The Odyssey'

BOOK
The Boy, and the Goddess
Tell me about a complicated man 2
Muse, tell me how he wandered and was lost when he had wrecked the holy town of Troy. and
where he went, and who he met, the pain he suffered in the storms at sea, and how he worked to
save his life and bring his men back home. He failed to keep them safe; poor fools, they ate the
Sun God's cattle,' and the god kept them from home. Now goddess, child of Zeus tell the old
story for our modern times
Find the beginning.
All the other Greeks
who had survived the brutal sack of Troy sailed safely home to their own wives except
This man alone. Calypso,' a great goddess,
Sad trapped him in her cave; she wanted him to be her husband. When the year rolled round in
which the gods decreed he should go home to Ithaca, his troubles still went on.
The man was friendless. All the gods took pity, except Poseidon's anger never ended until
Odysseus was back at home.
But now the distant Ethiopians, who live between the sunset and the dawn were worshipping the
Sea God with a feast, a hundred cattle and a hundred rams.
There sat the god, delighting in his banquet.
The other gods were gathered on Olympus, in Father Zeus" palace. He was thinking of fine,
well-born Aegisthus, who was killed by Agamemnon's famous son Orestes.
He told the deathless gods,
"This is absurd,
that mortals blame the gods! They say we cause
their suffering, but they themselves increase it by folly. So Aegisthus overstepped:
he took the legal wife of Agamemnon, then killed the husband when he came back home
although he knew that it would doom them all.
We gods had warned Aegisthus; we sent down perceptive Hermes," who flashed into sight and
told him not to murder Agamemnon or court his wife; Orestes would grow up and come back to
his home to take revenge.
Aegisthus would not hear that good advice.
But now his death has paid all debts."
Athena'
looked at him steadily and answered, "Father, he did deserve to die. Bring death to all who act
like him! But I am agonizing about Odysseus and his bad luck.
For too long he has suffered, with no friends, sea all around him, sea on every side, out on an
island where a goddess lives, daughter of fearful Atlas, who holds up the pillars of the sea, and
knows its depths-those pillars keep the heaven and earth apart.
His daughter holds that poor unhappy man, and tries beguiling him with gentle words to cease all
thoughts of Ithaca; but he longs to see even just the smoke that rises from his own homeland, and
he wants to die You do not even care, Olympian!
Remember how he sacrificed to you on the broad plain of Troy beside his ships?
So why do you dismiss Odysseus?"
"Daughter!" the Cloud God said, "You must be joking, since how could I forget Odysseus?
He is more sensible than other humans, and makes more sacrifices to the gods.
But Lord Poseidon rages, unrelenting, because Odysseus destroyed the eye of godlike
Polyphemus, his own son, the strongest of the Cyclopes- whose mother, Thoosa, is a sea-nymph,
child of Phorcys,' the sea king; and she lay beside Poseidon inside a hollow cave. So now
Poseidon prevents Odysseus from reaching homebut does not kill him. Come then, we must plan:
how can he get back home? Poseidon must give up his anger, since he cannot fight alone against
the will of all the gods." Athena's eves lit up and she replied,
"Great Father, if the blessed gods at last will let Odysseus return back home, then hurry, we must
send our messenger, Hermes the giant-slayer. He must swoop down to Ogygia right away and
tell the beautiful Calypso we have formed a firm decision that Odysseus
has waited long enough. He must go home.
And I will go to Ithaca to rouse the courage of his son, and make him call a meeting, and speak
out against the suitors who kill his flocks of sheep and longhorn cattle unstoppably. Then I will
send him off to Pylos and to Sparta, to seek news about his father's journey home, and gain a
noble reputation for himself."
With that, she tied her sandals on her feet. the marvelous golden sandals that she wears to travel
sea and land, as fast as wind.
She took the heavy bronze-tipped spear she uses
"to tame the ranks of warriors with whom she is enraged. Then from the mountain down she
sped to Ithaca, and stopped outside Odysseus' court, bronze spear in hand.
She looked like Mentes now, the Taphian leader,* a guest-friend. There she found the lordly
suitors sitting on hides they killed the cows themselves-and playing checkers. Quick, attentive
house slaves were waiting on them. Some were mixing wine with water in the bowls, and others
brought the tables out and wiped them off with sponges, and others carved up heaping plates of
meat.
