Book+Summaries

Book 1- Characters- Odysseus- on his way back from Trojan War epithets- “man of twists and turns” Calypso- evil nymph that traps Odysseus and keeps him Poseidon- taking offering at Ethiopia, god of the seas epithets- “Earth Shaker” Zeus- king of gods epithets- “ Olympian Zeus, Father, Son of Cronus, Our high and mighty king” Athena- god of beauty epithets-“ sparkling eyed, Telemachus-Odysseus’s son Phemius - Bard of Ithaca

Notes- Invocation to the Muse. The gods assemble and take pity on Odysseus, except Poseidon does not. Poseidon does not take pity because Odysseus blinded killed his son, who is a Cyclops. Athena says she is going to train Odysseus’s son. She goes down to Ithaca, Odysseus’s home, in the form of Mentes. She talks to Prince Telemachus and inspires him to sail on a course to question King Nestor then Menelaus. It is shown that the people of Ithaca do not want him as a king but he would accept the role if given to him. Telemachus speaks authoritatively to Penelope, and he confronts the suitors, and he calls an assembly for the next day after being inspired by Athena.

__Book 2__

__Characters-__ Antiphus- son sailed with Odysseus and was killed by a Cyclops Antinous- Eupithes' son, number one suitor Halitherses- Seer who confirms Zeus' omen Eurymachus- Polybus' son, number two suitor Eurycleia- nurse, daughter of Ops Mentor - friend Odysseus left in charge of Ithaca. Athena often appears as Mentor.

__Summary-__ Telemachus orders that Achaeans to a full assembly first thing in the morning. There he informs the citizens of his problems with the suitors, how they have invaded his home and are pressuring his mother to marry them. The assembly begins to take pity on him, but one of the suitors, Antinous, stands up and tells the assembly about how Penelope says she won't marry until her weaving is done, but unravels all of her work at night. This is Penelope's masterpiece of guile. He tells Telemachus to make her mother marry, which he refuses with a mention of the gods. Zeus responds to this with an omen, two birds flying down from the mountain. This is confirmed by the seer Halitheres. Halitherses warns the suitors. He says Odysseus is on his way home, and this will mean sudden doom for them. Eurymachus, another suitor, trys to waver Telemachus' resolve, only to be refused again. Telemachus informs the assembly of his plan to set out in search of news of his father. There are a few more arguments before the assembly is dissmissed. Telemachus doubts his mission, but is given advice by Athena. She then gathers his crew and finds him a boat, and they sail away.

__Book 3__

__Characters__ Atreus- father of Agamemnon and Menelaus Agamemnon- Menelaus' brother, is murdered by wife and lover, traveled home with Odysseus Menelaus- Agamemnon's brother, king of Lacedaemon Nestor- King of Pylos, father of Pisistratus, gives Telemachus information about Odysseus Pisistratus- son of Nestor, sails with Telemachus to Lacedaemon

__Summary-__ Telemachus and Athena (who is disguised as Mentor) travel to Pylos, where sacrifices are being made to Poseidon. Athena gives Telemachus courage to go and speak to King Nestor to ask if he knows anything about his father. Before they find Nestor, they meet his son, Pisistratus, and he invites them to a feast. At the feast, they find King Nestor and Telemachus asks him about Odysseus. Nestor claims he knows nothing about what happened to Odysseus after the Trojan war. He describes the story of Menelaus and Agamemnon, two greek brothers. After the war, Nestor sailed back to Greece immediately with Menelaus, while Odysseus stayed behind with Agamemnon to make more sacrifices, and has not heard word of Odysseus since. Then Nestor tells the story of how Agamemnon's wife, Clytemnestra, cheats on him during the war with Aegisthus. Once Agamemnon returned, Aegisthus murdered him with Clytemnestra's permission. Orestes, Agamemnon's son, hears what happened and avenges his father's death. Now Orestes is looked at as the "ideal" son. After the story, Nestor encourages the two to go to Lacedaemon, to speak with King Menelaus, to get more information. Athena reveals herself to Telemachus and Nestor, then flies away. Telemachus stays in Pylos for a few days before setting sail for Lacedaemon with Pisistratus.

