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Find a comprehensive overview, analysis, and quizzes for Homer's epic poem The Odyssey. Learn about the plot, characters, themes, and historical context of this foundational work of Western literature.
- Books 1 & 2
A summary of Books 1 & 2 in Homer's The Odyssey. Learn...
- Setting
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- Odysseus
A detailed description and in-depth analysis of Odysseus in...
- Metaphors & Similes
A list of the metaphors and similes in The Odyssey...
- Penelope
A detailed description and in-depth analysis of Penelope in...
- Character List
The Odyssey characters include: Odysseus, Telemachus,...
- Plot Analysis
The Odyssey tells the story of a heroic but far from perfect...
- Important Quotes
Explanation of the famous quotes in The Odyssey, including...
- Plot Summary
A short summary of Homer's The Odyssey. This free synopsis...
- Full Text
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- Books 1 & 2
A comprehensive overview of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, which tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus's long journey home after the Trojan War. Learn about his adventures, challenges, and triumphs, as well as the themes and symbols of the poem.
- Books 1 & 2
- Books 3 & 4
- Books 5 & 6
- Books 7 & 8
- Book 9
- Books 10 & 11
- Books 12–14
- Books 15 & 16
- Books 17 & 18
- Books 19 & 20
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Ten years after the Trojan War Odysseus has yet to return home, as he is in the grips of the goddess Calypso. In Ithaca, Odysseus’s home is ravished by a slew of suitors hoping to marry his wife Penelope. Athena tasks Odysseus’s son Telemachus with banishing the suitors and traveling to gather information about his father. Read a full Summary & Ana...
Telemachus meets Nestor, the King of Pylos, who recounts the fate of Agamemnon and Menelaus after the fall of Troy. Nestor’s son, Pisistratus, accompanies Telemachus to Sparta where they learn of Odysseus’s ingenuity to use a Trojan horse to invade Troy and that Odysseus is held captive by Calypso. In the guise of Penelope’s sister, Athena eases Pe...
The gods convince a begrudging Calypso to release Odysseus. On his way to the island of the Phaeacians, Odysseus’s ship is attacked by Poseidon, but he escapes with Athena and Ino’s assistance. The princess Nausicaa discovers Odysseus, begins to fall in love, and advises him how to reach the palace and how to approach the Queen Arete. Read a full S...
Athena helps Odysseus make his way to the palace where he is greeted by King Alcinous and Queen Arete, who promise to provide Odysseus with a ship and offer Nausicaa’s hand in marriage. The next day Odysseus participates in a series of games where he exhibits his athletic prowess. After noticing Odysseus’s reaction to the bard’s songs, Alcinous que...
Odysseus recounts the tale of his travels, from the city of Cicones to the land of the Lotus-eaters. Odysseus goes on to tell of his encounter with the Cyclops Polyphemus, whom after being blinded by Odysseus and his men calls on his father Poseidon to take revenge upon Odysseus. Read a full Summary & Analysis of Book 9
Odysseus recounts how his crew preemptively opened the bag of winds Aeolus had given them, as well as their encounter with the giants. He goes on to tell of his affair with Circe and his meeting with several spirits at the River of Ocean in the land of the Cimmerians. Overwhelmed by the souls of the dead, Odysseus returns to his ship and sails away...
Odysseus details his last night with Circe, the incident with Scylla and Charybdis, and his confrontation with Zeus who destroys his ship and crew as they attempt to leave Thrinacia. Odysseus ends his story with his arrival in Ogygia, since they have already heard of his time there, and prepares to depart to Ithaca the next day. After arriving in I...
Telemachus follows Athena’s advice to return to Ithaca and departs from Sparta. Eumaeus and Odysseus exchange stories and Eumaeus tells Odysseus of the dangerous suitors inhabiting the palace. The following morning Telemachus visits Eumaeus’s hut, where Odysseus reveals his true identity and the two are reunited and plot to eliminate the suitors fr...
Telemachus returns to the palace where he tells Penelope what he learned about Odysseus. Meanwhile, Odysseus and Eumaeus are goaded by Penelope’s suitors. Athena assists Odysseus and Penelope by granting Odysseus strength and Penelope extra beauty, as well as planting the idea in Penelope’s mind to have the suitors shower her with gifts. Odysseus g...
Penelope meets with Odysseus, still in disguise, and is brought to tears after hearing his description of the Greek hero, especially that he is still alive and traveling back to Ithaca. Odysseus reluctantly has his feet washed by Eurycleia who discovers his identity but promises to keep his secret, and Penelope resolves to marry the first man who c...
A comprehensive overview of the plot and themes of Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, divided into 24 chapters. Each chapter summary provides a brief synopsis, analysis, and links to full summaries and analysis of the text.
Learn about Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, the story of Odysseus' 10-year journey home after the Trojan War. Find out the main characters, themes, motifs, symbols, and movie versions of this classic work of mythology.
Learn how the narrator of The Odyssey uses third-person and first-person perspectives to reveal the characters' thoughts, feelings, and actions. Explore how the poem explores the moral issues of hospitality, loyalty, and revenge through different voices.
The action of The Odyssey begins when Athena sees her chance to rescue Odysseus from the nymph Calypso while Poseidon’s back is turned. Odysseus’s fate ultimately depends on the status of his patron goddess, suggesting that hierarchy is inescapable in the universe of The Odyssey.
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The best study guide to The Odyssey on the planet, from the creators of SparkNotes. Get the summaries, analysis, and quotes you need.