Telemachus was sitting with them, feeling dejected. In his mind he saw his father coming from
somewhere, scattering the suitors, and gaining back his honor, and control of all his property.
With this in mind. he was the first to see Athena there.
He disapproved of leaving strangers stranded so he went straight to meet her at the gate. and
shook her hand, and took her spear of bronze and let his words fly out to her"Good evening,
stranger, and welcome. Be our guest, come share our dinner, and then tell us what you need!" He
led her in, and Pallas followed him.
Inside the high-roofed hall, he set her spear beside a pillar in a polished stand, in which Odysseus
kept stores of weapons.
And then he led her to a chair and spread a smooth embroidered cloth across the seat, and pulled
a footstool up to it. He sat beside her on a chair of inlaid wood, a distance from the suitors, so
their shouting would not upset the stranger during dinner;
also to ask about his absent father.
A girl brought washing water in a jug of gold, and poured it on their hands and into a silver bowl,
and set a table by them.
A deferential slave brought bread and laid a wide array of food, a generous spread.
The carver set beside them plates of meat of every kind, and gave them golden cups.
The cup boy kept on topping up the wine.
The suitors sauntered in and sat on chairs, observing proper order, and the slaves
poured water on their hands. The house girls brought baskets of bread and heaped it up beside
them, and house boys filled their wine-bowls up with drink They reached to take the good things
set before them.
Once they were satisfied with food and drink the suitors turned their minds to other things-
singing and dancing, glories of the feast.
A slave brought out a well-tuned lyre and gave it to Phemius, the man the suitors forced to sing
for them. He struck the chords to start his lovely song.
Telemachus leaned in
close to Athena, so they would not hear, and said
"Dear guest excuse my saying this.
these men are only interested in music, a life of ease. They make no contribution.
This food belongs to someone else, a man whose white bones may be lying in the rain or sunk
beneath the waves. If they saw himreturn to Ithaca, they would all pray for faster feet, instead of
wealth and gold and fancy clothes. In fact, he must have died.
We have no hope. He will not come back home.
If someone says so, we do not believe it.
But come now, tell me this and tell the truth.
Who are you? From what city, and what parents?
What kind of ship did you here arrive on?
What sailors brought you here, and by what route?
You surely did not travel here on foot!
Here is the thing I really want to know: have you been here before? Are you a friend who visited
my father? Many men came to his house. He traveled many places.
Athena's clear bright eyes met his. She said,
"Yes, I will tell you everything. I am Mentes, the son of wise Anchialus, ord of the Taphians,
who love the oar.
I traveled with my ship and my companions over the wine-dark sea to foreign lands, with iron
that I hope to trade for copper in Temese. My ship is in the harbor far from the town, beneath the
woody hill.
And you and I are guest-friends through our fathers, from long ago-Laertes® can confirm it.
I hear that fine old man no longer comes to town, but lives out in the countryside, stricken by
grief, with only one old slave, who gives him food and drink when he trails back leg-weary from
his orchard, rich in vines.
I came because they told me that your father was here- but now it seems that gods have blocked
his path back home. But I am sure that he is not yet dead. The wide sea keeps him trapped upon
some island, captured by fierce men who will not let him go. Now I will make a prophecy the
gods have given me, and I chink it will all come true, although I am no prophet. He will not be
gone much longer from his own dear native land, even if chains of iron hold him fast.
He will devise a means of getting home.
He is resourceful. Tell me now-are you Odysseus' son? You are so tall!
Your handsome face and eyes resemble his, We often met and knew each other well, before he
went to Troy, where all the bestleaders of Argos sailed in hollow ships.
From that time on, we have not seen each other."
Telemachus was careful as he answered.
"Dear guest, I will be frank with you. My mother says that I am his son, but I cannot be sure,
since no one knows his own begetting.
I wish I were the son of someone lucky, who could grow old at home with all his wealth.
Instead, the most unlucky man alive is said to be my father since you ask."
Athena looked at him with spärkling eyes
"Son of Penelope, you and your sons will make a name in history, since you are so clever. But
now tell me this. Who are these banqueters? And what is the occasion?
A drinking party, or a wedding feast?
They look so arrogant and self-indulgent, making themselves at home. A wise observer would
surely disapprove of how they act
Telemachus said moodily, "My friend, since you have raised the subject, there was once a time
when this house here was doing well, our future bright, when he was still at home
But now the gods have changed their plans and cursed us, and cast my father into utter darkness.