__Book 4__

__Characters__ Menelaus- King of Sparta Helen- Queen of Sparta Proteus- servant of Poseidon Penelope- Odysseus' wife, Queen of Ithaca

__Summary__ Telemachus and Nestor's son go to Sparta after traveling to Pylos to speak with Menelaus about his lost father. He has dinner with Menelaus. Then they start to discuss Odysseus. Helen comes out of her room and recognizes Telemachus as Odysseus' son. Then she drugged the wine so they would be happy. During dinner the King and Queen recall Odysseus' cunning in the Trojan War. Helen talks about how Odysseus infiltrated Troy disguised as a beggar. Menelaus tells Telemachus about the Trojan Horse. The meal ends and everyone goes to bed. The next day, Telemachus explains that he came to ask about Odysseus.He also tells about the suitors. The King then tells Telemachus of his voyage back to Sparta. Menelaus and his were going to die in Egypt, but a goddess showed him mercy. She tells him to capture Proteus and he would tell him the way back. Menelaus captures Proteus. Proteus tells him to sail back through the Nile, make a sacrifice, and then the gods will grant his voyage. Menelaus then tells Telemachus that Ajax drowns at sea, Agamemnon was killed by Aegisthus. Menelaus says that Odysseus is being held by Calypso's island by force. Menelaus gives Telemachus a gift. The suitors find out about Telemachus's voyage and they plan an ambush. Penelope finds out and is grief-stricken. Athena comes to here and tells Penelope that Telemachus will make it.

__Book 5__

__Characters__ Odysseus: King of Ithaca who is captured by Calypso. Calypso: Goddess holding Odysseus captive Poseidon: God, trying to not have Odysseus return to Ithaca. Hermes: Messenger god who goes to tell Calypso the decree. Ino Leucothea: Cadmus daughter who helps Odysseus

__Summary__ Zeus tells Hermes to go to Calypso and tell her their fixed decree. Hermes leaves immediately after Zeus tells him what to do. Hermes arrives at the island Calypso is on, Ogyia, and marvels at her island. Hermes then enters Calypso's cave and she asks why he came to her island. Hermes tells her what the decree is and she(Calypso) then becomes angry because she thinks the gods are being unfair to her. When she was done, Hermes reinforced her words and then left quickly. Afterwards, Calypso goes and tells Odysseus that she is willing to let him go back to his native land. Odysseus does not believe her at first and thinks she is playing some sort of trick and then she told him it is all compassion and she then leads him to where she talked with Hermes. The next day Odysseus got ready to leave and he built his raft with the axe Calypso gave him. When Odysseus set out Poseidon saw him and got very angry with the gods for making this decision with him in Ethiopia. He then creates a large storm to throw Odysseus off track. As this is happening Ino sees Odysseus and gives him a scarf that is immortal. Odysseus then decides to swim and Poseidon crashes a big wave on top of him. Athena sees this and stopped it at once. The next day Odysseus makes it to land and prayed. Lastly, Athena then showered sleep upon the weary Odysseus.

__Book 6__

__Characters__ Odysseus: King Of Ithaca who is freshly released from Calypso;just arrived on Phaeacia Nausicaa: Daughter of King Alicinous; helps Odysseus King Alicinous: The generous king of Phaceacia aka Scheria

__Summarry__

Odysseus arrives on Scheria and is resting in forrest. He has just survived the attack by Poseidon and is swollen and dirty. However, Athena is watching over Odysseus as always. She goes to Nausicaa, the king's daughter, in a dream as her friend. In the dream so chastens Nausicaa for not washing her fine clothes. Athena tells her to ask her father for permission to carry all her laundry to the river for a good washing. Athena exclaims that all the finest men in the world are courting her and so she must be dressed in the finest and cleanest of clothes. The next day, Nausicaa wakes up inspired by her dream. She follows her dreams and sets out to ask King Alicinous for permession to wash her clothes and for a wagon. Soon after she and her maids set out to the river. There they wash their clothes, let them dry, and play around. Athena helps Odysseus.The princess throws some clothes at her maid while packing up. The maid misses, and the clothes land in the river. They all shout. That awaken a sleeping Odysseus. He then walks to the river to ask for help. The maids scatter at the sight of a naked Odysseus but Athena keeps Princess Nausicaa firmly planted. Odysseus then proceeds on to tell his story and ask for some food and clothes. Princess Nausicaa, being the Greek she is, hospitable orders her maids to give Odysseus clothes, a bath, and food. Odysseus then eats, bathes, and dresses. After he is dressed Athena makes Odysseus appear even more handsome. She lavishes him with splendor. The princess comes up with a plan when they are about to return home. She tells Odysseus to go to her father's estate and wait there sometime while she and her maids go home to the palace. When he arrives at the palace he should beg the queen. She will help him see his home, family, and native land again. Then Nausicaa is off to the palace leaving Odysseus. Odysseus then prays to Athena for the first time in sometime. Athena listens but is not quite ready to appear as herself to Odysseus with fiery Poseidon still seeking revenge on Odysseus.

