Book 1 - The Odyssey

quotes and summaries

“Tell me about a complicated man”

Homeric epithet

Polytropos- Of many turns, suggests a man with multiple layers of a clever, cunning personality and describes the twists and turns of his men, yet it could also allude to the idea of his long journey home that includes multiple “twists” and “turns” home. 

Complicated- describing him as such hints to the idea he’s a clever hero who is also responsible for the death of his men, a man who endures suffering and himself causes it 

He’s a hero with conflicting traits, and there also serves a sense of ambiguity within calling him “complicated” as the readers are left to their own interpretation 

Key terms to understand

Kleos- Remembered in song

Time- Respect from other people (essentially gifts)

Odysseus is on his return “The nostoi” 

Muses- The goddess of arts

God’s in epic

Zeus - holder of fate and destiny, ultimate authority, in book one we see the mortals complain about the God’s fate for them and Zeus argued human choices matter regardless of fate. He is most associated with an eagle and a thunderbolt

Athena- Wisdom, strategy in war, she’s one of Zeus’ favourite daughters and we see her in book one protesting against Zeus’ complacency towards Odysseus’ situation. She provides divine aid and assistance towards Odysseus, The olive tree, armour, eagle

Poseidon- God of the sea, he holds a grudge against Odysseus, trident and dolphins

"He disapproved of leaving strangers stranded”

Xenia - Telemachus, Telemachus demonstrates good xenia by sitting the guests away from the suitors, he invites them to dinner and ensures their safety.

However, we see Telemachus as an underdeveloped character as he is clueless on how to tackle the suitors disrespecting their xenia, for instance he states “soon they will kill me”. His lack of e

“Gauzy veil” “took to heart her son’s deliberate scolding”

Penelope is presented as a modest, powerful character. Yet emotional. Athena protects Penelope by putting her to sleep when she’s crying, showing that whilst Odysseus is on his journey home, Athena ensures to provide divine aid to Penelope, in a way she’s helping Odysseus as she ensures Penelope (his wife) is looked after and treated well