If he had died it would not be this bad-if he had fallen with his friends at Troy, or in his loved
ones' arms, when he had wound the threads of war to end. The Greeks would then have built a
tomb for him; he would have won fame for his son. But now, the winds have seized him, and he
is nameless and unknown. He left nothing but tears for me. I do not weep only for him. The gods
have given me so many other troubles. All the chiefs of Same, Zacynthus, Dulichium, and local
lords from rocky Ithaca, are courting Mother, wasting our whole house.
She does not turn these awful suitors down. nor can she end the courting. They keep eating,
spoiling my house- and soon, they will kill me!"
Athena said in outrage, "This is monstrous!
You need Odysseus to come back home and lay his hands on all those shameless suitors!
If only he would come here now and stand right at the gates, with two spears in his hands, in
shield and helmet, as when I first saw him!
Odysseus was visiting our house, drinking and having fun on his way back from sailing in swift
ships to Ephyra to visit llus. He had gone there looking for deadly poison to, anoint his arrows.
llus refused, because he feared the gods.
My father gave Odysseus the poison, loving him blindly. May Odysseus come meet the suitors
with that urge to kill!
A bitter courtship and short life for them!
But whether he comes home to take revenge, or not, is with the gods. You must consider how
best to drive these suitors from vour house.
Come, listen carefully to what I say.
Tomorrow call the Achaean? chiefs to meeting, and tell the suitors letthe gods be witness
'All of you, go away! To your own homes!' As for your mother, if she wants to marry,
•let her return to her great father's home.
They will make her a wedding and prepare abundant gifts to show her father's love.
Now here is some advice from me for you.
Fit out a ship with twenty oars, the best, and go find out about your long-lost father.
Someone may tell you news, or you may hear a voice from Zeus, best source of information.
First go to Pylos, question godlike Nestor; from there, to Sparta; visit Menelaus.® He came
home last of all the Achaean heroes.
If you should hear that he is still alive and coming home, put up with this abuse for one more
year. But if you hear that he is dead, go home, and build a tomb for him, and hold a lavish
funeral to show the honor he deserves, and give your mother in marriage to a man. When this is
done, consider deeply how you might be able to kill the suitors in your halls- by tricks or openly.
You must not stick to childhood;
you are no longer just a little boy.
You surely heard how everybody praised
Orestes when he killed the man who killed his famous father devious Aegisthus?
Dear boy, I see how big and tail vou are.
Be brave, and win yourself a lasting name.
But I must go now, on my speedy ship; my friends are getting tired of waiting for me Remember
what I said and heed my words
"Telemachus was brooding on her words, and said, "Dear guest, you were so kind to give me this
fatherly advice. I will remember I know that you are eager to be off, but please enjoy a bath
before you go, and take a gift with you. I want to give you a precious, pretty treasure as a
keepsake to mark our special friendship.
But the goddess
Athena met his gaze and said, "Do not hold me back now. I must be on my way.
As for the gift you feel inspired to give me, save it for when I come on my way home and let me
give you presents then as well in fair exchange.
With that, the owl-eyed goddess
flew away like a bird, up through the smoke She left him feeling braver, more determined, and
with his father even more in mind.
Watching her go, he was amazed and saw she was a god. Then godlike, he went off to meet the
suitors.
• They were sitting calmly,
listening to the poet, who sang how
Athena cursed the journey of the Greeks as they were sailing home from Troy. Upstairs,
Penelope had heard the marvelous song.
* She clambered down the steep steps of her house, not by herself--two slave girls came with
her.
She reached the suitors looking like a goddess, then stopped and stood beside a sturdy pillar,
holding a gauzy veil before her face.
Her slave girls stood, one on each side of her.
In tears, she told the holy singer,
Sullen Telemachus said, "Mother, no, you must not criticize the loyal bard for singing as it
pleases him to sing.
Poets are not to blame for how things are;
Zeus is; he gives to each as is his will.
Do not blame Phemius because he told about the Greek disasters. You must know the newest
song is always praised the most.
So steel your heart and listen to the song.
Odysseus was not the only one
who did not come back home again from Troy
Many were lost. Go in and do your work.
Stick to the loom and distaff. Tell your slaves to do their chores as well. It is for men to talk,
especially me. I am the master."
