The Odyssey Books 13-15 by melainey

Characters

99013741 — 2016-04-25 21:31:38 UTC

Odysseus-Main protagonist, trying to return home to his wife and son

Poseidon-God of the waters, holds a deathly grudge against Odysseus and wishes for him to never return home

Anticleia-Odysseus's deceased mother that passed away from grief from being separated from her son

Penelope-Odysseus' wife who is pursued by many suitors while he is away
Zeus-King of Gods

Phaeacians- A generous, compassionate people, ensure Odysseus arrives home safely and give him treasure

Athena-Goddess of wisdom, assists Odysseus throughout his efforts to return home

Eumaeus- Provides shelter and food for Odysseus, even while Odysseus is disguised as a beggar

Telemachus-Odysseus's son

Alcinous- King of the Phaeacians, treats Odysseus warmly

Book 13 Summary

99013741 — 2016-04-25 21:35:13 UTC

Deeply moved by the story of Odysseus' travels, Alcinous promises his assistance in Odysseus' return home. The next morning, they sacrifice an ox to Zeus before having a feast. Odysseus is anxious to begin his journey home, so he says farewell to Alcinous and expresses his gratitude. odysseus sleeps a sleep comparable to death as they sail swiftly. The phaeacian crew lands on the shore of Ithaca and unloads Odysseus as he sleeps, as well as placing his treasure, leaving it off to the side of a road to ensure no one steals it before he awakes. Poseidon sees Odysseus in Ithaka and assails Zeus, wanting revenge. They argue, and Zeus relents and allows Poseidon to have his revenge. While the Phaeacians are gracious as ever in helping Odysseus, Zeus wearily permits the destruction of the ship only because Poseidon feels he has been wronged by the other gods, and ensuring harmony among the gods is more important than maintaining hospitality among the mortals. Poseidon finds the Phaeacian's returning ship, which is almost back to its homeland, and turns it into stone and sinks it. Meanwhile, Athena uses her goddess powers to hide Odysseus, still sleeping, behind a wall of thick grey mist that makes him disguised. Howeve, while disguising him this also makes him unable to recognize his homeland and he thinks he is in a foreign place. Odysseus wakes, confused, and goes to find his treasure. After he is assured that it is all still there, he spots Athena, who is disguised as a shepherd. e goes to her, and not recognizing her, asks what land he is in. She tells him that he is in fact in Ithaca, then asks of his past. He quickly makes up a story about who he is. Athena is impressed by his wit and returns to her normal form, allowing him to see it is her. He asks her again if he is really in Ithaca, believing that she may be deceiving him. Athene points out a few key features of the land, and it becomes clear to Odysseus he has not been tricked. Odysseus is thrilled to have finally returned home. They find a cave to hid the treasure in and plot to kill the suitors of Penelope, Odysseus' wife. Odysseus is upset that Athena has let Telemachus journey for him when she could have merely told him what happened, but she reassures him that she was a guide to him. Athena disguises Odysseus once more, this time as a beggar she makes intentionally very unattractive.

Book 14 Summary

99013741 — 2016-04-25 21:35:25 UTC

In Ithaka and disguised as a beggar, Odysseus is almost attacked by wild dogs in the swineherd's home in the forest. But before he is killed, Eumeios saves him and welcomes him into his home, as it is seen to be courteous to invite stranger into your home, and treat them like Gods, or like King Odysseus. Eumeios talks about the history of the land and tells him great tales of the King Odysseus. Meanwhile Odysseus poses as a commoner from Crete. Oddysseus begs for a cloak and is told to stay in the hut until Telemachus returns to give him passage wherever he wishes. Odysseus displays his gifts for disguise albeit, with the help of Athena and improvisation in his encounter with Eumaeus. Odysseus must secretly enter a city, under wraps, and he must maintain this air of secrecy no matter what. He speaks of the greed of his crew, and we have seen evidence of greed in his men when they opened the bag of winds and ate Helios's cows, and the story of his enslavement is not far off from what the suitors are attempting to do. Eumaeus forgoes sleep to take care of Odysseus' herd, and he even treats the "beggar" as if he were a God.

Characteristics of Odysseus

missjaneyloo — 2016-04-26 21:46:55 UTC

Charismatic- After telling his story to the phaeacians, Alcinous is very moved and decides to help him

Clever- Even the goddess Athena, goddess of wisdom, admits to trying to match Odysseus' wit.

Confident of himself- When Athena is disguised as a shepherd, Odysseus quickly comes up with a fake backstory and does not hesitate to tell it convincingly.

Cautious with others- Even after all Athena has helped him, he is still wary to trust her when she says he is in Ithaca.

Literary Devices

99014278 — 2016-04-29 21:46:42 UTC

"As a man aches for his evening meal when all day long his brace of wine-dark oxen have dragged the bolted plowshare down a fallow field -- how welcome the setting sun to [Odysseus], the going home to supper, yes, though his knees buckle, struggling home at last. So welcome now to Odysseus, the setting light of day" (13.34-39) (Similie)

"But now when bending to their work they tossed the water with their oars, ipon Odysseus' lids fell, sound and most pleasant, very like to death" (13 pg 124) (Simile)

Book 15 Summary

missjaneyloo — 2016-05-06 02:27:51 UTC

Athena finds Telemachus in Lakedaimon and urges him to return home because his mother married one of the suitors, Eurymakhos. She also warns him of the looming ambush, and tells him to find Eumaeus and have him deliver the message to Penelope that he has returned. Telemachus receives permission from Menelaos to leave and, his wagon with gifts from his hosts, rides off with Peisistratos, Nestor's son. Helen interprets this as a sign that Odysseus will soon return to seek vengeance on the suitors. Back at Pylos, Telemachus prepares to sail home with his crew. Theoklymenos, the son of a prophet asks for and receives a place on Telemachus' ship. They sail through the night, wind-aided by Athena. Back in Ithaca, Odysseus tries to get Eumaeus to invite him to stay longer by announcing he will leave in the morning and look for work with the suitors. Eumaeus refuses, insisting he stay until Telemachus returns. Odysseus asks about his parents, and Eumaeus tells him about the death of Odysseus' mother and the loneliness of his father, Laertes. Eumaeus then relates his life story. The men talk for hours. Telemachus lands, having safely avoided the ambush. Telemachus sends his guest home with a shipmate and goes off on his own to meet Eumaeus.

missjaneyloo — 2016-05-06 02:29:27 UTC

Epithets

99013741 — 2016-05-06 03:43:48 UTC

"Oar-loving Phaeacians"
"Odysseus the traveler"
"Revered Alcinous"
"Royal Odysseus"
"Kind Athene"
"Cloud gathering Zeus"
"Earth-shaking Poseidon"
"Clear-eyed Athene"
"Pallas Athene"
"long tried royal Odysseus"
"Aegis bearing Zeus

Odysseus' Journey

99014278 — 2016-05-06 04:37:30 UTC

Book 13 Book 14 Book 15
<-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Sleeping Odysseus travels Odysseus, disguised as a Odysseus reutnrs is told why his across the sea and is set on beggar, takes refuge in mother died.
shore of Ithaka where Athena
meets with him. the swineheard's home.

Allusions

missjaneyloo — 2016-05-06 04:42:39 UTC

*Ilium and Olympos, by author Dan Simmons, is a science fiction adaptation of the events of the Iliad and Odyssey, complete with robots and posthumans.

* The Spongebob Squarepants Movie has several points based on the Odyssey, including a bag of winds, and a diver akin to a Cyclops, that attempts to harm the heroines (SpongeBob and Patrick) similar to how the Cyclops attempts to harm Odysseus