Book 9: Kirkes

Well, a lot has happened since the last time that I, Odysseus, have seen you. Lets see what has happened. I'll just bring it from the top. After leaving the island of the Kyklopes we landed on the island of Ailolia and were greeted kindly. Soon we left, but after some misfortune by my crew we were blown back and were greeted by the people as if we were a plague sent by the gods. Next we landed on an island with some interesting and unhappy events. The leader tore apart one of my companions when we arrived to greet him. Also we lost the rest of the boats and the crew except for my company and me. Then we arrived on Kirkes island where she puts enchantments on anybody she pleases. This happened to half of my crew when they went to see Kirkes. Thankfully after Hermes gave me a plan to defeat Kirkes they were freed. We stayed on the that island for one year until we finally decided to leave. Before we left I was given some unfortunate news that my company and I would have to venture to the cold homes of death and pale Persephone to hear Teiresias tell of the time to come. Well that just about sums it up.

I think that when Odysseus stayed with Kirkes for a year it showed even more how he is split between staying with gods and goddesses or traveling home. For example, he stayed with Kirkes for a year when that year could have been spent going back to his home and family. I can also see why she would want to stay. Generally, when a person has everything they need to live at their fingertips at the highest quality, they are happy with where they are.

Book 9: the Kyklopes

Today I told who I was, Odysseus, to Alkinoos and his people. I then began to tell the tale of how I wound up where I am today. I told of how I men and I ventured to many islands, small numbers of my men losing there lives on each one. Eventually I came to the island that closed my fate, the island of the Kyklopes. I told then how I left most of my men on a peaceful island while I ventured out to the one-eyed land with my company. I explained how the Kyklopes trapped us and ate a few of my men at every meal. I then told of how I blinded the Kyklopes. I, with my cunning wits, made him drunk and stabbed his eye while he was asleep, blinding him. I then escaped with the part of my company that had not been devoured, also a plan from my extreme smarts. Although when we boarded our ship I thought that after doing all of that I deserved to be a little arrogant and insulted him. In fact, I insulted him a few more times just make sure he knew who I was. My men told me not to, but they didn't know who they were talking too, for I am Odysseus, raider of cities. Although this caused the Kyklopes to curse me forever (but I still think it was worth it ha, ha, ha, ha...). I then told of how after we feasted we ventured off into the unknown that would bring darkness upon all of us.

I believe that Odysseus obviously made a stupid choice in bragging to the Kyklopes about what he had just accomplished. I can also now see why Poseidon holds such a grudge against Odysseus. Normally, when a very special person or object is destroyed another person, the owner dislikes the person forever.

Book 8

I, Odysseus, have finally found a temprary home with people that are kind and are helping me return home to Ithaca. Earlier, Alkinoos got a ship and crew ready to take me home to Ithaca, but first he wanted to feast and have a game ceremony at the pentathlon. But during the feast a Muse started playing a song about what happened in Troy to me and my fellow warriors. Unfortuanately I began to cry and later I cried two more times when they played the song. At the games ceremony I was challenged by a man of the name Seareach to compete with him. Though he stopped after I threw the discus further than anybody else. Afterwards we feasted and I was given gifts for my trip home. When they played a song about me for the last time I began to cry again and Alkinoos asked me to tell my name to everybody. He also spoke of how he was told by his father that one day a ship from his land will be wrecked by Poseidon, which I think will happen to me, of course. I wonder what they're going to think when I tell them who I am.

I think that Odysseus got a lucky break at finding such a great spot to land on after the storm. I also think that this event shows even more the hospitality of the Greeks in letting Odysseus feast, sleep, and participate in games when they don't even know Odysseus' name. In general, people get suspicious when people don't mention their name or anything about themselves while they are visiting.

