The Odyssey: Plot Summary

Full Book Summary

The Odyssey tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus and his ten-year journey home from the Trojan War.

The poem begins with Odysseus’ son Telemachus, who is living on the island of Ithaca with his mother Penelope and a host of unwelcome suitors who are vying for her hand in marriage. Telemachus is distraught over his father’s absence, and he sets out on a journey to find him. Meanwhile, Odysseus is stranded on the island of Ogygia, where he has been held captive by the nymph Calypso for seven years.

With the help of the goddess Athena, Telemachus travels to Pylos and Sparta, where he seeks advice from the wise king Nestor and the beautiful queen Helen, respectively. Meanwhile, Odysseus is finally released from Calypso’s grasp and begins his journey home. However, he faces many obstacles along the way, including the wrath of Poseidon, who is angry with him for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus.

Odysseus and his men are also confronted by the sorceress Circe, who turns some of them into pigs, and by the Sirens, whose enchanting songs lure sailors to their deaths. They narrowly avoid disaster when they pass through the narrow straits of Scylla and Charybdis, and they land on the island of Thrinacia, where they are warned not to harm the sacred cattle of the sun god Helios.

However, Odysseus’ men ignore the warning and slaughter the cattle, incurring the wrath of the gods. As punishment, they are shipwrecked and all but Odysseus are killed. He washes up on the island of the nymph Calypso, where he is held captive for seven years.

Eventually, the gods intervene and Hermes is sent to order Calypso to release Odysseus. With the help of the sea god Poseidon, Odysseus builds a raft and sets out to sea. He is shipwrecked again, this time on the island of the Phaeacians, where he is welcomed by the king and queen and tells them his story. They are so moved by his tale that they offer to help him return to Ithaca.

The Phaeacians provide Odysseus with a ship and a crew, and they set sail for Ithaca. However, when they arrive, Odysseus is still disguised as a beggar, and he must devise a plan to defeat the suitors and regain his throne. With the help of his son Telemachus, the goddess Athena, and his loyal swineherd Eumaeus, Odysseus is able to defeat the suitors and reclaim his kingdom.

Plot Summary by Chapters

Book 1-3

The Odyssey: Book 1 Summary

Book 1 of The Odyssey opens with the Greek gods in council on Mount Olympus. The goddess Athena, a fierce champion of Odysseus, pleads with Zeus to intervene and free the hero from Calypso’s island. Zeus agrees and sends the messenger god Hermes to order Calypso to release Odysseus. Meanwhile, Odysseus has been stranded on the island for seven years, longing to return to his wife Penelope and their home in Ithaca. The book also introduces Odysseus’ son Telemachus, who is struggling to maintain control of their home while fending off the suitors who are courting his mother. Athena disguises herself as a family friend and visits Telemachus, urging him to find out what happened to his father and to confront the suitors. The book ends with Telemachus setting sail for Pylos to seek information about his father’s fate.

The Odyssey: Book 2 Summary

Book 2 of The Odyssey begins with Telemachus arriving in Pylos and being welcomed by King Nestor. Nestor tells Telemachus of his own experiences in the Trojan War and of the bravery of Odysseus. However, Nestor is unable to offer any information about Odysseus’ whereabouts, and Telemachus sets out for Sparta to visit King Menelaus, another veteran of the Trojan War. Menelaus and his wife Helen give Telemachus a warm welcome and tell him more tales of Odysseus’ bravery. Menelaus also reveals that he has recently seen the prophet Proteus, who informed him that Odysseus is still alive and being held captive by the goddess Calypso. Telemachus is heartened by this news and returns to Ithaca with a renewed sense of purpose. Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, the suitors plot against Telemachus, believing that he is a threat to their plans to win Penelope’s hand in marriage.

