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Choose 1 of the following prompts/passages and write 400-500 words, making an argument andusing the passage from the Odyssey as evidence to support your argument. Your essay mustinclude a thesis and conclusion, which can be one or multiple sentences as needed
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Essay 1: Odyssey books 1, 5, & 9
Choose 1 of the following prompts/passages and write 400-500 words, making an argument and
using the passage from the Odyssey as evidence to support your argument. Your essay must
include a thesis and conclusion, which can be one or multiple sentences as needed.
1. “How surprising that men blame the gods, and say their troubles come from us, though
they, through their own un-wisdom, find suffering beyond what is fated. Just as
Aegisthus, beyond what was fated, took the wife of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, and
murdered him when he returned, though he knew the end would be a complete disaster,
since we sent Hermes, keen-eyed slayer of Argus, to warn him not to kill the man, or
court his wife, as Orestes would avenge Agamemnon, once he reached manhood and
longed for his own land. So Hermes told him, but despite his kind intent he could not
move Aegisthus’ heart: and Aegisthus has paid the price now for it all” (Bk 1 22-43).
a. With this prompt worry less about who the characters are (if you know who they
are great!), but the message of the passage.
2. “At this, the lovely goddess, Calypso, shuddered, and spoke to him winged words: ‘You
are cruel, you gods, and quickest to envy, since you are jealous if any goddess openly
mates with a man, taking a mortal to her bed. Jealous, you gods, who live untroubled, of
rosyfingered Dawn and her Orion, till virgin Artemis, of the golden throne, attacked him
with painless arrows in Ortygia, and slew him. Jealous, when Demeter of the lovely
tresses, gave way to passion and lay with Iasion in the thrice-ploughed field. Zeus soon
heard of it, and struck him dead with his bright bolt of lightning. And jealous now of me,
you gods, because I befriend a man, one I saved as he straddled the keel alone, when
Zeus had blasted and shattered his swift ship with a bright lightning bolt, out on the winedark sea” (BK V 1-42).
3. “She found him sitting on the shore, his eyes as ever wet with tears, life’s sweetness
ebbing from him in longing for his home, since the Nymph no longer pleased him. He
was forced to sleep with her in the hollow cave at night, as she wished though he did not,
but by day he sat among rocks or sand, tormenting himself with tears, groans and
anguish, gazing with wet eyes at the restless sea” (BK V 148-191).
4. “…on the tenth we set foot on the shores of the Lotus-eaters, who eat its flowery food. On
land we drew water, and my friends ate by the ships. Once we had tasted food and drink,
I sent some of the men inland to discover what kind of human beings lived there:
selecting two and sending a third as herald. They left at once and came upon the
Lotuseaters, who had no thought of killing my comrades, but gave them lotus to eat.
Those who ate the honey-sweet lotus fruit no longer wished to bring back word to us, or
sail for home. They wanted to stay with the Lotuseaters, eating the lotus, forgetting all
thoughts of return. I dragged those men back to the shore myself by force, while they
wept, and bound them tight in the hollow ships, pushing them under the benches. Then I
ordered my men to embark quickly on the fast craft, fearing that others would eat the
lotus and forget their homes” (BK IV 63-104).
5. “He flung it away in frenzy, and called to the Cyclopes, his neighbours who lived in
caves on the windy heights. They heard his cry, and crowding in from every side they
stood by the cave mouth and asked what was wrong: “Polyphemus, what terrible pain is
this that makes you call through deathless night, and wake us? Is a mortal stealing your
flocks, or trying to kill you by violence or treachery?” Out of the cave came mighty
Polyphemus’ voice: “Nobody, my friends, is trying to kill me by violence or treachery.”
To this they replied with winged words: “If you are alone, and nobody does you violence,
it’s an inescapable sickness that comes from Zeus: pray to the Lord Poseidon, our father”
(Bk IV 360-412).
6. “At my words, he stretched out his hands to the starry heavens, and prayed to the Lord
Poseidon: ‘Hear me, Poseidon, dark-tressed Earth-Bearer, if I am your son, if you say you
are my father, let Odysseus, sacker of cities and son of Laertes, never reach his home on
Ithaca: yet if he is destined to see his friends and his fine house in his own country, may
he come there late and in sore distress, in another’s ship, losing all comrades, and let him
find great trouble in his house.’ So he prayed, and the dark-tressed god heard him. Then
the Cyclops lifted an even larger rock, swung it in the air, and hurled it, with all his
strength. It fell not far behind our blue-prowed ship, narrowly missing the tip of the
steering oar, and the sea surged up around the falling stone, and its wave carried the ship
forward and drove it to the far shore” (Bk IV
Due date: January 25 at 11:59 p.m.
