- Summary
- Various authors
- Homer - Odyssey
The events of the poem take place 10 years after the end of the Trojan War. All attention is turned to Odysseus, who was captured by the nymph Calypso on his way to his homeland. Odysseus's wife Penelope waits every day for her husband to return from the war, despite the fact that many fans fight for her love every day. The wife remains faithful, because she is sure that her husband is alive. At this time, the gods call a meeting to elect a messenger and choose Athena. The goddess decides to visit Odysseus' son Telemachus to ask the guy to go straight to Sparta and Pylos to find out what happened to Odysseus.
The ruler of Pylos, Nestor, advises the guy to go straight to Sparta, where Telemachus learns that Odysseus is in captivity. After the young man sets off, the admirers of Odysseus’s wife decide to kill him upon his return.
The gods, through Hermes, order the nymph to free Odysseus. After the main character is free, he immediately decides to make a raft and go to sea. Poseidon creates a storm because he doesn’t like Odysseus, but he still survives, finding himself on the island of Scheria. The island is inhabited by sailors, so Odysseus encounters the daughter of the king of the island, Alcinous. The king decides to organize a feast for his special guest. At the feast, the main character tells his story about everything that happened to him. After an impressive story, the sailors are going to help the main character return to his homeland. But after the rescue ship ends up at sea, Poseidon turns it into a rock. Athena makes Odysseus an elderly homeless man, and in this form he goes to Eumaeus.
Upon returning home, Telemachus deals with Penelope's admirers. After a short time, the young man goes straight to Eumaeus and encounters Odysseus. Returning to his homeland, Odysseus realizes that no one recognizes him as himself, and everyone begins to mock him. At this time, Odysseus's wife organizes a competition between her fans. All that is needed in order to complete the task of the competition is to shoot her husband’s bow so that the arrow crosses 12 rings. A real bow owner can handle it. Afterwards, Odysseus decides to tell his wife a secret that only the two of them know, and Penelope recognizes Odysseus. The main character deals with everyone who mocked him, as well as with the fans of his wife. The relatives of those killed by Odysseus oppose him, but he manages to get along with everyone
Detailed retelling of the Odyssey
The work itself begins with the author addressing the Muse. It describes events taking place ten years after the fall of Troy. Odysseus (the character of the work) returns from another war and on his way home becomes a prisoner of the nymph Calypso, who does not want to let him go. In Ithaca, Odysseus is waiting for his faithful wife Penelope. Every day people woo her as husbands. But she is convinced that her husband will return, and sends everyone home. The goddesses at the council decide to make Athena the messenger. She appears to Telemachus (the heir of Odysseus) and convinces him to go in search of Odysseus to Pylos and Sparta.
The leader of Pylos, Nestor, gives Telemachus information about the Achaean leaders. Then he tells him to talk to Menelaus in Sparta. They told him that he was captured by Calypso. The guy's departure to Telemachus prompted Penelope's suitors to ambush him and later kill him on his way back.
Hermes, on behalf of the gods, orders Calypso to release Odysseus. Once free, the former prisoner builds a raft and sets sail. Odysseus's enemy, Poseidon, creates a storm at sea. But Odysseus was destined to survive and he ended up on the island of Scheria. Its inhabitants are seafarers with fast ships. On the island, Odysseus met Nausicaa (daughter of King Alcinous) and she organized a feast in his honor. At the celebration, the hero spoke about what happened to him, and the sailors wanted to help him. But Poseidon tried his best here too. He turned their ship into a cliff. Athena made Odysseus into a poor old man. He goes to live with the pig shepherd Eumaeus.
On the way home, Telemachus manages to avoid an ambush by obscene admirers. Next, Telemachus’ path goes to the swineherd in Eumaeus. It was there that he saw his father. Returning home, Odysseus realized that no one recognized him. Everyone continues to mock him. He is fully prepared to take revenge on his wife’s so-called suitors. Penelope decides to organize a competition between competitors for her heart. The task is to shoot an arrow from her husband’s bow through twelve rings. The competition was tricky. Only the owner of the bow could do this. Thus, Penelope recognizes her husband in the old man. And this secret is now for two. Soon, the angry Odysseus kills everyone who mocked him, and at the same time kills his wife’s suitors. The relatives of the dead try to rebel against Odysseus, but he manages to make peace with everyone...
Until a certain point, Homeric works were not known in the European Middle Ages. The language of Ancient Greece was forgotten for a long time. The fall of Constantinople provoked scientists to recall Homer and his poems. The Iliad aroused greater interest over a long period of time. At the turn of the fifth and sixth centuries, people became interested in the Odyssey. Elements of the poem were modified by writers of the Middle Ages.
