Mapping The Odyssey

Home / Suitors Summary

1274 BCE

After a long journey, Odysseus finally reaches his home in Ithica. He comes home to many suitors trying to take his place as her husband. Telemachus and Penelope decided to help him out. Odysseus kills them violently and reclaims his title as king.

Home / Suitors Analysis

1274 BCE

It was a very long journey but he is now home. I honestly never believed any of his crew was going to make it anyway. It's a shame that even after he got home he still had to fight battles because the suitors were trying to take his place as king. Odysseus is a strong but daring man. In the end, he gets done what needs to be done.

Helios' Cattle Analysis

1264 BCE

This event uncovers the reality of what can happen. The last time the crew disobeyed the rules, they were saved by Odysseus. This time they didn't have that and they ended up paying the price with their lives. Respect in this period is superior and they found out what can happen when you are not aware of that. Now Odysseus has to finish his journey all alone.

Helios' Cattle Summary

1264 BCE

Odysseus and his crew are on the island of Thrinacia. This is the home of the sun god, Heolis. Odysseus tells his crew not to, but their hunger takes over their obedience and they eat all of the cattle while Helios is sleeping. Helios is enraged and orders Zeus to do something. He recks the ship and kills everyone but Odysseus. Odysseus is forced to continue his journey home alone.

Scylla and Charybdis Summary

1254 BCE

Odysseus has to get past a strait guarded by two monsters. Scylla is a six-headed monster who eats people. Charybdis is a whirlpool that consumes people and ships. Odysseus follows more of Circe's advice by going more toward Scylla because he doesn't want to lose the whole crew. Odysseus makes it through with only six of his men paying the price.

Scylla and Charybdis Analysis

1254 BCE

This encounter shows us that not everyone can be saved and make it through. Odysseus made the right decision because anyone would rather loose 6 people than a whole crew. This shows the realities of what it is to be a leader and decision-maker. Many od his decisions can lead to suffering but sometimes we have to pick between bad and worse.

Sirens Summary

1244 BCE

The Sirens are creatures who lure sailors into danger with their singing. Odysseus already saw this coming because of his recent advice given to him by Circe. He tells his crew to plug their ears when it gets to the sirens part of the journey. Odysseus almost gives in to the magical song but makes it through safely.

Sirens Analysis

1244 BCE

I think that Odysseus' plan was fairly reasonable. It's not like they had any other choice because they had to go a specific way to get home. Who knows what would have happened if he didn't anticipate the Sirens thanks to Circe. I wonder what happens to those who are taken over by the Sirens song. They didn't seem too at risk in this event but no one can be sure what the next dangerous encounter will be.

Circe Summary

1234 BCE

Odysseus and his crew arrive at the Island of Aeaea, home of the sorceress Circe. Circe guides some of the men into her castle. She turns them into pigs with a dangerous potion. Odysseus does not get poisoned because he is protected by an Herb. Odysseus forces Circe to turn his men back to humans. They end up staying on the Island for a year, the period in which Circe gives Odysseus much-needed advice on how to get home safely.

Circe Analysis

1234 BCE

I think that Odysseus is always getting his crew into unnecessary trouble. He is always having to protect and save them but sometimes it doesn't even seem necessary. I'm not sure what he even gained from Circe or why he decided to go to her palace. Why doesn't he just leave his crew and decide to continue and complete the journey on his own? They have been doing nothing but holding him back from his wife and family. Why did only Odysseus have the Herb that keeps one immune to Circe's powers?

Bag of Winds Summary

1224 BCE

Odysseus and his men arrive at the island of Aeolus. Aeolus is the god of the winds. He gives Odysseus a bag of winds, all except the west winds. The only wind that would guide them home. While they are heading back, Ithica is near and whilst Odysseus is sleeping, his crew opens the bad of winds. This blows them off course, far from Ithica.

Bag of Wind Analysis

1224 BCE

I think that this event just further shows the issues that Odysseus' crew has. They do not have trust nor do they have discipline. Odysseus is taking them on this long journey home and they don't respect that he probably wants to get home badly and end this danger journey. The moment he falls asleep they do what they aren't supposed to and erase so much progress made on their journey. They act as if they don't want to go home just as badly as Odysseus does.

The Cyclops Summary

1214 BCE

After Odysseus and his men left the island of the Lotus Eaters, they arrived on the Island filled with Cyclopses. They find a large cave with lots of food and things they need to survive. They did not know the cave belonged to Polyphemus, the powerful. Cyclops and son of Posidon. Polyphemus catches these men and traps them inside a cave. Evetually, none of theur strategies to escape worked so they gave him strong wine then stabbed him in the eye once he was drunk. They sail away.

The Cyclops Analysis

1214 BCE

It seems like Odysseus is always getting himself and his men into trouble. He led his men into trouble with Circe, the Lotus Eaters, and not the Cyclops. This story revealed a lot about Odysseus because he's supposed to be seen as a leader but he taunts the Cyclops as they are exiting the Island. He could also be seen as a hero because as always, he was the one to think of a solution to the situation they got themselves into. I'm not really seeing much progress in their journey from all these.

Lotus Eaters Summary

1204 BCE

The Lotus Eaters event occurs on Odysseus' journey home from the Trojan War. Odysseus and his men arrive on the island of the Lotus Eaters. There are living things on this island offer the men something called the "lotus." When this is eaten It causes them to forget their want to go home and stay on the Island. Odysseus realizes how dangerous this can be so he drags his men back to the ship and quickly leaves.

Lotus Eaters Analysis

1204 BCE

I think Odysseus handled the situation fairly well. He has experience with trying to be persuaded into not returning home before. This is a remider of how we will always face obstacles in life but they will sometimes be disquised as something good. Odysseus' want to go home is stronger than his allowance to be persuaded with a much shorter, easier way to find satisfaction.

Trojan War Summary

1194 BCE

The Trojan War was a war between the ancient Greeks and the city of Troy. The war was mainly sparked by the kidnapping of Helen by prince Troy. Some of the main characters in the Trojan War were Achilles, Odysseus, and Agamemnon. Odysseus' main role in the Trojan War was coming up with the brilliant idea of putting many Greek soldiers in a large, wooden horse. This led to them winning the war and the fall of Troy. After winning this war, this set the tone for "The Odyssey"

Trojan War Analysis

1194 BCE

I think Odysseus was a great help in the Trojan War. Not only did he play one of the biggest roles by devising the war-winning tactic, but he also brought in historic Greek figures like Hercules and Achilles to help him with the job. Odysseus' role is very intellectual, and his importance came in clutch when it came time to get Helen back and take over Troy. Odyeeus brings a lot to the table when is comes the war because he has much strength and intelligence.