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A review by lectrixnoctis
The Odyssey (100 Copy Collector's Edition) by Homer
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
"The Odyssey" is an epic lyric in 24 texts traditionally attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer. The poem tells Odysseus, the monarch of Ithaca, who wanders for ten years (although the poem's action covers only the final six weeks), trying to get home after the Trojan War. He is acknowledged only by his faithful hound and a nurse on his return. With the contribution of his son, Telemachus, Odysseus kills the insistent suitors of his devoted wife, Penelope, and several of her maids who had socialised with the suitors and reestablished himself in his kingdom.
"The Odyssey" is described from a third-person point of view by a narrator who has gathered the divine control of the Muse, which authorises the narrator to know everything and understand all the characters' thoughts and emotions. The poem establishes a point of view that is all-seeing, all-knowing, and near to god. The poem transitions between narrative paths and natural speech, periodically reproducing one character within another character's lecture, such as when Menelaus contains several realistic quotes from other characters in his prolonged address to Telemachus in Book four. The narrator defines characters' feelings and perspectives with brief descriptive phrases.
The point of view moves entirely to Odysseus during books 9-12, when he speaks about his experiences at sea before dismounting on Calypso's isle, making the poetry feel like a first-person portrayal for a lengthy period of narrative. In these provinces, the narrator interrupts Odysseus rare moments to remind the reader where they are and who is speaking, but especially Odysseus's report is ongoing and first-person. This amount of the lyric roles as a story-within-a-story as Odysseus gives a clear and vivid depiction of his experiences since departing Troy on what he expected would be a short journey home. As most of the poem's action has already happened by the time we first read Odysseus on Calypso's isle, this change to the first person creates those circumstances better gripping and direct than if they were related in the third person singular the narrator. The audience has the feel of sharing Odysseus' brutal battles with the Cyclops, Circe, Scylla, and Charybdis as they occur, further supporting us in Odysseus's fate. The various perspectives the verse is narrated different supply voices for the honourable problems at the heart of "The Odyssey". Odysseus meets many "hosts" on his travels, and most of them do not act by the traditions of Greek hospitality. Because we witness much of through Odysseusoint of view, we comprehend the contrast between his anticipations of hospitality versus the truth of his adventures. The gods present another viewpoint on the anticipations of hospitality. Athena, for example, battles alongside Odysseus and Telemachus to massacre the suitors as retribution for their misuse of the guest-host association. While the gods are rarely the main priority of locations within the poem, we comprehend their view on Greek values through their lecture.
The initial action that hindered many Achaeans' homecoming was creating an Achaean himself: Ajax raped the Trojan priestess Cassandra in a temple while the Greeks were looting the collapsed metropolis. That action of impulse, impiety, and idiocy carried the wrath of Athena upon the Achaean fleet and set in motion the chain of circumstances that shifted Odysseus's homecoming into prolonged suffering. It is fit that "The Odyssey" is encouraged by such an occasion, for many of the traps that Odysseus and his fellows face exist likewise blocks that arise out of human frailty and the incapability to regulate it. The surrender to trick or recklessness either enrages the gods or delights Odysseus and his crew members from their travels: they yield to hunger and massacre the Sun's communities. They devour the fruit of the lotus and forget regarding it in their houses. Even Odysseus's desire for kleos is a kind of allure. When he reveals his name to Polyphemus, he submits to it, carrying Poseidon's anger upon him and his fellas. In the case of the Sirens, the music is revisited merely for its welfare. With their ears blocked, the crew sail safely by the Sirens' isle, while Odysseus, yearning to attend the Sirens' lovely song, is rescued from foolishness only by his creative power to his crew to hold him resolved to the ship's mast. The author is intrigued with depicting his protagonist tormented by temptation. In general, Odysseus and his men desperately want to meet their nostos or homecoming, but this passion is frequently at odds with the other delights that the earth proffers.