That startled her. She went back to her room, and took her son's uneasy words to heart.
She went upstairs, along with both her slaves, and wept there for her dear Odysseus, until Athena
gave her eyes sweet sleep.
Throughout the shadowy hall the suitors clamored, praying to lie beside her in her bed.
Telemachus inhaled, then started speaking.
"You suitors, you are taking this too far.
Let us enjoy the feast in peace. It is a lovely thing to listen to a bard, especially one with such a
godlike voice At dawn, let us asSemble in the square.
I have to tell you this it is an order.
You have to leave my halls. Go dine elsewhere!
Eat your own food, or share between your houses Or if you think it easier and better to ruin one
man's wealth, and if you think that you can get away with it go on!
I call upon the gods; Zeus will grant vengeance.
You will be punished and destroyed, right here!"
He spoke, and they began to bite their lips, shocked that Telemachus would dare to speak so
boldly. But Antinous replied,
"Telemachus, the gods themselves have taught you such pride, to talk so big and brash in public!
May Zeus the son of Cronus never grant
YOU
your true inheritance, which is the throne of Ithaca.
His mind alert and focused,
Telemachus replied, "Antinous, you will not like this, but I have to say, I hope Zeus does give
me the throne. Do you deny it is an honorable thing
Eurymachus
replied, "Telemachus, the gods must choose which of us will be king of Ithaca.
But still, I hope you keep your own possessions, and rule your house. May no man drive you out,
and seize your wealth, while Ithaca survives.
Now, friend, I want to ask about the stranger.
Where was he from, what country? Did he say?
Where is his place of birth, his native soil?
Does he bring news your father will come home?
Or did he come here for some other purpose?
How suddenly he darted off, not waiting for us to meet him. Yet he looked important."
The boy said soberly. "Eurymachus, my father is not ever coming home.
I do not listen now to any gossip, or forecasts fron the psychics whom my mother invites to visit
us. The stranger was my father's guest-friend Mentes, son of wise Anchialus, who rules the
Taphians the people of the oar.
Those were his words,
but in his mind he knew she was a god.
They danced to music and enjoyed themselves till evening, then they went back home to sleep.
.
, Telemachus' bedroom had been built above the courtyard, so it had a view.
He went upstairs, preoccupied by thought.
A loyal slave went with him, Eurycleia, daughter of Ops; she brought the burning torches.
Laertes bought her many years before when she was very young, for twenty oxen.
He gave her status in the household, equal to his own wife, but never slept with her, avoiding
bitter feelings in his marriage.
She brought the torches now; she was the slave who loved him most, since she had cared for him
when he was tiny. Entering the room, he sat down on the bed, took off his tunic, and gave it to
the vigilant old woman.
She smoothed it out and folded it, then hung it up on a hook beside his wooden bed, and left the
room. She used the silver latch to close the door; the strap pulled tight the bolt.
He slept the night there, wrapped in woolen blankets, planning the journey told him by Athena.
BOOK 2
A Dangerous Journey
The early Dawn was born; her fingers bloomed.
Odysseus' well-beloved son
jumped up, put on his clothes, and strapped his sword across his back, and tied his handsome
sandals onto his well-oiled feet. He left the room looking just like a god.
He quickly told
the clear-voiced heralds they must call the Grecks to council. Soon the men, their long hair
flowing. were gathered all together in the square.
Telemachus arrived, bronze sword in hand. not by himself- -two swift dogs came with him.
Athena poured a heavenly grace upon him.
The elders let him join them, and he sat upon his father's throne. The first to speak was wise
Aegyptius, a bent old soldier.
His darling son, the spear-man Antiphus, had sailed with Lord Odysseus to Troy;
the Cyclops killed him in his cave and made him his final course at dinner. This old father had
three sons left. One teamed up with the suitors-Eurynomus. The others spent their time working
the farm. But still the father mourned the son whom he had lost. He spoke in tears.
"People of Ithaca, now hear my words.
We have not met in council since the day
Odysseus departed with his ships.
Who called us? Someone old or young? And why?
Has he found out an army is approaching?
Or does he have some other piece of news which he would like to share with all of us?
I think he is a helpful, decent man.
I hope that Zeus rewards his good intentions!"
Odysseus' loving son felt glad. and eagerly got up to speak and stood among them, in the center
of the group.
The competent official, named Pisenor,