__Book 7__

__﻿ Characters __

Odysseus Arete- wife of Alcinous Alcinous Echeneus, eldest lord in Phaeacia Athena

__Summary__

Odysseus starts his walk towards the city when he meets Athena, disguised as a little girl. Odysseus asks her to show her the way to Alcinous’ palace. She leads him, and he arrives. After learning that the Phaeacians don’t like guests, he walks slowly into the palace, and he grabs Arete’s ankles and begs. Everyone in the palace is quiet after he finishes until Echeneus talks and tells Alcinous to give Odysseus food. Odysseus tells them his story, and he compliments Nausicaa. Hearing these compliments, Alcinous offers for Odysseus to marry Nausicaa, or Alcinous can get his skilled sailors to sail Odysseus to his home. Odysseus chooses the second option, and then retires to the room that Alcinous and Arete gave him.

__ Book 8 __ __ Characters __ Odysseus Alcinous Nausicaa Broadsea Demodocus- Bard Laodamas- Captain of the People; Son of Alcinous __ Summary __ When Alcinous and Odysseus both rise, Alcinous leads the way to Phaeacia's meeting grounds. There, the city was urged to come and meet Odysseus. Alcinous then adresses the assemblage of townspeople and asks them to rig a ship for poor Odysseus and also to call in th blind bard Demodocus. Then Alcinous orders a dozen sheep, eight boars, and a pair of oxen to be slaughtered in order to feed his guests. Demodocus arrives and sings a song about Odysseus' and Achilles' argument during the Trojan War. This song brings great sorrow to Odysseus, and he starts weeping. Nobody else recognizes this except for Alcinous. After they had feasted, Alcinous ordered for the games to begin. Everything from wrestling, discus, sprinting, boxing and even javelin throwing were sports people participated in. Initially, Odysseus refuses to participate in any of the sports, but after Laodamas asks him, and then Broadsea mocks him, does Odysseus prove his athleticism. He hurls the discus much farther than any of the previous competitors. With that, Alcinous decides to end the games and end the day with a great exhibition of dancing. He calls in Demodocus again. Demodocus plays the song: The Love of Ares and Aphrodite Crowned With Flowers. It was all about Ares and Aphrodite's love affair, and how Hephaestus, Aphrodite's, wife got back at them.Then after Demodocus had finished his song, Alcinous and all the twelve lords of Phaecia gave Odysseus. Broadsea approached him as well and in an attempt to make amends, gave Odysseus a bronze sword. On the way out, Odysseus met Nausicaa, which he thanked her dearly for saving his life. Afterwards, the bard played another song this one about the wooden horse, and Odysseus and his men laying Sparta to waste. This song again brought him tears, and again the only person to take notice of this was Alcinous, who proceeded to cut Demodocus off fom his saddening song. The book ends with Alcinous asking Odysseus who he isand where he is from before he sets sail.

=__//BOOK 9!!!!!//__ = __Characters __ Polythemus Odysseus Lodust eaters __﻿Summary __ The beggining he starts out saying that he is Odyseus. this is present time. Then he starts to tell his story. He goes into a flashback where he starts to tell it. hes starts by saying once he amediatly left Troy he had strong winds that blew him off course and to the island Ismarus. There they raided a town and sacked it. He told his crewman to set sail and leave but they didnt. The other people, the Cicones, had gone further inland and grabbed there fellow comrads. they then attacked odyseus where they ebat them down and killed 6 people off of every ship. then a hurricane hit them and they had to beach. for three days they where stuck. Then they left for home but then giant winds carried them north and they landed on the island of the locust eaters. he basically had to force the people to get back on the ship. he then set sail again and this time he landed on the beaches of the cyclops's. they then killed alot of goats and ate. the next day they went off to explore the area where they had landed and they found a cave that was empty that they felt like going through. Then the giant come home and traps the men. he then whe the cyclops had taken his sheep to the pasture made part of his club into a spike so he could stab its eye with it. He then gives the cyclops a giant amount of wine. while the cyclops is intoxicated we learn that his name is polythemus and that odyseus lies and says his name is nobody. he then got the spike burnd it and stabbed it into Polythemus's eye and it exploded. when polythemus cried out that he was hurt he said that "nobody is tryng to kill me" which just made the other giants leave. to get out of Polythemus's cave they climbed on the bellys of the goats and rams so that the giant couldnt feel them. then he taunts the giant and tells him his real name and polythemus threw two giant bolders at them jus bairly missing them.

