Timed Reading — The Iliad and the Odyssey

Composed around 700 BC, The Odyssey is one of the earliest epics still in existence. The hero is long-suffering Odysseus, king of Ithaca. He has been gone 20 years from his homeland, his wife, and his son. Odysseus represents many of the virtues of the ancient Greeks. However, he is not without his flaws, which sometimes get him into trouble.

Of the 20 years he has been away, he spent the first 10 fighting victoriously with the Greeks in the Trojan War and the last 10 trying to get home. Unfortunately, the goddess Athena arranged for storms to blow the Greeks off course as they attempted to sail home from the war. She was angered because a Greek warrior had attempted to rape Cassandra, the daughter of the king of Troy, in her temple. Worse, the Greeks had not punished the man. Although Athena helps Odysseus repeatedly throughout the epic, it is her curse that originally causes his misfortune.

While Odysseus has been away, his kingdom, his wealth, and his wife and son have been at risk. His wife Penelope is surrounded by unwanted suitors because she is the key to the throne and to Odysseus’ wealth. She lacks the power to remove the suitors who have invaded her home and want to marry her.

In his absence, Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, is the heir apparent. He is therefore constantly in danger. He is unable to rid his home of the unwanted suitors who have abused the Greek custom of hospitality. Telemachus also lacks power to maintain control as there is no formal system of laws to support him. He realizes that he may only be legally the ruler of his own house, not all of the lands of Odysseus.

Telemachus understands that if he becomes king without sufficient resources to defend himself, he risks being deposed and most likely killed. If Penelope stalls much longer in selecting a suitor, Ithaca could fall into civil war. If she chooses a husband, her son’s life is still in danger. As terrible as marriage seems, it may be necessary for Ithaca’s and possibly her son’s survival.