BOOKS 5-8

BOOKS 5-8

“Odysseus’ Stay in Scheria”

Overall Summary:

In book five, Zeus sends Hermes to Calypso’s island to tell her to let Odysseus go home. Calypso complains about the double standard going on (i.e. gods can fall in love with any mortal, but when goddesses do the same the mortal is taken away from them), but follows what Zeus said. She helps Odysseus make a raft, and he sails away. After eighteen days at sea, he spots Scheria. Poseidon realizes that the other gods have been helping Odysseus and stirs up a storm. A goddess comes to Odysseus’ rescue, and gives him a veil that will help keep him afloat. After two nights being tossed around in the waves, he swims up a river and goes to sleep.

In book six, Athena appears in Nausicaa’s dream. She tells the princess to go to the river to wash her clothes so she will have more men courting her. Nausicaa does as Athena says, and plays ball with her handmaids. Odysseus wake up and pleads for their help. Nausicaa falls in love with him (shocker) but doesn’t want to be seen with him walking through the town. They start heading to the castle.

In book seven, a young girl who is Athena in disguise stops Odysseus. She shrouds him in a mist to keep him hidden from the townspeople. She tells him to direct his plea to Arête, the wise queen. Athena then goes to Athens. Odysseus throws himself at the queen’s feet. The queen and king promise to help him leave the island. The king offers Odysseus his daughter’s hand in marriage.

In book eight, councilmen approve of giving Odysseus a ship. A blind singer sings about the quarrel between Odysseus and Achilles, and Odysseus weeps. Odysseus is pressured into playing some games. A song is sung about Ares and Aphrodite. The king asks Odysseus who he is, where he is from, and where he is going.

Major Theme:

A major theme in these books is overcoming supernatural challenges. An example of this is when Calypso finally released Odysseus, surviving Poseidon’s wrath, etc.

Character List:

Hermes

Calypso

Odysseus

Ino

Poseidon

Nausicaa

Arete

Alcinous

Demodocus

Broadsea