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Odyssey and Illiad

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Submitted By msano77
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The story of the Odyssey starts with Odysseus, a Greek war hero in the Battle of Troy. He is trying to make his way back to his home in Ithaca. His wife, Penelope, is waiting for him to return home from war. She does not know if her husband is still alive, but still remains faithful to him. Even with all of the suitors that have bombarded Odysseus’ home trying to take his place, Penelope still remains loyal to her husband. Their son, Prince Telemachus, is still at the home with all of the suitors. He desperately wants to remove them from the home, but does not have the will power or fighting experience to take down all of the men. Many men want to take over the palace, especially Antinous. He plans to kill Telemachus and control the palace. Odysseus meanwhile is alive on the island of Ogygia. He is bound here under the control of Calypso. The Greek goddess, Athena, wants to help Odysseus out. She goes to his son Telemachus disguised as Laertes. She persuades him to approach the suitors in a meeting, and also prepares him to journey to Pylos and Sparta. Nestor and Menelaus tell him that his dad is still alive but stuck on Calypso’s Island. Zeus sends Hermes to save Odysseus from the island. Hermes talks Calypso into letting Odysseus build a ship and leave. While sailing, Poseidon sends a storm to stop him from getting home. Athena saves him once again and lands on Scheria. He spends the night recalling all the adventures he had experienced on his trip. After he tells his stories, the Phaeacians send him back to his homeland. Athena has disguised him as an old beggar. He goes back home, finds Telemachus, and tells him that he is his long lost father. The two make a plan to get the suitors out of the house. All of the suitors make fun of him and treat him poorly. Penelope sets up an archery contest. She promises whoever can string Odysseus’ bow and shoot an

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