For a long time, "Odyssey" was unacceptable for Europe. The portrait of the princess washing her clothes with her own hands could not fit into my head. Expressions such as “divine swineherd” simply stunned readers. The lowliness could only be appreciated by representatives of the New Age - theorists of bourgeois literature. They considered this phenomenon a sanctimonious retreat.
If we talk about the essence of the poem, then most likely this is a story about true love, tested over the years of life and through trials. Penelope waited for Odysseus for many summers, as indicated by the adult child they had together. Not every woman can achieve such a feat. Despite the great temptation of numerous suitors, she was able to resist the weakness of gluttony - the act of a sincerely loving woman. Even though everyone was talking about Odysseus's death, Penelope knew that he was alive. Women's intuition has never failed the fair sex.
All modern women should learn such a devoted feeling from Penelope...
A brief retelling of the Odyssey through songs
The shortened narrative tells how the main character overcomes various obstacles to return to his homeland. He has to protect his wife from annoying suitors, after which he regains his former glory and power on the island.
Song 1
Olympus, divine assembly - Athena manages to persuade the “council” to help Odysseus, who has proven himself to be a brave warrior, return home. The man has to constantly hide from Poseidon, who is angry that Polyphemus is deprived of his eye by the hands of the protagonist. The killings were avoided. Instead, the character is sent far, far away from his homeland. Now we have to find our way home.
Athena goes to Telemachus and advises her to get rid of her mother's suitors. The guy obeys the goddess and reminds his mother that his father is alive, but missing. The suitors have to leave the house of the beautiful Penelope.
Song 2
Telemachus convenes a meeting in the square and talks about his mother’s annoying suitors. The young guy demands that the visitors leave the territory, but the most arrogant and annoying of them disobey, and even insist that Penelope is a liar. Allegedly, she weaves clothes for Odysseus day after day, and unties them at night in order to postpone the issue of further marriage.
Athena helps the “Odyssean” son find a ship, and then sail to Pylos, meeting Nestor there. An old acquaintance of my father, a warrior of the Trojan events.
Song 3
Zeus's wife sets up Telemachus to travel to Nestor to find out what he is hiding. The guy is trying to find out at least something about his father, realizing what misadventures exist.
The king, to whom the young man came, advises him to sail to Lacedaemon and talk with Minelaus. So “new acquaintances” go there together.
Song 4
If we talk further about the work in question, in the fourth chapter the events are interpreted as follows: Peisistratus and Telemachus find Minelaus, who invites travelers to a dinner party held in honor of the children’s wedding. The ruler and his wife recognize their friend’s son and tell him that Odysseus became famous during the Trojan War. The king reports that Telemachus’s father is Calypso’s prisoner.
At this time, Penelope's fans decide to kill her son. A woman calls on the gods for help.
Song 5
Zeus helps the main character by forcing the evil siren Calypso to release the once powerful and brave captive. The man builds something like a raft, receives everything he needs from his “past master” and sets off on his next voyage. But Poseidon disrupts all plans - the storm he sent destroys the raft. Athena and the sea nymph Ino help the ruler of Ithaca reach Scheria.
Song 6
Nausicaa dreams of Athena, who insists that she take her friends and slaves to go do laundry early in the morning. The girl does as told. It's time to rest. The girls take the ball and go play with it. The place of the games turns out to be near Odysseus’s overnight stay. The laughter of beauties wakes up the hero. He talks about misadventures and asks for asylum. The princess offers to go to daddy's domain.
Song 7
Nausicaä helps the traveler get to his “destination” without anyone noticing that something is wrong/strange. There, Odysseus, without giving a name, asks for help in returning home. The king invites him to a meal. The Wanderer talks about the kindness of Nausicaä and his “adventures.”
Alcinous likes the tactfulness of the guest, he is ready to give his daughter to him as a wife. The final decision should be up to the “groom”. They assure him that the ruler will not be offended and will not take revenge for the refusal. You don't have to be afraid of captivity either. Odysseus thanks for the hospitality and prepares to sail to his homeland.
Song 8
What else does The Odyssey have in store? in Chapter 8, a brief summary indicates the holding of the Sheriya competition - a spectacular event that received the attention of the ruler. Afterwards everyone returns to the “house”. Alkina rewards the guest. Afterwards, the work tells how Demodocus, during the feast, sings about the Trojan Horse and brings tears to the guest of the state. The singing stops, and the wanderer talks about the cause of the disorder.
Song 9
The wanderer tells his story, describing the Trojan events in vivid colors. After dinner, some of the hero's warriors forget about their homeland. The man gathers the most faithful and continues his journey.