The Odyssey: Book 3 Summary

Book 3 of The Odyssey sees Telemachus arriving in Pylos and being welcomed by King Nestor. Nestor tells Telemachus of his own experiences in the Trojan War and of the bravery of Odysseus. However, Nestor is unable to offer any information about Odysseus’ whereabouts, and Telemachus sets out for Sparta to visit King Menelaus, another veteran of the Trojan War. Menelaus and his wife Helen give Telemachus a warm welcome and tell him more tales of Odysseus’ bravery. Menelaus also reveals that he has recently seen the prophet Proteus, who informed him that Odysseus is still alive and being held captive by the goddess Calypso. Telemachus is heartened by this news and returns to Ithaca with a renewed sense of purpose. Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, the suitors plot against Telemachus, believing that he is a threat to their plans to win Penelope’s hand in marriage.

Book 4-6

The Odyssey: Book 4 Summary

Book 4 of The Odyssey begins with Telemachus returning to Ithaca and seeking out the help of his father’s loyal friend, the swineherd Eumaeus. Together, they hatch a plan to confront the suitors and restore order to their home. Meanwhile, Athena travels to Sparta to persuade Telemachus to return home. She disguises herself as Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus, and gives Telemachus a warning about the suitors’ plans to ambush him upon his return. She then urges him to return home and take action against the suitors. Telemachus agrees and sets sail for Ithaca. Upon his arrival, he is greeted by Eumaeus, who brings him to the palace to confront the suitors. The book ends with Telemachus meeting with Penelope and reassuring her that he will protect their home and honor his father’s legacy. Meanwhile, Odysseus remains trapped on Calypso’s island, longing to return home to his wife and son.

The Odyssey: Book 5 Summary

Book 5 of The Odyssey begins with Zeus ordering the release of Odysseus from Calypso’s island. The goddess reluctantly agrees and provides Odysseus with the tools and materials he needs to build a raft to escape. As he sets sail, Poseidon, the god of the sea, unleashes a storm that destroys Odysseus’ raft and nearly drowns him. However, the goddess Ino appears to him and gives him a magical veil that will keep him safe in the water. Odysseus manages to swim to the island of the Phaeacians, where he is rescued by the princess Nausicaa and brought to her father’s court. There, he is welcomed and treated as a guest, and he begins to tell the story of his adventures to his hosts.

The Odyssey: Book 6 Summary

Book 6 of The Odyssey continues with Odysseus telling his story to the Phaeacians. He describes his encounter with the Cyclops Polyphemus, who nearly kills him and his men before they manage to blind him and escape. He then tells of his encounter with the sorceress Circe, who turns his men into pigs but is ultimately convinced by Odysseus to release them. He also tells of his journey to the underworld, where he speaks with the spirit of the prophet Tiresias and learns of the obstacles he will face on his journey home. The Phaeacians are fascinated by Odysseus’ tales and offer him gifts before sending him on his way. As he sets sail, he is once again guided by the goddess Ino, who helps him safely reach the island of Ithaca. There, he disguises himself as a beggar and seeks out the loyal swineherd Eumaeus, with whom he forms a plan to take on the suitors and reclaim his home.

Book 7-9

The Odyssey: Book 7 Summary

Book 7 of The Odyssey begins with Odysseus being welcomed as a guest by the Phaeacians. The king, Alcinous, arranges for a feast and entertainment to honor his guest, including a performance by the blind bard Demodocus. As Odysseus listens to Demodocus’ song, he becomes emotional and reveals his true identity to the Phaeacians, recounting his many adventures and struggles on his journey home. The Phaeacians are moved by Odysseus’ story and offer to help him return home, providing him with a ship and supplies for his journey.

The Odyssey: Book 8 Summary

Book 8 of The Odyssey sees Odysseus departing from the land of the Phaeacians and making his way towards Ithaca. Along the way, he encounters the god Poseidon, who is still angry about Odysseus’ blinding of his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. However, the goddess Athena intervenes and guides Odysseus safely to Ithaca, where he disguises himself as a beggar and seeks out his loyal swineherd Eumaeus. Meanwhile, the suitors continue to plague Penelope and her household, and they plot to ambush and kill Telemachus upon his return to Ithaca. However, the goddess Athena intervenes and sends a sign to Penelope, reassuring her that her son will return safely. The book ends with Odysseus and Eumaeus devising a plan to take on the suitors and reclaim their home.

