Book Seventeen: Stranger at the Gates

At the beginning of book 17, Telemachus "forces" Odysseus to go into town, and the "beggar" agrees. He says that he does not want to be a drain on the farm, and he will go later. Telemachus then departs and finally comes into the palace. Penelope and Eurycleia cry with relief about his safe return. Everyone bathes, and Piraeus meets with Telemachus. When asked, Telemachus decides that he would rather have his gifts stay with his friends of Piraeus if Telemachus were to be killed than have the suitors split it up when they carve up his estate. Penelope asks about what happened on Telemachus' voyage and he tells that Nestor had no information but Menelaus told him that Odysseus was on an island with Calypso. Afterwards, Theocylmenus decides its time for him to talk about a bird sign that predicted that Odysseus was already home in Ithaca. I would have been irritated by him as Odysseus is trying to keep his presence a secret from all but Telemachus. Meanwhile, the swineherd and Odysseus start to walk to the town against Eumaeus' wishes. While on their way, Melanthius, the goat herd, insulted the "beggar" and kicked Odysseus. All three of them go to Odysseus' palace, and Eumaeus and Odysseus decide that Eumaeus will go in first and Odysseus will follow. Odysseus was extremely upset when he saw his dog on a dung heap, as it had not been cared for by everyone. After receiving and eating bread from Telemachus, Odysseus begs for scraps of bread from the suitors to separate the innocent from the guilty. Menlanthius recognized the beggar and announced that the swineherd was the "dirt" that led him into the palace. Antinous got angry at Eumaeus and complained about bringing people in to beg off of "their" plates. Telemachus tells everyone to give bread, but Antinous refused and threw a stool at Odysseus. Penelope finds out about the violence, and tells Eumaeus to bring Odysseus to her. Eumaeus talks about how the beggar has been many places and claims to know about Odysseus' location. When asked, Odysseus agrees but on the condition that they wait until sundown so the suitors do not see and hurt him.

Book 16: Father and Son

Telemachus finally reaches Ithaca, and goes to Eumaeus' shack. I loved how Eumaeus cried and was described as loving Telemachus as if Telemachus were his son. Eumaeus then left to tell Penelope about Telemachus' arrival and location. Athena changed Odysseus back into himself, and the two of them celebrated Odysseus' return. Father and son plan to have Telemachus hide all the weapons, except for those that Odysseus and Telemachus will use to kill the suitors. Meanwhile, the suitors return from their ambush, and decide to plan to kill Telemachus. Amphinomus decides that only if Zeus agrees will the suitors attempt to murder Telemachus. Penelope hears about their plans and tells them to not lay a hand on him, which Eurymachus agrees to. However, the suitors continue to plot afterwards. At the end, Eumaeus comes back to see Odysseus (once again old) and Telemachus.

Book Fifteen: The Prince Set Sail for Home

The Odyssey finally returns to Telemachus, who was at Menelaus's palace, worrying about his father. Athena comes over to Telemachus and urges him to go home since the suitors want to ambush him, but the earth will swallow some of them. Athena also points out that Penelope is being urged to marry Eurymachus. After reaching home, Telemachus is to visit the swineherd first, and send the swineherd to tell Penelope that he has returned. Telemachus wants to leave right away in the middle of the night, yet Pisistratus insists upon waiting for the morning and receiving Menelaus' gifts. Telemachus was given a mixing bowl, a robe for his future bride, and a two-handled cup. The gift giving exhibits the generosity of a host, and also the theme of hospitality throughout the book. While leaving, an eagle plucks up a goose, which is a sign that Odysseus will return and take revenge on the suitors. Telemachus goes onto his ship right away without seeing Nestor, and Theoclymenus asks to be taken aboard their ship. Theoclymenus is apparently a fugitive for killing a man with many brothers who are trying to kill him. Telemachus is a good host and allows Theoclymenus to tag along, and promises to care for him once they reach the palace. The seer Theoclymenus ends up staying with one of Telemachus' men as Telemachus is worried about the situation at the palace. Hospitality is displayed many times in this chapter, especially when Odysseus tests Eumaeus by suggesting that he (Odysseus) leaves and works for the suitors. Eumaeus disagrees, and Odysseus is allowed to stay. Eumaeus tells the tale of how he ended up in Ithaca with him being taken by a serving woman who escaped with some traders, and was sold to Laertes.

Book Fourteen: The Loyal Swineherd

Odysseus went to his swineherd, disguised as a beggar and the swineherd welcomes Odysseus into his home. This exhibits that hospitality is not practiced solely by royalty. The swineherd talked about how his master left, and the suitors eat up his fortune. When Odysseus asks for the swineherd's master's name, the swineherd refuses since he does not want the "beggar" to tell lies to the queen for riches. It really shows how kind of a ruler Odysseus was that after twenty years, his employees still care for him and his family. Odysseus promises that Odysseus will return this month, yet the swineherd does not believe him. After Odysseus tells the swineherd a fabricated story about his troubles, the swineherd still insists that Odysseus will not be returning, and the details of his story are fine except for those about Odysseus. Odysseus tells the swineherd that if Odysseus returns, then the swineherd should give him clothes and send him off or otherwise kill him. The swineherd protests talking about the shame of being such a bad host as to kill his own guest. Odysseus tests the swineherd by asking for a cloak, which the swineherd provides.