__Book 10__ Odysseus and his men sail to the home of Aeolus. He is a great host and lets them stay for a month. Aeolus gives Odyssus a sack containing the skin of a full- grown ox. Od. and his men sailed to Ithaca and on the tenth day they could see the land. Odysseus's men were jelous of Od. because they did not recieve any gifts. They then open up Od.'s gift while he was sleeping. The winds then carried them back to Aelous's island. Aelous refuses to help Odysseus. They then rowed for seven days and landed on Laestrygonian land. Od. anchors his ship outside the harbor unlike the rest of his crew. Od. sends some of his crew to see who lived there. The Laestrygonians end up being giants and eat some of Od.'s men. They then sail to Aeaean island, home of Circe. Odysseus kills a stag and he and his men eat. They divide into two groups. Eurylochus's group is chosen to scout out the island by drawing from a helmet. Mountain wolves and lions surround Eurylochus's men but don't eat them bec. Circe put them under a spell. Polites, Od.'s closest man, decides to call out to Circe. She gives the men a potion and then turns them into pigs. Only Eurylochus does not go in. He then tells Od. what happened. Od. goes to help his men even though Eurylochus does not want him to. Od. runs into Hermes in disguise. Hermes gives Od. a drug so Circe's potion won't affect him. He tells Od. to take the drug and when Circe takes out her wand, he needs to pretend to run at her with his sword. Od. does as Hermes says and Circe reconizes him as Odysseus. Od. makes Circe promise not to hurt him and give his crew back. Circe agrees and her maids bath Od. Od. makes Circe release his men before they eat. Circe does as he says. Od. then returns to his men at the ship. Od. tells men to come with him back to Circe and eat. Eurlylochus demands that they don't go back because Circe will turn them back into pigs and that it is all Odysseus's fault. Od. becomes angry and almost kills Eurylochus but his men hold him back. They go back to Circe and stay for a year. Od.'s men want to leave. Circe says in order to return home they must first go to the House of Death and talk to the ghost of Tiresias. Od. cries at this news. Circe instructs Odysseus what to do. (p. 246- 247) Elpenor, the youngest of the crew, drinks too much and jumps off the roof and dies. Odysseus tells his men of Circe's plans and they moan.

characters: Aeolus- master of the winds, great host to od. and his men Antiphates- king of Laestrygonians Eurylochus- leader of the rest of Od.'s men Polites- Od.'s closest, most devoted man Circe- nymph with lovely braids Hermes- the giant killer, god of the golden wand Elpenor- youngest of the crew

Book 11
__summary__ The book begins with Odysseus and his shipmates departing from Aeaea. They go to the House of Death so that Odysseus could speak to Tiresias, the Theban prophet. When they get there, they dug a trench and poured libations to the dead- first with milk and honey, then whith mellow wine, then water, and finally barley. He then prayed to the dead and slit the throats of the animals. The dead begin to come out of Erebus, but Odysseus wouldn't let any touch the blood until Tiresias came. Before seeing Tiresias, Odysseus talks to the ghost of Elpenor who told him how he met his fate and to burn his dead body in armor or Odysseus and his men would be cursed. Afterwards, Odysseus sees his mother, Anticleia, but does not speak to her until he talks to Tiresias. When the finally get to speak with Tiresias, he tells Odysseus it will be a rough journey home. He says that Odysseus and his men will survive __as long as they don't eat the cattle of Helios.__ If they do harm them in any way, Odysseus men will be slaughtered and Odysseus will come home a broken man. Tiresias tells Odysseus that once he comes home, he will kill the suitors. He then needs to carry his oar to a land where people don't use salt and are strangers to ships. Somebody will come up to Odysseus and will call his oar a fan to winnow grain, and that's when he needs to plant the oar in the earth and offer a fine beast to Poseidon. Afterwards, he will come home and give offerings to all the gods in order. Finally, Tiresias tells him that he will die a painless death. Odysseus then talks to his mother, who tells him the condition of Penelope, Telemachus, and Laertes. She tells him that she died of yearning for Odysseus to come back home. Odysseus says goodbye to her and the book returns to the present for a few pages where Alcinous tells Odysseus to stay until tomorrow so that he could get Odysseus' guest gifts. Odysseus goes back into his story where he meets his old friend Agamemnon. Agamemnon tells him of his death and says that he cannot trust women. He also tells Odysseus to steer his ship into port in secret. Odysseus then speaks to Achilles who says that he would rather be the slave to a poor farmer than be the king of the death. Afterwards, Odysseus tries to call out to Ajax but he wouldn't acknowledge him. Odysseus then sees all of the suffering in the House of Death and finally talks to Heracles. He then leaves with his men on his ship.

characters Tiresias- the Theban prophet Persephone- the goddess of death and dread Anticleia- Odysseus' mother Neoptolemus- Achilles' son Tityus- suffering in underworld. Body streched out over nine acres and two vultures hunched on either side of him, digging into his body. Tantalus- suffering in underworld. Whenever he tries to eat or drink the water and food is just out of reach. Sisyphus- suffering in underworld. Has to push a boulder over the brink of a hill. When he is about to reach the top, the boulder falls back down.

Book 12: __Characters__: Odysseus-epic hero still Circe-nymph with magic spells that turn people into animals Eurylochus-mutinous crew member Scylla-monster with six heads that each eats one person Charybdis-monster who vomits the water and sucks it back up to make a whirlwind Helios-sun god __Summary__: When Odysseus returns to Circe’s halls, the cremate Elpenor’s body just as he wished. After all his shipmates have fallen asleep, Odysseus listens to Circe’s advice. She tells him that there are two paths and he must decide which way that he shall travel by. One path kills six of his men while another path could kill them all. Odysseus chooses to go where Scylla lives. On the way there, he puts beeswax in his shipmates’ ears and they tie him up. He is to only person to her the Sirens’ wails and live to tell. When they finally reach Charybdis and Scylla, Odysseus does not tell his men about Scylla and when they are distracted by Charybdis, Scylla eats six of his strongest shipmates. They continue on, though and reach Helios’ land. He does not want to stop there, but Eurylochus convinces the crew and Odysseus makes them swear not to kill the cattle. They stay on the island for a month. When Odysseus falls asleep, his crew gets hungry and Eurylochus convinces everybody to go out and kill some cattle so they kill them and Helios finds out. Helios threatens to hide the sun if Zeus does not do something about this. They set sail again and are immediately turned 360 and return to Charybdis and Scylla. Odysseus hangs on a fig tree while all his shipmates die. He waits until Charybdis throws up and then finds a raft and rows until he reaches Ogyga and then he ends his story because he is too cool to repeat stories.

Summary-
=== Alcinous assures Odysseus he will be leaving Scheria, and finally returning to Ithaca. They load the ship, and start their journey right as the sun went down. Alcinous gives Odysseus even more guest-gifts. Odysseus slept through the whole journey to Ithaca. Without waking him up, the Pheacians drop him off at Ithaca. He wakes up very confused where he is. At first, he is convinced that the Pheacians put him on a random stranded island, but then Athena, disguised as a sheppard, appears. She assures him he is in Ithaca and that it is time to punish the suitors. Athena gives him a different appearance, and tells him to go hide in the hut belonging to Eumaeus. Poseidon finds out of the Pheacians returning Odysseus to Ithaca and is outraged. He gets permission from Zeus to punish them by turning their ship to stone, which results to it sinking to the bottom of the sea. The Pheacians then decicde to no longer continue their tradition of helping lost travelers. ===

