Plot Summary

The story begins in medias res, when Odysseus is on Calypso's island. Athena demands that Odysseus be released. After much fighting, Zeus gives in and asks that Hermes go to Calypso's island. Athena also goes to Telemachus to give him words of wisdom. She changes her appearance to Mentes, king of the Taphians. After she tells him that his father is missing, she gives him ways to find his father. She tells him to group the people of Ithaca and demand the stop of the suitors, and to find Odysseus' friends, or army captains. After she leaves, Telemachus is shocked that he was speaking to a goddess.

Antinous and Eurymachus are outraged at Telemachus for speaking out. Telemachus asks for a ship, but is laughed at by many. The suitors now reign the house. Athena, also disguised again takes Telemachus to his awaiting ship.

Telemachus travels to Pylos and meets up with King Nestor. He tells Telemachus what he knows, which is nothing. Nestor's son Pisistratus sets out for Sparta with Telemachus the next morning.

In Sparta, Telemachus asks for his father's fate, but Menelaus just tells him of his journey back to Sparta. He tells Telemachus, that his father is most likely dead. Back in Ithaca, the suitors plan to kill Telemachus. Penelope is shocked but comforted by Athena in a dream.

Hermes is finally sent to Calypso's island. She lets him go home, and advises him on building a raft. He is finally near Scheria 18 days later. Poseidon spots him, and sends a terrible storm that destroys his raft. He falls into Scheria, and also a deep sleep.

Odysseus goes into the city of the Phaeacians. Queen Arete recognizes his attire, and asks him about his travels. He tells of his troubles from Calypso's island, and Alcinous sends him home the next day.

Odysseus now recounts his story. He survived the defeat of Troy and moved on to the Cicone's island. They are stranded for 2 days, then set out again to be stranded another 9 days. They finally reach the island of the Lotus-Eaters, whose plant steals the memories of home from his crew. They approach the island of the Cyclopes with only one ship. They poke the eye out of the drunken cycoples, Polyphemus and sets Poseidon against them.

Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag of band winds. After 9 days travel, the crew takes the bag and unties it. It takes the boat all the way back to Aelous, who would not help them again. They then go to the island of the Laestrygones, then set out alone Odysseus reaches the island of Circe. She is the goddess who has fun turning men into pigs. Hermes' helps Odysseus not be captured by her spell with the plant Moly. Odysseus lives for years with Circe, but then is sent to the Underworld when he asks to leave.

After Circe's island, Odysseus recounts his journeys of the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, and the Sun god, Helios. After 9 days of traveling the waves, he finally reaches Calypso's island. So we are now, at when the book started, and ends the flashback.

Odysseus leaves the Phaecians, who sent him off with gifts, and is finally on his way home. Athena reappears again, and gives Odysseus her plan. She disguises him as an old beggar, and hides the Phaecians gifts. Odysseus finally arrives at Ithaca, and goes immediatley to his servant, Eumaeus. Telemachus also returns home the same time and goes to Eumaeus. Odysseus reveals himself to Telemachus and the devise a plan to get rid of the suitors. The plan is for Odysseus to go back to his palace, still disguised as a beggar, and keep his secret from everyone, even Penelope.

Telemachus, Odysseus and Eumaeus all go back to the palace. One of Odysseus' servants Melanthius, has been unloyal to him, by following the suitors orders. The suitors all all feasting their little hearts out when Odysseus and Telemachus enter. They all taunt and threaten Odysseus. Antinous, the most obnoxious suitor throws a footstool at the "beggar". Odysseus swears he will seek revenge. Penelope asks the beggar to speak with her later about Odysseus.

Another beggar, Irus, threatens Odysseus and challenges him to a fist fight. Odysseus of course, beats him and breaks his jaw. Penelope scolds the suitors for the fight that took place. Melantho, a servant to Odysseus, was taken as the suitor Eurymachus' mistress. Everyone then goes to bed for the evening.

Odysseus and Telemachus remove all weapons from the hall. Penelope comes down to talk to the old beggar (Odysseus) and he tells her what he knows about Odysseus. She is grateful for him and orders her maid to wash his feet. Eurycleia, a servant of Odysseus, washes his feet and noticed a scar on his shin. She is joyful that he has returned, but is ordered not to tell anyone. Penelope sets up a contest the next day. The one who can shoot an arrow through twelve holes, will be able to marry her. This is decided because only Odysseus was able to do this.

Odysseus tries to determine which of the suitors have been loyal to him. He chooses Eumaeus and Philoetius. The suitors keep on feasting, ignoring the outraged Telemachus.

Penelope comes down with Odysseus' bow. Whoever can string and shoot the arrow will become Penelope's husband. The suitors accept, but none can meet the challenge. Odysseus takes Eumaeus and Philoetius aside and asks for their help. The beggar asks to take the bow, and see if he can do it. The suitors laugh at him but give him a try. Easily, Odysseus strings the bow and shoots it through all 12 holes. Telemachus meets his father at his side, sword in hand.

Antinous is the first suitor killed, and Odysseus identifies himself. Eurymachus is the next suitor killed when he tried to blame Antinous for the troubles. Telemachus brings out weapons for Odysseus, Eumaeus, and Philoetius. Eurycleia is brought out and is told to tell Odysseus all of the unloyal servants. All the unloyal must clean the hall and then be sent out to be hanged.

Eurycleia is the first one to tell Penelope the suitors are dead and Odysseus is home. Penelope, not sure if it is Odysseus tries to test him. She tells him that the bed he made was moved. Angered, Odysseus starts to yell and explains why it couldnt have been moved. Penelope is overjoyed and hug Odysseus. Athena holds the sunrise so they cen spend more time together. Odysseus goes and finds his father, Laertes.

Hermes leads all the dead suitors to the Underworld. The suitors relatives are outraged and find Odysseus at his father's house. Athena asks her father to help Odysseus and he grants her permission. Zeus sends a thunderbolt which stops all the fighting, and Athena made a pact of peace. Odysseus becomes King of Ithaca, again.