Grading:
This assignment is worth 40 points.
35-40 points → Essay has a strong thesis with evidence from the passage used to support this
thesis. It also has a conclusion that ties up the essay nicely. Uses language from the passage,
demonstrating close reading abilities and an understanding of context.
30-34 points → Essay has a good thesis with some evidence from the passage used to support
this thesis. It also has a conclusion that ties up the essay adequately.
25-29 points → Essay has an OK thesis with some or little evidence from the passage. The
conclusion is OK but could be improved.
20 and under → The essay is missing one or more of the required elements.
*I am grading your content, not your grammar, but please run spelling and grammar checks
before sending it to me.
*There is also a lot of wiggle room with these grading categories. These are just to give you an
idea of how I might be grading.
Homer – The Odyssey
Translated by A.S.Kline
©Copyright 2004 A.S.Kline, All Rights
Reserved.
This work MAY be FREELY reproduced,
stored and transmitted, electronically or
otherwise, for any NON-COMMERCIAL
purpose.
This and other texts available at
www.tonykline.co.uk
Queries to [email protected]
Contents
Bk I:1-21 Invocation and Introduction ……….. 18
Bk I:22-43 Zeus speaks to the Olympians. …. 19
Bk I:44-95 Athene seeks help for Odysseus. . 21
Bk I:96-155 Athene visits Telemachus. ……… 23
Bk I:156-212 Athene introduces herself as
Mentes. ………………………………………………….. 26
Bk I:213-251 Telemachus complains of the
Suitors. ………………………………………………….. 29
Bk I:252-305 Athene advises Telemachus to
seek news. ……………………………………………… 31
Bk I:306-324 Athene departs like a bird. ……. 34
2
Bk I:325-364 Telemachus rebukes his mother
Penelope. ……………………………………………….. 35
Bk I:421-444 Telemachus and Eurycleia. …… 39
Bk II:1-34 The Assembly convenes …………… 41
Bk II:35-84 Telemachus states his case ……… 42
Bk II:85-128 Antinous justifies the Suitors’
behaviour……………………………………………….. 45
Bk II:129-176 The Eagles’ omen, Halitherses
prophesies………………………………………………. 47
Bk II:177-223 Telemachus proposes to search
for news …………………………………………………. 50
Bk II:223-259 Mentor defends Telemachus .. 52
Bk II:260-295 Athene, as Mentor, offers to
prepare a ship …………………………………………. 54
Bk II:296-336 The Suitors mock Telemachus 56
Bk II:337-381 Telemachus gathers the
provisions ………………………………………………. 58
Bk II:382-434 Athene and Telemachus depart
……………………………………………………………… 60
Bk III:1-50 Telemachus and Athene reach
Pylos ……………………………………………………… 63
Bk III:51-101 Telemachus declares himself to
Nestor ……………………………………………………. 65
3
Bk III:102-147 Nestor’s return: the Atrides
quarrel …………………………………………………… 68
Bk III:148-200 Nestor’s return: the journey .. 71
Bk III:201-252 Telemachus asks about
Agamemnon’s death ……………………………….. 73
Bk III:253-312 Menelaus’ wanderings, Orestes’
revenge ………………………………………………….. 76
Bk III:313-355 Nestor advises Telemachus to
see Menelaus ………………………………………….. 79
Bk III:356-403 Athene departs, and Nestor
prays to her …………………………………………….. 82
Bk III:404-463 Nestor’s sacrifice to Athene .. 84
Bk III:464-497 Telemachus departs …………… 87
Bk IV:1-58 Telemachus and Peisistratus arrive
in Sparta ………………………………………………… 89
Bk IV:59-112 Menelaus speaks of Odysseus . 92
Bk IV:113-154 Helen guesses Telemachus’
identity ………………………………………………….. 95
Bk IV:155-219 Peisistratus explains …………. 97
Bk IV:220-289 Helen and Menelaus speak of
Odysseus ……………………………………………… 100
Bk IV:290-350 Menelaus hears Telemachus
……………………………………………………………. 104
4
Bk IV:351-397 Menelaus tells of his delay at
Pharos ………………………………………………….. 107
Bk IV:398-463 Menelaus and Eidothee trap
Proteus…………………………………………………. 109