Prematurely in "The Odyssey", Zeus presents his idea of justice. He says the gods mete out suffering somewhat, but some mortals sorrow more due to their foolish or hostile actions. In some circumstances, "The Odyssey" offers its characters sorrow due to their efforts. Polyphemus is overwhelmed after he kills several of Odysseus's gentlemen. Odysseus's men pass when they neglect the management of Odysseus and the gods not to destroy the Cattle of the Sun. The poem's most dramatic comeuppance befalls the suitors slain for humiliating Odysseus and destroying his wealth. It is questionable, however, whether the murder of the suitors is. Odysseus thinks one of the admirers, Amphinomus, is innocent. Odysseus even risks messing up his body to warn Amphinomus about the peril to his life. However, Amphinomous is murdered along with the rest of the suitors.
In other cases, "The Odyssey" shows that the gods place their pride ahead of justice unambiguously. "The Odyssey" is greatly concerned with the ethical code binding hosts to treat strangers and travellers generous. Throughout the poem, Zeus penalises anyone who disregards this regulation. When Poseidon whines to Zeus that the Phaeacians have insulted him by growing hospitality toward Odysseus, Zeus does zero to watch these excellent keepers. The Phaeacians not only offer their visitor Odysseus cover, but they also restore all his missing assets and give him a direct path home to Ithaca. The Phaecians allow Odysseus because they are good hostelers, not because they desire to block Poseidon. There is no way to know that they are offending Poseidon by doing their duty and helping a guest. However, Zeus endorses Poseidon's plan to stop the Phaecians from assisting travellers again. In assuring his fellow god, Zeus refuses judge to the blameless Phaecians.
"The Odyssey" is the highest approval of nostos, or homecoming, the idea that a heroic warrior's most significant victory arrives when he returns from battle to his own home and household. Odysseus's hardships end with the request of not one but two alternative wives and two alternative locations to live. As Calypso's spouse, Odysseus could live eternally in holy luxury. As Nausicaa's groom, Odysseus would be a prince in the wealthiest, most untroubled country he has visited. Without hesitation, he rejects both of these suggestions. He chooses Penelope and Ithaca, not necessarily because they are more reasonable, but because they are his. At the exact time, Nostos is not an uncomplicated belief in "The Odyssey". When Agamemnon bears home, he is killed by his wife. Menelaus and Helen have an unhappy marriage destined to last for all eternity. Even Odysseus's own home is troubled. Telemachus speaks harshly to Penelope and criticises her to additional individuals, even after Odysseus has produced and revealed his originality.
Nostos is only feasible if a warrior's house is always there when he returns, whole from when he departed. Therefore, what makes a home valuable in "The Odyssey" is not its happiness as much as its stability and continuity. Odysseus and Penelope are reunited when Odysseus can describe their marriage bed, which is unshakeable because it is rooted in the ground of Ithaca. Nestor means that Agamemnon is profitable, even though his wife has murdered him because his son has avenged him. What matters is the continuation of Agamemnon's family and reputation. Odysseus's homecoming is not done until he has demonstrated himself to Laertes so that Laertes can enjoy the continuity of his own family and reputation.
Although "The Odyssey" starts with the Trojan Wars that differentiate Odysseus from Ithaca and touches on warfare themes, cognitive skill is as important as material prowess to Odysseus's homecoming. Athena glorifies Odysseus for being slick, a trait she thinks herself to have as well and maybe especially willing to assist him because she respects his cognitive ability. Even Odysseus's handle, the man "of twists and turns," suggests a sense that functions cleverly and not consistently in a straightforward, honest way. Odysseus's guile is most clearly displayed in the episode with Polyphemus the Cyclops. Odysseus fools Polyphemus twice. First, Odysseus tells the Cyclops his name is "Nobody," so the Cyclops is compelled to say that "nobody" is hurting him. Double, Odysseus instructs his men to conceal under the Cyclops' sheep as they leave the cave so that the now-blind Cyclops will only feel his sheep's wool as they go out the cave door. Odysseus also uses sly at the end of the poem when he hides as a beggar to discover who on Ithaca remains loyal to him after his long want.
