Myths

Myths Vengeance- Poseidon Harbors a mortal hatred for Odysseus who blinded the god's son so he creates a storm to destroy him when he sees him on open water.

Loyalty "“ Ten years after the war concluded, the Ahaena hero has still not returned to his kingdom of Ithaca, but his wife Penelope has remained unflinchingly loyal to him.

Orphan in search of parentage - Athena who greatly admires Odysseus prepares him for a great journey to Pylos and Sparta where the kings Nestor and Menelaus give him valuable information regarding his father's whereabouts.

Disguise/Concealment "“ Athena, disguised as Mentor, helps the prince to organize an assembly meeting during which he reproaches the suitors.

Family Life "“ Unbeknownst to his family, Odysseus has been imprisoned by the nymph Calypso on the isle of Ogygia.

Lack of Order/Chaos "“ Penelope is beset by a large group of rowdy and aggressive suitors. The uninvited occupants have overrun Odysseus palace and besiege Penelope with manipulative and forceful marriage proposals.

Hospitality- Odysseus meets his faithful swineherd Eumaeus who takes him in and provides him nourishment.

Restoration of Order "“ Zeus dispatches Athena to instill peace, solidifying Odysseus reruns "“ his kingship regained and his family reunited.

Feats to win a lady's hand "“ Penelope organizes an archery contest and promises to marry any man who can string Odysseus great bow and fire an arrow through a row of twelve axes and Odysseus, disguised, enters the contest and wins.

Identity "“ The only person who recognizes him is his old nurse, Eurycleia, but Odysseus swears her to secrecy.

Powerlessness of Women "“ In the aftermath of the Trojan War, Athena grew angry with the victorious Achaean forces, because an Achaean soldier attempted to rape a woman in the goddess' temple.

Greed/Lust for Power "“ One of the suitors to Penelope, Antinous, plans to assassinate the young prince, eliminating the only opposition to their dominion over the place.

Homecoming "“ When Odysseus grand narrative is complete, the Phaeacians return Odysseus to Ithaca, where Athena cloaks him in beggar's clothes.

Experience "“ Odysseus repays the Phaeacians' kindness by recounting an engrossing story about his post-war wanderings. Odysseus relates the tales of his journey to the Land of the Lotus Eaters, his battle with Polyphemus the Cyclops, his love affair with the witch-goddess Circe, his encounter with the deadly Sirens, his journey into Hades to consult the prophet Tiresias and his fight with the sea-monster Scylla.

Women as bringing destruction to men "“ In response to the brutal act of trying to rape a women in the goddess' temple, Athena creates a vicious storm that descends on the Achaean vessels, blowing them off course and hindering their homeward journey.