The Odyssey

The Odyssey is an epic poem authored by ancient Greek poet Homer. It is in 24 books. The poem
covers the story of The king of Ithaca Odysseus who tries to go back home after the Trojan war. On
his way back he is only recognized by his dog and nurse. With the aid of his sonhHe destroys the
demanded suitors of his wife and several of her maids who had associated with the suitors and
reestablished himself in his kingdom.

Homer leaves the story of Telemachus as the suitors are about to ambush his ship on its return to
Ithaca. At Athena's urging, the gods have decided to free Odysseus from Calypso. Hermes, the
messenger god, delivers the order to Odysseus' captor. Odysseus has spent seven years with the
goddess, sleeping with her at night and pining for his home and family during the day. Calypso is a
beautiful, lustful nymph who wants to marry Odysseus and grant him immortality, but he longs for
Penelope and Ithaca. Reluctantly, Calypso sends Odysseus on his way.

The narrative starts ten years after the start of Odysseus' homeward trek to Ithaca and twenty years
after his departure to fight in the Trojan War. In the middle of the action, or in medias res, we enter
the story: While his wife and son are punished for the wrongdoings of the suitors, noble young men
competing for queen Penelope's marriage, Odysseus is imprisoned on an island with the lovesick
goddess Calypso. As she believes that Odysseus would eventually make a comeback, the obedient
queen has consistently rejected their approaches. In the interim, the potential suitors have taken over
the home, throwing loud parties and using up the estate's resources.