The Odyssey Summary:Book 1
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.
Athena travels to Ithaca, disguises herself as Mentês (“to think”), and goes to Telémakhos to give him courage against the suitors (he must tell them to clear out) and suggest he go to Nestor and Meneláos for news of Odysseus. When we first see Telémakhos he is still a passive boy, but by the end of the book (with Athena’s help) his confidence is bolstered enough to act. He warns the suitors to leave — to consume their own stores — and calls an assembly of the Ithacans for the next day. The suitors do not take him seriously, but are surprised by his nascent confidence.
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.