The Odyssey: Book 9 Summary

Book 9 of The Odyssey sees Odysseus and his men continuing their journey, facing new challenges and obstacles along the way. They land on the island of the Cyclops, where they encounter the giant Polyphemus. Despite Odysseus’ attempts to negotiate with Polyphemus, the Cyclops eats several of his men and traps the rest in his cave. Odysseus devises a plan to blind Polyphemus and escape, which he successfully carries out. However, as they sail away from the island, Odysseus taunts Polyphemus, revealing his true identity and earning the wrath of the Cyclops, who calls upon his father Poseidon to seek revenge.

Book 10-12

The Odyssey: Book 10 Summary

Book 10 of The Odyssey sees Odysseus and his men facing new challenges and dangers as they continue their journey. They land on the island of Aeolus, who gives Odysseus a bag of winds to help him sail home. However, his men open the bag, releasing the winds and blowing them off course. They next land on the island of Circe, who turns Odysseus’ men into pigs. With the help of the god Hermes, Odysseus is able to resist Circe’s magic and convince her to release his men. They stay on the island for a year before Circe advises Odysseus to visit the underworld and seek guidance from the prophet Tiresias. There, he speaks with the spirits of several famous figures from Greek mythology, including his mother and Achilles. Tiresias warns him of the dangers he will face on his journey home and advises him to appease the gods with sacrifices upon his return. Odysseus and his men then make their way back to Circe’s island, where they stay for another year before finally setting sail once again.

The Odyssey: Book 11 Summary

Book 11 of The Odyssey sees Odysseus continuing his journey through the underworld, speaking with the spirits of famous figures from Greek mythology. He speaks with the prophet Tiresias, who warns him of the dangers he will face on his journey home and advises him to make sacrifices to the gods upon his return. He also speaks with the spirits of his mother, other famous heroes, and the shade of the Cyclops Polyphemus, who curses him. After leaving the underworld, Odysseus and his crew return to Circe’s island, where they stay for another year. She advises Odysseus to continue his journey, warning him of the dangers ahead. They then make their way to the island of the Sirens, who lure sailors to their deaths with their enchanting songs. Odysseus orders his crew to plug their ears with wax and ties himself to the mast so he can hear the Sirens’ song without being drawn to his death.

The Odyssey: Book 12 Summary

Book 12 of The Odyssey sees Odysseus facing new challenges and obstacles as he continues his journey home. They pass through the strait of Scylla and Charybdis, two dangerous sea monsters that threaten to capsize their ship. Odysseus loses several of his men to Scylla’s six heads, but they manage to escape and continue their journey. They then land on the island of Helios, where Odysseus’ men disobey his orders and kill the sacred cattle of the sun god. This angers Helios, who demands that Zeus punish Odysseus and his men. As they sail away from the island, Zeus sends a thunderbolt to destroy their ship, killing all of Odysseus’ men except for him. He washes up on the island of Calypso, where he is held captive for several years until the goddess Athena intervenes and convinces Zeus to allow him to return home. Hermes delivers the message to Calypso, who reluctantly agrees to release Odysseus and provide him with the materials to build a raft and sail back to Ithaca. The book ends with Odysseus setting sail and facing new challenges and dangers on his journey home.

Book 13-15

The Odyssey: Book 13 Summary

Book 13 of The Odyssey begins with Odysseus finally making it back to Ithaca after his long journey. However, he does not reveal his identity to anyone and instead seeks the counsel of the swineherd Eumaeus, who offers him hospitality. Eumaeus tells Odysseus about the suitors who have taken over his palace and are courting his wife Penelope. Meanwhile, Athena disguises herself as a young man and visits Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, in Sparta to encourage him to return home and stand up to the suitors. Telemachus sets sail for Ithaca, and Athena guides him to the swineherd’s hut where he is reunited with his father. Odysseus reveals his true identity to his son, and they begin to plan their revenge against the suitors.

