the odyssey review

Epithet

An adjective or phrase expressing some quality or attribute which is characteristic of a person or thing

Divine Intervention

When gods get directly involved in daily activities

Epic

A long narrative poem telling of a hero’s deed

Hospitality

Taking care of guests, allowing them into your home

Epic Hero

Is on quest for something of great value to him or his people

Episodic Development

The development through a series of action/episodes

Epic Simile

A long comparison of two things

In Media Res

The part of a narrative that interrupts the chronological flow by relating events from the past

Invocation of the Muse

A god or goddess that inspires in the creative process

Event 1

The Trojan War ends, and Odysseus begins his journey home with his men. 

Event 2

Odysseus and his men attack and plunder the Cicones' city, leading to a counter-attack that causes losses for Odysseus's crew. 

Event 3

Land of the Lotus-Eaters.

Event 4

Odysseus and his men are trapped by the one-eyed giant Polyphemus. Odysseus blinds the Cyclops to escape, but this earns the anger of Poseidon, Polyphemus's father. 

Event 5

Aeolus, the king of the winds, gives Odysseus a bag containing all the winds to help him sail home. His men, curious, open the bag near Ithaca and the resulting storm blows them back to Aeolia.

Event 6

The giant Laestrygonians destroy all of Odysseus's ships but his own, and eat most of his men. 

Event 7

The sorceress Circe turns half of Odysseus's remaining crew into pigs. Odysseus eventually frees his men and stays on her island for a year.

Event 8

Odysseus travels to the Land of the Dead to seek advice from the prophet Tiresias on how to get home.

Event 9

Odysseus and his crew pass the Sirens. Odysseus listens to their song while tied to the mast, and his men have their ears plugged with wax. 

Event 10

Odysseus must sail between the six-headed monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis, losing six men to Scylla.

Event 11

Odysseus lands on the island of Thrinacia. Despite his warnings, his crew slaughters and eats the cattle of the sun god Helios. 

Event 12

Zeus destroys Odysseus's ship and sends him to the island of the nymph Calypso. He is held captive for seven years, and she eventually releases him after being commanded to by the gods. 

Event 13

Odysseus is found and cared for by the Phaeacians. He recounts the story of his journey to them. 

Last Event

Phaeacians sail Odysseus home to Ithaca, where he reunites with Telemachus and eventually reclaims his throne by killing the suitors who have been trying to marry his wife, Penelope.