso, and
Athena disguises herself as Mentes, a family friend, to talk to Telemachos (Odysseus’ son) to help him gain the courage to tell
the suitors who are trying to wed his mother to leave.
Major Themes Presented in Book I
 Development of Telemachos from a dependent boy to a mature, responsible adult. He is about 20 years old and has been
fatherless most of his life.
 He must learn to accept responsibility.
 Home and family are valued in epics—revealed through Odysseus being recruited to be a soldier.
 Loneliness is another major theme—shown through Penelopeia, Telemachos, and later Odysseus.
 Hospitality—shown through Telemachos.
Book II
 Telemachos’ new found confidence carries to Book II.
 Council meeting is called to discuss Telemachos’ loss of his father and the suitors taking over his house. He cries after his
speech—this is ironic b/c he was so confident just the night before.
 Antinoos (leader of the suitors) says it’s time for his mother to choose. Until she does, they will not leave.
 Antinoos also reveals that Penelopeia has Arete’.
 During the meeting two eagles fly overhead—this is a sign of the suitors’ ultimate death.
 With the help of Athena, Telemachus gathers men and a ship and sets sail for Pylos and Sparta to find out what happened to
his father.
Book III
 Following Athena’s advice, Telemachos visits King Nestor of Pylos to get information about his father.
 Athena accompanies him disguised as Mentor.
 Nestor tells Telemachos stories about Odysseus.
 Telemachos continues his search on horseback with Nestor’s son Peisistratos.
Book III-Key ideas
 Again hospitality is a key theme here!! Nestor shows this to his guests.
 Nestor describes Odysseus as resourceful and grand in all plots and plans and schemes.
 Athena reveals herself. She takes the shape of a sea-osprey as she departs.
 Nestor believes that Telemachos will be just fine since he’s accompanied by the gods.
Book IV
 Telemachos and Peisistratos arrive at Lacedaimon.
 Menelaus tells Telemachos of his travels with Odysseus and that Odysseus is trapped on an island by Calypso.
 Meanwhile Antinoos has learned that Telemachos has embarked on his journey and plots with the other suitors to kill him
upon his return to Ithaca. Penelope learns of Telemachos’ leaving and is upset.
Book IV—Key Notes
 Helen tells the story of Odysseus sneaking into the city of Troy.
 He was dressed as a beggar as he entered the city to discover all the secrets he could before returning to the camp.
 Menelaus says Odysseus was patient. He tells the story of Odysseus, while in the Trojan horse, keeping all the soldiers calm.
Heroes of Ancient Greece
 Most heroes are static characters
 Odysseus and Telemachos are dynamic
 They are more three dimensional that heroes like Achilles and Agamemnon.
 Odysseus and Telemachos reveal characteristics like intellect, moral responsibility, cunning, and compassion
 But they also have the typical characteristics of Greek heroes—loyalty, strength, and courage.
Book V
 Hermes is sent to Calypso’s island to order that she release Odysseus.
 Calypso complains about the double standard for gods and goddesses, but she does let him go.
 Odysseus builds a raft to use to sail to the land of the Phaicians.
 Poseidon sees him and is angry. He causes Odysseus’ raft to be destroyed, but Odysseus does make it to his destination.
Book VI
 Odysseus meets Nausicaa, daughter of Alcinoos.
 He gives her great compliments and requests clothes and directions to the city.
 She has him clothed and bathed and he travels with them to the city.
 Hospitality is shown here again! Women are hospitable too. Some question this: part of the custom or are women secondary
to men.
Book VII
 Odysseus comes to Alcinoos’ palace.
 He throws himself at Arete’s feet. This woman is beloved by all.
 Odysseus is accepted by them.
 Arete asks Odysseus who he is.
 He says he was with Calypso for 7 years.
Book VIII
 Athena makes Odysseus appear strong so all will fear and respect him. She knows they will put challenges before him
today.
 A minstrel tells the tale of Achilles and Odysseus arguing at a banquet.
 At this Odysseus is sad and Alcinoos says let’s play games & make him happy.
 Odysseus shows off his strength in one game.
 They feast, dance, and play games—Alcinoos wants him to brag about his nation to others.
 At the end of the Book, the minstrel sings a song about the Trojan horse. Odysseus cries again and Alcinoos asks who he
is, where he’s from, and about his travels.
Book IX
 Odysseus tells his story.
 After he left Troy he goes to:
o Ismaros (destroyed city, spared women, was attacked by survivors and neighbors)
o Land of the Lotus-Eaters (the antives fed some of their lotus to some of Odysseus’ men—it made them want to
stay)
o Land of the Cyclopians (lawless, violent tribe) he searches the island and wanders into Polyphemos’ cave. When
Polyphemos returned with flock, he’s angry that they’re in his home. He eats some of the ment before Odysseus
pokes his eye out. When they try to escape Polyphemos blocks the door. The men hide under the bellies of the
rams to get out.
 Odysseus reveals his arrogance (a flaw of the evolved hero).
 Odysseus reveals his cunningness.
Book X
 Odysseus and his crew reach the island of Aioloa and meet Aiolos. He provides Odysseus with a bag containing storm winds
to help them sail.
 While sleeping, his crew think its filled with silver and gold and optn it letting out all the winds.
 They return to Aiolos’ island who believes his journey is cursed and refuses to help.
 Odysseus and his men reach Lamos, home of the giant Laistrygonians. The king and queen eat one of the men and the crew
barely escapes as the others shoot boulders at the retreating ship.
 Men arrive at the island of Circe. Odyseus send men to meet the inhabitants. Circe feeds them and adds something to their
drinks. They turn to swine save one who returns to Odysseus.
 Hermes meets Odysseus, gives a plant that will make him immune to the pig poison, tells him he must be with Circe to reverse
the curse on the men, and then threaten her with death.
 Odysseus does this and she tells him he must sail to Hades and speak with Teiresias.
Book XI
 Odysseus and his men go to the end boundary of this world and perform a ritual to summon Teiresias. He sees Teiresias, his
mother, and a crew member.
 Teiresias gives him his predictions and leaves.
 Odysseus stops his story and tells Alcinoos about others that he saw.
Book XII
 Odysseus and his crew return to Circe’s island and she tells him about the dangers they will face.
 The men plug their ears before they reach the Sirens so they won’t be enticed by their song to leap into the water. Odysseus is
tied to the mast so he can hear but not fall victim.
 They then must sail between Scylla, a 6 headed sea monster that devours sailors, and the Kharybdis, the treacherous whirlpools
that will suck ships under the ocean.
 They pass closer to Scylla and lose 6 men.
 The men reach the Island of Helios to rest. They were told by Teiresias and Circe not to eat the oxen there or they would be
punished. The men do not obey and when they leave Zeus sends a storm and wrecks the ship. Odysseus holds on to floating
pieces of the ship and drifts to Calypso’s island.
 The rest of the story his audience knows.
Book XIII
 Odysseus finishes story.
 The next day Alcinoos and others provide Odysseus with gifts and supplies and men with which to return home.
 Odysseus makes it to Ithaca where he is dropped off. The Phaicians then begin their journey home.
 Poseidon is mad that Odysseus has a safe trip home. Zeus allows him to turn the Phaician ship into stone just outside the
Ithaca port.
 Alcinoos finds out about this and vows to never help a stranger again. The theme of hospitality has consequences: good and
bad.
 When Odysseus wakes, Athena (disguised as a shepherd) tells him where he is. She then changes into a woman and tells
Odysseus who she is.
 The two plan the death of the suitors and Odysseus is turned into an old man until he is reunited with his son and crew
members.