The Odyssey begins describing the current circumstances. The Trojan War is over, and all of the survivors are home except one: Odysseus. He is at the Nymph Calypso's island, detained for she wishes him to marry her. All of the gods felt sorry for him, except Poseidon. Poseidon is in Eithiopia, however, and the rest of the gods hold a meeting where Athena brings up poor Odysseus.The gods come to the conclusion to rescue Odysseus from Calypso, even though Poseidon holds a grudge and wishes to keep him there. The gods send a messenger, Hermes, to tell Calypso to release Odysseus. Zeus instructs Hermes to tell Calypso that she is to let Odysseus go. Odysseus shall not have the help of gods or any men. He must build his own boat, and then after twenty days at sea, he shall reach the land of the Phaeacians. The Phaeacians will help him on his final journey to his homeland.

Meanwhile, Athena goes to Odysseus's home in Ithaca to visit Odysseus's son, Telemachus. Many suitors were there, trying to win the hand in marriage of Penelope,

Telemachus and the suitors return to the palace. Odysseus follows after. When Odysseus returns home, no one recognizes him except Argus, his dog. He is so old that all he does is wag his tail, and then he dies. When Eurycleia, a servant, is washing Odysseus's feet, she recognizes a scar on his leg. Odysseus tells her to keep quiet about his return.

The women arrive at the stream and wash the clothes. They bathe and wait for the clothes to dry. They play some games. Odysseus awakes and wonders who these women are.

At Aeaea, their next stop, they met Circe. Odysseus was her bed partner. They stayed for a year until the crew grew homesick. Circe sent them on their way with supplies and some advice.

Odysseus and Telemachus unite. They plan their strategy. They will lock the weapons up, then lock the suitors in the palace. Telemachus is not to tell anyone about Odysseus's return.

Telemachus's mother and Odysseus's wife. These many suitors had eaten Telemachus out of house and home. Athena arrives in the form of Mentor, a Taphian chief. Very generously, Telemachus invites Athena in. After they introduce themselves and Telemachus explains how the suitors have been living off of him, Athena puts Telemachus in his place.

Penelope prepares a contest for the suitors to see which one she will marry. The next day Odysseus is the only one able to string the bow and to accomplish the feat of shooting an arrow through twelve ax heads in a row. The suitors are appalled. That evening after Penelope has retired, Telemachus, Odysseus, and Eurycleia kill all of the suitors except two, pardoned by Odysseus and Telemachus. Then, there were twelve maids who violated Odysseus while he was gone. He hangs them only after making them clean up the mess in the Hall. Eurycleia told Penelope Odyssuess's identity. Penelope doesn't believe her. Only after Odysseus tells the secret about their bed (the bed that was made by Odysseus was made out of an olive tree) does she believe him. They have a party and then restore peace in Ithaca. Odysseus continues his trials just as the dead prophet had told him to. Odysseus sacrifices 20 prime bulls and 20 prime heifers to appease Poseidon. The curse is lifted and Athena makes peace between Odysseus and the

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1509
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)