Book I is titled "The Council of the Gods and the Summons to Telemachus." At the beginning of the book, the poet calls Muse to help recall the story of Odysseus (sounds familiar). The poet tells us that every other Achaean has made it home safely after the Trojan War except Odysseus. We learn that Poseidon is angry with Odysseus and is making his trip home rather difficult, so Poseidon isn't around while the others gods are holding council. Zeus talks about Aegisthus who was killed by Agamemnon's son Orestes. Aegisthus was having an affair with Agamemnon's wife while he was away killing Trojans and then he killed Agamemnon when he got home. Not a good move by Aegisthus because even Hermes told him not to do it or else. When a god says or else, you know you're probably going to die if you go against him. In Greek customs, Aegisthus had it coming when Agamemnon's ONLY son Orestes killed him. Athena, who doesn't care one bit about what's going on with Orestes, tells Zeus her heart is hurting for her favorite mortal, Odysseus. Zeus says he hasn't forgotten about Odysseus, but Poseidon is infuriated with him because blinded the eye of Poseidon's son, Polyphemus who was a Cyclops. Zeus says that Poseidon will soon get over his anger because all of the other gods like Odysseus so much. We find out that Calypso is holding Odysseus away as her personal sex slave, and Athena wants Zeus to send Hermes to tell Calypso to let Odysseus go. Zeus tells everyone he is still in charge of the gods and that he won't send Hermes yet. Athena goes behind her father's back and goes to Ithaca (where Odysseus is from) disguised as Mentes, who was friend of Odysseus's. This brings us to Ithaca. There's a lot of suitors milling around, and we aren't told the reason just yet. Telemachus, who is Odysseus's son, greets the disguised Athena and welcomes her in his home. He prepares a banquet for her, highlighting the Greeks' firm belief in hospitality. Athena tells Telemachus not to be discouraged about his father and that he should still believe that he will come home soon. We are told that the suitors are there for Odysseus's wife, Penelope. Everyone believes that Odysseus is dead, so they've been lounging about his palace and eating his food along with trying to get with his wife. Athena tells Telemachus to go talk to Nestor then find King Menelaus. Before she leaves, Athena shows Telemachus a vision of his father, and then he realizes he's in the presence of a deity. Then, there is music sang about the Trojan War, which is a little awkward because Odysseus is supposedly dead because of the war. Penelope comes out of her room and asks the musician to sing something else, but Telemachus chastises her, saying many people died in the war. She admires his wisdom, then leaves. Telemachus then tells the suitors they must leave by dawn. They object, but then he goes to his room to sleep and ponder Athena's advice.
Book II, "The Assembly at Ithaca and the Departure of Telemachus," starts with Telemachus calling a meeting for the men of Ithaca, including the suitors. Aegyptius says that they haven't had a meeting since Odysseus left. Telemachus couldn't hold in his words after that rudeness. He says he's angry about the suitors eating all their food and being extremely lazy. One of the suitors, Antinous, speaks up and says that it's Penelope's fault they're all still here. He goes on to say that Penelope, as being queen, should have immediately married a man so Ithaca would have a king, but she stalled. He ends by giving an ultimatum: Penelope is exiled or she must choose a suitor. Before Telemachus can respond, Zeus sends two eagles to break up the meeting. One man reads this as a good omen, that Odysseus will return, while another says he's dead. Telemachus is tired of their babbling and arguing; he's going to sail to see Nestor. Mentor, a man of Ithaca, says they should have stood up and kicked the suitors out, but someone ends up hushing him up. Then the meeting is over. Telemachus then prays to the deity he saw the day before, and Athena hears him. She comes to him in the form of Mentor and tells him to pack provisions for a long camp. Telemachus then tells people to keep the trip a secret, especially from Penelope. While he's getting ready, Athena disguises herself as Telemachus and gets a crew ready. Athena then goes back to Telemachus as Mentor and tells him his crew, along with Athena-as-Mentor, is ready to go.
