The Odyssey Overview Books 1 8 Book One
The Odyssey • Overview Books 1 -8
Book One • We pick up ten years after the fall of of Troy and the Trojan War • Odysseus has been a captive on Calypso’s Island for the last 8 years. • Unfortunately, Odysseus wife, Penelope, is still at home with their son Telemachus longing for her husband to come home. • Her home is invaded with suitors who wish to marry her.
Book Two • The suitors are upset with Penelope because she won’t marry any of them. • She promised she would marry one once she wove a shroud for Odysseus’ father. She actually unwove the shroud each night. • Zeus sends down two eagles to attack the suitors- this is an omen of death.
Book Two cont… • Athena, the God who is always on Odysseus’ side helps Odysseus’ son Telemachus form a crew to help him set sail and find his father. • Telemachus is a boy at this point, but this journey will soon mature him into a young man.
Book Three • Athena encourages Telemachus once he arrives at Pylos to seek out Old Nestor. • Nestor is important because he fought alongside Odysseus in the Trojan War. • Unfortunately many crews made it home safe after the war like Nestor’s, but many did not.
Book Four • With help from Nestor, Telemachus arrives at Menelaus’ mansion. • Who is Menelaus? • Telemachus learns of his father’s great tricks, especially his idea of the great wooden horse they used to invade Troy. • He also tells Telemachus the important news that his father, Odysseus, is a prisoner on Calypso’s Island.
Book Four cont… • Telemachus then plans to return to Ithaca, but the suitors learn of his journey. • The suitors then plan to ambush him upon his return. • Luckily Penelope learns of their plan and asks the God, Athena, for help. • Why did she ask Athena?
Book Five • Athena pleads to Zeus on behalf of Odysseus and Telemachus. • She pleads so Odysseus can be released from Calypso’s Island return home to his family. • Zeus commands that Calypso releases Odysseus. • Calypso is not happy because male Gods can have mortal lovers, but female Gods cannot. • See a trend in today’s society?
Book Five cont… • Calypso begs for Odysseus to stay. She even tells him she is better than his wife. Odysseus slyly tells her he longs for home (not for his wife). • Why do you think he said it that way and not the truth? • Once he is released Poseidon, God of the Sea, notices and conjures up a storm. • We will soon learn why Poseidon is out to get Odysseus…
Book Five cont… • Luckily Odysseus has Athena and she calms the storm. • Odysseus then has to swim for two days until he finally collapses on land.
Book Six • Athena then visits the Phaiakian (Greek) princess in a dream. • Therefore when Odysseus is out wandering around the princess it out washing clothes and meets Odysseus. • She then bathes him and cares for him.
Book Seven • Athena then changes form again and while Odysseus is out with the princess Athena appears to him as a little girl. • Athena leads Odysseus to the Phaiakian (Greek) palace. She shrouds him in mist along the way though so no one will see him. • Remember Odysseus has been away from home now for 17 years. He also fought with the Greeks during the Trojan War.
Book Eight • Athena now changes form again… • In the form of a crier (a public official who makes announcements) calls all of the towns people to assemble. • Everyone meets Odysseus and he asks the people for a ship and crew. • Throughout the story you will see acts of hospitality. It is expected…
Book Eight cont… • They agree and throw a festival for him. The people still do not know who he is. • The men challenge him to an archery contest. Odysseus does not agree but the men taunt him until he does so. • Let’s just say Odysseus put them all to shame with his athletic ability. • During the festival the Greeks begin to sing a song of the wooden horse that was used to invade Troy. Odysseus begins to weep. • Why do you think Odysseus weeps?
- Slides: 14