Bk IV:464-511 Proteus speaks: the fate of Ajax
……………………………………………………………. 112
Bk IV:512-547 Proteus speaks: the fate of
Agamemnon …………………………………………. 114
Bk IV:548-592 Proteus speaks: the fate of
Odysseus ……………………………………………… 116
Bk IV:593-624 Telemachus prepares to leave
Sparta ………………………………………………….. 119
Bk IV:625-674 The Suitors plot an ambush 121
Bk IV:675-720 Medon tells Penelope of the
plot ……………………………………………………… 123
Bk IV:721-766 Penelope and Eurycleia …… 125
Bk IV:767-794 The Suitors set their trap …. 128
Bk IV:795-847 Athene sends a phantom to
Penelope ………………………………………………. 129
Bk V:1-42 Zeus sends Hermes to Calypso .. 132
Bk V:43-91 Hermes visits Calypso ………….. 134
Bk V:92-147 Hermes explains his mission .. 137
5
Bk V:148-191 Calypso promises to free
Odysseus ……………………………………………… 139
Bk V:192-261 Odysseus builds his raft ……. 142
Bk V:262-312 Poseidon raises a storm …….. 145
Bk V:313-387 Leucothea lends Odysseus her
veil………………………………………………………. 148
Bk V:388-450 Odysseus tries to land……….. 152
Bk V:451-493 Odysseus reaches shore …….. 155
Bk VI:1-47 Athene visits Nausicaa ………….. 157
Bk VI:48-109 Nausicaa and her maids wash the
clothes …………………………………………………. 160
Bk VI:110-148 Odysseus emerges from hiding
……………………………………………………………. 163
Bk VI:149-197 Odysseus and Nausicaa speak
……………………………………………………………. 165
Bk VI:198-250 Nausicaa’s hospitality ……… 167
Bk VI:316-331 Odysseus prays to Athene … 173
Bk VII:1-77 Athene leads Odysseus to the
palace ………………………………………………….. 174
Bk VII:78-132 The Palace of Alcinous …….. 178
Bk VII:133-181 Odysseus speaks to Arete .. 181
Bk VII:182-239 Arete questions Odysseus .. 183
Bk VII:240-297 Odysseus tells of his arrival186
6
Bk VII:298-347 Odysseus sleeps in the palace
……………………………………………………………. 189
Bk VIII:1-61 The Phaeacians ready a ship .. 191
Bk VIII:62-103 The bard Demodocus sings of
Troy …………………………………………………….. 194
Bk VIII:104-151 The Sports Contest ……….. 197
Bk VIII:152-198 Odysseus enters the Games
……………………………………………………………. 199
Bk VIII:199-255 Odysseus declares his skill 201
Bk VIII:256-366 Demodocus sings of Ares and
Aphrodite …………………………………………….. 204
Bk VIII:367-415 Dancing and gifts …………. 210
Bk VIII:416-468 Nausicaa’s good wishes … 212
Bk VIII:469-520 Demodocus sings of the Fall
of Troy ………………………………………………… 215
Bk VIII:521-585 Alcinous questions Odysseus
……………………………………………………………. 217
Bk IX:1-62 Odysseus tells his tale: The Cicones
……………………………………………………………. 221
Bk IX:63-104 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Lotus-Eaters …………………………………………. 224
Bk IX:105-151 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Land of the Cyclopes …………………………….. 226
7
Bk IX:152-192 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Cyclops’ Cave ………………………………………. 228
Bk IX:193-255 Odysseus tells his tale:
Polyphemus returns ……………………………….. 231
Bk IX:256-306 Odysseus tells his tale: Trapped
……………………………………………………………. 233
Bk IX:307-359 Odysseus tells his tale: Offering
the Cyclops wine …………………………………… 236
Bk IX:360-412 Odysseus tells his tale: Blinding
the Cyclops …………………………………………… 239
Bk IX:413-479 Odysseus tells his tale: Escape
……………………………………………………………. 242
Bk IX:480-525 Odysseus tells his tale:
Telemus’ prophecy ………………………………… 245
Bk IX:526-566 Odysseus tells his tale:
Polyphemus’ curse ………………………………… 247
Bk X:1-55 Odysseus tells his tale: The Bag of
Winds. …………………………………………………. 250
Bk X:56-102 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Laestrygonians. …………………………………….. 252
Bk X:103-132 Odysseus tells his tale: Escape
from the Cannibals ………………………………… 255
8
Bk X:133-197 Odysseus tells his tale: Circe’s
Island …………………………………………………… 256
