Odysseus falls into a deep deathlike sleep upon boarding the Phaecian vessel. He is asleep the entire trip back to Ithaca.
he had an affair
He is the herald (town messenger) of Ithaca. When Odysseus comes back to Ithaca, his hometown, Telemakhos (Odysseus' son) tells Odysseus not to kill him. Unlike the suitors, he cared for Telemakhos while his father was away and remained loyal to Odysseus. Therefore, he was not killed in Book XXII.
Argos, Odysseus's faithful dog, symbolizes Ithaca's enduring loyalty and the passage of time during Odysseus's absence. As a representation of fidelity, Argos waits for Odysseus for twenty years, embodying the longing and hope associated with his homecoming. His eventual death upon seeing Odysseus signifies the bittersweet nature of time lost and the changes that have occurred in Ithaca while Odysseus was away. Argos’s condition reflects the decline of Ithaca in Odysseus's absence, highlighting the broader themes of loyalty and the impact of time on relationships and home.
The Phaecians bring Odysseus home in their swift blessed ships, and unload him while still sleeping onto Ithaca with many treasures of tribute.
While Odysseus is sleeping, his men open the bag of windsfrom Aeolus just before they reach Ithaca. They also kill the golden cattle of Helios while he is sleeping.
After escaping the Sirens, Odysseus sails toward the west, heading towards the strait between Scylla and Charybdis. This decision is crucial as he aims to navigate safely past the dangerous monsters that threaten his crew. By choosing this route, he hopes to minimize losses while continuing on his journey home to Ithaca.
While Odysseus is away from Ithaca, several of the lords and chiefs are heading over to where Odysseus has built his home because they believe that their King is dead. The begin to try and get Penelope to marry them and anger Telemachus who believes that his father is still alive. Athena eventually comes and tells Telemachus that his father is in fact still alive and then tells him what he must do to get the suitors to leave.
In Homer's "Odyssey," Argos, Odysseus's faithful dog, symbolizes Ithaca as a representation of loyalty, homecoming, and the passage of time. While Odysseus is away for years, Argos remains loyal, embodying the enduring connection to Ithaca despite the absence of its master. His dying upon seeing Odysseus reflects the bittersweet nature of homecoming, highlighting the changes that occur during long absences. Thus, Argos represents both the enduring spirit of Ithaca and the emotional weight of returning to a beloved home after a long journey.
Queen Arete is the wife of Alcinous who is the King of Phaeacia.
Penelope and Odysseus rule the kingdom of Ithaca in Homer's epic, the "Odyssey." Ithaca is a small but strategically significant island in the Ionian Sea. Odysseus is known for his intelligence and cunning, particularly demonstrated in his role as a leader during the Trojan War, while Penelope is celebrated for her loyalty and cleverness during Odysseus's long absence. Their story embodies themes of love, perseverance, and the struggles of leadership.
It is ironic because Argos has been waiting to see him for so long, and just after seeing him, he dies, unable to spend time with his master. Homer is letting us know that things in Ithaca are falling apart without Odysseus' leadership.
Aeolus, the Greek god of the wind, helped Odysseus to return home to Ithaca by putting the north, south and easterly winds in a bag, leaving only a westward wind to blow Odysseus and his men home. He did all this purely to annoy his brother, Poseidon, Greek god of the sea, who was his cousin. Aeolus told Odysseus never to open the bag, for the winds will be released. Odysseus had no intention to open the bag, but while he was sleeping, one of his crew did, thinking it was some sort of treasure, while Ithaca was in sight. The winds blew Odysseus far off course and closer to other dangers.