Video SparkNotes: Homer's The Odyssey summary

Summary

The Odyssey follows the Greek hero Odysseus on his perilous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Odysseus encounters numerous challenges, including being held captive by the nymph Calypso and angering the god Poseidon, who seeks revenge after Odysseus blinds his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. The story is divided into three parts: the troubles of Odysseus' family in Ithaca, Odysseus' adventures, and his eventual return home. Throughout, Odysseus uses his intelligence and cunning to survive, ultimately reuniting with his family after 20 years.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Odyssey is the story of Odysseus' long journey home after the Trojan War, where he faces many obstacles.
• 👑 Odysseus is the king of Ithaca, a rocky island off the Greek mainland, where his wife Penelope and son Telemachus await his return.
• 🛡️ The Trojan War lasted 10 years, and after the Greeks' victory, Odysseus and his men embarked on a challenging voyage back to Ithaca.
• 🌊 Along the way, all of Odysseus' men die, but he survives due to his intelligence and cunning.
• ⏳ The story is divided into three parts: the situation in Ithaca during Odysseus' absence, Odysseus' journey over 8 years, and his eventual return home.
• 🧝 Odysseus is trapped on the island of the nymph Calypso, who won't let him leave, and the god Poseidon keeps sending him off course.
• ⚡ Athena intervenes by visiting Odysseus' son Telemachus, disguised as a man, and encourages him to search for news of his father.
• 👨‍👦 Telemachus travels to Pylos and Sparta, meeting kings Nestor and Menelaus, who share news of Odysseus' fate.
• 🔪 Antinous, one of the suitors, plots to kill Telemachus, but the plan is overheard and relayed to Penelope.
• 📜 Zeus and Athena ultimately agree that Odysseus should be allowed to return home, though his journey will continue to be filled with challenges.

Q & A

What is the main storyline of *The Odyssey*?

The Odyssey is about Odysseus' journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Along the way, he faces numerous challenges, including being trapped by a nymph named Calypso and being repeatedly thrown off course by the god Poseidon. Odysseus eventually returns home after a 10-year journey.

Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus?

Poseidon is angry with Odysseus because Odysseus blinded his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. As a result, Poseidon continually sends Odysseus off course, delaying his journey home.

How does the story begin?

The story opens with the gods Zeus and Athena discussing Odysseus' fate. Odysseus is stranded on an island with the nymph Calypso, who refuses to let him leave. Athena convinces the gods to allow Odysseus to return home.

What is the situation in Ithaca while Odysseus is away?

In Ithaca, Odysseus' wife, Penelope, is dealing with numerous suitors who assume that Odysseus is dead and are trying to marry her. Penelope doesn't want to remarry, so she stalls by weaving and unweaving a burial shroud.

Who is Telemachus and what role does he play in the story?

Telemachus is Odysseus' son. He is frustrated by the suitors in his home and wants to find news of his father. With Athena's guidance, he travels to speak with King Nestor and King Menelaus to learn about Odysseus' fate.

How does Telemachus try to deal with the suitors?

Telemachus calls an assembly, as advised by Athena, to tell the suitors to leave his home. He also plans a journey to seek news of his father and hopes to return with definitive information about Odysseus' fate.

What trick does Penelope use to delay choosing a new husband?

Penelope claims she will choose a new husband once she finishes weaving a burial shroud for Odysseus' father, Laertes. However, she undoes her work every night to delay having to make a decision.

What news does Telemachus receive in Sparta from King Menelaus?

In Sparta, King Menelaus tells Telemachus that he last heard of Odysseus while stranded on an island off the coast of Egypt. A goddess named Eidothea helped Menelaus learn that Odysseus was trapped by the nymph Calypso.

What plot do the suitors plan while Telemachus is away?

Two suitors, Antinous and Eurymachus, plan to ambush and kill Telemachus when he returns from his journey. However, the plot is overheard by a herald, who warns Penelope, and she prays to Athena for her son's safety.

How does Odysseus finally gain the gods' approval to leave Calypso's island?

Athena convinces Zeus and the other gods to allow Odysseus to leave Calypso's island. Zeus sends Hermes to deliver the message to Calypso, who reluctantly agrees to let Odysseus go after swearing an oath that she won't harm him.