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Major Works Data Sheet
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Title of the Work: Odyssey
Author: Homer
Date of Publication: 1996

Genre: Epic

Historical information about the Setting: In Greek mythology, “The Odyssey” took place in Troy after the Trojan War was going on. The Achaeans were after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus who is the king of Sparta. It started with Athena and Aphrodite fighting for the golden apple. Paris was chosen to judge the both of them because the gods thought of him as the most beautiful man alive. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite both promised him something, at the end; Paris chose Aphrodite for the promise of the most beautiful women alive and promised that Helen would be his wife so he wanted to kidnap her even after two prophecies and his mother tried to stop him which caused the war. The war ended with the Trojan horse and the burning of Troy.

Plot summary: The epic stats when Homer is trapped on Calypso’s island and needs to go back home after the Trojan War. He has been stuck on the island for about seven years. While in Ithica, also known as Odysseus’s home, his family is worried and wonders if Odysseus is still alive. Suitors rush Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, to remarry to one of the suitors. Penelope promised she would after she finishes weaving a shroud for Laertes, but every night, Penelope would unravel the shroud. Telemachus was going on a trip to Pylos and Sparta to help him mature and find out about his father, Odysseus, with the help of Athena who is disguised as Mentor. Telemachus reaches Nestor and asks about Odysseus, but he also has no news of Odysseus other than Odysseus stayed with Agamemnon. Telemachus soon found out how Agamemnon was murdered by his wife’s lover. Soon after, the suitors found out about both voyages and plans to ambush Telemachus and Odysseus on their way back which causes worry to Penelope. The gods had a meeting in Olympus which resulted into having Hermes telling Calypso to free Odysseus. After Odysseus was back at sea on the way home, Poseidon made a storm that causes Odysseus to be on the island of the Phaeacians. He was found by Nausicaa and brought to the palace. Odysseus begs for help from Arete to help him home. During a festival, Odysseus tells his journey to the king queen about his encounter with Cicones, Lotus eaters, and the Cyclop. Then after he leaves, he goes to the island of Aeolus who gives him a bag containing winds but his comrades open it and they return back to the island. He and his crew sailed to land of the Laestrygonians who tries to kill them and ended up with only Odysseus’s ship surviving the attack. He soon lands in the land of Aeaea where Circe lives and turns Odysseus’s men into pigs but later falls in love with Odysseus and tells him to go to the underworld to speak with Terisia. Elpanor also dies by falling off the roof and breaking his neck. When they got to the underworld, Elpanor asks Odysseus to give him a proper burial. He then meets Terisia the prophet who tells Odysseus his fate of coming back home and slaughtering the suitors. She warns Odysseus about not eating the cattle of the Sun or else he will face hardships and lose all his men. While in the underworld, Odysseus meets Agamemnon and he explains how he got killed by his wife’s lover and not to trust women other than Penelope. He also meets his mother, Achilles, and many others. On his way back home after he gave Elpanor a proper burial, he and his crew faced Sirens which was tied up so he wouldn’t crash the ship onto the island. He also encounters Scylla and Charybdis which killed six men. When he reached the land of the Sun, he remembers Tiresia’s warning, but his crew disobeys him and kills an cattle which causes Sun to ask Zeus to punish them. Zeus makes a storm that kills most of Odysseus’s men and makes him the last one alive. He got back to Scheria and then soon left with gifts and the help of Phaeacians as a crew. Odysseus arrives at Ithica without knowing but was informed by disguised Athena that insured him he indeed has arrived at Ithica. Odysseus disguises as a beggar and hides in Eumaus’s house. Eumaus invites Odysseus in without knowing who it is and welcomes him. Odysseus lies about his past but assures Eumaus that Odysseus is alive. The epic goes back to Telemachus when Athena warns him to go home soon or else the suitors are going to take over and how to avoid the suitors on the way back. Odysseus tests Eumaus ‘s hospitality when he say he will be leaving the next morning but the swine herder insists on letting him stay. When Telemachus comes back to Ithica, he goes to the Swine herder first and meets with Eumaus and not knowing his father was there too. Eumaus goes to tell Peneloope that her son has returned meanwhile Odysseus reveals his true self to Telemachus. They plan to get rid of the suitors. Odysseus was welcomed into the palace and ate with Penelope, but he was soon discovered by the royal nurse but swears to secrecy. Antinous throws a stool at Odysseus and therefore, Penelope welcoming him in apologies for Antinous’s behavior which also gives her a chance to speak with him. Irus fights with Odysseus and Odysseus wins which got him invited to dinner. Athena tells Penelope to get gifts from the suitors and dressed her very beautifully. During that time, Telemachus, Odysseus, and Eumaus take all the weapons and hide them. Penelope announces that if any of the suitors can string Odysseus’s bow and shoot twelve axes, she will marry him. Everyone fails including Telemachus, but suddenly, but the beggar (Odysseus) told everyone that he wants to try, and he strings it and after shooting the first axe, he shoots an arrow right into Antinuos’s throat killing him. The doors were locked only Odysseus, Telemachus, and Eumaus had weapons. All of the suitors get killed except Phemius and the herald Medon. Odysseus tortures Melanthius, and hangs all the disloyal maids and servants. Odysseus goes to see Penelope who was still asleep. After Odysseus reveals his true identity, Penelope tests him by telling her servants to get rid of the Olive tree maiden bed, but Odysseus objects to the idea which proves he is the real Odysseus. Odysseus meets with Laertes (Odysseus’s father) and talk. The suitors parents were furious so they attack Odysseus but only ending with the death of Antinous’s father. Athena made the suitors parents forget about everything.

