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Piyangie's Reviews > The Odyssey
The Odyssey
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Trojan War is ended and the Greeks are returning home with victory and their loot. But the homecoming is not so easy, for they have to struggle with their fate and the wrath of the Olympian gods they incurred. This is greater so for Odysseus, the greek warrior from Ithaca who played a key role in the Trojan War. His fate assures his return but his sudden incurring the wrath of Poseidon (the sea god) makes that returning almost perilous. Odysseus faces many adventures on his journey home which tests his strength and courage, and on his return, finds his household in greater calamity. It is this tale of Odysseus that Homer recounts in The Odyssey.
The many adventures Odysseus faces on his return journey were quite daunting and perilous. They try his strength of mind. But Odysseus is resourceful and cunning, and although he despairs at times, his steadfast courage sees him through the journey back home and restores his position as the king of Ithaca. Odysseus is a story of faith, courage, endurance, and strength of mind to fight all obstacles and attain your desired end. One can say to that extent, Homer's story is quite inspirational.
But the beauty of this epic poem is its quality as a work of art. It is both picturesque and dramatic with a touch of fantasy. Homer takes us to a fantastic world through Odysseus's voyage home, and we meet so many mythological characters - gods, men, and other creatures included. Odysseus's adventures are interesting to read. I enjoyed the journey Homer took me through this tale very much.
The prosaic translation I read contributed much to my enjoyment of this epic poem. It was an easy read and not too modern in the language which suited the antiquity of this Homeric tale. This reading taught me the importance of using the correct translation to match one's temperament. I enjoyed this work of Homer very much, something I couldn't say of The Iliad. And now I know where to lay the blame. :)
The many adventures Odysseus faces on his return journey were quite daunting and perilous. They try his strength of mind. But Odysseus is resourceful and cunning, and although he despairs at times, his steadfast courage sees him through the journey back home and restores his position as the king of Ithaca. Odysseus is a story of faith, courage, endurance, and strength of mind to fight all obstacles and attain your desired end. One can say to that extent, Homer's story is quite inspirational.
But the beauty of this epic poem is its quality as a work of art. It is both picturesque and dramatic with a touch of fantasy. Homer takes us to a fantastic world through Odysseus's voyage home, and we meet so many mythological characters - gods, men, and other creatures included. Odysseus's adventures are interesting to read. I enjoyed the journey Homer took me through this tale very much.
The prosaic translation I read contributed much to my enjoyment of this epic poem. It was an easy read and not too modern in the language which suited the antiquity of this Homeric tale. This reading taught me the importance of using the correct translation to match one's temperament. I enjoyed this work of Homer very much, something I couldn't say of The Iliad. And now I know where to lay the blame. :)
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Reading Progress
February 3, 2020
– Shelved as:
to-read
February 3, 2020
– Shelved
February 3, 2020
– Shelved as:
poetry
February 3, 2020
– Shelved as:
in-my-library
July 18, 2020
–
Started Reading
July 30, 2020
–
Finished Reading
February 15, 2021
– Shelved as:
greek-lit
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QNPoohBear
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rated it 5 stars
Aug 04, 2020 12:23PM
The Odyssey is more entertaining than the Iliad. My grade school class read The Odyssey maybe twice, my college class read the Odyssey. I never once studied the Iliad in its entirety. We read excerpts but it was all about the Trojan War. The Odyssey was turned into a cartoon movie with Donald Duck's nephews so that helped in understanding the story the first time!
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QNPoohBear wrote: "The Odyssey is more entertaining than the Iliad. My grade school class read The Odyssey maybe twice, my college class read the Odyssey. I never once studied the Iliad in its entirety. We read excer..."True, Odysseus is more entertaining. I think it may have to do with different adventures and places to which Homer takes us unlike in Iliad where everything is centered in Troy. I'm interested in the cartoon movie you've mentioned. Want to check that out. :)
It was actually a TV episode of Duck Tales https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1052579/If you have Disney+ in your country, it may be available to stream. Now I want to go watch it again, maybe tomorrow!
QNPoohBear wrote: "It was actually a TV episode of Duck Tales https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1052579/If you have Disney+ in your country, it may be available to stream. Now I want to go watch it again, maybe tomorrow!"
I think I can find them. Thanks for sharing.
As you so rightly say, Piyangie, one's choice of translation has such a bearing on the reading experience.Whenever I think of this epic poem, I imagine the toga-wearing audiences in Ancient Greece being totally enthralled by every wondrous line that's orated by Homer under a dark sky.
Fab review!
Kevin wrote: "As you so rightly say, Piyangie, one's choice of translation has such a bearing on the reading experience.Whenever I think of this epic poem, I imagine the toga-wearing audiences in Ancient Greece..."
Thank you, Kevin. I've had enough bad experience with translations, including The Iliad .
As always, a thoughful and excellent review. :)
Tracey the Bookworm wrote: "As always, a thoughful and excellent review. :)"Thank you very much, Tracey.
Greta wrote: "I‘m kind of scared to read this..but I definitely will some day 😁"😊
It all depends on the translation, Greta. It does a world of difference. And when you find the one that suits you, it won't be scary. :)