Book 14 Characters- Odysseus- epic hero Eumaeus- swineherd, foreman of men

//Summary- Two important themes in Book 14 are hospitality and loyalty. Following Athena's plan, Odysseus makes his way to the swineherd to ask him all that he knows. Eumaeus doesn't recognize Odysseus who is disguised as a beggar, and he shows his guest inside, piling brush and twigs covered with the skin of a goat, the swineherd's own bedding, for him to sit on. By using the familiar "you" along with the swineherd's name, Homer is revealing that Eumaeus is special, a good man, and a loyal servant to Odysseus. Eumaeus shows him hospitality by inviting Odysseus warmly to feast with him as he tells him about the suitors that plague Penelope. He is certain Odysseus is dead and never coming back, but Odyssesu disguised as the beggar swears he knows what will happen. He assures Eumaeus that Odysseus will return and take revenge on any man who has offended his wife or son. Odysseus tells the swineherd his story as a beggar, hailing from Crete as a war veteran and rich man's son sold into slavery. Eumaeus slaughters the fattest hog for his guest and presents him the cut of honor. Odysseus tells the story of when he was in Troy and left his cloak at the camp, and he tests the swineherd to see if he would take his cloak off and give it to him or at least ask one of his men to do the same. Eumaeus gave gus guest the heavy cloak he kept to wear in the winter even though he does not have much as it is. Eumaeus passes the test by giving him the cloak. He also shows Odysseus his faithfulness by sleeping outside with the pigs because he cared so much for his master's goods. Eumaeus represents loyalty and hospitality.// //Book 15// //Characters:// //Telemachus- son of King Odysseus// //Athena- goddess of weaving, just war, and wisdom// //King Menelaus- son of Atreus, captain of armies, brother of Agamemnon, king of Lacedaemon// //Pisistratus- son of Nestor, loyal friend to Telemachus// //Helen- wife of King Menelaus// //Megapenthes- son of Menelaus and Helen// //Ortilochus- son of the Alpeus River// //Polyphides- a prophet made by Apollo// //Theoclymenus- son of Polyphides, the prophet. A godlike seer// //Eumaeus- the loyal swineherd// //Odysseus- epic hero, king of Ithaca// //Piraeus- the gallant spearman// //Summary- Athena tells Telemachus to quickly leave King Menelaus of the Trojans in a dream. She says it is wrong to travel so far and for so long while his suitors are destroying his father's kingdom and plaguing his mother, Penelope. So Telemachus tells King Menelaus that he must return swiftly so Meneluas gives him a two-handed gold cup made by Hephaestus, god of smiths and fire. Queen Helen gives Telemachus a beautiful gown made by Helen herself to give to Telemachus's future wife. Then Zeus sends an omen. A bird flies past on the right, and an eagle clutches a huge white goose in its talons. Helen reads the omen and says it represents Odysseus descending down to his house and taking revenge by destroying all the suitors that have bothered his family. Menelaus sends his son to journey with Telemachus. On the way, Telemachus is stopped by the begging of Theoclymenus. He begs Telemachus to take him on board so that he won't be killed by the men of Argos. Telemachus agrees. Meanwhile, Odysseus is testing Eumaeus, the loyal swineherd. Eumaeus shows loyalty and hospitality toward Odysseus even though he doesn't know Odysseus' true identity.// //Book 16-// //Summary-// ===//Telemachus arrives on Ithaca back from pylos and goes to Eumaeus the swineherd. There Odysseus is being kept in disguise of a begger. Telemachus doesn't know that it is his father but Odysseus has to use restraint because he sees his son. Odysseus is in disguise so he can test everyone before he kills all the suitors. Eumaeus says they should go to the palace but it isn't safe so instead Eumaeus goes alone to inform Penelope that her son has arrived on Ithaca. They don't let anyone else know of the arrival of Telemachus because all of the people planning to kill Telemachus. When Father and Son are alone in the Hut Athena releases the splendor on him that makes him look like a beggar and he goes back to a young and handsome man, Odysseus. At First Telemachus doesn't beleive it is him but it is and they sit and weep together. The messenger from the ship Telemachus was on arrives before Eumaeus does and the suitors realize that their plan of killing Telemachus failed. They plot another plan to kill Telemachus but Apmphinomus the most liked suitor by Penelope persuades them not to kill Telemachus. Meanwhile Odysseus and his son Telemachus plot their vengeance to kill the suitors.//=== //Characters-// //Antinuous- Number 1 Suitor// //Eurymachus- Number 2 suitor// //Eumaeus- The loyal swineherd// //Odysseus- Epic hero king of Ithaca// //Penelope- Wife of Odysseus// //Laertes- Father of Odysseus// //Telemachus- Son of Odysseus// //Amphinomus- Most liked suitor by Penelope and persuades the suitors not to killl Telemachus// //Athena- Goddess of weaving, wisdom, and war//

Summary-
==== Telemachus leaves to go to town, to see Penelope. He also orders for Eumaeus to take Odysseus (still disguised as a beggar) to town so he can beg for his supper. Telemachus leaves the farm and soon after he reaches the palace. Eurycleia was the first to see him. She burst into tears. Penelope did the same. Telemachus then sets off to see the suitors. Athena lavished a marvelous splendor on the prince, so the people would be in a daze when he approached. After, Telemachus and Penelope sit down and Telemachus tells his mother to his story. After Telemachus finished, Theoclymenus spoke and told Penelope that he would make her a prophecy. On line 198 the story then switches back to Eumaeus and Odysseus. They are heading for town. Melanthius, the goatherd, crossed their path. Melanthius messes with them and calls them names. He then kicks Odysseus in the hip, but Odysseus does not fight back. Eumaeus and Odysseus finally make it to Odysseus' palace. Just as they are about to enter, Odysseus sees Argos, his old dog. Odysseus can not show that he is moved because he is still disguised as a beggar. Right when Argos sees Odysseus, he starts wagging his tail and inching closer to him. Odysseus enters the palace. Telemachus send Eumaeus to tell Odysseus to beg from all the suitors. Athena comes in and tells Odysseus to test the suitors, see if they are innocent or guilty. Antinous acts very rude as always, so Telemachus stands up to him. When Odysseus begged from Antionus, he told him to "back off... clear of my table." All the other suitors glared at him for the way he acted to a beggar. Antinous got angry and threw a stool at Odysseus. The stool hit Odysseus in the back. Odysseus once again did not fight back. Telemachus shows restraint. He is unhappy with the way the suitors treated his father. Penelope then asks to see the beggar. She wants to know if he has seen Odysseus. Odysseus (beggar) tell her that he can talk to her later in private. ====

