The Odyssey - Book 8 (THE PHAEACIAN GAMES)

• As soon as they woke up Alcinous took Odysseus to the place by the ships where the phaeacians hold their assemblies. 
• "They sat down side by side on polished seats of marble"
• Meanwhile Athene went through town disguised as a herald from Alcinous and gave messages to the towns citizens. 
• She told the citizens to follow her to the assembly where the stranger to their city is, she adds that he looks "like an immortal god"
• Her words acted as "inspiration and encouragement" to the Phaeacians. 
• As she said the citizens went to the assembly place and filled up the seats "many eyes were fixed in admiration on Laertes keen-witted son". 
• Athene gave Odysseus divine beauty and made him taller and broader. 
• When they had all assembled Alcinous addressed them saying he does not know Odysseus' name or where he is from but they are to make immediate arrangements for his return to his homelands as he has come begging for help. He asks a crew of 52 to step forward to take him home and the rest of the people to entertain Odysseus back at his (Alcinous') palace. 
• When Alcinous has finished his speech he told the princes to follow him. 
• Alcinous set his squire out to find a minstrel to sing and entertain Odysseus whilst 52 men were chosen as the crew and headed towards the ship. 
• The 52 men set up the ship so it was ready for sail. 
• After all the men inside the palace had a feast the Muse set the bard to sing the famous deeds of the heroes "The Quarrell of Odysseus and Achilles son Pelus". 
• As the minstrel sang Odysseus began to cry so he pulled the purple cloak over his head so the people around him wouldn't see him crying. 
• Whenever the minstrel stopped singing for a moment Odysseus pulled down his cloak, wiped away his tears and made libations to the gods. 
• Nobody realised he was crying apart from Alcinous. 
• Alcinous stands and tells the captains and counsellors that now they have eaten together and listened to the lyre together they will now go outside and try various sports together as he doesn't want Odysseus going home without telling his friends about their wrestling, jumping and running skills. 
• "There is no one who can beat us"
• they were followed out by a mass crowd of people. 
• "There was no lack of fine young men to compete"
• Acroneos
• Ocyalus
• Elatreus
• Nauteus
• Prymneus
• Anchilalus
• Eretmeus
• Ponteus
• Thoon
• Anabesineos
• Eurylaus 
• Amphialus
• Clytoneus 
• The first event was a race. Clytoneus was the quickest. 
• The second event was wrestling, Euryalus won it. 
• Amphialus won the jump. 
• Elatreus was the best at throwing discus. 
• Laodamas (Alcinous' son) was the best at boxing. 
• After they had finished their games Laodamas says he would like to challenge Odysseus as he looks like he has a sports physique. 
• Laodamas then took to the center and told Odysseus that he would like the sports. 
• Odysseus asks Laodamas why he is trying to provoke him asking him for a challenge himself. he makes the excuse up that he only wants to go home. That is all. 
• Euryalus insulted him saying that he is more of a skipped of a merchant crew rather than a games man. 
• Odysseus replies saying that he is no sports man but he will rely on his childhood strength and the skills which he has acquired whilst on his travels and therefore he will join in with their games after all (basically to prove Euryalus wrong). 
• With this he stood up, removed his cloak and picked up the biggest discus- the ones which the Phaeacians never used as it was too heavy. 
• "With one swing he launched it from his mighty hand, and the stone hummed on its course"
• Athene was in the crowd pretending to be one of them, she spoke out saying "the others are all in a bunch, but yours stands right out in the front" "none of the Phaeacians will make as good a throw let alone better"
• Odysseus was happy with her words and then said he would throw them further if any Phaeacian beat him. 
• Alcinous replies to his complaints saying that they don't resent what he says and he is naturally good at throwing discus. But when he is home with Penelope and banqueting, he wants Odysseus to talk about how Zeus has given the Phaeacians certain skills which they have acquired from their fathers.
• The squire went and fetched the lyre for Demodocus and handed it to him. 
• Then the dancing area was created wide enough for Demodocus' performance. 
• As Demodocus played the lyre, boys danced around him, filling Odysseus with admiration. 
•  The bard started singing about Ares and Aphrodite:
• The song is about how Aphrodite is having an affair with Ares in her husbands (Hephaestus) palace. 
• One day the Sun saw the affair taking place and wold Hephaestus who went straight forward to make evil plans against them. He set up a trap on his bed which hung like a spiders web. When he had set up the trap he went to Lemnos. Ares had been watching and saw Hephaestus leaving the house, he then sneaks in with a passionate desire for Aphrodite. Ares told Aphrodite he wanted to go to bed with her immediately. As soon as they got into bed together the netting fell onto them so they couldn't move a limb. There was no escpae for them. The Sun gave Hephaestus the word that they has been caught and so Hephaestus made his way home in anguish. When he saw them trapped under the netting he cried out in anger to the gods. He called Zeus basically bitching about Aphrodite being unfaithful, he calls Aphrodite a "brazen bitch" who is the "slave of her passions". Hermes, Poseidon and Apollo cam up to Hephaestus and laughed at Aphrodite and Ares. They gods said that it may have taken time but Ares will finally pay for his adultery. As Hephaestus undid the netting which covered them, Ares fled to Thrace and Aphrodite to Phapos (in Cyprus). 
• That was the song the minstrel sang to Odysseus. 
• After this Alcinous ordered Halius and Laodamas to dance by themselves as no one else could compete with them. 
• Odysseus turns to Alcinous and says he marvels at the dancers. 
• Alcinous says that Euryalus needs to apologise for what he said to Odysseus and gives him a personal apology as well. 
• Euryalus gave a bronze sword as a gift to Odysseus. 
• he laid the sword in Odysseus' hands and said "I salute you" he apologised if he offended Odysseus and wishes that he gods will grant his successful return home. 
• Odysseus carried all of his gifts back to Alcinous' palaces where Alcinous' sons took them and placed them at their mothers feet.
• Arete told her maid to put a large 3-legged cauldron on the fire and heat up some water. She them brought out a chest filled with the clothing gifts which the people of Phaeacia had made for Odysseus.
• the housekeeper invited Odysseus for a bath. they oiled and bathed Odysseus- it was the first time he had bathed in ages as he didn't have on on Ogygia with Calypso either.  
• After he had had his bath he dressed in a fine tunic and joined the men for wine. 
• Nausicaa was stood by one of the pillars that supported the roof and wished him luck. She also wished that he remembered her when he is back in his own country. 
• Odysseus replies saying he too prays he gets home quickly, but he also wishes the rest of her days in divinity as it was her who gave him back his life. 
• Odysseus went and sat down next to Alcinous waiting for the food to be served to them. 
• Odysseus tells Demodocus to stop playing the tuneful lyre and the bard to stop singing so they can all be merry again. 
• Alcinous asks him where he has actually travelled and where his home is. Who his friends are and who he is. 