Bk X:198-250 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Magic Spell ………………………………………….. 260
Bk X:251-301 Odysseus tells his tale: Help
from Hermes ………………………………………… 263
Bk X:302-347 Odysseus tells his tale:
Encountering Circe ……………………………….. 265
Bk X:348-399 Odysseus tells his tale: Circe
Frees the Crew ……………………………………… 268
Bk X:400-448 Odysseus tells his tale: He
Gathers his Men ……………………………………. 270
Bk X:449-502 Odysseus tells his tale: He Seeks
to Leave ……………………………………………….. 273
Bk X:503-574 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Death of Elpenor …………………………………… 276
Bk XI:1-50 Odysseus tells his tale: Ghosts out
of Erebus ……………………………………………… 279
Bk XI:51-89 Odysseus tells his tale: The Soul
of Elpenor…………………………………………….. 282
Bk XI:90-149 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Ghost of Teiresias …………………………………. 284
9
Bk XI:150-224 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Spirit of Anticleia ………………………………….. 287
Bk XI:225-332 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Ghosts of Famous Women ……………………… 291
Bk XI:333-384 Alcinous asks Odysseus to
continue his narration …………………………….. 296
Bk XI:385-464 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Ghost of Agamemnon ……………………………. 299
Bk XI:465-540 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Spirit of Achilles …………………………………… 303
Bk XI:541-592 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Ghost of Ajax and others ……………………….. 307
Bk XI:593-640 Odysseus tells his tale: The
Ghost of Heracles ………………………………….. 310
Bk XII:1-35 Odysseus tells his tale: Return to
Aeaea…………………………………………………… 312
Bk XII:36-110 Odysseus tells his tale: Circe’s
advice ………………………………………………….. 314
Bk XII:111-164 Odysseus tells his tale:
Leaving Aeaea once more ………………………. 318
Bk XII:165-200 Odysseus tells his tale: Passing
the Sirens ……………………………………………… 321
10
Bk XII:201-259 Odysseus tells his tale: Scylla
and Charybdis ………………………………………. 322
Bk XII:260-319 Odysseus tells his tale:
Landing on Thrinacia …………………………….. 325
Bk XII:320-373 Odysseus tells his tale: His
crew break their oath ……………………………… 328
Bk XII:374-453 Odysseus tells his tale:
Punishment from Zeus …………………………… 331
Bk XIII:1-52 Odysseus begs Alcinous to let
him depart ……………………………………………. 335
Bk XIII:53-95 The journey home ……………. 338
Bk XIII:96-158 The landing on Ithaca ……… 340
Bk XIII:159-215 Odysseus wakes …………… 344
Bk XIII:216-255 Athene in disguise ………… 347
Bk XIII:256-310 Athene reveals herself …… 349
Bk XIII:311-365 They hide the Phaeacian
treasure ………………………………………………… 351
Bk XIII:366-415 Athene promises her help . 354
Bk XIII:416-440 Athene disguises Odysseus
……………………………………………………………. 357
Bk XIV:1-47 Odysseus finds Eumaeus…….. 358
Bk XIV:48-108 Eumaeus’ hospitality ………. 361
11
Bk XIV:109-164 Odysseus ‘prophesies’ his
own return ……………………………………………. 364
Bk XIV:165-234 Odysseus pretends to be a
Cretan ………………………………………………….. 367
Bk XIV:235-292 The Cretan’s adventures in
Egypt …………………………………………………… 371
Bk XIV:293-359 The Cretan’s adventures in
Thesprotia…………………………………………….. 374
Bk XIV:360-408 Eumaeus doubts the news 377
Bk XIV:409-456 Supper in Eumaeus’ hut … 380
Bk XIV:457-506 Odysseus’ tale of Troy ….. 382
Bk XV:1-55 Athene visits Telemachus…….. 386
Bk XV:56-119 Gifts from Menelaus………… 389
Bk XV:120-182 Telemachus leaves Sparta . 392
Bk XV:183-221 Return to Pylos ……………… 395
Bk XV:222-270 Theoclymenus the Seer ….. 398
Bk XV:271-300 Telemachus sails for home 400
Bk XV:301-350 Odysseus wishes to leave for
town…………………………………………………….. 402
Bk XV:351-402 Eumaeus tells of Odysseus’
parents …………………………………………………. 404
Bk XV:403-492 Eumaeus’s story. …………… 407
12
Bk XV:493-557 Telemachus lands on Ithaca
……………………………………………………………. 411
