Odyssey Outline Nicolas Katz Homer\'s

Odyssey Outline

Nicolas Katz

Homer's Odyssey

The Odyssey takes place after the fall of Troy. Homer focused on three major themes as he chronicled the fantastic adventures of his hero, Odysseus, as he made his way home after the war.

Hospitality -- in the form of dinners and feasts, often to please the gods ("Offer a prayer, sir…to King Neptune, for it is his feast that you are joining." -- Book III)

Hubris -- pride and arrogance, demonstrated by many of the suitors ("If you go near heavens." -- Book XV)

Faithfulness -- demonstrated by Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, and some of the servants, including Eumaeus, the shepherd, and Eurucleia, the nurse ("You are indeed blessed in the possession of a wife endowed with such rare excellence of understanding, and so faithful to her wedded lord…" (Book XXIV)

Feasting took place at the house of Odysseus, even in his absence.

A. Penelope's suitors made themselves at home in Odysseus' absence.

B. "But tell me, and tell me true, what is the meaning of all this feasting, and who are these people?" (Book I)

C. Penelope often seems flighty and easily excitable, yet she cunningly outwits the suitors. It appears she is hospitable to them, allowing them to take over their home (much to the dismay of her son, Telemachus) but she really outwits them in order to be true to her long-absent husband.

III. Odysseus was prideful and somewhat arrogant at the beginning of the story, but through his various experiences learned patience and humility. He returned home a changed man.

A. Odysseus disguised himself as a beggar upon returning home. He was willing to endure abuse from some of the suitors, who did not recognize him.

B. "He endured both being struck and insulted without a word, though he was in his own house." (Book XXIV)

C. Throughout the story, Odysseus uses his wits rather than sheer physical strength to accomplish his goals. At the end of the story, he disguised himself so that he could do this once again. He patiently waited for his opportunity to reveal his true identity to the suitors.

IV. Penelope and some of the servants were faithful to Odysseus, even though he did not return home immediately after the war and was presumed dead.

A, It was not only Penelope who was faithful to Odysseus. Euryclea, sometimes called the nurse and sometimes called the housekeeper, was also faithful.

B. "Nurse, draw me off some of the best wine you have, after what you are keeping for my father's own drinking, in case, poor man, he should escape death, and find his way home again after all." (Book II)

C. Telemachus has little hope that his father is still alive, although he acknowledges it is a possibility. Euryclea is more resolute in her belief, and demonstrates this by keeping the best wine for Odysseus to enjoy when -- and not if -- he returns home.