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The singer begins this epic song with an invocation to the muses referring to Odysseus' long journey home and introducing the main themes of the text: Odysseus' wandering; the entrance of Telemachus into manhood; and their vengeance on the suitors. All the gods but Poseidon pity Odysseus. The singer's narrative begins on Mt. Olympos where the gods are gathered for a feast. They are discussing Aegisthus who has just been killed by Orestes the son of Agamemnon. Zeus speaks first:Orestes has recently killed his mother Clytemnestra and her lover, Aegisthus, to avenge his father. Zeus believes that Orestes did what was right because the gods had warned Aegisthus. Athena interrupts and pleads with Zeus to turn his attention to Odysseus who suffers on the island of Calypso. Zeus reminds her that Poseidon is still angry at Odysseus because he blinded his son Polyphemus. Nevertheless, she asks Zeus to send Hermes to Calypso to tell her to release Odysseus so he may return home. Zeus assents to this. Then Athena takes up her spear and goes to Ithaca to warn the suitors to leave before Odysseus returns. She finds the suitors and Telemachus sees her while daydreaming: He leads the disguised goddess into the feast where the servants are hustling about to please the suitors. There is a roast being served and a singer performing... Telemachus makes an excuse for the opulent show and asks her where she is from (she is disguised as a man). She tells him that she is Mentes from Taphos and has come because she heard that Odysseus has returned home. She asks him if he is Odysseus' son and he replies:Athena confirms his lineage for him and asks about the feast that is being carried on.
Approximate Word count = 1118
Approximate Pages = 4.5
(250 words per page double spaced)
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