Bk XVI:1-59 Telemachus at Eumaeus’ hut . 414
Bk XVI:60-111 Odysseus expresses his opinion
……………………………………………………………. 417
Bk XVI:112-153 Telemachus sends Eumaeus to
Penelope ………………………………………………. 420
Bk XVI:154-212 Odysseus reveals his identity
to Telemachus ………………………………………. 422
Bk XVI:213-257 Odysseus and Telemachus
make plans……………………………………………. 425
Bk XVI:258-320 Odysseus gives Telemachus
his orders ……………………………………………… 427
Bk XVI:321-392 Telemachus’ ship makes
harbour ………………………………………………… 430
Bk XVI:393-451 Penelope rebukes the Suitors
……………………………………………………………. 433
Bk XVI:452-481 Eumaeus brings Telemachus
the latest news. ……………………………………… 437
Bk XVII:1-60 Telemachus goes to the palace
……………………………………………………………. 438
Bk
XVII:61-106
Telemachus
finds
Theoclymenus ………………………………………. 441
13
Bk XVII:107-165 Theoclymenus prophesies
Odysseus’ presence ……………………………….. 444
Bk XVII:166-203 Odysseus sets out for the city
……………………………………………………………. 447
Bk XVII:204-253 Melanthius taunts Odysseus
……………………………………………………………. 448
Bk XVII:254-289 Odysseus reaches the palace
……………………………………………………………. 451
Bk XVII:290-327 The death of Odysseus’ dog,
Argus …………………………………………………… 453
Bk XVII:328-395 Odysseus among the Suitors
……………………………………………………………. 455
Bk XVII:396-461 Antinous is angered …….. 458
Bk XVII:462-504 Odysseus is struck on the
shoulder ……………………………………………….. 462
Bk XVII:505-550 Penelope summons the
stranger ………………………………………………… 465
Bk XVII:551-606 Odysseus declines to see
Penelope ………………………………………………. 467
Bk XVIII:1-49 Irus the beggar ………………… 470
Bk XVIII:50-116 Odysseus and Irus fight … 473
Bk
XVIII:117-157
Odysseus
warns
Amphinomus ………………………………………… 476
14
Bk XVIII:158-205 Penelope prepares to show
herself to the Suitors ……………………………… 479
Bk XVIII:206-283 Penelope speaks to
Telemachus and Eurymachus ………………….. 481
Bk XVIII:284-339 The Suitors bring gifts … 485
Bk
XVIII:340-393
Eurymachus
taunts
Odysseus ……………………………………………… 488
Bk XVIII:394-428 Telemachus quiets the
Suitors …………………………………………………. 491
Bk XIX:1-52 Odysseus and Telemachus hide
the weapons ………………………………………….. 493
Bk XIX:53-99 Penelope prepares to question
the Stranger ………………………………………….. 495
Bk XIX:100-163 Penelope and Odysseus
converse ………………………………………………. 498
Bk XIX:164-219 Odysseus tells a false tale 501
Bk XIX:220-307 Odysseus prophesies his own
return …………………………………………………… 504
Bk XIX:308-360 Penelope offers hospitality508
Bk
XIX:361-475
Eurycleia
recognises
Odysseus ……………………………………………… 511
Bk XIX:476-507 Odysseus tells Eurycleia to
conceal his identity………………………………… 517
15
Bk XIX:508-553 Penelope’s dream …………. 518
Bk XIX:554-604 Penelope proposes a challenge
for the Suitors ……………………………………….. 521
Bk XX:1-55 Athene visits Odysseus………… 523
Bk XX:56-119 Zeus sends favourable omens
……………………………………………………………. 526
Bk XX:120-171 The servants prepare the house
……………………………………………………………. 529
Bk XX:172-239 Philoetius the loyal cowherd
……………………………………………………………. 532
Bk XX:240-298 Odysseus among the Suitors
……………………………………………………………. 536
Bk XX:299-344 Telemachus rebukes Ctesippus
……………………………………………………………. 539
Bk XX:345-394 Theoclymenus’ vision ……. 541
Bk XXI:1-79 Penelope declares the contest . 544
Bk XXI:80-135 Telemachus sets up the axes
……………………………………………………………. 547
Bk XXI:136-185 The Suitors try the bow …. 550
Bk XXI:186-244 Odysseus reveals himself to
Eumaeus ………………………………………………. 553
Bk XXI:245-310 Odysseus seeks to try the bow
……………………………………………………………. 556
16
Bk XXI:311-358 Telemachus asserts his
authority ………………………………………………. 559
Bk XXI:359-403 Odysseus receives the bow
……………………………………………………………. 561
Bk XXII:1-67 The death of Antinous ………. 565
Bk XXII:68-115 The battle begins …………… 568
