Odysseus Journey In Homer's The Odyssey

The Odyssey is an epic poem written around 750 B.C. by Homer. It was set after the ambush of Troy during the last year of the Trojan War. Odysseus, the epic hero of the poem and the king of Ithaca, attempts to come back home after the attack but faces many encounters with gods and mythical creatures. He succeeds in defeating the monsters and comes back home safely. His journey from Troy to Ithaca was ten years, but he was gone for twenty years overall counting the war. Odysseus’ journey was plagued with many unfortunate events and encounters which can be described as an odyssey. The first obstacle he had to face was the Lotus-Eaters. “I sent out two picked men… longed to stay forever… forgetful of their homeland” (Homer 92-100). When Odysseus sent out two men to check out the island, they ate the Lotus

The Phaeacians conducts Odysseus back to Ithaca. During the ride home, Odysseus tells his long journey up to that point. When Odysseus arrives in Ithaca, Athena informs him that the Suitors have taken over his palace and that the they plan to kill his son, Telemachus. Odysseus, disguised as an old man, kills Antinous and confront the Suitors, “They felt their knees fail, and their hearts” (Homer 1471). Terror and the fear of death went through the Suitors minds as they realize that it is Odysseus. They fight it out and Odysseus kills every single one of them, Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, tested him if it was really him: Odysseus was still disguised as an old man. She tested him earlier with the bow and arrow challenge. Speaking to Odysseus, still disguised as an old beggar, says, “Strange man, if man you are” (Homer 1561-1562). Still hesitant if it was him or not, Odysseus tell her of their secret they have with the bed and the olive tree. Only Odysseus and Penelope would know. Reunited with Penelope and his father, Odysseus is commanded peace with the slain