Book Thirteen: Ithaca at Last

It was amazing how Odysseus spent so long in Phaeacia while doing nothing other than tell his story and prepare his ship. When he finally leaves, Odysseus sleeps the entire way to Ithaca. The crew dumps him on a beach with all of his gifts, which seems like something odd. Why wouldn't they wake him up when they arrived at Ithaca? It only made their job harder, and Odysseus was extremely disoriented and irritate at the beginning. Poseidon punished the Phaeacians as was prophesied. He stopped one of the ships, the one that took Odysseus and decided to put a mountain around the Phaeacian port. Alcinous realized what was going to happen, and told his people to sacrifice twelve bulls to Poseidon. Athena surrounded Odysseus with mist so he could not tell where he was, and Athena disguised herself as a shepherd boy. After revealing that the land was Ithaca and asking about Odysseus, Odysseus told a lie about how he ended up in Ithaca. Only afterwards did Athena become a woman and reveal herself. Odysseus and Athena hid the treasure and talked about how Athena will get Telemachus back from Sparta and Odysseus, disguised as an old beggar, will seek information from the swineherd. Athena decided to hide Ithaca in mist and talk to Odysseus as a shepherd boy, which does not seem to make much of a difference. It would have been easier to just tell Odysseus what to do rather than test him thus. Also, how blocking off Phaeacia would express how angry Poseidon was with Odysseus escapes me as no one would go by there often enough to hear the news, and Odysseus is not immediately impacted.

Book Twelve: The Cattle of the Sun

Odysseus and his crew return to Aeaea and hold a funeral for Elpenor. Circe warns Odysseus about the journey ahead, and they leave. Odysseus' crew puts beeswax in their ears when passing by the Sirens and their enchanting song, however, Odysseus chooses to listen while lashed to the mast. Afterwards, Odysseus chooses not to tell his men about Scylla and just tells them to row away from Charybdis. Six men are taken by Scylla, and the men reach the island where Helios kept his cattle. Eurylochus points out that they should stay there, and Odysseus agrees but on the condition that the men swear to not slaughter any of the cattle. After a month of waiting because the south wind blew nonstop, the men run out of supplies and eventually kill some of the cattle. Helios was told, and Zeus ended up killing the crew by hitting the ship with a lightning bolt. Odysseus drifts on a raft, and ends up on Calypso's island. It seemed odd how Odysseus would agree to staying on the island where Helios's herds were after hearing about the possible doom of his crew, even with the crew taking an oath. Also, the way that Odysseus withheld information to his crew about Scylla seemed self centered, even if it was in their best interest.

Book Eleven: The Kingdom of the Dead

Odysseus and his men sailed to the underworld, and summoned ghosts. Elpenor asked Odysseus to bury him, since he died from falling off the roof. Odysseus met with Tiresias, who told him to not slaughter the cattle of Helios if his entire crew wished to go home. If Odysseus were to escape, then he would be alone, late and broken. Tiresias told Odysseus that he will have to kill the suitors and sacrifice animals to Poseidon. Afterwards, Odysseus talked to his mother and mothers of famous greek heroes and kings. After talking to Alcinous about staying one more day, Odysseus launches into his story of meeting greek heroes and his deceased comrades. Odysseus found out about Aegisthus from Agamemnon, talked to Achilles about his son, and watched as people faced their eternal punishment before leaving the underworld. It was interesting to me how Agamemnon blamed Clytemnestra for  plotting to murder him, when it was the fault of both her an Aegisthus.

Book Ten: The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea

In book 10, Odysseus continues to tell his story. After their escape from Polyphemus, Odysseus and his men reach the Aeolian island. They stayed for a month, and then Aeolus sent them on their way with the bag of wind. After 9 or 10 days of good sailing, Odysseus was tired and slept, and the crew was mutinous, thinking that Odysseus had riches in the bag. When the crew opened the bag, the winds were released and Odysseus ended up at the Aeolian island again. Aeolus kicked them off pointing out how the gods must hate him if he were to return so. After six days of rowing, Odysseus and his men reach the land of the Laestrygonians. He sent three men, who met with the king Antiphates. Suddenly Antiphates ate one of the men, and the other two ran back to the ships. The Laestrygonians end up attacking the ships, and all were killed except those on Odysseus' boat. Odysseus and his crew sailed away and ended up on the Aeaean island. The men were nervous, and split into two groups. The first group went to Circe's house and she gave them a potion so that the men turned into pigs. Only Eurylochus did not go in, since he sensed a trap. Eurylochus ran back to Odysseus and told him what happened. Odysseus decided to try and free his men. Odysseus ran into Hermes, who told him that a drug will protect him from changing,Odysseus will have to draw his sword when Circe his him with her wand. When Circe offers her bed, Odysseus must make her swear and oath so she will never plot against her. All this Odysseus does, and Circe changed the men back. The men were now more handsome, taller, and younger than before. Odysseus gets the rest of his crew to come to Circe's hall a per Circe's request, against Eurylochus' will. The crew stays there a year, and finally Odysseus asks if they can leave with Circe's help. Circe agrees but gives an elaborate plan for Odysseus to follow if he want to go home by asking for Tiresias' expertise.
I found it interesting how after Polyphemus, the crew still ventures out onto the land of the Laestrygonians, and how after that disaster they are not any wiser when it comes to visiting Circe. The changing of the men into swine perhaps is to reflect their behavior or somethings similar.

