The Odyssey?

Question

whats it about im gonna learn about it i just want a quick start on it

Answer 1

I'm going to read it tomorrow.
If I remember correctly, it's about a hero whose name I will never spell correctly and his journey.
It deals A LOT with Greek Mythology or it better have, anyway. I just did a project on it.

Answer 2

It's an EPIC POEM by Homer, a storyteller in ancient Greece around 750 or 800 B.C. We say Homer wrote it, but no one's really sure. It's a poem because it was written in verse (but your translation may be in prose), and it's epic because it's a long narrative that covers a long period of time (10 years), takes place in most of the known world at the time, has one outstanding hero, and supernatural forces play a large role.

The Trojan War has just ended. Odysseus, KING OF ITHACA, is returning home with his men, but they stop to pillage a few islands on the way. This intelligent and cunning man makes a big mistake with a cyclops, and his journey home is rife with many dangers. And when he finally does make it home, he has to deal with his wife's SUITORS.

Keep in mind that Odysseus is a king who's been gone for 20 years altogether (war + journey), and most assume he's dead. Whoever marries Penelope, his wife, will be the next king of Ithaca. Their son, Telemachus, is in the way.

You'll come across EPITHETS: short, descriptive phrases given to main characters. Athena is "gray-eyed Athena," Juno is "white-armed Juno," etc. Some translations cut out many of the repetitions. Saves a lot of paper.

Watch for instances when Odysseus uses his WITS -- brains over brawn. Athena, the GODDESS OF WISDOM, helps him and Telemachus throughout the book. She's very important in the story.

The first 4 books focus on Telemachus. His short journey sort of mirrors his father's.

DISGUISES play a big part in the story.

One very important element is HOSPITALITY, which was considered a divine law. 4,500 years ago, traveling was rough and dangerous. A wealthy man could look like a bum after a few months on the road! You must take in anyone who asks for food and shelter. Note how the suitors abuse that divine law, and how Odysseus benefits from it.

Some women are seductive. Compare them to Penelope, Odysseus's wife, who is a match for Odysseus in cunning! Notice how she handles the suitors, while still obeying the divine law of hospitality.

It's a great story, and I hope you'll enjoy it!

Answer 3

The poem is, in part, a sequel to Homer's Iliad and mainly centers on the Greek hero Odysseus (or Ulysses, as he was known in Romans myth) and his long journey home to Ithaca, following the fall of Troy.

Answer 4

A man's search for home after being exiled for 10 years. He went from one adventure to another (mostly disastrous). The famous one-eyed giant Cyclops was encountered by Odysseus and his men. He was strong enough to pass all trials and was happily reunited to his family.

Answer 5

Its about the adventures of Odysseus, after his side won the Trojan War, sailing home to Greece and his wife Penelope, with his men. They had a lot of problems and it took them 20 years to get back.