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The Odyssey Summary:Book 1: Difference between revisions
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Book One opens traditionally with the narrative of the rhapsode invoking the muse and announcing his epic argument: the wanderings of Odysseus. We learn of Odysseus’ intelligence, experience, and endurance; his concern for himself and inability to save his crew; and his hunger for “home and wife.” Presently, Odysseus languishes on Ogygia, under the spell of Kalypso, after wandering nearly ten years for provoking Poseidon by blinding his son, Polyphêmos. Yet, Poseidon has gone to the ends of the world, giving Athena time to act. | [[Image:Athena1.jpg|thumb|right|Athena (Howard David Johnson)]] Book One opens traditionally with the narrative of the rhapsode invoking the muse and announcing his epic argument: the wanderings of Odysseus. We learn of Odysseus’ intelligence, experience, and endurance; his concern for himself and inability to save his crew; and his hunger for “home and wife.” Presently, Odysseus languishes on Ogygia, under the spell of Kalypso, after wandering nearly ten years for provoking Poseidon by blinding his son, Polyphêmos. Yet, Poseidon has gone to the ends of the world, giving Athena time to act. | ||
After Zeus laments the greediness of man, using the perfidy of Clytemnestra and Aigístho against Agamémnon as an example, Athena tells of the suitors upsetting the house of Odysseus and Odysseus’ veritable imprisonment. Zeus agrees that Odysseus must finally return home and gives Athena leave to go to Ithaca and sends Hermes to Ogygia to free Odysseus. | After Zeus laments the greediness of man, using the perfidy of Clytemnestra and Aigístho against Agamémnon as an example, Athena tells of the suitors upsetting the house of Odysseus and Odysseus’ veritable imprisonment. Zeus agrees that Odysseus must finally return home and gives Athena leave to go to Ithaca and sends Hermes to Ogygia to free Odysseus. | ||
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Book One closes with an image of loyalty from Eurykleia, the house maid that Laërtes (who now lives outside the city) purchased for twenty oxen. The night is peaceful, but Telémakhos goes to bed with the weight of days to come. | Book One closes with an image of loyalty from Eurykleia, the house maid that Laërtes (who now lives outside the city) purchased for twenty oxen. The night is peaceful, but Telémakhos goes to bed with the weight of days to come. | ||
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[[The Odyssey Summary | Index]] > [[The Odyssey Summary:Book 2|Book 2]] | |||
== External Links == | |||
* [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/~glucas/archives/000313.shtml Notes on the Telemachiad] | |||
[[Category:World Literature|Odyssey]] | |||