Book 5: Odysseus

I, Odysseus, have finally left the cave of Kalypso to journey home to my home land of Ithaca. About 23 or 24 days ago Kalypso just walks up to me and says I'm free to go and that she'll help me as much as she can. At first I didn't trust her, but she actually helped me (Finally!!!!!!!!!!!). I made a raft and sailed of to the island of Skheria. But just as the island came in sight, what do ya know, Poseidon thinks that it would be enjoyable to make the trip a little more "fun." His storm broke my raft and just as I was about to drown Ino helped me by giving me her veil so that I would not die choking for air. I floated in the sea for 2 days until I finally washed up on the shore with a little help from Athena and the river god. I fell asleep in the forest in a little, dense hiding place that I made to protect myself from predators and to keep me warm through the night.

I think that by how Kalypso reacted when Hermes told her that she would have to give up Odysseus shows that she is a nice woman. I also think that it is incredible that Odysseus endured that much pain and hardship at sea and lived. In general people just give up when the situation seems hopeless, like the one that Odysseus was in.

Book 4: Menelaos

I, Telemakhos, have finally reached the kingdom of Menelaos to hear of my father, Odysseus. I was greeted with honor as Peisistratos and I entered and feasted with Menelaos, king of Sparta. When I walked in I was astounded with the palace that I was in. There were so many treasured objects and metals there. At first Menelaos didn't realize that I was Odysseus' son. But when he began to speak of him and my emotions took hold of me he immediately understood who I was. He spoke of my father as if he had been his best friend. Soon we all got caught up in mourning for my father. Though it seemed to pass rather quickly after we had all had our wine to drink. Helen also spoke of how disgusted she was with her past self in starting the Trojan War. Menelaos then began the story of what he knew of my father and how he had found the information. The story brought me the answer that I had wanted to hear. Menelaos told me that Kalypso had captured my father and that he could not leave because he had no ship with oars, and no ship's company to pull him back to sea. It may seem bleak, but at least I know that he is alive and what has happened to him. As a parting gift, Menelaos gave me a very fine wine bowl that made me feel very welcome and happy in Sparta.

I think that what has happened in the fourth book shows even more greatly how Telemakhos is maturing as a man. He kept his cool around one of the most powerful kings in the world at the time. In general, when somebody is around a person with high power that they have heard a lot about, they get intimidated and start to speak nonsense or don't speak clearly. I also think that Menelaos has proven himself to be an ally in the story because of how kindly he treated Telemakhos and Peisistratos.

Book 3: Telemakhos Learns

I, Telemakhos, have finally learned to an extent what has happened or is happening to my father. I traveled overnight with Athena to the the small town of Pylos to hear from Nestor's point of view of what really happened to Odysseus. After we had greeted each other and feasted to honor Poseidon we told of our business. Nestor then began to explain the story of Troy after the city had been defeated. He told of the dispute with Agamemnon and how the army had been separated. Odysseus had also stayed back with Agamemnon to try to please Agamemnon. That was the last time that Nestor had seen him, for Nestor did not stay and went straight back home. Nestor also talked about the deaths of some of the other valiant war heros. Athena also made it clear that she was no ordinary man, but was the daughter of Zeus. Nestor then insisted of having a sacrifice and a feast for her. Athena then traveled with the crew on the ship while I traveled on horseback with Peisistratos to Pherai, and then to Lakedaimon.

I think that Nestor showed that he was a honest and kind man by honoring two gods while Telemakhos was visiting and also by telling Telemakhos what he saw and what he knew had happened. In general, if somebody comes to ask someone about something inportant and they don't know the answer, they can make up answers to make it seem like they aren't stupid. I also think that Telemakhos has showed even more growing maturity by speaking more fluently and more knowledgably during his visit to Pylos.

