The Odyssey is fundamental to the modern Western canon. The poem focuses on the Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the fall of Troy. It takes Odysseus ten years to reach Ithaca after the Trojan War. In his absence, it is assumed Odysseus has died, and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus must deal with a group of unruly suitors, the Mnesteres or Proci, who compete for Penelope’s hand in marriage. The first four books of the poem trace Telemachus’ efforts to assert control of the household, and then, at Athena’s advice, his efforts to search for news of his long-lost father. Then the scene shifts: Odysseus has been a captive of the beautiful nymph Calypso, with whom he has spent seven of his ten lost years. Released by the intercession of his patroness Athena, through the aid of Hermes, he departs. It’s the beginning of an astonishing journey for the Man and for Literature itself.
Complete edition with footnotes and an interactive table of contents.
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