Book III is titled "At Pylos." The next dawn, Telemachus and his crew arrive at Pylos to see Nestor. The people are making sacrifices to Poseidon, which is wise since he is so cranky all the time. Telemachus is nervous about making a speech when he meets Nestor. The disguised Athena tells him not to worry because the gods favor him. Before he can make a speech, there is a feast held in honor of their arrival. Telemachus then makes his big speech and asks to hear news of Odysseus since Nestor fought alongside him. Of course Nestor talks forever, but he says some nice things about Odysseus and says that Telemachus takes after his father. Nestor does say that the army split after the war. Half went with Menelaus while the other half stayed with Agamemnon to give offerings to Athena. Odysseus went with Menelaus, but then turned back around because he wanted to support Agamemnon. Nestor then tells a long-winded story about Agamemnon, his murder, and his son's revenge. Eventually, Nestor tells Telemachus that he shouldn't stay away from home for long because the suitors will probably be pillaging the palace more. He then offers beds for Telemachus. Athena then reveals herself by turning into an eagle. Nestor is in awe that Athena is helping Telemachus, so the next day they make great sacrifices to her. Nestor then gives supplies and horses to Telemachus so he can go to Sparta.
Book IV is titled "At Lacedaemon." Telemachus and his crew find Menelaus and they're having a double wedding party. Menelaus talks a lot about how he misses Odysseus the most. Telemachus cries when he hears the fond words about his dad. Helen (yes, she was returned to Telemachus) tells Telemachus that he looks just like Odysseus. She then decides to drug them to make this all forget their grief. They spend the rest of the night telling wonderful stories about Odysseus. The next day, Menelaus asks Telemachus why he came. He explains the problem with the suitors and Menelaus goes on to tell of a story, and finally gets to the point where he says Odysseus is being held hostage by Calypso. Then, Telemachus gets ready to leave. Back in Ithaca, Antinous decides that the suitors should ambush Telemachus on his way back and kill him. A townsman hears this and tells Penelope. Penelope, who didn't know about the journey, is depressed by this idea. Athena hears Penelope's prayer to her then comes to her in a vision while she's sleeping to comfort her. She is disguised as Penelope's sister and tells her that Telemachus will be okay.
Book Vis called "The Raft of Odysseus." Finally some action with the protagonist right? I missed him. Athena is upset about Odysseus not being freed by Calypso, so she convinces Zeus to tell Hermes to go down and tell Calypso to let him go AND help him build a sturdy raft to leave in. Odysseus is getting a little antsy. He's been living on the island for seven years and wants to get home. Calypso greets Hermes with hospitality until he gives her the message. She says complains that immortal men can sleep with mortal women, but the immortal men get mad when immortal women sleep with mortal men. She makes a good point. Hermes lets her rant until she finally gives in. Calypso helps him build a raft and after five days sets him on his merry way home to Ithaca with provisions. All goes well until Poseidon sees Odysseus is out on the sea again. He sends a storm to drown him. Odysseus wishes that he would have died a glorious death in battle than being dishonored in the sea (kind of like Enkidu if you remember). A sea-nymph Ino hears Odysseus's cries and helps him. She gives him a veil that will protect him from drowning. He doesn't quite believe her when she leaves. Athena waits for Poseidon's storm to rage on, then blows some winds to help Odysseus's raft find land. After days, he finds land and Athena grants him rested sleep.
Book VI, "The Landing in Phaeacia," begins with Athena going into the city where Odysseus has landed. She's so helpful! She goes to the princess of the city's room, Nausicaa, and tells her it's time to start thinking about getting married. She tells the princess to go to the stream (where Odysseus had landed) and wash her wedding linens. When her party gets there, they start screaming when they see Odysseus--he's naked, only using an olive branch to cover up his manhood. Nausicaa falls in love. She gives Odysseus supplies to bathe himself and talks a long time about how her city is good at building ships. She tells him to follow her home and throw himself at the mercy of her mother, the queen, because whatever she says goes. He agrees and prays to Athena for good luck. We all know she hears him.
That was pretty short right? Next post is going to be nifty (I hope).
Until then,
Cassy
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