Soon the wanderers find themselves in the home of a certain Polyphemus, who eats half of the warriors. The others escape after hitting the Cyclops's only eye with an olive branch.
Canto 10
Odysseus and his soldiers sail to the island where Aeolus rules. He orders Zephyr to help the wanderers until they reach their homeland and gives the central figure of the story a bag of winds.
The warriors believed that there was treasure in the bag and untied the bag, releasing the winds. The ship returns to its original point, but Eol refuses to help again. The wanderers end up with Circe, who decided to poison Odysseus. Thanks to Hermes, the hero deceives the goddess and rescues his team. They live on the island for a year and then go home. Circe sends Odysseus to the kingdom of the dead to find out his fate from Tiresias.
Song 11
The main character meets Tiresias, who says not to touch Helios. Here he manages to meet the spirit of his mother, after which he has to tell Alcinous about the meeting of the ghosts of Agamemnon, Patroclus, Ajax and Achilles. Succumbing to fear, the man returns to the ship.
Song 12
The team returns to Circe, who this time is more supportive and ready to come to the rescue. But during the journey, the team ends up with powerful sirens - the main figure of the poem is tied to the mast so that he does not escape. Afterwards there was a hike through the whirlpools of Kharibtha. The result is the loss of more team members and arrival at Trinacria.
There, starving people slaughtered the Sun God. Helios demands revenge from Zeus - he sends a storm that kills everyone except Odysseus.
Song 13
Alcinous helps the hero get to Ithaca, for which Poseidon turns the Phaeacian ship into a rock. The main character takes a long time to realize where he ended up. Athena reports that the story is not over yet - there will be troubles if you sit with your hands folded. Next he suggests how you can get rid of Penelope's suitors. The man is turned into a poor old man.
Song 14
The wanderer finds the house of Eumaeus and tells that the ruler of Ithaca will soon return. They don't believe the old man. Odysseus makes up his own story about the wars in Troy.
Song 15
Athena reminds Telemachus of his father’s imminent return, after which the young man sails away from Lacedaemon. The ruler of Ithaca tells Eumaeus about his plans. He wants to serve Penelope's suitors, but the old man dissuades him. We need to wait for Telemachus, who is almost home.
Song 16
Eumaeus meets the son of the ruler of Ithaca, then goes to inform Penelope of his return. Under the guidance of Athena, the poor old man tells Telemachus the truth, after which they decide how to get rid of their suitors.
Song 17
Studying what is proposed therefore, in chapter 17 the reader will see the heroes returning home. Penelope's suitors are hypocrites before Telemachus. The main character returns to his wife, where the dog recognizes him and dies. The elder asks his wife's suitors for alms, Antinous throws a stool at the poor man.
Song 18
The girl is grieving over her difficult fate - she can’t hesitate any longer, she needs to decide something with her betrothed. The feast takes place in the “best traditions” - with a brawl.
Song 19
The suitors leave, Odysseus and his son take out armor and weapons. The elder talks to his wife, telling her a fictitious story - he supposedly should go home soon. Penelope talks about her missing husband and that now, since there is no ruler, the issue of the “love front” needs to be resolved.
The nanny of the “old” ruler of Ithaca helps the old man wash his feet, noting the resemblance to Odysseus. The maid recognizes the master and almost betrays him. Penelope decides to have a competition with a bow - the weapon of her missing husband will have to pierce the target. Whoever succeeds will become the beauty’s chosen one.
Song 20
The suitors who saw the sign gather at Penelope's. So the idea of killing Telemachus goes away. Theoclymenus predicts a quick death for men.
Song 21
The grooms competition begins. No one can hit the bull's eye, no matter how hard they try. Odysseus asks for a chance to shoot - the participants riot, and Telemachus gives his go-ahead. The shooter hits the target with ease.
Song 22
The ruler of Ithaca takes off his rags, kills Antinous and reveals his identity, threatening his wife's suitors with terrible punishment.
Song 23
The poem "Odyssey" from Homer briefly tells the story of the ruler of Ithaca, who in chapter 23 puts Penelope in an awkward position: she does not believe that everything is over and has returned to normal. We have to tell a secret that only spouses understand. The couple talks throughout the night, and the next morning the man goes to Laertes.
About the poem of Odysseus
The poem was born second after the Iliad. The authorship is attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer. Research has shown that it was written in the eighth century BC. Maybe a little later. The poem contains twenty-four songs, consisting of twelve thousand one hundred and ten poems. Perhaps the Odyssey was created by Homer on the coast of Hellas. Tribes of Ionians lived there. Now Türkiye is located there.