The Odyssey - Book 7 (THE PALACE OF ALCINOUS)

• Odysseus prayed in Athene's grove as Nausicaa traveled to the city. 
• When Nausicaa entered the palace her brothers "looking like immortals" unharnessed the mules from her cart and carried the clothes indoors for her. 
• She went to her own apartment where Eurymedusa (her waiting woman) had lit a fire for her. 
• Eurymedusa had been brought by a ship from Aperaea and was selected as a prize for Alcinous.
• Eurymedusa nursed Nausicaa at home and lit fires/ prepared her meals for her. 
• Odysseus then began to head towards the town. 
• Athene "enveloped him in a thick mist" so a "high-headed" Phaeacian would insult him by asking who he was. 
• As Odysseus was about to enter the town Athene, in the disguise of a young girl carrying a pitcher, stopped infront of him. 
• Odysseus asked Athene if she knew the way to the Alcionous' house as he is a stranger in Phaeacia. 
• Athene replied saying she'll show him as it is close to her fathers house. She told him that he is to follow her but not say a word and ask no questions as the people in Phaeacia has little affection for strangers and "they do not welcome visitors with open arms"
• Athene quickly led the way and Odysseus quickly followed behind. 
• "The Phaeacians, those famous seamen failed to observe him as he passed them by on his way through the town" because Athene shed a magic mist around "her favourite" in concern for his safety. 
• As they walked Odysseus was admiring the settings- "harbours with their trim ships" "meeting place of the sea lords" "long and lofty walls surmounted by palisades" "presenting a wonderful sight". 
• When they reached the palace Athene told him that he will find princes whom are favourites of Zeus feasting. She told him to go straight in as there will be no worries. As it is "the bold man who always succeeds in his in his enterprises even if he comes from far away" 
• She goes on to tell him that Nausithous (the son of Poseidon and Periboea) became the king of the Phaeacians. Nausithous has two sons, Rhexenor and Alcionous. Apollo killed Rhexenor with his silver bow, not long after Rhexenor married- he did not have a son but he had a daughter; Arete. Alcionous married Arete. 
• She tells Odysseus that if he becomes friends with Arete then he can hope to see his friends again in Ithaca. 
• Athene then left Scherie and went to Marathon (Athens) and entered the palace of Erechtheus. 
• Odysseus approached Alcinous' palace "his heart was filled with varied emotions and he kept on stopping before he reached the bronze threshold"
• Alcinous' palace: "The interiors of the well built mansion was guarded by golden doors hung on posts of silver which were set in the bronze threshold". 
• Hephaestus has made the palace. 
• "Golden statues of youths, fixed on solid pedestals, held flaming torches in their hands to light the banqueters in the hall by night"
• There were woven tapestries on the walls as "the Phaeacians' extraordinary skill in handling ships at sea is matched by the dexterity of their womenfolk at the loom, for Athene has given them outstanding skill in beautiful crafts and fine intelligence"
• Outside the entrance to the courtyard there was four acres of pear and pomegranates, apples, "luxuriant olives" and sweet figs. In the same area there was a fruitful vineyard.
• Odysseus entered the palace where councellors and captains were pouring libations from their cups to Hermes. "It was their custom to pour the last cup to him before retiring to bed"
• Odysseus walked straight up the hall- still wrapped in the magic mist which Athene has wrapped around him until he reached Arete and Alcinous. 
• Odysseus threw his arms around Arete's knees and at the same time his magic mist went away and the sight of this mysterious man made the banqueters silent. "They stared at Odysseus in amazement while he made his petition". 
• Odysseus talks to Arete saying that he comes as a suppliant to her husband and that he wishes them happiness for life and that they are honoured by all. Then he asks if he can have an escort back to his own country as soon as possible as he has lived through many hardships far from his friends and home. 
• The silence was broken when the lord Echeneus (a Phaeacian elder "rich in the wisdom from his forefathers") made his counsel heard. He tells Alcinous that it is unlike his "royal ways" to let a stranger "sit in the ashes at the hearth" whilst he has guests around him waiting for his lead. He tells Alcinous that Odysseus should get up and sit on one of the silver chairs whilst the squires fetch more wine to make more libations to Zeus. And of the housekeeper should fetch Odysseus a meal . 
• Alcinous listened to Echeneus and fetched Odysseus out of the hearth and sat him on a "tall polished chair" from which he moved Laodamas (his favourite son) out of. 
• A maid came over to Odysseus and poured some water into a bowl for Odysseus to wash his hands with, and then pulled over a wooden table to put some bread and some delicacies on for Odysseus to eat. 
• Alcinous told his squire (Pontonous) to mix a bowl of wine and fill all of the cups of the company as they will be making drink offerings to Zeus. 
• When they had made their offerings Alcinous addresses the company, telling them that he wants a gathering of the elders to entertain Odysseus by sacrificing to the gods. 
• They will then take up the matter of how they will ensure Odysseus a safe and speedy journey back home under their escort. 
• He says they will keep him safe and guard him all the way home until he sets foot in Ithaca again, then it is up to Fate and Destiny. 
• Alcinous then suspects that Odysseus may be one of the immorals who has come down from heaven, he gets confused as they have never used disguise before, they have always shown the Phaeacians their true identities. 
• Odysseus quickly dismisses Alcinous' thoughts about him being an immortal in disguise. "I have neither the looks of stature of the immortal gods who live in heaven, but those of a human being". 
• Odysseus insists Alcinous leaves him to eat alone as he can not ignore his stomach like he can ignore his heart. He says he will be "contempt to breathe again" when he has reached his homeland of Ithaca where he will truly be at home. 
• All of the men applauded Odysseus' speech and agreed that he should be escorted home. 
• After they had all made their libations they retired to their homes leaving Odysseus sitting next to Arete and Alcinous whilst the maids cleared the dishes away. 
• Arete asked him lots of quesions first- "who are you? Where do you come from? And who gave you all of those clothes? Didnt you say you came here from wandering over the seas?"
• He tells Arete that he couldnt possibly tell her all of the problems which the gods have given him as there are so many (drama queen!) so he will only stick to her questions. He says "the awesome goddess with the braided hair" (Calypso) kept him on Ogygia, when Zeus struck his ship with a lightening bolt, killing all of his crew, and getting oDysseus to wash up on the Ogygia shore. 
• He explains how Calypso let him go due to Zeus and for 17 days he sailed smoothly across the dea, but on the 18th Poseidon made the winds go against him which stopped him travelling in the right direction, and made him fall off his raft. Then he explains how he swam the coastline and that is how he ended up on their island. 
• He then says how he slept under the bush covered in leaves as he was so exhausted from his journey, and then when he awoke he asked for the princess' help. He explains how Nausicaa gave him lots of bread and wine, bathed him in the river and provided him with the clothes which they see him standing in. 
• Alcinous tells Odysseus that on one hand Nausicaa's judgement was wrong as she should have brought him home with her maids. 
• Odysseus defend Nausicaa, telling Alcinous that she told him to follow her maids but he backed away as he was suspicious of the judgement which people would form of him and he didnt want Alcinous to become protective etc. 
• Alcinous replies "my friends, I am not one to take offence for no good reason"
• He continues to say that he would much rather a man like Odysseus stay and become his son-in-law married to his daughter. "I would give you a house and riches" if he was willing to stay- basically he is trying to convince Odysseus to marry Nausicaa. 
• "But none of us Phaeacians will detain you" 
• He then says that he will let Odysseus leave with one of his best ships and some of his best men tomorrow. 
• "Odysseus' patient heart was filled with happiness as he listened", he prayed to Zeus that Alcinous will accomplish all that he has promised and that his fame will never die. And that he will be able to return home to Ithaca. 
• Whilst Alcinous and Odysseus were talking Arete instructed one of her maids to make a bed up for Odysseus. As soon as they had finished making up Odysseus' bed they invited him to retire. 
• "The prospect of sleep seemed very sweet to him"
• "So the long suffering good Odysseus slept there in and echoing portico on a wooden bed. Alcinous lay down for the night in his room at the back of the lofty palace with his wife, who shared his bed"