Theoclymenus- fugitive who is on the run for killing a man
Summery- Odysseus is still a beggar and he goes to the palace to beg for food among the suitors. He comes across another beggar named Arnaeus (Irus is his real name) and Arnaeus becomes enraged that Odysseus is begging for food in the palace. See, the palace is the usual spot for Arnaeus to beg. He becomes very mad that Odysseus has entered his territory and he starts insulting Odysseus. Arnaeus challenges Odysseus to a boxing match. Odysseus is hesitant but he makes all of the suitors promise not to step in and help either of the fighters (Odysseus and Arnaeus). The suitors agree and Odysseus and Arnaeus box it out. Arnaeus thinks hat he will win for sure because Odysseus looks old and weak but Odysseus is guided by Athena and she makes him strong and very able to fight. All of the suitors begin to notice that it will be the old man will win instead of the beggar they are used to seeing. The fight starts and Arnaeus throws the first punch but Odysseus dodges it. Then Odysseus quickly jabs his hand into the side of Arnaeus's neck ending the fight very fast. Odysseus is the winner. Odysseus is congratulated by the suitors and is now aloud to beg in the halls of the palace taking Arnaeus's place. The fake beggar then goes to one of the main suitors (Amphinomus) and tells him that Odysseus will sion be coming home. But he refuses to leave with his followers. The Athena makes Penelope look beautiful and gets he to go and trick the suitors into giving her all of their gifts because she claims Odysseus "wants her to get married to the best suitor". When she tells all the suitors this, the tension grows and Eurymachus becomes angry at Odysseus for insulting him so he then proceeds by throwing a chair at Odysseus. Right before things were really about to get out of hand, Telemachus steps in and calms everyone down. Odysseus Arnaeus Athena Melantho Amphinomus Eurymachus Telemachus
 * Book 18**
 * Characters**

__Book 20__ Characters Eurycleia Odysseus(beggar) duh... Melanthius Penelope Philoetius Athena Eumaeus <span style="color: #100cb6; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Telemachus <span style="color: #100cb6; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Ctesippus <span style="color: #100cb6; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Theoclymenus <span style="color: #100cb6; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Eurymachus

<span style="color: #100cb6; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Summary Odysseus is trying to plot the suitors' deaths, but can't fall asleep because the maids are sneaking out of the house with the suitors. Athena gets angry at Odysseus and casts a sleeping spell on him. Meanwhile, Penelope is also having trouble sleeping because she misses Odysseus so much and begs Artemis for death. Odysseus hears Penelope crying and starts to daydream. He prays to Zeus that he will send him a good omen, one from somebody inside and one from Zeus himself. Almost instantly, a maid in the hall shouts a "lucky word" and Zeus sends a loud thunderclap. The next day, Telemachus prepares for a feast. Melanthius, the goatherd, begins to insult Odysseus (who he thinks is actually a beggar). Philoetius, a cowherd who's still loyal to Odysseus, stands up for him against Melanthius. Odysseus is grateful to Philoetius and gives him his binding oath swearing that Odysseus will return soon. The feast began and Telemachus tried to lay down the law and tell the suitors to stop being mean, but Antinous fought back. Ctesippus threw a oxhoof at Odysseus and missed. The suitors are jerks to Telemachus and the beggar (Odysseus). All the while Penelope has been listenng to the whole conversation outside the door.

__**Book 21**__ __**Characters**__ Athena Penelope Eumaeus-swineherd Antinous Telemachus Leodes-suitor Melanthius-goatherd Eurymachus Philoetius-cowherd Odysseus

Summary Athena inspired Penelope to make a contest to see who can string Odysseus' bow with the most ease and who can shoot it cleanly through the 12 ends of the axes. She told the suitors what was to happen if she would marry one of them. Then Antinous gets very angry with the suitors because they are whining about it. Telemachus tried to string the bow yet again, but couldn't. Beggar Odysseus watched him and just shook his head. Later, Leodes attempted to bend the bow but was unable to do anything to it. The men try to rub the bow down with hot grease to make it easier to bend, but it doesn't work. Odysseus takes the cowherd and swineherd outside to ask them how loyal they were to Odysseus. Both answer that they are loyal, and Odysseus reveals himself. Odysseus then reveals his plan to them. The go back inside, and Odysseus asks the suitors if he can try to bend the bow. The men become angry with this request and tell him no. Penelope tells the men to let the beggar try. They obey and allow Odysseus to try. He easily strings the bow like a bard strings his lyre. He then proceeds to perfectly shoot 12 arrows through each of the 12 axes. Doing something that no other suitor could. Odysseus tells Telemachus that it is time to avenge the suitors. He gives him the sign, a nod, and Telemachus grabs his spear ready to fight.