Bk XXII:116-159 Melanthius raids the
storeroom …………………………………………….. 571
Bk XXII:160-199 Melanthius is captured …. 573
Bk XXII:200-240 Athene intervenes ……….. 575
Bk XXII:241-309 The fighting continues …. 578
Bk XXII:310-377 Leoides and Phemius …… 581
Bk XXII:378-432 Eurycleia denounces the
disloyal women …………………………………….. 585
Bk XXII:433-501 Telemachus executes the
serving-women ……………………………………… 587
Bk XXIII:1-84 Eurycleia tells Penelope the
news ……………………………………………………. 591
Bk XXIII:85-140 Penelope’s uncertainty …. 595
Bk XXIII:141-204 The Marriage-Bed ……… 598
Bk XXIII:205-246 Penelope is convinced … 601
Bk XXIII:247-299 Odysseus recounts Tiresias’
prophecy ………………………………………………. 603
17
Bk XXIII:300-372 Odysseus tells Penelope his
tale ………………………………………………………. 606
Bk XXIV:1-56 Agamemnon in the Underworld
……………………………………………………………. 610
Bk XXIV:57-97 Agamemnon’s ghost tells of
the funeral of Achilles ……………………………. 613
Bk XXIV:98-204 Amphimedon’s ghost relates
the fate of the Suitors …………………………….. 615
Bk XXIV:205-301 Odysseus finds Laertes .. 620
Bk XXIV:302-355 Odysseus makes himself
known to Laertes …………………………………… 625
Bk XXIV:356-411 Dolius recognises Odysseus
……………………………………………………………. 628
Bk XXIV:412-462 The Ithacans gather ……. 630
Bk XXIV:463-501 Athene questions Zeus .. 633
Bk XXIV:502-548 Athene brings peace …… 635
The Index ……………………………………………. 639
Bk I:1-21 Invocation and Introduction
Tell me, Muse, of that man of many resources,
who wandered far and wide, after sacking the
holy citadel of Troy. Many the men whose
18
cities he saw, whose ways he learned. Many the
sorrows he suffered at sea, while trying to bring
himself and his friends back alive. Yet despite
his wishes he failed to save them, because of
their own un-wisdom, foolishly eating the cattle
of Helios, the Sun, so the god denied them their
return. Tell us of these things, beginning where
you will, Goddess, Daughter of Zeus.
Now, all the others, who had escaped
destruction, had reached their homes, and were
free of sea and war. He alone, longing for wife
and home, Calypso, the Nymph, kept in her
echoing cavern, desiring him for a husband. Not
even when the changing seasons brought the
year the gods had chosen for his return to Ithaca
was he free from danger, and among friends.
Yet all the gods pitied him, except Poseidon,
who continued his relentless anger against
godlike Odysseus until he reached his own land
at last.
Bk I:22-43 Zeus speaks to the Olympians.
19
Now, though, Poseidon was visiting the distant
Ethiopians, the most remote of all, a divided
people, some of whom live where Hyperion
sets the others where he rises, to accept a
hetacomb of sacrificial bulls and rams, and
there he sat, enjoying the feast: but the rest of
the gods had gathered in the halls of Olympian
Zeus. The Father of gods and men was first to
address them, for he was thinking of flawless
Aegisthus,
whom
far-famed
Orestes,
Agamemnon’s son had killed. And, thinking of
him, he spoke to the immortals.
‘How surprising that men blame the gods,
and say their troubles come from us, though
they, through their own un-wisdom, find
suffering beyond what is fated. Just as
Aegisthus, beyond what was fated, took the
wife of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, and
murdered him when he returned, though he
knew the end would be a complete disaster,
since we sent Hermes, keen-eyed slayer of
Argus, to warn him not to kill the man, or court
his wife, as Orestes would avenge Agamemnon,
20
once he reached manhood and longed for his
own land. So Hermes told him, but despite his
kind intent he could not move Aegisthus’ heart:
and Aegisthus has paid the price now for it all.’
