Cliff's Notes On Homer's The Odyssey - (rev edition

Baldwin, Stanley P. :

Stanley P. Baldwin is a writer and teacher living in Nebraska.

Sample Chapter

CHAPTER 1
HOMER'S
THE ODYSSEY
IN THIS CHAPTER

Learn about the Life and Background of the Poet

Preview an Introduction to the Epic

Study a graphical Character Map

Explore themes and literary devices in the Critical Commentaries

Examine in-depth Character Analyses

Reinforce what you learn with CliffsNotes Review

Find additional information to further your study in CliffsNotes Resource Center

Books 1 - 4
The first four books deal with Telemachus' struggle (in fact, Odysseus does not appear in the epic until Book 5). A secondary plot in The Odyssey is Telemachus' coming of age, his own quest, which scholars sometimes refer to as the "Telemacheia."

The goddess Athena appears to the young prince in disguise and advises him to gather an assembly of the island's leaders to protest the invasion of the suitors. Soon after, he is to visit King Nestor of Pylos and King Menelaus of Sparta, old comrades of his father's, to gather from them any new of Odysseus.

At the assembly, the two leading suitors--the aggressive Antinous and the smooth-talking Eurymachus--confront the prince. They accuse Penelope of delaying too long in her choice of a new husband. Telemachus speaks well but accomplishes little at the assembly because the suitors are from some of the strongest families in the area and are impatient with Penelope's delays.

As Telemachus secretly sets off for Pylos and Sparta, the suitors plot to assassinate him. At Pylos, Telemachus learns little of his father but is encouraged to visit Sparta where King Menelaus reports that Odysseus is alive but held captive by the goddess nymph Calypso.

Books 5 - 8
Homer leaves the story of Telemachus as the suitors are about to ambush his ship on its return to Ithaca. At Athena's urging, the gods have decided to free Odysseus from Calypso. Hermes, the messenger god, delivers the order to Odysseus' captor. Odysseus has spent seven years with the goddess, sleeping with her at night and pining for his home and family during the day. Calypso is a beautiful, lustful nymph who wants to marry Odysseus and grant him immortality, but he longs for Penelope and Ithaca. Reluctantly, Calypso sends Odysseus on his way.

Poseidon, the sea god, spots the wayfarer and, seeking revenge because Odysseus blinded Poseidon's son Cyclops, shipwrecks Odysseus on Phaeacia, which is ruled by King Alcinous. The Phaeacians, civilized and hospitable people, welcome the stranger and encourage him to tell of his adventures. Through Odysseus' narration, the reader goes back 10 years and hears his tale.

Life and Background of the Author.
Introduction to The Odyssey.
Critical Commentaries.

Book 1: Athena Inspires the Prince.
Book 2: Telemachus Sets Sail.
Book 3: King Nestor Remembers.
Book 4: The King and Queen of Sparta.
Book 5: Odysseus--Nymph and Shipwreck.
Books 6-8: The Princess and the Stranger; Phaeacia's Halls and Gardens; A Day for Songs and Contests.
Book 9: In the One-Eyed Giant's Cave.
Book 10: The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea.
Book 11: The Kingdom of the Dead.
Book 12: The Cattle of the Sun.
Books 13 & 14: Ithaca at Last; The Loyal Swineherd.
Books 15 & 16: The Prince Sets Sail for Home; Father and Son.
Book 17: Stranger at the Gate.
Book 18: The Beggar-King at Ithaca.
Book 19: Penelope and Her Guest.
Book 20: Portents Gather.
Book 21: Odysseus Strings His Bow.
Book 22: Slaughter in the Hall.
Book 23: The Great Rooted Bed.
Book 24: Peace.

Character Analyses.
Critical Essays.
CliffsNotes Review.
CliffsNotes Resource Center.
Index.