__**Book 22**__ Summary This book begins with Odysseus holding the bow and arrows in his hand. He tells the suitors that their test is finished and trains his bow on Antinuous. He shoots him through the neck. He then reveals himself as Odysseus. Eurymachus tries to blame everything on Antinuous so that he and the other suitors will not be brutally murdered also. Odysseus tells Eurymachus that he will never spare him and the other suitors, and the suitors charge Odysseus. Odysseus then shoots an arrow through Eurymachus' chest. Amphinomus then tries to attack Odysseus but Telemachus stabs him in the back. Telemachus goes to the storage room and fetches the weapons to protect them when Odysseus runs out of arrows. Melanthius goes into the storeroom which is ajar and gets weapons for the suitors. On his second visit to the storeroom, Eumaues catches him and ties him to the rafters in an agonizing sling. The battle continues. Athena protects the small army as the suitors throw spears at them and makes the spears miss their target. The group kills all the suitors except for Phemius because Telemachus says that he and Medon are innocent and shouldn't be killed. They then make the unfaithful maids go out of their rooms and clean the bodies of the dead suitors. They are then brought out of the hall and hung. They then kill Melanthius by cutting of his nose, ears, hands, feet, and genitals, and fed them to the dogs. They then purify the house with fire and brimstone. The book ends with Eurycleia bringing the news to everybody that Odysseus is back and that the suitors are dead.

Odysseus Telemachus Antinuous- first to be killed by odysseus Eurymachus- tries to blame everything on Antinuous Amphinomus Melanthius Eumaues- swineherd Phemius Medon Athena Eurycleia
 * characters:**

Book 23 Characters Penelope Odysseus Eurycleia Telemachus Athena

Summary- Eurycleia goes to wake up Penelope and tell her Odysseus has come home at last, and he has killed the suitors. Penelope thinks Eurycleia has lost her mind, and she does not believe her at first. Eurycleia tells Penelope what has happened downstairs. Penelope thinks it must have been a god instead of Odysseus who killed the suitors, and she still doubts her story. Eurycleia tells Penelope about how she had seen the scar Odysseus got from a boar's tusk when washing his feet. Penelope goes to see for herself and wonders whether to run up to the man who claims to be her husband or question him first. She can't decide if it is really Odysseus even by looking at him. Telemachus gets mad that she is holding back from Odysseus, her husband that has been away for so long. She says that she is stunned with wonder and can't question him, but she will know he is the real Odysseus because they have secret signs known only by the two of them. Odysseus tells Telemachus to leave so he can be tested by Penelope. They need to not let word spread about the suitors being dead because their families might come to avenge their deaths. Odysseus' plan is to make a lot of noise to make it sound as if there is a wedding party going on in the palace, so no one will suspect what has happened to the suitors. Penelope tests Odysseus. She asks Eurycleia to move their bed out of the bridal chamber, and when she does he tells her how he built the bed and that it is too heavy to move because it is made of olive wood. Penelope then realizes he is truly Odysseus. Athena holds back night, so the two of them can have a longer time to be with each other. Odysseus tells Penelope that he has one more journey to make. He tells her all that Tiresias told him. He must rove the seas until he finds a land where its people know nothing of the sea. He will know if it is the right place because someone will think his oar is a device for planting grain. He must then make sacrifices to the Gods, and only then will he die a peaceful death because of old age. Odysseus tells her he needs to go see his father Laertes.

Book 24

Characters- Hermes Peleus Antilochus Ajax Patroclus Achilles Agamemnon Amphimedon Eupithes - Father of Antinous Dolius - Father of Melanthius and Melantho

Summary- Hermes guides the ghosts of the suitors to the underworld. There, the suitors see the ghosts of Peleus, Antilochus, Ajax, and Patroclus. Achilles and Agamemnon exchange stories of how they died. Agamemnon recognizes the ghosts of the suitors. He asks them what happened, what brings you here to the underworld? They wondered if it was a shipwreck. How could they have all died at the same time? Amphimedon tells Agamemnon they were courting Penelope and explains her master of guile. Then he tells him how Odysseus came back and killed them all. Odysseus and his crew (the cowherd, swineherd, penelope and telemachus) return to Laertes' farm. Ody decides to test Laertes for loyalty. Ody tells him that he is Ody. Its like star wars backwards. thats what I thought of anyway. Anyhoo, Ody proves he is ody by showing his scar and pointing out the trees he named. Laertes' moment of recognition was when he fainted after Ody tells him those two things. Athena interferes and makes Laerte's massive and taller and stronger. Laerte's decides to fight. Suitors' families plot revenge. The crowd is split between fighting with courage and basically going kamikaze. Athena goes to Zeus who decides war or peace. He says peace and wealth should come to the land. Laerte's kills Eupithes. Athena eventually settles them down, while looking like Mentor. Then the epic poem ends and all are at peace.