Bk I:44-95 Athene seeks help for Odysseus.
Athene, the bright-eyed goddess, answered him
at once: ‘Father of us all, Son of Cronos,
Highest King, clearly that man deserved to be
destroyed: so let all be destroyed who act as he
did. But my heart aches for Odysseus, wise but
ill fated, who suffers far from his friends on an
island deep in the sea. The island is densely
wooded and a goddess lives there, a child of
malevolent Atlas, he who knows the depths of
the sea, and supports the great columns that
separate earth and sky. It is his daughter who
detains that unlucky, sorrowful man: she lulls
him, always, with soft seductive words,
intending him to forget Ithaca. But Odysseus,
who yearns for the mere sight of the smoke
rising from his own country, only longs to die.
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Yet, Olympian, your heart is unmoved. Did he
win no favour with the sacrifices he made you,
by the Argive ships, on the wide plains of
Troy? Why do you will this man such pain,
Zeus?’
Cloud-Gathering Zeus answered her then:
‘My child, what words escape your lips? How
could I ever forget godlike Odysseus, who
exceeds all mortals in wisdom, and also in
sacrifice to the deathless gods who inhabit the
broad heavens? It is Poseidon, the Earth-Bearer,
who is always filled with implacable anger
against him, because of godlike Polyphemus,
the strongest Cyclops of all, whom Odysseus
blinded. The nymph Thoosa bore him, daughter
of Phorcys who rules the barren sea: she slept
with Poseidon in the hollow caves. Since that
blinding, Poseidon, the Earth-Shaker, though he
will not kill him, keeps Odysseus far from his
native land. Come, let all here plan how he
might come home: then Poseidon will relent,
since he’ll not be able to contend, alone, against
all the deathless gods together.’
22
The goddess, bright-eyed Athene, answered
him: ‘Father of us all, Son of Cronos, Highest
King, if it truly pleases the blessed gods for
wise Odysseus to return home, let us send
Hermes, the Messenger, Slayer of Argus, to the
isle of Ogygia, so he can tell the Nymph with
the lovely tresses of our unalterable decision,
that long-suffering Odysseus may come home.
Meanwhile I will go to Ithaca, to stir his son,
and encourage him to call the long-haired
Achaeans together, and speak his mind to the
Suitors who slaughter his flocks of sheep, and
his shambling cattle with twisted horns. Then I
will lead him to Sparta and sandy Pylos to gain
news of his loyal father’s return, if he can, and
so win praise.’
Bk I:96-155 Athene visits Telemachus.
So saying, she bound to her feet her beautiful
sandals of imperishable gold that would carry
her over the waves, over the wide lands, as
swiftly as the wind. And she took her heavy
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spear, great and strong, with its tip of sharpened
bronze, with which she destroys the ranks of
men, and heroes, when that daughter of a
mighty father is angered. Then she flew down
from the heights of Olympus, and reaching
Ithaca stood at Odysseus’ gate, at the threshold
of the court. She appeared as a visitor, Mentes,
chief of the Taphians, bronze spear in hand.
There she found the insolent suitors, sitting in
front of the doors, on ox hides from beasts they
had slaughtered themselves, playing at
counters: their pages and squires were busy
mixing water and wine in bowls, others were
wiping tables with sponges then laying them,
while others were setting out plentiful servings
of meat.
Godlike Telemachus, sitting troubled
among the suitors, imagining how his noble
father might arrive from somewhere, throw the
suitors from the palace, win honour and rule his
own again, was first to see her. Thinking of it,
sitting among the suitors, he saw Athene, and
went straight to the doorway, ashamed a
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stranger should wait so long at the gates.
Approaching her, he clasped her right hand,
took her spear of bronze, and spoke to her
winged words: ‘Welcome, stranger, here you
will find hospitality, and after you have eaten
you may tell us why you are here.’
At this, he led the way, and Pallas Athene
followed. Once inside the high hall, he took the
spear and set it in a polished rack by a tall
pillar, with other spears that belonged to loyal
Odysseus. He led Athene herself to a
handsome, richly carved chair, spread a linen
cloth over it, and seated her there with a
footstool for her feet. He drew up on ornate
stool for himself, as well, away from the
Suitors, lest the stranger should shun the food,
annoyed by the din, finding himself in a crowd
of insolent men: and so he