Most likely, there is actually no prototype of the Odyssey poem. Although all the characters existed at the time of writing. The poem reveals Minoan culture and Hittite mythology.
You can use this text for a reader's diary
Read a summary of Homer's Odyssey
Ten years have passed since the Trojan War. The gods of Olympus gathered for a council. Zeus's beloved daughter Athena makes a speech to her father, asking for intercession for Odysseus, who is being held captive by Calypso. The nymph in love does not want to let the hero go, but he yearns for home and family. At home he is considered dead. His wife Penelope is annoyed by suitors who demand that Ithaca elect a new ruler and her a husband. The woman deceives them, promising that she will choose a husband only then finish weaving a shroud for the old father of Odysseus. However, during the day she works, and at night she secretly unties her shroud from everyone. But the suitors are bothering her more and more. The Odyssean mother is supported by her son Telemachus, whom no one takes into account because of his youth. One day a stranger appears to the young man and advises him to equip a ship and sail around the area to find out something about his father. If he hears that he is alive, let him tell the suitors to wait another year, but if the father has died, the mother will choose a new husband immediately after the funeral. With these words, the wanderer disappeared, because it was Athena herself. Telemachus did just that. He sails to the Achaean commanders who returned from the war - Nestor and Menelaus. From the latter he learns that his father is being held captive by Calypso.
At this time, Zeus sends Hermes to the sorceress with an order to release the captive. The nymph is saddened, but does not dare to disobey. However, Odysseus does not have a ship to sail with. He makes a raft and goes out to sea. Seeing that the prisoner has escaped, Poseidon, who hates the hero, sends a storm against him. The sea nymph and Athena help him. On the third day, Odysseus sails to the land where Alcinous rules. Here the king's daughter finds him and brings him to her father.
At Alcinous's feast, Odysseus reveals his name and talks about his wanderings. First he came to the lotus eaters, where the lotus grows, after tasting which a person forgets about everything, which is what happened to the hero’s companions. They were returned to the ship by force. Then he went to the Cyclops and blinded the son of Poseidon, for which God takes revenge on him, not allowing him to return home. Fleeing from the storm, he sailed to the island of the god Aeolus, who gave him a bag of winds as a gift. Odysseus was supposed to release them when he returned home. However, already off the coast of his native Ithaca, the hero fell asleep, and his companions untied the bag, and the winds broke out, causing a hurricane to arise and carry the ship out to sea. One day, Odysseus landed on the shore of giants, who brought down large rocks on his ships.
Only one ship was saved. On it, the travelers swam to the sorceress Kirke, who turned them into pigs. Odysseus received a gift from Hermes, and the spell was powerless against him. He forced the witch to return her friends to human form and demanded that they return home. But she only said that they needed to ask advice from the dead prophet Tiresias. Odysseus descends to the kingdom of the dead and, at the instigation of Kirka, slaughters a black ram. The souls of the dead flock to his blood, among whom the wanderer finds the prophet. He predicts his return home. He also manages to talk to his mother and dead friends. Then, with the help of cunning, he managed to swim past the sirens, Scylla and Charybdis. Finally, he ends up on the island of Helios, where his hungry companions, while he was sleeping, disobeyed his order not to touch the sacred bulls and rams, and slaughtered the animals. Seeing this, Helios asked Zeus to punish the offenders. After leaving the island, the ship encountered a terrible storm. Everyone died, and only Odysseus, on a piece of log, ended up on the shore of Calypso.
Alcinous gives the traveler a ship and he returns safely to Ithaca. Here Athena meets him and turns him into a beggar old man. He asks for shelter from the old swineherd Eumaeus. The goddess sends his son here, who has just returned from his wanderings, and Odysseus reveals himself to Telemachus. All together they go to the palace, the hero again in the guise of an old man. However, he is immediately recognized by his dog, and later by the old maid. At this time, Penelope organizes a competition: she must string Odysseus’s bow and shoot an arrow so that it passes through 12 rings. But none of the 120 suitors can even string a bow. Then a beggar asks to participate in the competition. He releases an arrow and it, flying through the rings, pierces the wall.
Odysseus stands before the people in his true form, and the suitors attack him. He, together with Telemachus, defeats everyone. The maid announces the return of her husband to Penelope, but she does not believe that it is him. Then Odysseus says that if this is so, he will sleep alone. Penelope orders the bed to be taken from the royal bedroom to his chamber. Odysseus replies that this is impossible because he himself made the bed so that instead of legs it has a stump. Penelope throws herself on her husband's chest. However, the relatives of the dead suitors decide to take revenge on Odysseus, but Zeus and Athena stop the discord.
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