The Odyssey Summary: Discover the Epic Journey of Odysseus

The Odyssey is an epic poem that forms the cornerstone of the Western literature. Attributed to Homer, an ancient Greek poet, it tells about a ten-year journey that the poem’s hero, Odysseus, takes after the Trojan War.

The Odyssey summary we have here delves into the poem’s wealthy tapestry. We will look at the overarching story and its structure. You will also learn about its English translations, the unforgettable characters in the story, and the themes and symbols embedded in the long narrative.

In the end, you will learn how the poem influences readers and why it forms part of the foundation of modern European literature.

Overview of The Odyssey

So, what is The Odyssey all about? The Odyssey, an ancient Greek epic, chronicles the perilous journey of Odysseus, a Trojan War hero. It's one of the two ancient Greek poems written by Homer. Like the other one, The Iliad, The Odyssey is divided into 24 books.

It's one of the oldest works of literature that readers in the modern world still pursue. The story starts with King Odysseus, far from his homeland, Ithaca. He has conquered Troy after ten years of war and is now stuck on his journey home.

He is trapped in the sea and faces numerous challenges that delay his return home for ten more years. The perils he faces and his crew block him from returning to his son and wife, Telemachus and Penelope, respectively.

Assumed to be dead, the wife and son had to deal with ungovernable suitors who wanted to marry Penelope and take over the kingdom. While the timeline of this poem is still debated, the original Greek version is considered to have been written between the 8th and 7th centuries BCE. By around the 6th century, it was widely known in the Greek world and became part of their literature canon.

In antiquity, no tight literature rules would have questioned Homer's Odyssey writing. Modern scholars, on the other hand, argue that The Odyssey and Iliad are stories composed differently, but they link to form an extensive oral tradition. Back then, poems were performed more than read due to illiteracy levels.

The poem explores themes of nostos (meaning return), xenia (meaning guest-friendship), heroism, cunningness, and more. It also portrays Odysseus' resourcefulness, resilience, and the significance of loyalty, hospitality, and fate.

Hailed as one of the greatest works in the Western literary tradition, The Odyssey continues to captivate readers. When BBC Culture conducted a poll to find the most enduring narrative, this epic poem won.

The Odyssey Summary in General

After the Trojan War

After the ten-year Trojan War, the Greek hero Odysseus has not yet returned to his kingdom, Ithaca. This is the second half of Odysseus' story since the first half is narrated in the Iliad. Unruly suitors are in his palace, squandering wealth and pillaging his land. All they want is Penelope's hand in marriage.

Penelope is, however, faithful to her husband (Odysseus). His son, Telemachus, who is now grown, wants to thrust out all the suitors, but he needs the power and experience to do that. Antinous, one of the suitors, plans to kill Telemachus to eliminate the only obstacle to taking the throne.

The people in Ithica don't know that Odysseus is still alive. He is trapped on Calypso's island (Ogygia) because the nymph loves him. While on the island, he still thinks about his son and wife, but he has no means to return home after his ship's wrecking led to the loss of his crew.

The gods on Mount Olympus debate Odysseus's fate, and Athena (the goddess) decides to support him on his journey home and guide Telemachus. The goddess disguises herself as Laertes's (the grandfather's) friend. She convinces the young prince to call the suitors for a meeting.

She is also responsible for preparing Telemachus for the journey to Pylos and Sparta. There, he meets Kings Nestor and Menelaus, who inform him that his father is alive and trapped on the island of Ogygia. After the meeting, Telemachus arranges to return home, but Antinous and the other palace intruders prepare to kill him in an ambush when he arrives at the port.

Zeus, the king of the gods, sends Hermes to convince Calypso to release Odysseus. After delivering the message, Odysseus is let go and builds a makeshift raft to help him return to Ithaca. When Poseidon (the god of the sea) learns that the Greek hero is sailing, he wrecks the raft. He is bitter with Odysseus because he blinded Cyclops Polyphemus, his son.

The Phaeacian Assist

Athena intervenes to save him, but he lands in Scheria, where the Phaeacians live. The Phaeacian princess, Nausicaa, finds him on the shore and guides him to the royal palace. After an introduction to the king and queen, Odysseus reveals who he is, stunning the listeners who promise him their support in his return to his kingdom.

The Phaeacians, however, want to hear his stories first. Odysseus narrates all the events before his arrival on the island of Ogygia. He starts with the Cicones, followed by the Lotus Eaters' trip and what happened between him, his crew, and the Cyclops Polyphemus.

He tells them about his love affair with Circe, the witch goddess, the deadly sirens' temptation, and how he consulted the prophet Tiresias in Hades. He finalizes by telling them about his fight with the sea monster Scylla.

After Odysseus finishes telling the story, the Phaeacian king gives him a ship and gifts to help him get home. Upon arriving in Ithaca, he meets his loyal swineherd, Eumaeus, who welcomes him in his hut.

