The Odyssey

Description

<p>The <i>Odyssey</i> is one of the oldest works of Western literature, dating back to classical antiquity. <a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/homer">Homer’s</a> epic poem belongs in a collection called the Epic Cycle, which includes the <i><a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/homer/the-iliad/william-cullen-bryant">Iliad</a></i>. It was originally written in ancient Greek, utilizing a dactylic hexameter rhyme scheme. Although this rhyme scheme sounds beautiful in its native language, in modern English it can sound awkward and, as Eric McMillan humorously describes it, resembles “pumpkins rolling on a barn floor.” William Cullen Bryant avoided this problem by composing his translation in blank verse, a rhyme scheme that sounds natural in English.</p> <p>This epic poem follows Ulysses, one of the Greek leaders that brought an end to the ten-year-long Trojan war. Longing for home, he travels across the Mediterranean Sea to return to his kingdom in Ithaca; unfortunately, our hero manages to anger Neptune, the god of the sea, making his trip home agonizingly slow and extremely dangerous. While Ulysses is trying to return home, his family in Ithaca is also in danger. Suitors have traveled to the home of Ulysses to marry his wife, Penelope, believing that her husband did not survive the war. These men are willing to kill anyone who stands in their way.</p>

Description

<p>The <i>Odyssey</i> (originally composed in the 8th or 7th century BCE; published in English in 1614) is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems by Homer. The story follows the Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the Trojan War. The poem is divided into 24 books and is one of the oldest existing works of literature still read by contemporary audiences.</p> The Odyssey (originally composed in the 8th or 7th century BCE; published in English in 1614) is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems by Homer. The story follows the Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the Trojan War. The poem is divided into 24 books and is one of the oldest existing works of literature still read by contemporary audiences.

Subjects

Other Editions

• The OdysseyeBookRyerson Pressbooks2022-02-15
• OdysseyDoherty Associates, LLC, Tom2005-01-01
• OdysseyChartwell Books, Inc.2009-04-20
• OdysseyFarrar, Straus & Giroux2014-01-01
• The OdysseyStandard Ebooks2020-01-01
• OdysseyIndependently Published2020-01-01