The Odyssey
The OdysseyThe Odyssey, written by Homer, is the story of Odysseus and how he faced misfortune in his attempts to return home after the Trojan
war. From these misfortunes he learned to be a better man and became
able to regain his place in his homeland of Ithaca.
During his journeys Odysseus often makes the mistake of staying
to boast to his enemies but learns that doing so gives his opposition
a chance to seek retribution against him. After leaving Troy Odysseus
attacks the land of the Cicones. Instead of leaving after his victory,
he stays to celebrate until a force is rallied against him and he must
flee with many casualties. Afterwards Odysseus and his crew land on
the island of the Cyclops. They are attacked and some are eaten by
Polyphemus. After intoxicating the great Cyclops, Odysseus and his
men blind the monster with a heated spear. The men could have made an
escape without incident but Odysseus mocked Polyphemus and shouted out
his real name, when before Odysseus had told him that his name was
"Noman." With this new information Polyphemus prays to his father
Poseidon to have Odysseus and his men punished. Having angered
Poseidon, they must wander throughout the sea slowly dying one by one.
Odysseus learns that bragging can have ill effects and uses this
knowledge on the island of the Phaecians and Ithaca when he does not
openly boast of his deeds and his journeys.
Odysseus also learns to pay close attention to the instructions
of the gods, or he might have to face a terrible price. When Odysseus
and his crew landed at the island of Aeolus, they were given a parting
gift that would have helped them greatly if they had paid heed to the
warnings of Aeolus. He gave Odysseus a bag full of the bad winds that
would keep them from their home of Ithaca. Odysseus and his crew were
in sight of the homeland they had waited so long to see, when a band
of rebel crewmen opened the bag creating a great gale that blew them
back to Aeolus. When Aeolus saw this he believed that Odysseus was
cursed and banished him from the island. This is not...
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