Killing of the Suitors

While there, he meets his son Telemachus, who has triumphed in his return from Pylos and Sparta despite the attempted suitors' ambush. After revealing himself, they plan on how to get rid of the suitors and regain control of Ithaca.

Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus arrives at the palace, where the suitors abuse and ridicule him. Only Eurycleia, his old nurse, recognizes him but does not tell anyone after Athena intervenes. Penelope becomes curious about this old beggar, and when they talk, she reveals her archery contest plan to find the best suitor to replace her husband.

The next day, the contest is organized. She tells the men present that she will marry whomever can string Odysseus's bow and shoot through the rings on a dozen axe heads with an arrow. After the rest fail, only Odysseus manages to do that. After that, with Telemachus's assistance and a few faithful servants, they kill all the suitors.

Odysseus reveals himself to the rest of the palace members and reunites with Penelope. He then travels to see his father, Laertes, where they face an attack organized by the suitors' families. Laertes, energized by his son's return, kills Antinous's father. Athena and Zeus restore the peace, allowing Odysseus to live and rule.

Other Summaries Similar to The Odyssey

We have published over 21 book summaries on our website and are still progressing. Our effort propeller comes from the urge students have when learning how to write a summary of a book.

Our Homework Market experts have been teaching and assisting them to work on various literature assignments. In the published summaries, The Odyssey falls under the poetry book summaries.

Other book summaries under the same category include:

• The Divine Comedy Summary
• Beowulf Summary
• The Epic of Gilgamesh Summary

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The Odyssey Chapter Summaries

The Odyssey is divided into 24 books that have a chronological flow. This part will summarize what happens in the books we have outlined in groups.

The Odyssey Books 1-4 Summary

The Odyssey starts with an introduction of Odysseus and the wrath he is facing from Poseidon. The gods discuss his fate and decide it's time for him to go home. However, Odysseus is in the island of Ogygia, where nymph Calypso has been holding him captive for seven years.

Athena goes to Ithaca to speak with Telemachus, Odysseus's son. His mother, Penelope, is facing a rowdy group of suitors, all of who want to marry her since her husband is now assumed dead. They also deliberately mock Telemachus since they know he cannot fight them.

Taking the form of Mentor, Odysseus’ trusted friend, Athena comforts Telemachus and advises him to travel to Pylos and Sparta to find his father. Telemachus leaves in secret without alerting his mother.

He reaches Pylos and meets King Nestor, who tells him they parted ways with Odysseus after the war in Troy ended. During these talks, Telemachus learns about Agamemnon and his disastrous homecoming. Upon returning from the war, his wife and her lover killed him.

When he arrives in Sparta, Helen, King Menelaus's wife, tells him that his father managed to get to Troy before its fall. While Telemachus is away, the suitors learn that he is not in Ithaca and plan on ambushing him.

The Odyssey Books 5-8 Summary

Zeus sends Hermes, the messenger god, to Calypso's island to convince her to release Odysseus. She wanted to make him immortal. Calypso agrees, helps Odysseus build a makeshift raft, and tells him the way out.

As Odysseus approaches Scheria, the Phaeacian's island, Poseidon, the sea god, notices and destroys the raft with a fierce storm. He swims for three days, and after reaching dry land, he falls asleep. The Phaeacian princess Nausicaa finds Odysseus and invites him to their palace.

She instructs him to ask for mercy from her mother, Queen Arete, once he arrives at the palace. Odysseus does as he is told without revealing himself. He gets a ship to sail to Ithaca and is later invited to a feast as one of them.

Odysseus's stay gets interesting when Bard Demodocus appears. He recounts two incidents from the Trojan War, and in between them, he tells about the love affair between Aphrodite and Ares.

The Odyssey Books 9-12 Summary

After Bard Demodocus's explanation, Odysseus explains his intention to return home. He starts to recount his experience during the journey after the war in Troy. He narrates the following to the Phaeacians:

After a calamitous embark in the Cicones' land, the next stop was in the land of Lotus Eaters. That's where Odysseus and his crew ate food that made them forget about going home. After the land of the Lotus Eaters, they went to the land of Cyclops, where food was in plenty.

That's where they got trapped in the cave of Cyclops Polyphemus. Odysseus uses a clever trick that blinds Polyphemus before escaping. Since Polyphemus is Poseidon's son, he asks his father to avenge him.

After getting out of the Cyclops' land, Odysseus and his men met Aeolus, god of the winds. Aeolus filled Odysseus's goatskin with all the winds apart from the west wind (Zephyr), which would take them to Ithaca. The crew thought the goatskin contained fortunes, but they drifted into the sea again after opening it.

The drifting took them to the land of man-eating giants, the Laestrygonians. The dwellers of the land were cannibalistic, and Odysseus lost part of his fleet after the Laestrygonians threw rocks at it. After that, the next stop was Aeaea, where they met Circe, the witch.