The Odyssey - Book 6 (NAUSICAA)

• As Odysseus slept under the bush, Athene came to the country of the Phaeacians. 
• The Phaeacians used to live in Hypereie as neighbours to the Cyclopes. Until one day Nausithous took them and settled them in Scherie. 
• There Nausithous put up temples for the gods, built houses and divided up the land for cultivation. However he met his fate in "Hades Halls" and now the "divinely inspired" Alcinous ruled them. 
• "To his palace the right-eyed Athene made her way, intent on plans for the great-hearted Odysseus' return"
• Alcinous had a daughter called Nausicaa who was as "tall and beautiful as a goddess" 
• Nausicaa was asleep in her "richly decorated room" with her two maids who were sleeping at either side of her door-posts. 
• "The polished doors were closed but Athene swept through like a breath of air to the girls bed" 
• Athene took the form of the daguhter of a ships captain named Dymas "a girl of Nausicaa's own age and one of her closest friends"
• Athene said to Nausicaa "How did your mother come to have such a lazy daughter as you?" as there were clothes all over her floor- "lying around neglected". Athene then goes on to tell her that she will soon be married and will need beautiful clothes in order to gain a good reputation with people. 
• "Every nobleman in Phaeacia, where you yourself were born and bred, wants you for his wife". 
• Athene tells Nausicaa to ask her father for a wagon with a couple of horses in the morning to take her to the city's wash-pool so she can clean her sashes, robes and bright rubs.
• After she has finished talk, Athene went back to Olympus "where people say the gods have made thir everlasting home"
• When she woke up Nausicaa was amazed by her dream and went through the palace to tell her mother and father about it.
• She found both of her parents in the house, her mother was "spinning yarn dyed with sea-purple" and she met her father on his way to join the distinguished princes at a conference. 
• She then asked her father if she could take the fine clothes to the river and wash them- as he will need to wear clean clothes in the future for other conferences and there are 5 of his sons in the house "3 active bachelors" who will also need clean clothes to take to the dances with them. 
• Alcinous told Nausicaa that it was fine to go, he told his servants to get her a "fine high-sided wagon with a hood to it". 
• Whilst the servants were fetching the wagon and the mules and preparing them, Nausicaa fetched all of the clothes and linen which she was going to wash. 
• Nausicaa's mother also packed some appetizers and delicacies to go with them.
• As Nausicaa got into the wagon her mum handed her some olive oil in a flask so Nausicaa and her ladies could rub themselves in it after bathing.
• "Nausicaa took the whip and the gleaming reins, and flicked the mules to make them start"
• Nauciaa's ladies came with her so that she was not alone. 
• "They reached the lovely river with its never-failing pools, in which there was enough clear water always bubbling up and swirling by to clean the dirtiest clothes"
• They unharnessed the mules and let them eat the sweet grass. 
• they then took all of the clothes from the wagon and began to tread them down quickly in the washing pools. 
• They spread the clothes along the sea shore when they were rinsed until they had no dirt left on them. 
• After they have bathed and rubbed themselves with the olive oil, they ate their meal by the riverside as they waited for the sun to dry the clothes. 
• When they had all finished their food they took off their headgear and began to play with a ball, while Nausicaa sung and kept time for their game. 
• As Nausicaa and her ladies folded the clothes and set out for home Athene arranged for Odysseus to wake up and see Nausicaa "who was to serve as his escort to the Phaeacian city"
• When Nausicaa threw the ball back to one of her maids, they missed it and it fell into the current of the river, as all of the ladies let out a shriek it awoke Odysseus. 
• Odysseus sat up and wondered what was going on around him, and what kind of people are around him. 
• he them emerged from the bush naked, "then he advanced on them like a mountain lion who sallies out, defying wind and rain in the pride of his power, with fire in his eyes to hunt down the oxen or sheep or pursue the wild deer" 
• "Grimy with salt he was a gruesome sight, and the girls went scuttling off in every direction along the jutting spits of sand" 
• Nausicaa was the only one to stand her ground as Athene put courage in her heart which "took the fear from her limbs". 
• As she stood still "Odysseus considered whether he should throw his arms round the beautiful girls knees and beg for her help, or to just keep his distance and beg her with all courtesy to give him clothing and direct him to the city"
• Odysseus decided it would be best to keep his distance and then so started speaking with kind words in order to persuade Nausicaa to help him. He explains that he was at sea for 19 days, escaping Ogygia when the gods decided to land him on another unfamiliar island on his way home. 
• Nausicaa tells Odysseus that she will take him to the city and tell him who they are etc. She tells him she is the daughter of Alcinous who is the source of the Phaeacian people. 
• Nausicaa then turns around to her ladies and tell them not to flee at the sight of a man, "there is no man on earth, nor ever will be, who would dare set hostile feet on Phaeacian soil. We are at the edge of the world and come in contact with no other people"
• She goes on to tell her maids that Odysseus is an unfortunate wanderer who has accidentally ended up there and that they have nothing to worry about. 
• The girls all stood together comfortign each other, until they had the guts to take Odysseus to a sheltered place where he could sit down as Nausicaa had ordered. On the ground beside where he sat lay a tunic and a cloak for him to wear- they also gave him some olive oil and told him to wash in the river before he got dressed. 
• Odysseus stood in the water and washed off the salt which encrusted his back and broad shoulders, he scrubbed his head as well to get rid of the scurf left by the sea. 
• After he had thoroughly washed and rubbed himself with olive oil he put on the clothes which the maids had lay out for him. 
• Athene helped Odysseus out by making him look more attractive - changing his silver into gold 
• When Odysseus sat back down by the sea shore he was "radiant with grace and beauty"
• "Nausicaa gazed at him in admiration" and said to her maids that him arriving to Phaeacia was not opposed to the gods at all, and in fact he now looks like one of the gods in heaven. "I wish I could have a man like him for my husband" she then tells her maids to get something for him to eat and drink.