Book Nine: In the One-Eyed Giant's Cave

Odysseus reveals his identity to the Phaeacians and tells them his story. It begins with the men plundering Ismarus, and the Cicones bringing in backup soldiers. Odysseus' men leave, and end up in the land of the lotus-eaters. Odysseus brought the men back who were sent to scout out the people there, and they were on their way. Odysseus and his men ended up on an island nearby the land of the Cyclops. A curious Odysseus bring a boat over, and he goes up to Polyphemus' cave with twelve other men. Odysseus tells of their capture in the cave, where it is sealed with a large boulder. Odysseus and four of his men sharpen a portion of the giant's club, and they gouge out Polyphemus' eye while he sleeps after seeing some of their companions be eaten. When Polyphemus' neighbors answer his cry for help, they leave after being told that "Nobody" is trying to kill Polyphemus, since Odysseus had told Polyphemus that his name was Nobody. They then escape by hiding underneath the bellies of some of the rams, as Polyphemus only counts them by touching the top. After escaping, Odysseus taunts Polyphemus, until Polyphemus throws rocks at a ship. Eventually, Polyphemus calls on Poseidon, telling Poseidon to either make sure Odysseus never sees home, or he goes home a changed man, with no shipmates, in a stranger's ship, many years late.
Odysseus' tale of what he went through exhibits his cunning and fearlessness. However, it also explains why he is no longer quite the same. The audience/ reader finally understands why Poseidon wishes to get revenge on Odysseus. The book also exhibits how Odysseus made some bad choices when it came to being humble about beating Polyphemus.

Book Eight: A Day for Songs and Contests

In book eight, everyone gathers for an assembly in which Alcinous introduces Odysseus to the Phaecians. After the ship is readied for their departure, they have a feast and the bard Demodocus sang about the Trojan War. Alcinous decided to begin games of wrestling, racing and other sports. Broadsea challenged Odysseus, and Odysseus demonstrates his strength with the throwing of a discus. Alcinous then announces that it is time to dance, and the tale of Aphrodite and Ares when Hephaestus ensnared them in chains was sung. Parting gifts were amassed, and Odysseus was bathed. Another feast is held, and Demodocus sings the tale of the Trojan Horse. After seeing Odysseus cry at the tale of the Trojan War for the second time, Alcinous questioned Odysseus' identity. It was interesting how this is the first time the book mentioned that someone was embarassed about crying, Menelaus and Telemachus were fine with facing their emotions, yet Odysseus was ashamed of crying. I found it interesting how Nausicaa basically came up to Odysseus and told him to remember her for saving his life, since that would be odd at this time.

Book Seven: Phaeacia's Halls and Gardens

Odysseus leaves Athena's grove to try and find Alcinous' palace. Athena shouds him in a mist, so he is unable to be seen  by the less refined folks of Phaeacia. Athena disguises herself as a young girl, and leads Odysseus to the palace, when he is still enshrouded in mist. Odysseus is struck by the beauty and lusciousness of the court, and when he enters, he begs Arete for some way home. Alcinous is shocked, but the oldest lord reminds him to be a good host to Odysseus. After feasting, Odysseus tells of his arrival at Calypso's and journey to Phaeacia. Alcinous and Odysseus agree that Odysseus is to use a ship and crew to return home swiftly. In this chapter, Athena does a lot of small things to assist Odysseus when it comes to leading him to the palace to shrouding him in a concealing mist. Also, the fact that Alcinous and Arete take Odysseus' word about his arrival and what he is doing with a ship seemed odd, since that would not happen nowadays.

Book Six: The Princess and The Stranger

It was an interesting way for Athena to manipulate Nausicaa into finding Odysseus. First with a dream about getting clothes washed so she could marry, and then making the ball fall into the water so the noise that they made would wake him up. Athena was very involved in this chapter when she keeps Nausicaa from running away by making her not afraid, and then making Odysseus more spectacular. When Odysseus takes a branch to cover himself, it seemed sort of funny since I forgot that he was walking around and sleeping in the forest completely nude. One paradox is how women are both the downfall of men in this book such as Calypso and Helen, yet they also constantly help them like Nausicaa and Ino.