The witch turned Odysseus' men, but him, into animals. He then hosted him and the crew on the island for a year. During this time, Odysseus was taken as Circe's lover. When leaving the island, Circe told them to head west to communicate with the dead. That's where Odysseus met prophet Tiresias, who warned him and the crew about eating the Sun's cattle.

When they returned to Aeaea, Circe warned them about the luring sirens and their deadly songs, the sea monster Scylla, and the Charybdis whirlpool. The crew, however, went against Tiresia's warning and ate the Sun's cattle after facing famine.

Zeus punished them by killing all the crew members with a storm. That is how Odysseus, now alone, was washed ashore to the island of Ogygia, where nymph Calypso held him captive as a lover for seven years.

The Odyssey Books 13-19 Summary

After Odysseus narrates his story, he gets more gifts. He also receives a Phaeacian ship to take him home overnight. The act angers Poseidon, the sea god, who turns the ship into stone when it nears Scheria. That makes Alcinous swear never to help another foreigner ever again.

Odysseus arrives at the shores of Ithaca, where he meets Athena, disguised as a young shepherd. He pretends to be a Crete merchant, but they later drop their camouflage, and Athena helps him hide the gifts the Phaeacians gave.

Together, they start plotting revenge against the suitors. Athena turns Odysseus into a beggar before the goddess goes to help Telemachus in Sparta. The disguised Odysseus visits Eumaeus, a loyal swineherd who receives him warmly. He then tells him and other farmers that he is a one-time warrior and seafarer hailing from Crete.

In the meantime, Telemachus gets help from Athena to reach Ithaca and later pays a visit to Eumaeus. While there, Odysseus reveals himself to his son after Athena encourages him. After a tearful reunion, they plot the suitors' downfall. Telemachus goes to the palace while Eumaeus and Odysseus follow.

Upon their arrival, goatherd Melanthius and suitor Antinous make fun of them. Later, Penelope converses with Odysseus, still disguised as a beggar. He tells her how he met Odysseus while traveling.

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Eurycleia, one of the loyal servants, washes the feet of the beggar. She notices an old scar on him that makes her recognize who he is. She tries to tell Penelope, but Athena intervenes before she can break the secret.

The Odyssey Books 18-24 Summary

Penelope follows Athena's advice the next day by announcing an archery contest for the suitors. She promises that the one who wins will marry her. Odysseus' bow is the weapon to be used in the competition. That means only Odysseus is strong enough to string it and shoot an arrow through a dozen axe heads.

To the suitors' surprise, Odysseus wins after successfully stringing the arrow and shooting through the axe head rings. Later, after revealing himself, he takes revenge on the palace intruders. With Eumaeus, Telemachus, Athena, and the cowherd Philoetius, Odysseus kills all the suitors.

He then hangs twelve servants that Eurycleia called out as betrayers for engaging in sexual activities with the suitors. Later, after revealing himself to Penelope, he confirms the identity by saying how he curved their marital bed from an olive tree.

The following day, Odysseus visits his father, Laertes, who has been living in seclusion due to grief. He wins his trust by confirming the orchard gift he received from him earlier in life. The families of the killed suitors plan to avenge their family members. So, they follow Odysseus.

Zeus and Athena, however, intervene, and peace is restored in the kingdom of Ithaca.

The Odyssey Structure and Influence

The Odyssey is a poem with 12,109 lines. Its composition uses the Homeric hexameter (dactylic hexameter), a rhythmic scheme the ancient Greeks and Latin used when writing poetry. The 24 books that house the poem represent the letters of the Greek alphabet. The division was done later after Homer's composition.

The Odyssey begins in medias res, which means the middle of the plot instead of the beginning. What happened before is revealed to the readers through storytelling and flashbacks. During the classical Greek period, the books were divided into groups based on the account they gave, and some of the groups had their titles as follows:

• Telemachy: Books 1-4, where the story is told from Telemachus' point of view.
• Apologoi: Books 9-12. Odysseus narrates his adventures to the Phaeacians.
• Mnesterophonia: Book 22. Mnesteres means suitors, while phonos means slaughter.

Book 22 marks the end of the Greek epic cycle, representing ancient poems written using the hexameter approach. There is an alternative ending to the story, Telegony, which talks about Telegonus, the son of Odysseus and Circe.

In Book 24, most scholars believe another poet added the last 548 lines of Homer's epic poem later.

Enthusiasts have seen how the poem's influence comes from other related books. According to Martin West, Homer's Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh have similarities in how both stories go. They both have a journey that involves the protagonists and other characters visiting the land of the dead.

Odysseus is instructed by Circe, the witch, on how to get to Hades, the land of the dead. Gilgamesh, too, gets instructions from Siduri, a divine helper, on how to reach the land of the dead. As Mr. West explains, the journeys in both books result from the influence of The Epic of Gilgamesh on The Odyssey.

