The narrative epic, ‘The Odyssey’ composed by Homer between 750 and 650 :: Classics

The narrative epic, ‘The Odyssey’ composed by Homer between 750 and 650 BC recounts the nostos or homeward voyage of Odysseus If I were you, I should take steps to make these men disperse. Listen, now, and attend to what I say: at daybreak call the islanders to assembly, and speak your will, and call the gods to witness: the suitors must go scattering to their homes. Then here’s a course for you, if you agree: get a sound craft afloat with twenty oars and go abroad for news of your lost father— perhaps a traveller’s tale, or rumored fame issued from Zeus abroad in the world of men. Talk to that noble sage at Pylos, Nestor, then go to Menelà ¡los, the red-haired king 330 at Sparta, last man home of all the Akhaians. If you should learn your father is alive and coming home, you could hold out a year. Or if you learn that he is dead and gone, then you can come back to your own dear country and raise a mound for him, and burn his gear, with all the funeral honors due the man, and give your mother to another husband. When you have done all this, or seen it done, it will be time to ponder concerning these contenders in your house— how you should kill them, outright or by guile. You need not bear this insolence of theirs, you are a child no longer. Have you heard what glory young Orestà ªs won when he cut down that two-faced man, Aigà ­sthos, for killing his illustrious father? Dear friend, you are tall and well set-up, I see; be brave—you, too—and men in times to come will speak of you respectfully. Now I must join my ship; my crew will grumble if I keep them waiting. Look to yourself; remember what I told you.† Telemachus replied: â€Å"Friend, you have done me kindness, like a father to his son, and I shall not forget your counsel ever. You must get back to sea, I know, but come take a hot bath, and rest; accept a gift to make you heart lift up when you embark— 360 some precious thing, and beautiful, from me, a keepsake, such as dear friends give their friends.† Written Commentary: The Odyssey The narrative epic, ‘The Odyssey’ composed by Homer between 750 and 650 BC recounts the nostos or homeward voyage of Odysseus, a renowned Greek warrior hero. This extract from the ‘The Odyssey’ is taken from the Telemachy narrative section of the epic; the Telemachy contains the exposition of the great epic which opens on the island of Ithaca. These opening passages of the epic elucidates Odysseus’s circumstances as the Gods contemplate his fate; though eccentrically the focal point