• Her maids at once carried out her orders and fetched food and drink for Odysseus, who ate it quickly as it was a long time since he ate properly.
• After folding the clothing up and putting it into her wagon, Nausicaa stowed her wagon and called back to Odysseus telling him to follow her wagon with her maids and she will direct him to her fathers house. 
• Nausicaa tells Odysseus how she does not want any gossip spread about her, and how she does not want a bad name for herself and so she gives him directions on when to stop following her. She says he needs to go by the wood of Athene and wait for Nausicaa to drive off, then when he thinks she has probably reached the palace he is to head into the city and ask for directions to the palace. She said it is an easy palace to recognise "any little child could show it to you" as the palace is built differently to the rest of the buildings. 
• She tells him to walk through the courtyard and through the great hall until he reaches her mother who will be sat spinning yarn by her fathers throne. He is to clasp her mothers knees and if she is sympathetic towards him he can expect to see his friends again.
• "When she has finished, Nausicaa used her shiny whip on the mules, and they soon left the flowing river behind them"
• Once they reached the sacred place of Athene, Odysseus sat down and prayed to Athene. He prayed that the Phaeacians would receive his with greatness and kindness"
• Athene heard his prayers but refrained from appearing before him

The Odyssey - Book 5 (CALYPSO)

• Athene reminds all of the gods on Odysseus' misfortunes, she makes the gods feel sorry for him.
• Zeus tells Athene she is able to guide Telemachus home without being harmed by the suitors. 
• Zeus tells Hermes to tell "the nymph" Calypso that Odysseus is to return home, but he will have no gods of men to help him home. 
• "He shall set out on a raft put together by his own hands, and on the twentieth day reach Scherie, the rich country of the Phaeacians. 
• Zeus explains how the Phaeacians will look after Odysseus and give him a ship, bronze and gold and woven goods to prepare him for his voyage home.
• Hermes flew over the sea until he reached Calypso's island. 
• He found Calypso on the island of Ogygia "singing with her beautiful voice" "weaving with a golden shuttle" 
• "The cave was sheltered by a copse of alders" "Trailing around the mouth of the cavern was a thriving garden vine"
• "It was indeed a spot where even an immortal visitor must pause to gaze in wonder and delight"
• Odysseus was "sitting disconsolate on the shore" crying whilst looking across the sea. 
• Calypso say Hermes down on a "brightly polished chair" and asked him what he was doing on her island, but she offers him hospitality first. 
• Calypso fed him some ambrosia and a cup of red nectar, Hermes began to eat and drink, after he had finished he answered Calypso's questions. 
• Hermes tells Calypso that Zeus has sent him- he wouldn't have come at his own accord. 
• Hermes explains how Zeus wants Calypso to let go of "the man who has been dogged by misfortune" as he is not doomed to end his days on the island, he is destined to go home and live with his friends and family. 
• Calypso get angry- stating how it is unfair that they are outraged if a goddess sleeps with a man, even if she has chosen him as her husband. She reminds Hermes that she was the one who saved Odysseus. 
• Hermes told Calypso to let him go immediately and then he flew off and left. 
• Calypso went to Odysseus to tell him about letting him go, but she found him sitting on the short "eyes wet with weeping as they always were" "he shed for his lost home" Calypso stood by him and said "don't waste any more of your life on this island". She told him to make a raft whilst she packed him bread, water, red wine and clothing. 
• Odysseus explains how he won't trust Calypso unless she gives him her word. 
• Calypso made "the greatest and most solemn oath the blessed Gods can take"
• They went back to the cavern together and Odysseus sat on the chair that Hermes had left. 
• Calypso gave him loads of food and drinks that men consume - they helped themselves to the meal.
• After the meal Calypso asks Odysseus if Penelope is prettier that she is. Odysseus tells Calypso that "Penelope's looks and stature are insignificant" compared to Calypso's but Penelope is mortal whereas Calypso is immortal. 
• When the sun went down they had sex for the last time. 
• in the morning Calypso got dressed in her most elegant clothes. 
• Calypso gave Odysseus a "great axe of bronze" - with a sharp blade, and a adze of polished metal. 
• She took him to the farthest part of the island where all of the trees are. 
• Odysseus felled 20 trees quickly. 
• Calypso brought him tools which he used to build the raft. 
• After he built the raft he dragged it to the sea on rollers. 
• On the fifth day Calypso saw him off from the island. 
• She had stowed two skins in his boat, one full of wine and the other of water, a leather sack of grain. 
• Odysseus sailed for seventeen days and on the eighteenth he could see the Phaeacians country. 
• Poseidon saw Odysseus sailing and it angered him "he marshaled the clouds and stirred up the sea"
• Odysseus started to worry, he doesn't want to die at sea because no one will know what he went through, he won't get to tell his story. "But now it seems I was predestined to an ignoble death"
• A wave crashed onto him and whirled his raft around and a huge gust of wind snapped the rafts mast in half, breaking the raft. 
• Odysseus was weighed down in the water by the clothes that Calypso had given to him. 
• He did not forget the raft. 
• He scrambled onto the raft and sat in the middle- avoiding his death. 
• Ino had witnessed the incident and felt sorry for Odysseus so she rose from the water and settled on his raft- she gave him a veil and told him to wind it around his waist for protection.
• Odysseus was scared it was a trap and decided not to take her advice to abandon the raft. 
• Athene intervened and calmed down the winds to blow him in the right direction. 
• Odysseus starts going over his options about how he will make it onto land when he was reaches the cliff.
• Athene put in his head to grab hold of a rock with both hands before he was hurt by the rugged shore. 
• A huge wave caught him and flung him out to sea- tearing skin off his hands. 
• Odysseus swan alongside the coastal breakers. 
• Odysseus came to a fast running stream and prayed to the River God to let him take sanctuary in the stream. 
• In answer the River God checked its current and made the waves back to make it easier for Odysseus to swim. 
• He got out of the river and crept under a pair of bushes (one an olive and the other a wild olive). He covered himself with a blanket of leaves. 
• "Athene filled his eyes with sleep to soothe his pain"

