The Odyssey Part 1
by Homer
Homer asks for muse
He asks the muse to tell his story. He says "sing in me, muse, and through me tell the story"
Lit. term is innovation
Homer foreshadowed the events that happened
He is giving clues on what will happen next. He states "He saw the town lands and learned the mind of many distant men"
lit. term: foreshadowing
Odysseus washes onto Calypso's island
For seven years, Odysseus and Calypso slept together. Calypso states " son of laertes, versatile odysseus, after these years with me, you still desire to go home?"
Hermes demands to be released
Hermes is forced to let Odysseus go. He says "Zeus sends the messenger God, Hermes, to Calypso's island to order for Odysseus' release."
Calypso tries to tempt Odysseus
Calypso tries tempting Odysseus with thoughts of mortality and being with her. The story says "even her promises of immorality for Odysseus- threaten to keep the hero away from his wife, Penelope."
This is the beginning of the frame story
The story is being told to the King by Odysseus and it says " Odysseus is found by the daughter of Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians. That evening he is a guest at court."
lit. term: frame story
Odysseus asks to hear a song
He cries because the song reminds him of his home. "Odysseus weeps, as the minstrel's reminds him of all his companions that will never see their homes again"
Odysseus and his men fight the cicones
They steal their sheep and rape the women. There were 6 men lost per ship. Odysseus says "I stormed that place and killed the men who fought"
Meeting of the Lotus eaters
When you eat the lotus, it makes you lose the want to go home. "No one takes the lotus you will lose your hope of home."
lit. term: archetype
They ran into the Cyclops
The Cyclops held them hostage because they had taken his food and sat on his bed. "We lit a fire, burnt an offering, and took some cheese to eat."
They trick the Cyclops
They escape the cyclops when they stabbed him in the eye. "O hear me, lord, blue girdler of the islands, if I am thine indeed, and thou art father grant that Odysseus, raider of cities, never see is home laertes' son"
The wind in the bag blew away
Odysseus was given a bag of air to help him get home. His men opened the bag and the wind was released which ruined his chances of getting home. " He put all the stormy winds in a bag so it would not harm the ithacans."
They end up on Circe's island
Circe turned men into animals, Odysseus ate a plant that makes him immune to it, they sleep together for about a year. " Down to the ship Eurylochus came running to cry, foul magic doomed his men." Every ship was destroyed other than Odysseus' ship.
Odysseus is informed by Circe
Odysseus is told to go alone to the land of the dead to get home, this is where he learned his destiny. "Respond to their pleas with the command that Odysseus alone descend to the land of the dead." She is told to surpass the monsters.
The Sun God's cattle got eaten by Odysseus' men
Only Odysseus survives when Zeus punishes Odysseus' men.
"O father Zeus and Gods in bliss forever, punish Odysseus' men!"
They take him back to Ithaca after he washes up on the kings island.
Odysseus returns home to Ithaca
He returns home dressed up as a beggar and finds his son. Odysseus says "No, no I am that father whom your boyhood lacked and suffered pain for lack of."
lit. term: Divine Intervention
Son and Father make a plan
They both make a plan and Athena tells them it will work.
"Athena' reassures him."
Odysseus meets up with his old pet
The dog that Odysseus had from 20 years ago remembers him when he returns home.
"only one creature recognizes him."
The challenge is completed
Odysseus kills the suitors and completes the challenge of the bow.
"blood ran smoking over the whole floor."
lit. term: imagery
Odysseus gets tested by Penelope
Odysseus is tested by Penelope because she thinks the God is trying to trick her. Odysseus passes the test and they reunite after 20 years.
"She too rejoiced her gaze upon her husband, her white arms round him pressed, as though forever."
lit. term: epithet