The Odyssey English Translations

George Chapman's first English translation of The Odyssey from Greek was in 1616. Serialization of the poem was, however, done earlier. There were earlier translations, but some did not come from the original Greek version. Chapman's work met significant success, and he did it for a bigger chunk of his life.

John Keat recognized Chapman's translation in his sonnet, 'On First Looking into Chapman's Homer.' Alexander Pope has also worked on the translations, and the audience enjoyed his first translation more than the second one.

According to Emily Wilson, a classical studies professor at the University of Pennsylvania, all the translations of Roman and Greek literature until ten years into the 21st century have been done by men. She has contributed to translating The Odyssey and notes that the male translation has affected the popular construct of events and characters in the poem.

How? They add words in the story that distort the original meaning of the text. A good example she gives is when the maidens are hanged for sleeping with the suitors. In most translations, they are referred to as 'whores' or 'sluts.' While we can agree to such words today to refer to women with such a character, the original Greek language did not label them as such.

In the Greek version, they are referred to as hai, which equates to 'those female people.'

Plot Summary of The Odyssey

Odysseus is Captured on the Island of Ogygia

The story begins ten years after the Trojan War when Odysseus leaves Troy with his men and heads to Ithaca. The epic poem starts to narrate in the middle of the events. Odysseus is held captive on Calypso's island. The lovesick goddess wants to keep him there and make him immortal.

Back home in Ithaca, his son and wife struggle to deal with the suitors who have ambushed the palace to seek Penelope's hand in marriage. Loyal to her husband, the queen is turning down all the requests because she believes her husband will return one day.

These suitors are all over the palace, partying and squandering the kingdom's resources. Athena, the goddess, proceeds to interpose to save Odysseus. She manages to convince Zeus to send Hermes, the messenger god, to tell Calypso to release Odysseus and allow him to go to Ithaca.

Athena also goes to Ithaca to comfort Telemachus, Odysseus' son, who is too weak to deal with the suitor's raucous behavior. She urges him to go to Pylos and Sparta to look for his father's whereabouts. The suitors learn about the journey and plan to kill him on his way back.

He meets King Nestor in Pylos, who doesn't inform him about his father. King Menelaus in Sparta, however, tells him that Proteus, an old sea god, told him about Odysseus being on the island of Ogygia. In the meantime, Hermes goes to Calypso's island and tells the nymph to release Odysseus since his fate is not living on the island as her husband.

Odysseus Narrates in Phaeacia

Odysseus departs from Ogygia on a makeshift raft that Poseidon destroys when the god learns he is sailing. He, however, manages to sail for seventeen days until he spots the Phaeacian shore. After reaching the land, he falls asleep. Nausicaa, the Phaeacian prince, finds him and sympathizes with his situation.

After caring for him, he advises him to follow her to the palace, but at a distance, to avoid unwanted gossip. After being introduced to the Phaeacian king and queen, he tells his story after some time. He begins with the Cicones, who retaliated after Odysseus' men misbehaved on their island.

He tells them about the Lotus Eaters and the flowers his men ate that made them semiconscious. He also narrates about Cyclops Polyphemus and how he blinded the giant, which led to Poseidon avenging him. He continues by telling how he got the bag of winds from Aeolus and how it made them drift in the sea after his men opened it.

He also discusses the Laestrygonians, Circe, the witch who turned his men into animals, the journey to the land of the dead, and the tempting sirens. Before finishing, he tells about Scylla and Charybdis, the sea monster and whirlpool. With each adventure, he lost men, if not part of his fleet, challenging his wits to the brim.

When they finally reached the Island of the Sun, his men did not heed Tiresias, the prophet's advice not to kill the sun god's cattle. The men killed a few while Odysseus was asleep. That angered Zeus, who sent lightning to kill the men while they were sailing in the sea. Only Odysseus is left after the strike. That's when he floats to Calypso's island and is held captive for seven years.

Odysseus Reveals in Ithaca

Odysseus finishes telling his story at this point. The following day, Alcinous, the king, gives him a Phaeacian ship full of gifts. They deliver him at night to a harbor on Ithaca while he is asleep. When he reaches the shores of Ithaca, Athena tells him that he is indeed in Ithaca. She also briefs him about the situation in the palace, warns him about what will happen, and changes him to look like a beggar.

A disguised Odysseus goes to Eumaeus, his loyal swineherd. Meanwhile, Athena goes to Sparta and informs Telemachus to hurry home. He also protects him from the suitors' ambush. After the father and son reunion at Eumaeus farm, they plan on how to get revenge against the suitors.

Odysseus and Eumaeus go to the palace the next day. Argos, Odysseus' old dog, recognizes him despite the beggar's look. Eurycleia, the nurse, and another loyal servant notice a familiar scar on him as she is washing his feet. Penelope welcomes him to the palace, although she has no idea who he is.

