The hero Odysseus is shipwrecked on his way home from the Trojan War. While he has been away at war, his home was overtaken by suitors intent on marrying his wife, Penelope, and who ravage his home and lands. To stall the suitors, Penelope weaves a tapestry, which she undoes every night. Finishing the tapestry would mean she must choose a suitor, and she believes her husband is still alive.Odysseus encounters many trials on his way home. Freed from Calypso's island and aided by Athena, he passes through the island of the lotus eaters and Cierce's island, defeats Polyphemus the Cyclops, goes through the land of the dead and past the Sun god's island.When he finally returns home, he and his son Telemachus defeat the suitors, and Odysseus reclaims his position and his family in Ithaca.
Allies
Homer, 8th Century BCE
Summary
Enemies
Breaking the rules of HOSPITALITY bring misfortune and the anger of the gods.
Odysseus's WIT AND CUNNING is his greatest asset in escaping his trials, not his strength.
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My name is Nobody.
Themes Motifs
The use of DISGUISES help characters like Athena and Odysseus conceal their identities.
Odysseus struggles with his men's LOYALTIES on their journey, but his wife is forever loyal.
There are many TESTS on the journey from Troy to Ithaca.