Odyssey
Odyssey
Robert Gardner
The first significant event in the Odyssey is what sets the entire story in motion, the traveling Poseidon. Athena and Poseidon together were the cause of Odysseus' exile from Ithaca, which began twenty long years ago. Athena's anger at the Greeks had started to subside and she began feeling sorry for what she had done, especially to Odysseus. She had been very fond of him during the Trojan War and her old feelings for him were returning. Now Athena wanted to make a plea for Odysseus' return home but had to do so while Poseidon was far from Olympus. Poseidon still despised Odysseus and Athena knew he would never give consent for his return home. Hence Poseidon's journey to a remote place sets the stage for Athena's plea to send Odysseus home. Zeus replies to Athena's plea by remembering Odysseus fondly and casting off Poseidon's anger toward him. This is one significant event because it frees Odysseus from his exile and lets the story of his journey home to Ithaca commence.
The second important event that occurs in the Odyssey is the landing on the isle of Kirke. With great powers Kirke, a witch, has turned Odysseus' men into animals and Eurylokhos escapes to tell the terrible story. Odysseus is angered by what he has heard and sets off to find Kirke. Luckily the god Hermes appears to Odysseus and informs him of an herb that will allow him to remain unaffected by Kirke's magic. Once Odysseus overcomes Kirke, her magic spell on his men is broken and they become dear friends. This encounter with Kirke is significant because she gives Odysseus insight and instruction that ensure a safe return home. Without Kirke's knowledge they would not have gone to seek Teiresias', the blind seerer on the isle of the dead. Here Odysseus is warned about Helios' herds and the events that could ensue when he returns home to Ithaca. Kirke also tells the men of the Sirens enticing songs, the journey past the deadly rocks,...
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