Biographical Information about the Author: Homer created this epic near the 8th century BC after the “Illiad”. He started the western style literature. He is known as the king of epic poetry. Homer would often go out and narrate the “Odyssey” while actors preform it. Homer was said to be blind, and his birthplace is unknown but people have said that he traveled to many places. There are many controversies about Homer’s writings like if he actually made it.

Characteristics of the genre: The characteristics of Epics are that the characters are historically, or significantly important. Odysseus is important to the Trojan War in Greek Mythology. The characters must face and meet supernatural forces like Odysseus and Athena, Calypso, Lotus eaters, Sirens, etc. Epics tend to start in Media res just like in the “Odyssey”, it starts with Telemachus and I the middle of Odysseus’s journey but soon returns back into the beginning.

Describe the Author’s style: One of the authors style for the “Odyssey” is that it starts with Media Res. Medias res means it starts in the middle of the story and later goes back to the beginning. Homer’s development of characters is also an author style. People like Telemachus shows his maturity as the epic goes on. The use of language is also a style. They use Greek words and names throughout the story.

Give examples from the text that demonstrate that style. The book starts off in the middle of Odysseus’s journey when he was on Calypso’s island. Then he tells of the past before Calypo’s island to the Phaeacians about the Lotus eaters and Polyphemus. During the story, people like how Aegyptius says how much Telemachus has grown and matured ever since his father left. Also, throughout the epic, Telemachus’ thought processes and changes. The book uses Greek gods like Zeus, Hermes, Athena, and also nymphs like Calypso.

Memorable quotes:

Quote | Significance | “Telemachus,” the bright-eyed goddess Athena reassured him, “some of the words you’ll find within yourself, the rest some power will inspire you to say. You least of all-I know-were born and reared without the gods’ goodwill.” (Book 3, page 108, line 28-30). | In this quote, Athena is talking to Telemachus about being brave to talk to Nestor. This shows how helpful and insightful Athena is to Telemachus and how much she cares for him to find out about his father. | “…But she-the queen hell-bent on outrage-bathes in shame not only herself but the whole breed of womankind, even the honest ones to come forever down the years!”(Book 11, page 263, lines 490-492). | This quote is Agamemnon talking to Odysseus in the underworld. He expresses how much he lost his trust in women after his wife betrayed him. | “Woman-your words, they cut me to the core! Who could move my bed? Impossible task, even for some skilled crafftsman0unless a god came down in person,, quick to lend a hand, lifted it up with ease and moved it elsewhere.”(Book 23, page 461, line 204). | In this quote, Odysseus is telling Penelope how the bed cannot be moved because it’s made from the olive tree. Penelope is testing Odysseus after he reveals his true identity to Penelope. It shows their passion and love for each other is as strong as the bed itself. | “Here I am at your mercy, princess- are you a goddess or a mortal?”(Book 6, page 173, line 163). | This quote is Odysseus complimenting Nausicaa. He is trying to sweet talk his way into having her bring him to the castle. This quote shows how charming and mesmerizing Odysseus is when he is trying to get what he wants. | Characters:

Name | Role in the Story | Significance | Adjectives | Odysseus | ProtagonistFather of Telemachushusband of PenelopeKing of Ithica | Kills the suitorsFights in Trojan WarTwenty years at warHurts PolyphemusHated by Poseidon Goes to the underworld | Brave, Honorable, Courageous, Good-looking, Charming, Suave | Telemachus | Son of OdysseusProtagonist | Finds about OdysseusKills suitors | Mature, Brave, Curious | Penelope | Wife of Odysseus, Mother of TelemachusQueen of Ithica | Stays loyal to OdysseusTrick suitors | Witty, tactful, beautiful, loyal | Eumaus | Friend of OdysseusSwine Herder | Let’s Odysseus stay at his house, help with killing the suitors | Loyal, kind, open hearted | Tiresia | Prophet | Tells Odysseus about future. Warns Odysseus about not eating the cattle of the Sun | Mysterious, helpful, thoughtful | Athena | Goddess of Wisdom | Helps Telemachus with confidence and advice. Warns to him about his mother, persuade Telemachus go find about Odysseus. Disguises as Mentor | Helpful, Beautiful, thoughtful, powerful |

Setting: “At last the West Wind quit its wild rage but the south came on atonce to hound me even more… dreadful whirlppol guilped the salt sea down…. huge swaying barnches that overshadoed charybdis.” ( Book 12, page 284, line 460 – 467). “Now dawn we came to the ship at the waer’s edge, we hauled and lunched her into the slit breakesr ffirst…” ( Book11, page 249, line 1-2). “… down the steep stair from her chamber she descnded….” (Book 1, page 88, line 380). “ …poured a huricane don upon im, shrillingg winds, giant, rearing whitecaps, monstrous, mountians high.”( Book 3, page 116, line 324-325).

Significance of the opening scene: The importance of the opening scene is it uses Medias res as starts in the middle where Odysseus is stuck on Calypso’s island. It shows the hardships and traps the Odysseus has to go through. It also shows how Telemachus doesn’t know much about his father, which is why Telemachus is on the trip. It also tells how Odysseus has not come home and suitors are making Penelope chose a new husband.

Significance of the ending/closing scene: The significance of the ending scene is that it shows how Odysseus’s new journey begins. It also wraps up the issue with the suitors and the vengeance of their parents with the help of Athena. It shows how peace has finally reached Ithica and Odysseus’s family.

Symbols: One major symbol is the mountain eagle. The mountain eagle would be brought up multiple times throughout the story and depending on its action, it tells us what will happen in the future with Odysseus. Another symbol is the Olive tree maiden bed that Penelope has. It symbolizes the strong love between Penelope and Odysseus. Penelope tries to test Odysseus when she said she would remove it, but Odysseus fiercely stops her from doing so which symbolizes there unbreakable love. The food symbolizes a lack of character and disipline like how the suitors just sit around eat. It shows how the suitors just give into temptation, and when Odysseus kills the suitors, it explains how the food is flying everywere symbolizing how they are easily brought down because of there lack of character.

Patterns of Imagery: “A maid brought water soon in a graceful golden pitcher and over a sliver basin tipped it out so the guest might rinse his hands…”(Book 7, page 185, line 204-205). “…he was wearing heavy woolen cape, sea-purple in double fold, with a golden brooch to clap it, twin sheaths for the pins, on the face a work of art a hound clenching a dappled fawn in its front paws, slashing it as it writhed. All marveled to see it, solid gold…”(Book 19, page 398, line 260- 265). “I noticed his glossy tunic too, clinging to his skin like the thin glistening skin of a dried onion, silky, soft, the glint of the sun itself.” (Book 19, page 398, lines 296-298). “….shot Antinous square in the throat and the point went stabbing clean through the soft neck and out – and off to the said he pitched, the cup dropped from his grasp as the shaft sank home, and the man’s life-blood came spurting from his nostrils- thick red jets- a sudden thrust of his foo- he kicked away the table- food showered across the floor…” (Book 22, page 440, lines 8-20).

Possible Themes: A possible theme is family love always prevails. Odysseus ‘s goal throughout the entire trip is to stay alive so he can reunite with his wife Penelope and only son Telemachus. Without them, there would be no goal for him to rush back so we would have stayed on Calypso’s Island much longer than he did. Odysseus knowing that his family at home waiting for him gives him motive to do what ever he can to get back safetly to help his wife with the suitors. Another theme is do no not fall into temptation or it will ultimetly destroy you. Temptation is bad because it drives you away from your actual goal. For example, the temptation of eating a lotus flower one after another causes the shipmates to not want to go back. It makes them lose all thought of what there goal is. Another example is when Odysseus was so tempted to listen and go to the sirens which would have killed him and the crew.