Odyssey

Idealized portrayal of Homer
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The Odyssey is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems. The poem is fundamental to the modern Western canon. The author of this poem is Homer who is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. The Odyssey came after the first poem, Iliad. It was probably composed near the end of 8th century BC.

Odysseus
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The Odyssey is mainly about the story of a Greek hero, Odysseus. The poem mentioned his long journey to home following the fall of Troy. Ten years after the end of Trojan War, Odysseus has still not returned home. He was assumed to be dead. His son, Telemachus, sharing his absent father's house in Ithaca with his mother, Penelope and a crowd of 108 boisterous young men called "The Suitors". Telemachus persuade Penelope to marry one of the Suitors while he eat up his father's wealth.


The goddess Athena, protectress of Odysseus discussed the fate of Odysseus with Zeus. Athena disguised as Mentes, a Taphian cheiftain and urge Telemachus to search for his father. Athena then disguised as Telemachus at night and finds a ship and crew for the true Telemachus to search for his father. Telemachus departs and arrive Sparta and rides overland with Peisistratus to find Helen and Menelaus. After a long voyage by way of Egypt, on the Pharos island, the old sea god, Proteus told Menelaus that Odysseus was a captive of the nymph, Calypso on Ogygia island.

Odysseus overcomes by Demodocus's Song, by Francesco Hayez, 1813-15
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Odysseus spent 7 years on Ogygia island. Calypso falls deeply in love with him and she was persuaded by the great-grandfather of Odysseus, the messenger god, Hermes to release him. Then Odysseus build a raft and given food, drinks and clothes by Calypso. When the enemy of Odysseus, Poseidon, god of the sea found out he is escaped, he wrecked the raft. Odysseus swims to the island of Scherie, naked and exhausted. He hides in a pile of leaves and fall asleep. He was awakened by Nausicaa the next morning. Odysseus ask her for help as he was told by Athena to do so in his dream. Odysseus is welcomed by Nausicaa's parents and remained for several days. He joins the pentathlon and listen to two poem performed by a blind singer, Demodocus. The first poen is "The Quarrel of Odysseus and Achilles" and the second is a tale of a love affair between two Olympian gods, Ares and Aphrodite. Odysseus then reveals his identity and tells his story of return from Troy.

Charles Gleyre, Odysseus, Nauticaa
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Odysseus then meet a piratical raid in Ismaros in the land of Cicones. He and the twelve ships then meet a storm that drive them off. They visited the lethargic Lotus-Eaters, and two of the men receive fruits and caused them to forget their homecoming. They were captured by the Cyclops Polyphemus and try to escape by blinding him with a wooden stake. Odysseus foolishly told his identity and Polyphemus told his father, Poseidon. Poseidon then cursed him to wander the sea for ten years, and lost his crew.


After their escape, they stayed with Aeolus, the master of wind and he gave Odysseus a leather bag containing all king of wind except the west wind. The sailor foolishly opened the bag looking for gold while Odysseus was slept. Then all of the winds flew out and create a storm that drove them back to where they had come. The ships that entered the harbor of the Laestrygonians' island were destroyed by the cannibalistic Laestrygonians. Odysseus did not enter and he sailed on to visit the witch goddess, Circe. The men turned into swine after feed with cheese and wine. Hermes warned him about Circe and gave him a drug called moly which able him to resist Circe's magic. Circe then bargain with him. She agreed to change the men back into human form and possess of Odysseus's love for exchange.


They remain with Circe for a year. Finally, Circe guide them to cross the ocean and reached a harbor at the western edge of the world. Odysseus sacrificed to the death to summon the spirit of the old prophet, Tiresias. Tiresias was ask to advice how to appease the gods upon Odysseus's return home. He then meet the spirit of his own mother and return to the Circe's island. Circe then advice them the remaining stages of the journey.


Phaeacians, who are skilled mariners, agreed to help Odysseus return home. He was delivered at night while asleep. Athena disguised Odysseus as a beggar in order to learn how things stand in his household. Meanwhile, Telemachus sailed back from Sparta and he meet his father. They determine the that the suitors must be killed. Telemachus gets home first follow by Odysseus as a beggar. His son is beat up by a suitor named Antinous. Odysseus want to stop the fight but Antinous throws a chair on him and laugh. Odysseus then meet Penelope and tests her intentions.


Odysseus's identity was discovered by the housekeeper, Eurycleia. She tried to tell Penelope but Athena made Penelope cannot hear what she said, as Odysseus promised not to reveal his identity. The next day, Penelope maneuvers the Suitors into competing for her hand with an archery competition, using Odysseus's bow. Odysseus takes part alone. He then turns the arrow on the Suitors with the help of Athena, Telemachus, Eumaeus, and Philoteus the cowherd. He kills all the Suitors and hang twelve of the housemaids with the help of Telemachus who betrayed and slept with the suitors. The goatherd, Melanthius who had mocked and abused Odysseus also killed.


Finally, Odysseus reveal himself to Penelope and prove his identity. The next day he walk with Telemachus to the country farm. The citizen followed him and planning to avenge on the killing of the suitors, their sons. The goddess Athena intervenes and persuades both sides to give up the vendetta. As conclusion, Ithaca is at peace once more.


This literature was translated into modern languages around the world. It is more intended to be sung than read. The details of the ancient oral performance, and the story's conversion to a written work inspire continual debate among scholars. Besides, many modern and ancient scholars take the ending of this story as an inspiration for stories writing.


Source: Odyssey. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odyssey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOYPBCYFOKA