The Odyssey Basic Book Report
The Odyssey - Basic Book ReportBy being filled with vigour and by being well written, the Odyssey sets the mood for many of the adventures allowing the reader to become caught up in the story and sympathise with its characters. In Homers description of the adventure, you feel overcome with curiosity while reading. The plot of the Odyssey consists of the journey taken by the main character Odysseus while returning from the Trojan War. The wanderings are presented by use of flashback points in the poem where they’ve added meaning or a striking effect which is more dramatic or tightens the plot.
An example would be the opening scenes show the disorder that has arisen in Odysseus’ household during his long absence. A band of suitors is destroying his property as they attempt to steal his wife Penelope. One cannot help but feel the beginning of an adventure especially when young Telemachus goes in search of his father while Penelope mourns for her husband. We see that she is a smart character by eluding the suitors of marriage by her weaving.
The focus then shifts to Odysseus himself. The story tells of his ten years of travelling, Odysseus’s ships were first blown to Thrace by a powerful storm. The expedition had begun. Upon this misfortune, he and his men started a raid on the land of the Cicones. However, this only provided them with temporary success. The Cicones had struck back and defeated a vast majority of Odysseus’s crew. The reader can expect this to be the first of many disastrous experiences to come.
During his adventures he has to face such dangers as the man-eating giant Polyphemus and threats such as the goddess Calypso, who offers him immortality if he will abandon his quest for home. One is always pondering how Odysseus is going to react to the next situation or if the G-ds are going to intervene. The second half of the poem begins with Odysseus’ arrival at his home island of Ithaca. Here, exercising great patience and self-control, Odysseus tests the loyalty of his servants. He plots and carries out revenge on Penelope’s suitors, and is reunited with his son, his wife and father. Odysseus is always escaping danger, leading the reader deeper and deeper into the story line. The great thing about it is that through all of the adventures, his character begins to change and the reader wishes to find out how the next section of the adventure will progress.
Throughout his wanderings for home, Odysseus becomes a more humble and respectful man. The once boastful man learns that his boasting can bring people against him. He learns that the immortal gods of Olympus can be merciful and bring great prosperity, but they also punish those who disobey their wishes. Each time Odysseus is not respectful, he is been severely punished and his trip home delayed, more and more. Homer first introduces us to a man who...
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