The Odyssey: Summary and Analysis

Books 1 and 2: Summary

Homer opens the Odyssey with an invocation to the Muse, asking for her guidance in telling the story. The story is that of Odysseus, ruler of Ithaca and the only Greek survivor of the Trojan War who has not yet returned home. He is being held captive on the island Ogygia by the “bewitching nymph,” Calypso, who wants him for her husband. He has earned the wrath of Poseidon, god of the sea, who continues to create challenges and obstacles for Odysseus. Meanwhile, Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, is besieged by suitors at his home in Ithaca.

At a divine council on Mount Olympus, Athena pleads with her father, Zeus, to help Odysseus return home. Athena asks Zeus to send Hermes to Ogygia to help Odysseus break free from Calypso’s spell. She then visits Ithaca to advise King Odysseus’ son, Telemachus. Disguised as Mentes, an old friend of Odysseus, Athena helps Telemachus. She tells him that his father will return, and she also insists that the prince must stand up to the suitors and seek more information about Odysseus.

At the beginning of Book 2, Telemachus prepares himself for the assembly of Achaeans which he has called. Aegyptius, the wise, old man, points out that the group has not met in session since King Odysseus left for the Trojan War. He also lauds Telemachus for his initiative.

Telemachus addresses the assembly with confidence, explaining how his heroic father’s home has been overrun with his mother’s suitors. Antinous, the leading suitor, puts forth a defense and blames “queen of cunning,” Penelope, for the kingdom’s miserable condition. He speaks about the shroud tactic employed by Penelope to evade the suitors.

Despite the attack on his mother, Telemachus remains surprisingly calm in his rebuttal. Antinous suggests that Penelope should be sent back to her father’s home and that he should choose her husband. Telemachus refuses to banish his own mother from their home, and appeals to Zeus for assistance in vengeance. Zeus sends down a sign in the form of two huge eagles engaged in violent struggle. Halitherses, the soothsayer, interprets this as a sign of Odysseus’ return. Nonetheless, the suitors refuse to leave.

With Athena’s help, who poses as mentor and sometimes as Telemachus himself, the prince secretly prepares and sets sail for Pylos.

Books 1 and 2: Analysis

The Odyssey begins in medias res, a Latin term meaning “in the middle of the action.” Rather than picking up from where the Iliad had left off, it begins ten years later. Homer uses the epic’s opening to introduce the plot, the theme, and the characters of the work. The first two books of the epic poem establish the current situation: Odysseus is trapped on an island while his wife and son are faced with a mob of unruly suitors who have overrun his palace in Ithaca.

All gods, with the notable exception of Poseidon, hold Odysseus in high regard. Athena, who is central to this story, wants to help Odysseus in his journey back home. The word “odyssey” means “journey,” and the poem will describe both the literal journey of Odysseus and the metaphorical journey of Telemachus toward manhood.

At the start of Book 2, Telemachus is seen pining for his father to return and restore order. Later, inspired by Athena, Telemachus holds an assembly and demonstrates that he is capable of speaking up to the suitors and standing up for his rights. The speech moves most of the assembly to silence.

The story of the loom symbolizes the queen’s cunning as well as the suitors’ inability—or perhaps even unwillingness—to grasp her message: for three full years, Penelope works at weaving a shroud for her father-in-law’s eventual funeral; she claims that she would choose a suitor as soon as the shroud is finished. However, each night, she secretly unravels what she had done, deceiving the young suitors. Like her husband, Penelope is blessed with intelligence, indicating that she and Odysseus are well suited for each other.