The Odyssey - Book 4 (MENELAUS AND HELEN)

• Menelaus was entertaining some relatives in his house to celebrate the impending weddings of his son and his daughter (not to each other) 
• His daughter, the princess would marry the son of Achilles- as he had promised in Troy. Menelaus was sending her to Myrmidon's in a chariot and horses- Achilles son was king here. 
• His son "gallant Megapenthes" was marrying Alector's daughter from Sparta. 
• They were banqueting "under the high roof of the great hall" a minstrel sung "divinely" to the lyre as two acrobats danced. 
• Telemachus and Nestor's son arrived and Eteoneus saw them and ran to tell his Menelaus they had strangers at their gates. "Men whom I take by their looks to be of divine descent" "tell me whether we should unharness their horses for them or send them on to find someone else to entertain them"
• Menelaus told his squire Eteoneus to stop being so unhospitable towards the guests so he invited Telemachus and Nestor's son to the banquet. 
• The servants tied up the horses in the stable. 
• Maids bathed and rubbed oil on Telemachus and Nestor's son. 
• They were served various meals and had wine poured into gold cups. 
• Menelaus stepped up and asked who the guest were. 
• "The whole place gleams with bronze and gold, amber and silver and ivory" 
• Menelaus heard Telemachus talking and questioned him, he then began to speak of his travels and the death of his brother Agamemnon. 
• Menelaus then begins to speak of Odysseus- he speaks about how people will mourn over Odysseus although it is unknown if he is dead or not. 
• Telemachus wanted to cry because of hearing Menelaus' kind words about his father. 
• Menelaus knows that it was Telemachus but wanted for him to say something about it. 
• Telemachus still hasn't told Menelaus his name. 
• Helen later confronted Menelaus saying that their visitor is surely Odysseus' son. 
• Menelaus agrees "you point out a resemblance I can see too" "Odysseus' feet were just the same and so were his hands, the movement of his eyes, the shape of his head and the way his hair grew"
• Nestor's son Peisistratus said that Telemachus was indeed Odysseus' son. 
• Menelaus explains how Odysseus underwent the horrific events for his sake and how Odysseus was the only one who didn't reach home. 
• Helen cried at Menelaus' words- Telemachus and Menelaus did the same, Nestor's son cried at the thought of his brother, Antilochus whom Dawn killed. 
• Peisistratus asks Menelaus about his brother- whom he never got to know. Menelaus tells him that he is happy now- he has sons who are like him, are good leaders and have intelligence. 
• Helen put a drug into a bowl and their wine which had the power to rob grief and anger- banishing all painful memories, no one could shed a tear that day. The drug was given to her by an Egyptian woman, Polydamma. 
• Once Helen drops the drugs into the wire she begins to tell a story of Odysseus. 
• "He disfigured himself with appalling lacerations and then dirty rags on his back" "disguised as a beggar he looked utterly different from the Odysseus of the camp by the ship"
•  Odysseus went to the Trojan city - undetected by anyone. Helen was the only one who penetrated his disguise but when she questioned him his answers were clever. Helen had promised Odysseus she wouldn't disclose his name to the Trojans, he then gave her the full details of the Achaeans plans. 
• After Odysseus killed a number of Trojans with his "long sword" he got back to the Argive camp with a lot of information. 
• Helen finishes her story and Menelaus thanks her and carries on with another story of the Trojan war. 
• he recalls the story of sitting inside the Trojan horse. He says Odysseus saved the whole army. 
• Telemachus thanks Menelaus and asks him if he can go to bed. 
• Helen then instructs the maids to make the beds up for Telemachus and Pesistratus- they slept in the forecourt of the palace. 
• In the morning Menelaus went to Telemachus and asked him what brought him there. 
• Telemachus tells Menelaus "I came to find out whether you could give me any news of my father" he says how the palace is packed with enemies who are slaughtering his sheep and cattle, competing for his mothers hand in marriage 
• Menelaus was disgraced by the suitors trying to take Penelope's hand in marriage, he says that if Odysseus was to hear about the suitors there would be trouble. 
• Menelaus began to say what he;s heard from the Old Man of the Sea (Proteus - god)
• The Gods sent Menelaus (on the way home from the Trojan war) to the island of Pharos for 20 days. 
• Eidothee has taken pity on Menelaus and came to his rescue- Menelaus asks her for help in getting home. 
• She tells him that the old Man of the Sea (immortal) owns the island (and owes allegiance to Poseidon)- he would tell them whatever they want to know but first they would have to defeat the God- which is something which is rarely done by mortals. 
• Eidothee describes the plan - Menelaus is to choose 3 of his best men from his crew and they will pretend to be seals and then pounce on the Old Man, then Menelaus needs to ask which God is giving him difficulties. 
• When Dawn appeared Menelaus led 3 of his men to the sea, Eidothee met them carrying the skin of four seals. She covered each mans skin with the seal skin- the smell of fish was so strong, they couldn't stand it and so she applied ambrosia to each mans nostril which "killed the stench of seals"
• They waited until morning, then multitudes of seals came out of the sea and lay on the shore. At midday the Old Man emerged and began to count his seals (entirely unaware of the fraud). 
• After the Old Man had counted the seals he lay down. The men changed and grabbed hold of the Old Man. 
• "He began turning into a bearded lion and then into a snake, and after that a panther and a giant bear. He changed into running water too and a tree in leaf. But we set our teeth and hung on grimly"
• the Old Man eventually gave up and asked Menelaus which of the Gods conspired with him to catch him. 
• Menelaus replies, asking him who has confined him on the island and asks how he can return home. 
• The Old Man tells him he should have offered rich sacrifice to Zeus and all the other gods if he wanted to get home quickly across the "wine dark sea"
• Menelaus says he will take the Old Mans advice but he also wants to know if anyone had an accident at sea or died on the way home from Troy. 
• The old man explains how many were killed, commanders died but "there is a third who though still alive is a prisoner somewhere in the vastness of the seas"
• He then goes on to talk about Agamemnon and his death but Menelaus wants to know who the third is.
• The Old Man explains to Menelaus how the third is Odysseus, but he is trapped on Calypso's island and it is impossible for him to reach home. 
• He then tells Menelaus his own destiny and then "sank into the waters of the sea"
• Menelaus and his 3 men then ran back to the ship and them with the rest of the crew prepared rituals. He then set off home and "the immortals sent him a favourable wind"
• Menelaus then tells Telemachus to stay in his palace for 12 days or so more and then Menelaus will send him off in style "with glorious gifts three horses and a chariot"
• Telemachus says he needs to go to Pylos, where his friends are waiting for him- he explains how he would rather Menelaus and Helen keep the gifts they offer him- which is a polite reaction to good xenia. 
• Menelaus tells Telemachus he likes the way the boy speaks and how he has the "right blood in his veins"
• During their talk the guests have arrived at king Menelaus' palace for the banquet

