Basic outline of the Odyssey
The Odyssey is Odyssey is a poem about the return of the Odysseus from Troy, where he fought in the Trojan War, to his palace in Ithaca, where he is reunited with his son Telemachus, his wife Penelope and his father Laertes. Odysseus’ journey Odysseus’ journey is troubled by the god god of the sea, Poseidon, because Odysseus blinded Poseidon’s Poseidon’s son Polyphemus, but is favoured by the goddess Athena. The Odyssey is Odyssey is divided into 24 books written in verse. 1-4 (also known as “Telemachy” Telemachy ” in antiquity): story of Telemachus, who lives in Ithaca. 1. Invocation and summary; the goddess Athena urges Telemachus to search for his father; the suitors feast in Telemachus’ palace 2. Assembly in Ithaca; Telemachus requests the suitors to leave and secretly departs with Athena. 3. Telemachus arrives in Pylos, is received by Nestor and then leaves for Sparta. 4. In Sparta, Telemachus is received by Menelaus and Helen and learns that his father is on Calypso’s island. Meanwhile, the suitors in Ithaca learn of Telemachus’ departure and get ready get ready to ambush him. 5-8: 5-8: Odysseus’ travel to and arrival in Phaeacia. 5. Council of the gods. Hermes urges Calypso to let Odysseus go. The god Poseidon wrecks Odysseus’ raft; Odysseus swims to Scheria. 6. Odysseus meets Nausicaa, the daughter of the Phaeacian King Alcinous and is received as a guest. 7. Odysseus is received in Alcinous’ Alcinous’ palace. 8. Odysseus is invited to reveal his identity and tell his story. 9-12: Odysseus narrates his wanderings before arriving in Phaeacia. 9. Odysseus’ Odysseus’ wonderings: the Cicones, Cicones , the Lotus Eaters, the Cyclops and Polyphemus. 10. Odysseus’ wonderings: Aeolus, Aeolus, the Laestrygonians, Circe 11. Odysseus’ wonderings: travel to the underworld; return to Circe 12. Odysseus’ wonderings: Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, the cattle of Helios, Calypso. 13-16: Odysseus arrives in Ithaca in disguise as an old beggar. He is reunited with his son Telemachus. 13. Odysseus returns to Ithaca; Athena comes to advise him. 14. Odysseus is received by his swineherd Eumaeus; Odysseus gives Eumaeus a false story of his life. 15. Urged by Athena, Telemachus leaves Sparta and reaches Ithaca. 16. Telemachus visits Eumaeus. Odysseus reveals himself to his son. Penelope and the suitors learn of Telemachus’ return. 17-20: Odysseus is in his palace in Ithaca, still in disguise, and prepares to attack the suitors. 17. Telemachus returns to his palace. In disguise as an old beggar, Odysseus reaches his palace and begs from the suitors. 18. Odysseus fights with Iros; Penelope appears briefly; the suitors finally leave the palace. 19. Odysseus and Penelope; Odysseus is almost betra yed by his scar; plan for the test of the bow. 20. Gathering in the palace. 21-24: Odysseus reveals reveals his own identity, kills the suitors, is reunited with his wife Penelope and his father Laertes. 21. Test of the bow; Odysseus’ success. 22. Suitors are killed 23. Reunion of Odysseus with Penelope; Odysseus goes to Laertes’ farm. 24. Reunion of Odysseus with Laertes; burial of the suitors; final combat between the suitors’ relatives and Odysseus; pace is imposed by Athena.