Book 2: Telemakhos Rises

I, Telemakhos, Odysseus' son, have finally risen to my position as King Odysseus' son. There was an assembly today in town and I finally stood up to the challenge and informed everybody of the terrible arrogance and evil that has been happening in my house, to myself, and to my mother. Although there was some resistance from a few of the suitors who felt that they had the right to do whatever they wanted in my house until my mother chose a suitor to marry. When this happened I didn't let it get to me though because I knew that I had the Gods on my side and fought back verbally to defend myself and my family. While I was argueing with the suitors apparently a sign came from Zeus telling everybody to back off and give my mother and I some time when two eagles came from Mount Olympus and swept through the crowd injuring some people in the process. After that they just flew off and weren't seen again. At the end of the assembly it was decided that I would sail off to find news of my father but the suitors would have to stay at my house. When I got home though the suitors made fun of me and mocked me even more. Although because I knew that I had Athena and the rest of the Gods on my side made me feel better. That night, after I had gathered all of the supplies to sail off and Athena had gotten the crew and ship ready, we prepared to leave. I felt good about myself and about the situation even though I hadn't told my mother that I was leaving. Hopefull I'll find some good news about my father!!!!!

I think that what Telemakhos is doing in standing up for himself and his family truly represents his turning into a mature man that can make good desicions. I think that he handled the situation well given the circumstances. I think that most people would rather just keep their mouths shut in a situation like the one Telemakhos is in because they would be outnumbered by so many people that already don't like the position they are in at Penelopes mercy. I also think that Athena and the Gods are doing the right thing in supporting Telemakhos through this rough time in his life.

Odyssey Book 1

Summaries




I am Telemakhos, Odysseus' son. I have been kind of down lately because of all of these suitors trying to make their case for my mom to marry them here at my father's palace and doing whatever they want. It also doesn't help that I haven't seen my father for about twenty years and don't even remember what he looks like. I mother is also sad for the same reasons as I am. Although with all of these bad things happening around me something promising did happen today. A sea Captain of the name Mentes arrived at the palace and said that my father is still alive and that I should travel around the area to find news of him. Mentes also urged me on to try to force the suitors out of the palace instead of just feeliong sorry for myself. So after he left I made the suitors leave and also promised myself that I would venture out to find my father. I also realized that Mentes was no ordinary man, he was a god or a goddess really. I began to think a long time that night about what I had just done, but unfortunetly, the first book ended before anything else could happen.

At the very beginning of the first book, it describes how after Odysseus' great adventure only he is the surviving person. The book then gets to describing what had first started the long journey when Odysseus' men slaughtered and feasted on the cattle of Lord Helios, the Sun. Thus, starting their long turn of unlucky events which turned even worse when Odysseus angered Poseidon after he had blinded Cyclops, Poseidon's son. Odysseus ends up as a prisoner of Kalypso in a cave after Poseidon leaves to feast on a banquet held for himself. Athena soon voices her opinion about what she feels is rash action towards Odysseus to the rest of the Gods and Goddesses. Soon she travels down to Odysseus' palace disguised as another person where a number of arrogant suitors are making their case for Penelope, Odysseus' wife, to marry them and so that they can become king. When Athena arrives at the palace she is greeted by Telemakhos and trys to motivate him to stop feeling sorry for himself not having father and to take action to force the suitors, who hate him and do not respect him at all, out and try to find his father, Odysseus. Telemakhos takes this advice after Athena leaves and forces the suitors out the next day. The first book ends with Telemakhos lost in thought about the advice Athena had given him.

Opinion

Based on what was in the first chapter, I think that the events that have happened to Odysseus at sea is a little unfair based on how one was not even caused by him, and the other he had no choice but to do. I think that what Athena did in trying to motivate Telemakhos to take action against the rash suitors was also a good thing to do because one, it made a timid, shy person stand up for himself. The second thing that Athena gave Telemakhos was hope that his father was still alive somewhere in the world. I can also see from Telemakhos' point of view of why he didn't want to speak up against the suiters. In general, when a persom is outnumbered with people that would jump at the first chance to kill them, they would rather keep their mouth's shut.

http://www.online-literature.com/homer/odyssey/