Name: The Odyssey
Author: Homer
ISBN: 9780199669103

The Odyssey

Homer

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Author Description

"Tell me, Muse, of the man of many turns, who was driven / far and wide after he had sacked the sacred city of Troy"Twenty years after setting out to fight in the Trojan War, Odysseus is yet to return home to Ithaca. His household is in disarray: a horde of over 100 disorderly and arrogant suitors are vying to claim Odysseus' wife Penelope, and his young son Telemachus is powerless to stop them. Meanwhile, Odysseus is driven beyond the limits of the known world, encountering countless divine and earthly challenges. But Odysseus is 'of many wiles' and his cunning and bravery eventually lead him home, to reclaim both his family and his kingdom.The Odyssey rivals the Iliad as the greatest poem of Western culture and is perhaps the most influential text of classical literature. This elegant and compelling new translation is accompanied by a full introduction and notes that guide the reader in understanding the poem and the many different contexts in which it was performed and read.

Menrva's Summary

THE PULSE

Odysseus struggles to return to his kingdom of Ithaca after the Trojan War, only to find his home besieged by suitors attempting to usurp his throne and marry his wife. As the protagonist navigates the Mediterranean, he faces divine wrath and mythical creatures that test his endurance and intellect. The narrative follows a non-linear structure, utilizing flashbacks to recount his past exploits while simultaneously tracking the maturation of his son, Telemachus, in Ithaca. Odysseus relies on his characteristic cunning to overcome physical and supernatural obstacles, aiming to restore order to his household and reclaim his rightful position as king.

INSIDE THE PAGES

Epic poem structure utilizing dactylic hexameter
Extensive use of epithets and formulaic language
Complex non-linear narrative timeline
Themes of hospitality, loyalty, and divine intervention
Exploration of the hero's journey archetype
Vivid descriptions of ancient Mediterranean geography
Integration of Greek mythological figures and deities
Focus on the tension between human agency and fate

THE COLLECTIVE ECHO

Discussion often centers on the enduring nature of Odysseus as a complex, multifaceted hero who relies on intellect as much as physical strength. Readers frequently highlight the contrast between the domestic struggles in Ithaca and the fantastical, high-stakes encounters during the protagonist's voyage. Critics emphasize the poem's foundational role in Western literature, noting how its exploration of homecoming and identity remains relevant across centuries. The balance between the poem's rhythmic, oral-tradition roots and its intricate plot construction continues to generate significant scholarly and popular interest.

Page Count:
448

Publication Date:
2017-01-01

Publisher:
Oxford University Press

ISBN-10:
0199669104

ISBN-13:
9780199669103

Adventure

Classics

Ancient

Epic Poetry

Mythology