Okay, do not get me wrong, this is an absolute masterpiece, and it was beautifully written, and I think it is a must-read for anyone. However, I couldn't get into the story. This was my first book written in ancient Greece, and I am only a bit familiar with the mythology, but this part wasn't that hard to get into. Instead, I had extreme difficulty relating to some of these characters and even like Odysseus. Sadly, I can only give this book 3 out of 5 stars, and I do not know how to feel about it.
"The Odyssey" is described from a third-person point of view by a narrator who has gathered the divine control of the Muse, which authorises the narrator to know everything and understand all the characters' thoughts and emotions. The poem establishes a point of view that is all-seeing, all-knowing, and near to god. The poem transitions between narrative paths and natural speech, periodically reproducing one character within another character's lecture, such as when Menelaus contains several realistic quotes from other characters in his prolonged address to Telemachus in Book four. The narrator defines characters' feelings and perspectives with brief descriptive phrases.
The point of view moves entirely to Odysseus during books 9-12, when he speaks about his experiences at sea before dismounting on Calypso's isle, making the poetry feel like a first-person portrayal for a lengthy period of narrative. In these provinces, the narrator interrupts Odysseus rare moments to remind the reader where they are and who is speaking, but especially Odysseus's report is ongoing and first-person. This amount of the lyric roles as a story-within-a-story as Odysseus gives a clear and vivid depiction of his experiences since departing Troy on what he expected would be a short journey home. As most of the poem's action has already happened by the time we first read Odysseus on Calypso's isle, this change to the first person creates those circumstances better gripping and direct than if they were related in the third person singular the narrator. The audience has the feel of sharing Odysseus' brutal battles with the Cyclops, Circe, Scylla, and Charybdis as they occur, further supporting us in Odysseus's fate. The various perspectives the verse is narrated different supply voices for the honourable problems at the heart of "The Odyssey". Odysseus meets many "hosts" on his travels, and most of them do not act by the traditions of Greek hospitality. Because we witness much of through Odysseusoint of view, we comprehend the contrast between his anticipations of hospitality versus the truth of his adventures. The gods present another viewpoint on the anticipations of hospitality. Athena, for example, battles alongside Odysseus and Telemachus to massacre the suitors as retribution for their misuse of the guest-host association. While the gods are rarely the main priority of locations within the poem, we comprehend their view on Greek values through their lecture.
The initial action that hindered many Achaeans' homecoming was creating an Achaean himself: Ajax raped the Trojan priestess Cassandra in a temple while the Greeks were looting the collapsed metropolis. That action of impulse, impiety, and idiocy carried the wrath of Athena upon the Achaean fleet and set in motion the chain of circumstances that shifted Odysseus's homecoming into prolonged suffering. It is fit that "The Odyssey" is encouraged by such an occasion, for many of the traps that Odysseus and his fellows face exist likewise blocks that arise out of human frailty and the incapability to regulate it. The surrender to trick or recklessness either enrages the gods or delights Odysseus and his crew members from their travels: they yield to hunger and massacre the Sun's communities. They devour the fruit of the lotus and forget regarding it in their houses. Even Odysseus's desire for kleos is a kind of allure. When he reveals his name to Polyphemus, he submits to it, carrying Poseidon's anger upon him and his fellas. In the case of the Sirens, the music is revisited merely for its welfare. With their ears blocked, the crew sail safely by the Sirens' isle, while Odysseus, yearning to attend the Sirens' lovely song, is rescued from foolishness only by his creative power to his crew to hold him resolved to the ship's mast. The author is intrigued with depicting his protagonist tormented by temptation. In general, Odysseus and his men desperately want to meet their nostos or homecoming, but this passion is frequently at odds with the other delights that the earth proffers.
Prematurely in "The Odyssey", Zeus presents his idea of justice. He says the gods mete out suffering somewhat, but some mortals sorrow more due to their foolish or hostile actions. In some circumstances, "The Odyssey" offers its characters sorrow due to their efforts. Polyphemus is overwhelmed after he kills several of Odysseus's gentlemen. Odysseus's men pass when they neglect the management of Odysseus and the gods not to destroy the Cattle of the Sun. The poem's most dramatic comeuppance befalls the suitors slain for humiliating Odysseus and destroying his wealth. It is questionable, however, whether the murder of the suitors is. Odysseus thinks one of the admirers, Amphinomus, is innocent. Odysseus even risks messing up his body to warn Amphinomus about the peril to his life. However, Amphinomous is murdered along with the rest of the suitors.
