write a summary of the odyssey using these:
use the “literary present” to retell events
include only important events and characters
disregard minor details and irrelevant information
present events in chronological order
use clear, concise language that does not repeat the original text word by word
The Odyssey is an epic poem by Homer that follows the adventures of the hero, Odysseus, as he makes his way back home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
The story begins with Odysseus being held captive by the nymph Calypso on her island. The gods intervene, and after much persuasion, Calypso lets him build a boat to leave. From there, Odysseus embarks on a series of adventures.
He arrives at the island of the Cyclops where he blinds Polyphemus, the Cyclops, in order to escape. Next, he lands on the island of Aeolus, the god of the winds, who gives him a bag of winds to assist him in his journey. However, his crew opens the bag, unleashing the winds and blowing them all back to Aeolus' island.
Odysseus then encounters the enchantress Circe, who turns his crew into pigs. With the guidance of the god Hermes, he resists Circe's powers and convinces her to free his men. Circe advises him to visit the land of the dead to seek the advice of the blind prophet Tiresias.
After his encounters with the Sirens and the rocky monster Scylla, Odysseus finally reaches the island of the sun god, where his men eat the sacred cattle despite his warnings. As punishment, Zeus destroys their ship and kills all the crew, except for Odysseus, who drifts on a piece of the wreckage.
Washed up on the island of the enchantress Calypso once again, Odysseus spends seven years as her captive. Eventually, the gods intervene once more, and Hermes is sent to persuade Calypso to set him free. Odysseus manages to build a raft and sets sail towards Ithaca.
Upon his return, disguised as a beggar, Odysseus discovers that suitors have taken over his palace, trying to marry his wife Penelope and claiming his kingdom. With the help of his son Telemachus, and the goddess Athena, Odysseus reveals his true identity and, with the aid of his loyal servants, defeats the suitors.
Finally, Odysseus is reunited with Penelope and his kingdom is restored. The epic concludes with Odysseus recounting his adventures during a feast with the Phaeacians, who provide him with a ship for his safe journey back to Ithaca.