Suitor Antinous and other suitors ridicule and abuse him. They also delay extending their hospitality to him. In his disguise, Odysseus does not respond or react to their mockery. Later, the queen, in desperation, announces an archery contest. She says she will marry the man who uses Odysseus' bow to shoot through the rings of a dozen axe heads.

None of the suitors can string the bow, let alone shoot. With ease, Odysseus strings it and successfully shoots an arrow through the rings on the axe heads. After that, the revenge begins. Odysseus kills all the suitors. He gets help from his son Telemachus, the cowherd, Eumaeus, and Athena.

They also hanged the traitorous maids and servants. Later, Penelope reunites with her long-lost husband before Odysseus goes to meet his father. On his way to meet his father, the suitors' families ambush him to avenge the death of their members in the palace. Zeus and Athena manage to calm things down.

At this point, Ithaca is now a peaceful kingdom as Odysseus prepares to leave for a brief journey to appease Poseidon.

The Odyssey Setting

Scholars and historians usually place the writing of Homer's Odyssey between the 8th and 7th centuries BCE. However, it reflects a culture that borrowed more from its present and earlier eras. The writing opens up what we view as the golden age. Kings had more than the wealth they needed, warriors were mighty, and women possessed natural, over-refined beauty.

The gods communicate with humans; any traveler who loses their way meets monsters' wrath. We, however, see more from the era in which it was written rather than the setting. The society in Ithaca acted as a people in the 8th century, but at times, the soldiers wore bronze armor. That represents the Bronze Age, which was around 1200 BCE.

At other times, they had iron weapons. Reading the poem presents the two ages as almost the same. When Odysseus tells his stories to the Phaeacian king, he describes what people in the sea faced between the times of Aegean civilization and the 19th century.

The values the characters appreciate and hold, such as welcoming guests, also seem attractive to those who lived early.

The Odyssey also reflects two settings: the wild and the domestic. The characters visit or find themselves in luxurious places such as a goddess island or a king's palace. At times, the characters scrutinize the guest-host relationship, and more often than not, the abundance brings more quarrels than peace.

Telemachus seems mature and thoughtful when he explains why he should not use the chariot offered to him by Menelaus, one of the suitors. On the other hand, Odysseus wastes a whole year on Circe’s island after being lured by the luxuries in her home.

Other times, characters face threats in the sea or on the islands they visit. The gods bring storms in the sea, while some islands host hostile people. The biggest mistake that Odysseus makes is when he thinks he will be welcomed in the Cyclops' cave, only for the opposite to happen.

Polyphemus does not follow human laws, so Odysseus plans an eviction act that costs him everything on his journey home.

Characters in The Odyssey

The number of characters in The Odyssey is almost endless. Some of them are not mentioned in the main summary or plot. The Odyssey is a poem that takes the space of 24 books. So, you can imagine the number of characters.

There is a mixture of humans, witches, and mythical beings. Nonetheless, those characters drive the story's plot by playing significant roles in Odysseus' journey from Troy and his absence from Ithaca.

The characters in The Odyssey involve the following:

Humans

1. Odysseus: Odysseus is The Odyssey’s protagonist. He shapes the plot through his cunning and resourceful abilities. Odysseus is the hero of the Trojan War, and on the way home, he encounters events that challenge his determination and intelligence traits. He is a husband to Queen Penelope and father to Prince Telemachus.
2. Penelope: Penelope is Odysseus' wife and mother to Telemachus. Her key traits are patience, cleverness, and loyalty. She also appears to be a flyaway, but her intelligence precedes in addition to yearning for her husband's return.
3. Telemachus: Telemachus is Odysseus son. Some of his key actions that impact the plot are his brave confrontation with the suitors and the journey to Sparta and Pylos. He connects well with his mother (Penelope), Athena, and mentors like kings Nestor and Menelaus, displaying his loyalty and desire to safeguard his family.
4. Laertes: Laertes is Odysseus' aged father. He lives on his farm in Ithaca, desperate about his son's return. His spirit renews when he sees Odysseus again, which drives him to kill Antinous's father.
5. Eurycleia: She is an old and loyal servant who has raised Odysseus and his son Telemachus. She knows the palace and those she serves. She never tells Penelope when Telemachus goes to Sparta and Pylos. She also never reveals Odysseus' identity after spotting his scar.
6. Eumaeus: The loyal swineherd who, together with cowherd Philoetius, assists Odysseus in reclaiming his kingdom after returning to Ithaca. He does not notice his master at first since he looks like a beggar. He is, however, kind enough to offer him food and shelter.
7. Melantho: She is a maidservant and sister to Melanthius. She has an affair with Eurymachus. She also abuses Odysseus while in the palace, not knowing who he is since he is disguised as a beggar.
8. Melanthius: He is Melantho's brother. He is an opportunistic and punic goatherd who sides with the suitors. He is Eurymachus' supporter, and he also participates in abusing Odysseus while he appears as a beggar.
9. Antinous: Suitor Antinous is a chesty character who leads the plot to kill Telemachus. He is not like other suitors since he never shows sympathy. When Odysseus starts to kill them, he becomes the first victim.
10. Amphinomus: He is the only suitor with the right mind. He, at times, speaks for Telemachus and Odysseus. Unfortunately, he dies just like the rest of the suitors.
11. Eurymachus: He is one of the suitors with a deceiving character. His appeal and double-dealing attributes allow him to influence other suitors.
12. Menelaus: Menelaus is a brave Spartan king who bonds closely with Telemachus. He is also the brother to Agamemnon and Helen's husband. One of his significant actions in the plot development is that he offers crucial information to Telemachus concerning his father, Odysseus, whereabouts.
13. Nestor: He is the king of Pylos and participated in the Trojan War. Nestor is known to be a clever communicator. Telemachus visits him to inquire about his father, but Nestor does not know much.
14. Agamemnon: He is Mycenae's former king, and he commanded the Achaean forces during the war in Troy. He is also Menelaus' brother. His wife, Clytemnestra, together with her lover, Aegisthus, murdered him upon returning from Troy. His son, Orestes, however, avenged him.
15. Helen: She is the wife of Menelaus and the Spartan Queen. The Trojans abducted her from Sparta, triggering the war. She is a beauty well-recognized by admirers, but her giving in to the Trojans led to many men losing their lives. She also helps Telemachus find his father.
16. Alcinous: The Phaeacian king who hosts Odysseus on his Scheria island. After hearing Odysseus' story, he offers him a ship, gifts, and a safe passage back to Ithaca.
17. Arete: She is Alcinous' wife and the Queen of Phaeacia. She is also Nausicaa's mother. Nausicaa sends Odysseus to her and tells him how to get his assistance.
18. Nausicaa: She is the princess of Phaeacia, daughter of King Alcinous and Queen Arete. She spots Odysseus at the Scheria shores and ensures he is well treated before returning home.

Supernatural Beings

1. Athena: She is a goddess and also the daughter of Zeus. Athena is wise and fights purposeful battles. She helps Odysseus and Telemachus in their journeys and adventures. The goddess also speaks for them on Mount Olympus in the gods' council. She often disguises herself as Mentor, Odysseus' old friend.
2. Calypso: Calypso is an alluring nymph who entraps Odysseus on her island for seven years. She releases him after Hermes, the messenger god, delivers Zeus' orders to let him go.
3. Zeus: Zeus is the supreme god who rules all the other gods and men. He is a wise god and significantly impacts Odysseus' destiny. He favors Odysseus for being a hero and that’s why he guides and protects him while on his journey home.
4. Polyphemus: Polyphemus is a brutal Cyclops and the son of Poseidon. He perfectly portrays the traits of cruelty and savagery. Polyphemus locks Odysseus' crew in his cave, and then Odysseus blinds him. Odysseus' acts of blinding Polyphemus upsets Poseidon.
5. Poseidon: He is the god of the sea. Poseidon is an antagonist in the poem. He scorns Odysseus because of blinding Polyphemus, his son. In return, he continually tampers with his journey back home.
6. Tiresias: He is a prophet who stays in the underworld, Hades, or the land of the dead. He shows Odysseus how to return to Ithaca and allows him to communicate with a few souls.
7. Circe: A witch goddess who turns Odysseus men into animals after they reach her island. Hermes helps Odysseus resist the witch's powers. He becomes her lover later, and they spend a year on her island.

Themes in The Odyssey

The Odyssey themes that are practically evident in all books are as follows:

1. Homecoming

Odysseus's desire to return home burns until he reunites with his family. This desire does not change even after the numerous challenges and temptations he encounters in the sea. The Odyssey majorly reflects on nostos, which means homecoming. A warrior hero conquers it all when he can return home after the war.

Odysseus undergoes trials, including the temptation of forgoing his own home to live with Circe, the witch, or the nymph Calypso. In the second option, he would have lived on the island of Ogygia as an immortal and Calypso's husband.

Even with such temptations, he still longs for home since he prefers to be in Ithaca with Penelope. In another place, homecoming takes a different turn. His wife and her lover murder Agamemnon after returning home from the Trojan War.

The best scenario for a homecoming event is when a warrior returns to an intact home, the same as how he left it. In the poem, however, what matters is its continuity and stability. After the revenge on the suitors is over, Odysseus and Penelope reunite. He describes how difficult it will be to move their marital bed since it's curved from an olive tree rooted in the ground.

While it's unfortunate for Agamemnon to be murdered, Nestor sees him as fortunate since his son is alive to avenge him.

Homecoming in Ithaca is incomplete until Odysseus visits his father, Laertes, on his farm. Seeing his son and grandson is the only sure way to kill the older man's sorrow and desperation as he witnesses the continuity of his family.

