ODYSSEY READING BREAKDOWN – ENGLISH I PRE-AP
Book 1 Athena Inspires the Prince
OMIT Books 2-4 Summary : Telemachus calls an assembly and announces his intention to sail abroad in search of news of his father. Athena, now disguised as Mentor, an old family friend, helps him procure a ship and a crew. They sail to Pylos, where they are entertained by Nestor, who then sends Telemachus, accompanied by his son Peisistratus, overland by chariot to Sparta to visit Menelaus. Menelaus welcomes Telemachus and entertains him but does not yet know his identity. When Menelaus mentions Odysseus, Telemachus begins to weep. Menelaus and Helen begin to recount the wiles of Odysseus – how he dressed as a beggar to infiltrate the walls of Troy, how he devised the idea of the Trojan Horse. Menelaus recounts his own journey home, saying that he had to capture Proteus, the Old Man of the Sea, while stranded in Egypt. Proteus tells him that Odysseus is alive, but imprisoned by Calypso. With renewed hope, Telemachus and Peisistratus return to Pylos to set sail for Ithaca. When the suitors discover that Telemachus has set sail, they prepare an ambush for him at sea.
Book 5 Odysseus – Nymph and Shipwreck
OMIT Book 6-7 Summary: The Phaeacian princess, Nausicaa, goes tothe river to wash her clothes after Athena visits her in a dream and encourages her to do so. Odysseus awakens and encounters Nausicaa and her companions. Athena makes him look very handsome after he washes, and Nausicaa begins to fall in love with him. Nausicaa tells him how to reach the palace and how to approach Queen Arete. Odysseus is welcomed by Queen Arete and King Alcinous, who entertain him with feasting, dancing, and athletic competitions. Challenged by a young Phaeacian and aided by Athena, Odysseus throws the discus much farther than anyone else. Phaeacian dancers then perform for Odysseus, forming a ring around the bard Demodocus, for whom a lyre has been fetched.
Book 8 A Day for Songs and Contests Book 9 In the One-Eyed Giant’s Cave Book 10 The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea Book 11 The Kingdom of the Dead Book 12 The Cattle of the Sun Book 13 Ithaca at Last
OMIT Book 14-15 Summary: Odysseus spends a day and a night in the hut of Eumaeus, the faithful servant who tends the swine. Although Eumaeus does not know who Odysseus is, he treats him hospitably, and Odysseus hears from him how the suitors have been ravaging the palace. Telemachus, meanwhile, has travelled from Sparta to Pylos and sailed back to Ithaca, having eluded the suitors’ ambush. He has come ashore by himself near the swineherd’s hut and has sent the ship on to harbor.
Book 16 Father and Son Book 17 Stranger at the Gates Book 18 The Beggar-King of Ithaca Book 19 Penelope and Her Guests
OMIT Book 20 Summary : Odysseus awakes from a restless sleep and hears Penelope weeping. Servants prepare the house for another day of feasting. The herdsmen bring animals from the fields. Philoetius, the cowherd, is sympathetic to Odysseus. Ctessipus, one of the suitors, throws an ox’s hoof at Odysseus, who dodges it. Theoclymenus, a seer, to whom Telemachus is showing hospitality, foretells the suitors’ doom.
Book 21 Odysseus Strings His Bow Book 22 Slaughter in the Hall Book 23 The Great Rooted Bed Book 24 Peace
Summaries excerpted from The Essential Odyssey , translated by Stanley Lombardo