The Odyssey
Books 1-2 by: Ryan
Summary
Odysseus is trapped on Calypso's Island, and is being seduced by her. Athena goes to Ithaca to visit Telemachus's home, and finds out that there are many suitors there. So she tells him to ask about his father and what he is up to.
Book 2:
Zeus send an omen of eagles fighting in mid-air which indicates that Odysseus will return soon and kill all of the suitors. Telemachus try to get a crew and set sail for his father.
Theme
The theme of the books is hospitality. Because in ancient Greece, people treat their guests with a lot of respect and care, when their are visitors. Same goes for the guests when they enter the home.
Quotes
"My guest, since indeed you are asking me all these questions, there was a time this house was one that might be prosperous and above reproach, when a certain man was here in his country." -Telemachus (Book 1)
This quote means that Telemachus considers his bad luck to the work of gods. The gods who favored them, no longer do and abandoned them.
“For his sake Poseidon, shaker of the earth, although he does not kill Odysseus, yet drives him back from the land of his fathers. But come, let all of us who are here work out his homecoming and see to it that he returns. Poseidon shall put away his anger; for all alone and against the will of the other immortal gods united he can accomplish nothing.” -Zeus (Book 1)
This qoute is telling us that Poseidon must let Odysseus to go home, no matter how much he makes him suffer on his journey. Eventually he must return home.