L'Odissea - Odisseo sull'isola di Calipso - # 1 - Storia e Mitologia Illustrate

Summary

In this epic retelling, the story of the hero Odysseus is recounted, focusing on his long journey home after the Trojan War. Despite being a clever warrior, Odysseus is stranded on the island of Ogygia, held captive by the nymph Calypso who desires him as her husband. With the gods' intervention, including Athena and Zeus, Odysseus is granted the chance to return to Ithaca. Calypso, though reluctant, helps him build a raft for his journey. As Odysseus sets sail, the adventure to reunite with his family begins, highlighting the themes of fate, choice, and divine influence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Homer invokes the Muses to tell the story of the hero Odysseus, a clever warrior who helped the Greeks overcome the walls of Troy.
• 😀 Odysseus, unlike other heroes, has not yet returned home after the war, which becomes the focus of the gods' discussion.
• 😀 Zeus addresses the gods, stating that humans blame the gods for their misfortunes, though most of their problems are self-inflicted due to poor choices.
• 😀 Athena, in a moment of compassion, questions why Odysseus, despite his piety, continues to suffer away from his homeland.
• 😀 The god Poseidon is responsible for Odysseus' prolonged absence because he holds a grudge after Odysseus blinded Poseidon's son.
• 😀 At the time of the meeting, Poseidon is absent, residing in Ethiopia, which prevents him from participating in the discussion about Odysseus.
• 😀 Zeus decides that Odysseus has the right to return home, and he sends Hermes to deliver the message to the nymph Calypso on the island of Ogygia.
• 😀 Calypso, the nymph who has kept Odysseus on her island for seven years, is informed by Hermes that she must let him go.
• 😀 Despite Calypso's desire to keep Odysseus and even offer him immortality, Odysseus refuses, as he wants to return to his mortal life and family.
• 😀 Calypso, though reluctant, helps Odysseus build a raft and provides him with supplies for his journey back home, finally releasing him with the help of favorable winds.

Q & A

What was the central theme of the invocation in the beginning of the transcript?

The central theme of the invocation is to call upon the Muse to help narrate the story of the hero, Odysseus, highlighting his cleverness and struggles during his journey after the Trojan War.

Why was Odysseus still not home, despite surviving the war?

Odysseus was still not home because he had been trapped for seven years on the island of Ogygia, where the nymph Calypso kept him, hoping to make him her husband.

What was Zeus' perspective on human suffering and the role of the gods?

Zeus explained that humans often blamed the gods for their suffering, but in reality, their misfortunes were the result of their own choices and mistakes, for which they had to pay the price.

How did Athena show her concern for Odysseus?

Athena expressed concern for Odysseus by questioning why, despite being a pious man, he continued to suffer far from his homeland. She wanted to see him return to Ithaca.

What was Poseidon's role in preventing Odysseus from returning home?

Poseidon held a grudge against Odysseus after he blinded his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. As a result, Poseidon made it difficult for Odysseus to return home, but he was absent from the assembly because he was far away in Ethiopia.

What decision did Zeus make about Odysseus' fate?

Zeus decided that Odysseus had the right to return home to Ithaca and instructed Hermes to deliver this message to the nymph Calypso, ordering her to release him.

How did Calypso react to the gods' decision regarding Odysseus?

Calypso was furious and expressed that the gods of Olympus were envious of the happiness that lesser gods could find in relationships with mortals. However, she acknowledged that she could not oppose Zeus' will and had to let Odysseus go.

What offer did Calypso make to Odysseus during his time on Ogygia?

Calypso offered Odysseus immortality in an attempt to persuade him to stay with her, but Odysseus, being a mortal, rejected this offer because his place was with his family, not among the gods.

What did Hermes do when he visited Calypso's island?

Hermes delivered Zeus' message to Calypso, informing her that she must release Odysseus. He also conveyed the necessary arrangements for Odysseus' journey back home.

How did Odysseus react to the news that he could return home?

Odysseus was initially skeptical and cautious, wondering if Calypso's offer to let him go was sincere. He didn't want to anger a goddess, even though he longed to return to Ithaca.

How did Calypso assist Odysseus in preparing for his journey home?

Calypso helped Odysseus by providing him with the materials to build a raft, offering detailed instructions for constructing it to withstand the challenges of the sea. She also supplied him with provisions for the journey.