In other cases, "The Odyssey" shows that the gods place their pride ahead of justice unambiguously. "The Odyssey" is greatly concerned with the ethical code binding hosts to treat strangers and travellers generous. Throughout the poem, Zeus penalises anyone who disregards this regulation. When Poseidon whines to Zeus that the Phaeacians have insulted him by growing hospitality toward Odysseus, Zeus does zero to watch these excellent keepers. The Phaeacians not only offer their visitor Odysseus cover, but they also restore all his missing assets and give him a direct path home to Ithaca. The Phaecians allow Odysseus because they are good hostelers, not because they desire to block Poseidon. There is no way to know that they are offending Poseidon by doing their duty and helping a guest. However, Zeus endorses Poseidon's plan to stop the Phaecians from assisting travellers again. In assuring his fellow god, Zeus refuses judge to the blameless Phaecians.
"The Odyssey" is the highest approval of nostos, or homecoming, the idea that a heroic warrior's most significant victory arrives when he returns from battle to his own home and household. Odysseus's hardships end with the request of not one but two alternative wives and two alternative locations to live. As Calypso's spouse, Odysseus could live eternally in holy luxury. As Nausicaa's groom, Odysseus would be a prince in the wealthiest, most untroubled country he has visited. Without hesitation, he rejects both of these suggestions. He chooses Penelope and Ithaca, not necessarily because they are more reasonable, but because they are his. At the exact time, Nostos is not an uncomplicated belief in "The Odyssey". When Agamemnon bears home, he is killed by his wife. Menelaus and Helen have an unhappy marriage destined to last for all eternity. Even Odysseus's own home is troubled. Telemachus speaks harshly to Penelope and criticises her to additional individuals, even after Odysseus has produced and revealed his originality.
Nostos is only feasible if a warrior's house is always there when he returns, whole from when he departed. Therefore, what makes a home valuable in "The Odyssey" is not its happiness as much as its stability and continuity. Odysseus and Penelope are reunited when Odysseus can describe their marriage bed, which is unshakeable because it is rooted in the ground of Ithaca. Nestor means that Agamemnon is profitable, even though his wife has murdered him because his son has avenged him. What matters is the continuation of Agamemnon's family and reputation. Odysseus's homecoming is not done until he has demonstrated himself to Laertes so that Laertes can enjoy the continuity of his own family and reputation.
Although "The Odyssey" starts with the Trojan Wars that differentiate Odysseus from Ithaca and touches on warfare themes, cognitive skill is as important as material prowess to Odysseus's homecoming. Athena glorifies Odysseus for being slick, a trait she thinks herself to have as well and maybe especially willing to assist him because she respects his cognitive ability. Even Odysseus's handle, the man "of twists and turns," suggests a sense that functions cleverly and not consistently in a straightforward, honest way. Odysseus's guile is most clearly displayed in the episode with Polyphemus the Cyclops. Odysseus fools Polyphemus twice. First, Odysseus tells the Cyclops his name is "Nobody," so the Cyclops is compelled to say that "nobody" is hurting him. Double, Odysseus instructs his men to conceal under the Cyclops' sheep as they leave the cave so that the now-blind Cyclops will only feel his sheep's wool as they go out the cave door. Odysseus also uses sly at the end of the poem when he hides as a beggar to discover who on Ithaca remains loyal to him after his long want.
Okay, do not get me wrong, this is an absolute masterpiece, and it was beautifully written, and I think it is a must-read for anyone. However, I couldn't get into the story. This was my first book written in ancient Greece, and I am only a bit familiar with the mythology, but this part wasn't that hard to get into. Instead, I had extreme difficulty relating to some of these characters and even like Odysseus. Sadly, I can only give this book 3 out of 5 stars, and I do not know how to feel about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Torture, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gore, Death, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Blood, War, Violence, Slavery, Racism, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Sexism