2. Hospitality

A cherished virtue among the ancient Greeks was hospitability. Travelers in this era depended on the generosity of strangers for food, shelter, and warmth, especially if a tragedy happened along the journey. Hospitality, or befriending a guest (xenia in Greek), appears in various instances of The Odyssey poem.

The Phaeacians show a perfect example of how to treat a guest. After narrating his story to King Alcinous and Queen Arete, Odysseus receives gifts and a ship to take him home. They also give him food, clothes, and a place to sleep.

The king, however, decides never to help another stranger or guest after Poseidon turns the ship given to Odysseus into a stone. This act halts the hospitality that Phaeacians can extend to guests.

A king, in general, has to be generous to his guests. That is why Kings Nestor and Menelaus warmly welcome Telemachus when he visits their kingdoms to search for his father's news. We also see the suitors taking gifts to Penelope, who, in turn, does not chase them away despite their unacceptable behavior in the palace.

Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus asks for food from Antinous after getting to the palace. Antinous denies him food, which makes Odysseus comment that Antinous may resemble a king, but he is far from becoming one since he is not generous.

Poor hospitality is witnessed when Polyphemus treats Odysseus and his men harshly. He never welcomes them to his cave since they are intruders. The only thing Odysseus had to appreciate from him was being eaten last.

Another example of hospitality that needs improvement is on Calypso's island. The nymph refuses Odysseus to leave the island. That is against a guest's wish since you should only keep them for as long as they wish to be at your place.

3. Cunning

Although Odysseus fought many wars in his pursuit of home, without his excellent cunning abilities, there is a high chance he could not have made it home. Odysseus used his cunning ability in almost all the challenges he faced.

For instance, he used this ability twice on Polyphemus the Cyclops. He tells the Cyclops that his name is “Nobody.” After blinding the one-eyed giant, it screams, “Nobody is hurting me.” The unwitting cry fools the other Cyclops from showing up since he says, “Nobody.”

The second time, he tells his men to hide under Polyphemus' sheep while getting out to avoid detection. Since Cyclops is blind, he will only feel the touch of wool as his sheep move out of the cave. It's also worth noting that Athena, the goddess, helps Odysseus in his adventures because she is cunning too.

Also, at the end of the book, Odysseus uses his cunning when he disguises himself as a beggar to determine who has been loyal to him after his long absence.

4. Heroism and Honor

Heroism is witnessed in overcoming battles and conflicts through strength or cunning. The honor comes when the characters act in a just and lawful way. At some point, heroism and honor conflict. As Odysseus and his men strive for glory, they sometimes engage in unlawfulness that angers the gods.

Odysseus blinds the Cyclops to revenge for the men he killed and saves the remaining ones. He also says his name is Nobody, which saves him when the Cyclops starts to scream. However, as they leave the island, pride gets into Odysseus' head, and he tells the Cyclops his name, which makes him Poseidon's target.

While seeking glory, Odysseus and his crew find themselves in unimaginable challenges. A good example is when they faced Charybdis and Scylla in the sea. The road to repentance and honor ends when he goes to the palace with a beggar’s look.

Odysseus humbles himself first while with the suitors. When it was time to get revenge for his family in the palace, he portrayed glory and honor. He defeated his enemies, and, in the end, he did it the right way.

5. Vengeance

Acts of vengeance are widespread in the story of Odysseus. The key characters that engage in these acts are Poseidon and Odysseus. Poseidon sends hellish challenges to Odysseus while at sea because of blinding his son, Polyphemus the Cyclops.

Odysseus also avenges the suitors once he returns to Ithaca. He kills them because they are disloyal and possess destructive behaviors as guests. It is a well-earned revenge because of the trials he faced at sea before the gods allowed his return to Ithaca.

6. Wandering

Most of Odysseus' adventures are narrated by himself while with the Phaeacians. The narrator only explains his capture on Calypso's island and the encounter with the Phaeacians. The revelation of those scenes by the narrator shows us Odysseus' transition from not being able to return home to returning home.

Calypso is a Greek word that means to conceal. That explains how she covered Odysseus to prevent him from returning home. When he got to Scheria, his hopes of returning home were higher, especially after getting a ship to take him to Ithaca.

Odysseus encounters several beings closer to the gods, which shows us how he is wandering in a world beyond man's reach. His actions are part of what is influencing his difficulty returning home.

Part of this world includes the Phaeacians, who live closer to the Cyclopes. King Alcinous is Eurymedon’s great-grandson, the king of the giants. Eurymedon is Poseidon's grandson.

7. Perseverance/Resilience

Another primary theme in The Odyssey is perseverance or resilience. Odysseus, Athena, Penelope, and Telemachus are characters who exhibit this trait.