Back at Odysseus' palace: 

• Outside Odysseus' palace the suitors were throwing discuss and javelin. 
• Noemon asked Antinous if they had any way of knowing when Telemachus was coming back- because Telemachus borrowed Noemon's ship but now he needs it back. 
• The suitors had no idea that Telemachus had left and so asked Noemon exactly when he left and who he took with him. 
• Noemon told him that he gave his ship to Telemachus and that any man who was asked to be a member of the crew could hardly refuse that offer. 
• Noemon went back to his fathers house- leaving Antinous furious. 
• Antinous plans to take a fast ship and 20 crew members to catch Telemachus and give him a grim end to the journey. 
• Medeon, the herald had been ease dropping and told Penelope the suitors plans. 
• Penelope also finds out that Telemachus has gone in search of Odysseus. 
• "Penelope was overwhelmed by the anguish that racked her"
• She's disappointed that Telemachus left her in the end. 
• Eurycleia tells Penelope that Telemachus made her promise not to tell her for a dozen days, or until Penelope questioned his absence. 
• "He didn't want the tears to spoil your lovely cheeks"
• Eurycleia comforted Penelope. 
• Penelope prayed to the gods that Odysseus is alive and Telemachus is safe.
• The suitors left on a hunt for Telemachus (20 suitors in total)
• Athene made a phantom of Penelope's sister, Ipthime and send it to Penelope to comfort her but says he will return home. She lets Penelope know Athene is on her families side. 
• She says she cannot say whether Odysseus is dead or not. 

The Odyssey - Book 3 (TELEMACHUS WITH NESTOR)

