Odyssey by Homer. Short summary

5 seconds

A poem about the adventures of Odysseus, during his return after the Trojan War to Ithaca. The king of Ithaca escapes the ogre Cyclops, visits the realm of the dead, and meets the Sirens and sea monsters.

1 minute

A poem about the adventures of Odysseus, during his return after the Trojan War to Ithaca.

The first song describes how Odysseus languishes on the island of the nymph Calypso. At this time in Ithaca, suitors are wooing his wife, and his son Telemachus travels to Pylos and Sparta to learn of his father’s fate.

Songs 2-4 tell how Odysseus’ son searches for his father.

Songs 5-8 are descriptions of Odysseus’ rescue from the island of Calypso and his visit to Alcinoe, king of the Theacians.

Songs 9-12 are Odysseus’ account of his adventures. He meets Polyphemus the ogre Cyclops. Odysseus lives with the sorceress Kirk, who has turned his companions into pigs. He visits the realm of the dead, where he communicates with the spirits of his mother and friends.

Odysseus meets the Sirens, the monsters Scylla and Charybdis.

Songs 13-23 tell of Odysseus meeting Telemachus, returning home, and killing his wife’s suitors.