Odysseus fights all odds in the sea to get back home. Athena protects Odysseus and his family time and again without giving up. She assists in freeing Odysseus in Calypso and guides Telemachus to safety, among other deeds.

Telemachus never stops his quest to find his father, even after Odysseus goes missing for two decades. Penelope, too, shows her perseverance by keeping the suitors at bay until Odysseus returns home.

8. Tests

Tests or testing is another theme evident in Homer's Odyssey. On one hand, Odysseus tests the loyalty of people he knows. The other end is the people testing Odysseus' identity. With Athena's help, he disguises himself as a beggar and then goes to the palace. He tests those present to know who has been loyal to him.

After Odysseus reveals his true identity, those still disapproving of him test him to see if he is who he says he is. Penelope tests him by saying they will move their marital bed to another room. Since Odysseus knows it's curved and made on a living Olive tree, he mentions that to show her he knows about the bed and why it is difficult to move.

Ultimately, Penelope realizes that Odysseus is pretending to be a beggar.

9. Temptation and Its Pitfalls

The Odyssey has events where men's weakness takes them to obstacles they must succumb to or conquer. Falling into temptation angers the gods or hinders Odysseus from returning home early like the other kings who had accompanied him to the war in Troy.

One example is when hunger makes his men slaughter the Sun's cattle, which was against prophet Tiresias' warning. Also, when they eat the fruit of the Lotus, they forget about their journey back home.

Odysseus' pride also makes him fall into the temptation of revealing who he is to Cyclops Polyphemus. That makes him face the wrath of Poseidon later, who causes havoc every time he is in the sea. Another incidence was when they approached the sirens.

The men covered their ears, but Odysseus did not because he wanted to hear the sweet songs. Odysseus is saved by his command to be tied to the ship's mast, which keeps him on board despite the call of the luring songs.

Symbols in The Odyssey

• Food: It is one of the symbols present in almost all scenes of the poem. In the palace, the suitors are constantly eating and drinking. Odysseus also deals with it in the Cyclops cave, Lotus Eaters, and when his men slaughter the Sun's cattle. Lastly, when Odysseus kills the suitors, they fall over the tables, spilling the food.
• Birds: The gods use birds to deliver messages. Athena turns into a bird on several occasions. In the beginning, two eagles fight to death. Later, an eagle kills a goose in Penelope's dream. As the end nears, an eagle flies by with a captured swallow. Also, before the suitors' killing, the birds representing them are smaller and weaker.
• The marital bed: At the poem's end, Penelope uses their marital bed to test Odysseus. Since he knows how it was constructed, he gives the correct answer. The immovable bed also signifies their unshakable love foundation.
• Odysseus bow: Penelope used the bow to test the suitors. To their shock, only the owner could use it. The bow represents Odysseus's rightful place in Ithaca.

The Odyssey Genre

The genre of The Odyssey is broadly categorized as an epic poem. It is one of the vital epic poems of ancient Greece attributed to Homer, the other being The Iliad. What are epic poems? They are poems in narratives arranged formally, typically involving heroic exploits, fantastical adventures, and larger-than-life characters.

The Odyssey fits this description excellently. It tells the epic story of Odysseus and the adventures he faces while on his way home from a war that lasted ten years. Besides, the poem encompasses elements of folklore, mythology, and ancient Greek values, further reinforcing its classification as an epic.

The poem follows the Homeric hexameter (or the dactylic hexameter), currently the standard for epic poems. This means the poem's writing involves one long syllable followed by two short ones. It has many similes and repeats epithets, such as 'bright-eyed Pallas' to refer to Athena and 'the bewitching nymph' for Calypso.

The hexameter approach, similes, and epithets make The Odyssey an epic poem. They are also the conventions that scholars use to describe such poems.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is The Odyssey's short summary?

A short summary of The Odyssey involves Odysseus, a Greek hero and King of Ithaca, and his journey back home after ten years of the Trojan War. The journey lasted another ten years, during which time he faced dangers that killed his whole crew.

2. How many books does The Odyssey story have?

The Odyssey is a poem attributed to Homer, an ancient Greek poet, and is written in 24 books arranged chronologically. It is an epic poem with 12109 lines.

3. Can you help me write The Odyssey summary?

Yes, we can help you write a summary of The Odyssey. Whether you need the whole summary or a part of it, our experts are equipped to handle your task. Submit your requirements when you need help, and we will take care of the rest at an affordable fee.

Conclusion

The Odyssey summary above represents what you will learn when reading the ancient poem. It covers everything you need to know about Odysseus' ten-year journey after the Trojan War.

The poem’s structure and fantastic and fictional creatures have inspired many interpretations and adaptations. From refined characters like Odysseus to symbols like his bow, the poem offers an intriguing reflection on human experience.

That is why it remains a narrative that defines Western literature today. Remember that we have summary experts here who can help you work on your assignment. Tell them your summary requirements now and get the help you need.