• Telemachus and his ship land in Pylos, the disembarked with Athene leading the way.
• Athene (disguised as Mentor still) tells Telemachus basically to grow a pair and go to Nestor and tell him he has come to find out about the honest truth of his father, and tell him to tell the truth as it is. 
• Telemachus asks 'Mentor' how he should approach Nestor as he has had no practice in making speeches, and it is embarrassing for a young man to question a senior. 
• Athene replies with "Telemachus, where your own intelligence fails and god will inspire you. For I think the gods have blessed both you and your progress to manhood"
• Athene then led the way up to Nestors palace, where the people of Pylos were assembled. 
• Around Nestor were his sons. other people around him were were piercing meat with skewers or roasting it in preparation for a banquet. 
• As soon as they noticed the strangers, Nestors first son Peisistratus took them by the hand and invited them to the banquet, then Nestors second son Thrasymedes filled a gold cup with wine and welcomed Pallas Athene. 
• Athene was delighted with the good manners which they had been welcomed with. Especially with Thrasymedes giving her the golden cup first, and began to pray to Poseidon asking him to grant glory to Nestor and his sons. 
• After they had finished their meal Nestor asked them who they are. 
• Telemachus replies to him telling him that he is from Ithaca and he is there to search for information about his long lost father, Odysseus. "So I have come here to plead with you in the hope that you will tell me the truth about my fathers unhappy end, if by any chance you witnessed it yourself or heard the story from some wanderer like him, For if ever a man was born to suffer, it was he. Do not soften your account out of any pity or concern you have for my feelings, but faithfully describe the scene that met your eyes"
• Nestor explains to Telemachus how no one on earth would be willing to tell him exactly what happened because it was so horrific (the Trojan war that is, not Odysseus' death -spoilers- because Odysseus isn't dead). He goes on to tell Telemachus how his father was admirable, and how Telemachus talks just like Odysseus did. 
• Nestor explains how Odysseus went with Agamemnon whilst he stayed with Menelaus so they were split up also. 
• Nestor tells Telemachus that the "future generations will sing your praises" 
• Telemachus then tells Nestor about the suitors asking for his mothers hand in marriage 
• Nestor then says that it is unknown if Odysseus will return or not.
• Telemachus then tells mentor that they can no longer rely on his fathers return
• He then goes on to talk about the Trojan war, and what happened to himself. Telemachus asked about what happened to Agamemnon and Nestor explains about how when he returned home from the war, Aeigisthus had seduced his wife Cytamnestra and with her permission Aeigisthus had killed Agamamnon. 
• As Nestor finished explaining the story to Telemachus, Athene told him that he told his tale well and that they will pour wine and offer it to Poseidon. 
• Nestor then declares that he wants Telemachus and all of his men to sleep in his palace overnight instead of their ship.
• Athene tells Telemachus to stay with Nestor as she returns to the ship to tell all of the men that they can stay in the palace over night. 
• She told Nestor to give Telemachus the fastest and strongest horses in his stable, and send him on a chariot with one of his sons. 
• After saying this to Nestor Athene takes the form of a vulture and flies off- "the King marveled at the sight"
• All of the men went to sleep in the palace grounds apart from Telemachus who slept in the actual palace on a bedstead with spearsman, Peisistratus next to him.
• In the morning Nestor gathered all of his sons around and Telemachus. He made a speech saying he wanted one of his sons to go to the field and get a heifer (cow) and bring it as quickly as the cowherd can drive it here, he also wants one of his sons to go to Telemachus' ship and bring back all of his men but two, he wants another one of his sons to go to Laerces the goldsmith to gield the heifers horns. The rest of his sons are to stay with him and tell the servants to prepare a feast in the palace and to fetch firewood and fire. 
• The heifer was fetched form the field, the men came from Telemachus' ship and the smith came "equipped with the bronze tools of his trade", Athene also came to accept the sacrifice. 
• Nestor then started the ritual, starting with lustral water and the scattered grain, he offered his prayers to Athene and threw a tuft of hair from the cows head onto the fire. Then Nestor's son, Thrasymedes stepped up and cut through the cows tendonds in its leg. The men lifted up the cow as Peisistratus cut it's throat. They then disembarked the carcass and burnt the things on the fire. 
• Nestor's youngest daughter Polycaste bathed Telemachus, after she bathed him she rubbed him with olive oil, gave him a tunic and put a bath cloak around his shoulders. "He stepped away from the bath looking like an immortal god"
• Once they had all feasted together on the leftovers they had let from the carcass, Nestor told his sons to fetch Telemachus two horses and a chariot so that he could go on his way. 
• Nestor's son Peisistratus got beside him in the chariot and took the reins, he urged the horses forwards. 
• They reached Pharae as the sun went down. The drove to the house of Diocles, where they spent the night and received gifts.
• "As soon as Dawn appeared" they harnessed their horses again and they drove off. 

The Odyssey - Book 2 (THE DEBATE IN ITHACA)

