The Odyssey - Book 1

Book 1 - Translated Text

• The Muse is invoked to tell the story of Odysseus, a man of many devices who wandered extensively after sacking Troy
• Despite his suffering and the loss of his comrades due to their folly, Odysseus longs for home and his wife
• Calypso, a bright goddess, keeps Odysseus captive in her caves, yearning for him as her husband
• All gods pitied Odysseus except Poseidon, who remains enraged, due to Odysseus blinding his son, Polyphemus
• Poseidon attends a feast among the Ethiopians, where he receives a hecatomb of bulls and rams
• Zeus recalls Aegisthus, who was slain by Orestes for murdering Agamemnon and marrying his wife
• Mortals blame the gods for their troubles, although sorrows stem from their own blind folly
• Aegisthus was warned by Hermes not to slay Agamemnon or woo his wife, but he faced destruction
• Athena expresses sorrow for Odysseus' suffering on a sea-girt isle, held captive by Atlas' daughter, who beguiles him with words to forget Ithaca
• Odysseus longs to see even the smoke rising from his homeland and yearns to die, but Zeus remains unmoved
• Zeus questions Athena's words, affirming Odysseus' wisdom and sacrifices
• Poseidon's wrath stems from Odysseus blinding Polyphemus, son of Phorcys and Thoosa
• Zeus proposes that the gods plan Odysseus' return home, hoping to assuage Poseidon's anger
• Athena proposes sending Hermes to Ogygia to convey the gods' resolve to Calypso about Odysseus' return
• She declares she will go to Ithaca to encourage Telemachus to address the wooers and seek news of his father in Sparta and Pylos

The Blinding of Polyphemus

• Athena adorned herself with immortal, golden sandals and took a mighty bronze spear
• She descended from Olympus to Ithaca, standing at Odysseus' outer gate
• Disguised as Mentes, leader of the Taphians, she found the wooers enjoying themselves
• Telemachus spots Athena and welcomes her, leading her inside, showing hospitality as a stranger
• Telemachus positions Athena on a richly decorated chair with a linen cloth and footstool, separated from the wooers
• This was done to avoid disturbance and allow him to inquire about his missing father
• A handmaid brings water for washing, and a housewife sets bread and dainties
• A carver serves meats, and a herald pours wine, while the wooers enter and take their seats
• After the wooers satisfy their hunger, they turn to song and dance, with Phemius playing the lyre

The Goddess Pallas Athena

• Telemachus confides in Athena about the wooers consuming the livelihood of Odysseus without atonement
• Telemachus expresses doubt about Odysseus' return and asks Athena's identity, origin, and if she is a friend of his father
• Athena reveals herself as Mentes, son of Anchialus, a Taphian lord, come to Temese for copper
• Athena confirms their fathers' friendship, mentioning Laertes' withdrawal to the fields and Odysseus' apparent thwarting of his return by the gods
• She prophecies Odysseus is alive, held captive on an isle, but will return, being a man of many devices
• Athena asks Telemachus if he is Odysseus' son, noting their likeness
• Telemachus admits uncertainty about his parentage
• Athena reassures Telemachus of his lineage, given Penelope bore him
• He is asked to describe the feast, its purpose, and expresses outrage over the wooers' behavior
• Telemachus explains his house was once rich, but the gods have willed Odysseus' absence
• Princes from Dulichium, Same, Zacynthus, and Ithaca woo his mother and waste his house
• He details that his mother cannot decide, and the wooers consume his substance, leading to ruin
• Athena expresses outrage and wishes Odysseus would deal with the wooers
• Telemachus should call an assembly and bid the wooers scatter
• Athena advises Telemachus to seek news of his father in Pylos and Sparta, then return and contend with the wooers
• Emulating Orestes, who avenged Agamemnon, he should slay his fathers murderer
• Athena departs as a bird, inspiring Telemachus, who recognizes her divinity
• Returning to the wooers, Telemachus instructs them to stop their insolence and enjoy the minstrel's music
• In the morning, he will ask them to leave, suggesting they should prepare their own feasts, not ruin his livelihood
• Telemachus threatens that the gods will grant requital, and they will perish in his halls
• The wooers marvel at telemachus boldness, and Antinous doubts he will ever be king
• Telemachus affirms his right to his house and slaves, while Eurymachus inquires about Mentes' origins and purpose
• Telemachus claims the stranger is Mentes, a friend of his father from Taphos, but he knows she is Athena
• The wooers turn to dancing and song, awaiting evening
• Telemachus retires to his chamber with blazing torches, pondering his journey
• Eurycleia attends him, loving him most of all the handmaids

Book 2 - summary (OCR)

• Aegyptius speaks at the assembly and praises Telemachus for his leadership.
• Telemachus laments the loss of his father and the takeover of his home by his mother's suitors.
• Telemachus rebukes the suitors for consuming his father's wealth instead of seeking Penelope's hand in marriage.
• Antinous blames Penelope for seducing every suitor but committing to none.
• Antinous refers to a ruse where Penelope weaves a burial shroud for Laertes, then unravels it each night.
• Antinous declares that if Penelope cannot decide, she should be sent back to Icarius to choose a new husband.
• Telemachus refuses to throw his mother out and calls upon the gods to punish the suitors.
• A pair of eagles appears overhead in combat.
• Halitherses interprets the eagles' struggle as a portent of Odysseus' imminent return.
• Halitherses warns the suitors that they will face a massacre if they don't leave.
• The suitors reject the interpretation, and the meeting ends in deadlock.
• Athena, disguised as Mentor, encourages Telemachus for his trip to Pylos and Sparta and predicts that it will be fruitful.
• Athena, disguised as Telemachus, collects a crew to man his ship.
• Telemachus tells none of the household servants, but he tells Eurycleia, his wise and aged nurse.
• Eurycleia pleads with him not to go to sea, but he reassures her, saying that a god is at his side.

Book 3 - summary (OCR)

• At Pylos, Telemachus and Mentor (Athena in disguise) witness a religious ceremony of sacrificing bulls to Poseidon.
• Mentor gives him the encouragement to approach Nestor about Odysseus.
• Nestor has no information about Odysseus and recounts a falling-out between Agamemnon and Menelaus.
• Nestor went with Menelaus, while Odysseus stayed with Agamemnon.
• Nestor says he can only pray that Athena will show Telemachus the kindness that she showed Odysseus.
• Nestor heard that suitors have taken over Telemachus' house and hopes that Telemachus will achieve the renown of Orestes for defending his father.
• Nestor explains that Agamemnon returned from Troy to find that Aegisthus had seduced and married his wife, Clytemnestra, then murdered Agamemnon, then Orestes killed Aegisthus and Clytemnestra.
• He sends his son Pisistratus to accompany Telemachus to Sparta.
• Athena reveals her divinity to the entire court of Pylos by transforming into an eagle.