• "As soon as Dawn appeared fresh and rosy fingered" Telemachus awoke, got dressed and left his bedroom "looking like a god"
• He told the criers to tell the "long-haired Archeans" that they are called to the assembly.
• The people gathered and then Telemachus left for the meeting-place. 
• "Athene endowed him with such supernatural grace that all eyes were turned on him in admiration when he came up. The elders made way for him as he took his fathers seat"
• Aegyptius was the first to speak with his "wisdom". (His son Antiphus had sailed with Odysseus in the big ships to Ilium (the city of horses)- but he was killed by the Cyclops)
• When he spoke he was crying the tears for grief of his dead son. He asked who had summoned the men to an assembly as it was the first once since Odysseus had left, he finishes his short speech of questioning with "may Zeus reward him with his hearts desire"- towards the person who called the meeting (as he does not know it is Telemachus).
• "His auspicious words delighted Odysseus' son"
• Telemachus stood up and made his way into the middle of the assembly and began to speak- facing Aegyptius. He tells everybody that it was he who called the meeting as "I am in great distress". He goes on to explain that he has heard no news but has called the meeting to discuss his own personal business, "the affliction that has fallen on my house". He goes on to explain how firstly he has lost his father, but now there is "far greater calamity, one which will bring my house to utter ruin and rob me of any livelihood I have". 
• "A crowd of suitors are pestering my mother with their unwanted attentions and these Suitors are actually the sons of those who are your leaders here"
• "They slaughter our our oxen, our sheep, our fatted goats; they feast themselves and drink our sparkling wine- with never a thought for all the wealth that is being wasted"
• "The destruction of my house is an injustice which you, gentlemen, should resent not only on your behalf but as a scandal to our neighbours who live round about"
• "I beg you my friends, to leave me alone with my bitter grief"
• As Telemachus spoke he began to cry and flung the staff to the ground- nobody had the guts to give him a sharp reply after his speech
• Then Antinous stepped forward and angrily said that it was unfair how he put all of the blame on them. "You are wrong. We suitors plead "not guilty"
• Antinous explains how it is Penelope that is the "incomparable schemer"
• Antinous explains how Penelope is the schemer "for three whole years she has been leading us on, giving us all some grounds for hope, and in her private messages to each making promises that she has not the slightest intention of keeping" "She set up a great web and began weaving a large and delicate piece of work. She said to us "My Lords, my Suitors, now that noble Odysseus is dead, restrain your ardour, do not urge on this marriage till I have done this work, so that the threads I have spun may not be altogether wasted. It is a shroud for Lord Laertes, When he succumbs to the dread hand of remorseless Death that stretches all men out at last, I must not risk the scandal there would be among my countrywomen here if one who has amassed such wealth were laid to rest without a shroud", that's what she said: and we magnanimously consented. So by day she used to weave at the great web, but every night had torches beside it and undid the work. For three years she took us in by this trick, A fourth began and the seasons were slipping by, when one of her women who knew all about it gave her mistress away. We caught he unravelling her beautiful work, and she was forced reluctantly to complete it"
• The suitors tell Telemachus that they are not going to leave until she makes the choice to marry one of them. 
• Telemachus replies to Antinous saying that it is unknown whether Odysseus is dead or alive therefore he can't just let his mother marry someone else on the possibility that his father is dead. He told the suitors that is they are angry they shout "quit his palace and feast somewhere else" whereas if they choose to stay and destroy his estate he will "destroy" them.
• "In answer to his words, Zeus the Thunderer urged two eagles into flight from the mountain-top"
• They flew in the air for a bit and then when they were directly over the meeting-place they glanced down at all of the faces and gave looks of "foreboding death"
• They then clawed each others cheeks and neck and went over the houses of the busy town as people watched them. 
• Halithetses, Mastor's son spoke out saying "A great calamity is about to engulf them. Odysseus is not going to be parted from his friends much longer. 
• Eurymachus was the one to reply to Halithetses basically saying that his prophecies wouldnt come true, and the birds mean nothing as birds fly all of the time. He says that Odysseus met his fate abroad and wont ever return. He then says he has his own prophecy for Halithetses which "will come true"- he says that if he misuses his eloquence to incite Telemachus to violence then it will be worse for him, and there would be an extremely unpleasant consequence for Halithetses. He says none of the men pay any attention to his rubbish prophecies and they'll stay as long as Penelope is single 
• Telemachus asks Eurymachus and the Suitors for a fast ship and a crew of twenty who he can take to Sparta and sandy Pylos to inquire after his father. He says that if he hears that his father is alive and on his way home, he will hold out one more year, however if he hears that his father has died he will return home and allow one of the suitors to marry Penelope. 
• Mentor (who was a good, old friend of Odysseus) said that not one of the people who Odysseus ruled over gives a thought of him today, he then says that the suitors are brave for staying when Odysseus could return. 
• After Mentor spoke Leocritus said that even is Odysseus did return home to Ithaca "his wife would have no joy of his return" so what Mentor is suggesting is out of the question. He then says the meeting should be called off now and every man return to his estate as Mentor and Halithetses take Telemachus to Sparta and Pylos. 
• The assembled people then broke off and went back to their own estates and scattered to their homes, whilst the suitors made their way back to Odysseus' palace. 
• Telemachus then went to the sea shore and prayed to Athene "Hear, I beg you, you that in your godhead came yesterday to my house. it was your command that I should sail across the misty seas to find out whether my long-lost father is ever coming back. But my countrymen, and above all those Suitors that besiege my mother, are thwarting me at every point"
• Athene took the disguise of Mentor and approached him, she told him that he is not a coward and he will not be a fool to go and find out about his father, she tells him that he can hope to succeed in his undertaking, and that he needs to forget about the suitors and dismiss their plots etc from his mind. "They are fools and there is no sense in them"- she tells him they have no idea of the fate that will strike them down one day soon.
• She tells him that he needs to get on his journey that he has set his heart on, and that as a faily friend he (she) is willing to help find him a fast ship and a good crew.
• Telemachus set off for his palace and when he arrived he found all of the Suitors skinning goats and cooking hogs in the courtyard. 
• Antinous ran up to him, grabbed his hand and invited him to dinner with him and the other suitors and then told him that that his people will make all his arrangements on behalf of his ship, he will pick the best crew to make sure he will get to his destination as fast as possible. 
• Telemachus replied saying that "it is out of the question for a man to sit down to a quiet supper and take his ease with a rowdy mob like you" then he politely removed his hand from Antinous. 
• The suitors who had been preparing a meal greeted Telemachus' speech with insults and were just huge bitches saying "that Telemachus wants to cust our throats! And he's off to sandy Pylos to get help. Perhaps he'll go as far as Sparta and back, since he's so thirsty for our blood. Or it may occur to him that fertile soil of Ephyre is worth a visit. He'll come back with a deadly poison, drop it in the wine-bowl, and kill us all off"
• Telemachus let them talk and went down to his fathers store room "a big lofty chamber stacked with gold and bronze and with chests full of clothing"
• Telemachus called Eurycleia into the room and asked her to "fill twelve flagons with wine and put their stoppers on", "some barley-meal in a strong leather bag- twenty measures of mill crushed grain also" eh tells her that he is on his way to Pylos to hear any news on his father. 
• Eurycleia "gave a shrieked and burst out into tears"
• She asks Telemachus why he has this idea in his head, he is the apple of his mothers eye and that she will be extremely upset if her son goes away from her. She then goes on to say that Odysseus is dead. She tells him to stay at home where he belongs, and all he is doing is looking for trouble by going over the "barren seas". 
• Telemachus tells her not to worry about him and that he will be fine by himself, he tells Eurycleia to not tell his mother for a dozen or so days or until she asks where he has gone. 
• Eurycleia swore by all the gods that she would not tell Penelope unless she asked, after she had taken the solemn oath she collected all of the things which Telemachus had asked for. 
• Athene disguised herself as Telemachus and went into the town picking twenty men and passed them the good word to gather by the ship at nightfall, the vessel which she begged of Noemon willingly promised to give it to her. 
• Athene then made her way to the palace and lulled the suitors into a state of drowsiness, clouding their wits as they drank. They all fell asleep. 
• Athene then took the form of Mentor and called out Telemachus , telling him that his companions are on the ship, sat at the oars ready for his word to start. 
• When he reached the beach Telemachus addressed his crew. He told them to help put the supplies on board the ship from his palace. He tells them they are not to tell anyone as no one knows but Eurycleia. 
• They all brought down the supplies and put them in the ship like Telemachus asked them to do. Telemachus then followed Athene on board, she took her seat on the afterdeck and then he sat down beside her. 
• Athene then called up for a steady wind, and sent it out the "wine-dark sea"
• The men climbed in and took their places at their oars. Telemachus told his men to rig uo the ship, needless to say they followed his orders. 
• "The vessel sped on her course through the seas"
• Once the vessel was travelling steady they cracked open the wine and made offerings to the immortal gods, but mpst importantly to Athene, daughter of Zeus. 
• "Into the Dawn the ship ploughed her way through the sea"