The Odyssey: Book 14 Summary

In Book 14 of The Odyssey, Odysseus disguises himself as a beggar and makes his way into his own palace to assess the situation with the suitors. He is mistreated by the suitors and ignored by his own servants, but his old nurse Eurycleia recognizes him by a scar on his leg. Odysseus threatens her with death if she reveals his identity, and she agrees to keep his secret. He also speaks briefly with Penelope, who is cautious but welcoming to the beggar. The suitors continue their feasting and revelry, and Odysseus begins to plot his revenge with Telemachus. Athena appears to Odysseus in the guise of a servant and urges him to take action against the suitors. Odysseus and Telemachus plan to use the weapons in the storeroom to attack the suitors and regain control of the palace. The book ends with the arrival of a new suitor, who is treated poorly by the others and is insulted by the disguised Odysseus. The stage is set for the confrontation between Odysseus and the suitors.

The Odyssey: Book 15 Summary

In Book 15 of The Odyssey, Athena intervenes to encourage Telemachus to visit the swineherd’s hut and return home to confront the suitors. Telemachus takes Athena’s advice and visits the hut, where he meets his father Odysseus. They discuss their plan to take on the suitors and reclaim the palace. Odysseus reveals his true identity to Eumaeus, who is overjoyed to see his master returned after so many years. The next day, Odysseus and Telemachus travel to the palace and are met by the abusive suitors. They endure insults and violence, but they bide their time, waiting for the right moment to strike back.

Book 16-18

The Odyssey: Book 16 Summary

In Book 16 of The Odyssey, Odysseus meets with his loyal swineherd Eumaeus and sends him back to the palace with a message for Penelope. Meanwhile, Telemachus returns to the palace and is greeted warmly by his mother. The suitors are angry that Telemachus has returned, but he stands his ground and warns them to leave his home. Athena appears to Penelope in a dream and encourages her to talk to the beggar in the palace, who is actually Odysseus in disguise. Penelope is hesitant, but she eventually talks to the beggar and is moved by his story of his supposed travels and hardships. She tests the beggar by offering him a place to sleep, and he reveals his knowledge of the palace and the suitors. The next day, Odysseus and Telemachus reveal themselves to the loyal servants in the palace and begin to prepare for the final confrontation with the suitors. Odysseus makes one final journey to the hut of the swineherd Eumaeus to prepare for battle, and Athena once again appears to him, promising victory in the upcoming battle.

The Odyssey: Book 17 Summary

In Book 17 of The Odyssey, Telemachus arrives back at the palace and finds his father, disguised as a beggar, sitting outside. Odysseus reveals his true identity to Telemachus, and they plot together to take revenge on the suitors. Odysseus and Telemachus hide the weapons in a storeroom and await the arrival of the suitors. One of the suitors, Antinous, discovers their plot and confronts them, but Odysseus manages to disarm him with his words. The rest of the suitors arrive and begin to feast, but they are interrupted by the arrival of a bard. Odysseus asks the bard to sing a song of the Trojan War, and the bard obliges, unaware of the underlying tensions in the room. Odysseus secretly signals to Telemachus, who retrieves the weapons from the storeroom. The book ends with the suitors completely unaware of the danger they are in, setting the stage for the upcoming battle.

The Odyssey: Book 18 Summary

In Book 18 of The Odyssey, Odysseus, disguised as the beggar, is insulted and abused by the suitors in the palace. He endures their taunts and violence, biding his time and waiting for the right moment to strike back. Penelope, meanwhile, is also feeling despair, and she prays to Athena for guidance. Athena answers her prayer and sends a divine sign, filling Penelope with renewed hope. The suitors continue their revelry, unaware of the danger that looms. One of the suitors, Irus, challenges Odysseus to a fight, but Odysseus easily overpowers him. The suitors are impressed by Odysseus’ fighting prowess and offer him food and drink, which he accepts. Later that night, the suitors retire to their beds, but Odysseus is unable to sleep, consumed with thoughts of the upcoming battle. Athena appears to him in a dream and reassures him, telling him that victory is certain. The book ends with Odysseus drifting off to sleep, ready to face the suitors and reclaim his home.

Book 19-21

The Odyssey: Book 19 Summary

In Book 19 of The Odyssey, Odysseus and Telemachus devise a plan to defeat the suitors. Telemachus hides the weapons while Odysseus speaks with Penelope and the suitors. Penelope presents a challenge for the suitors: whoever can string Odysseus’s bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axe-helve sockets will become her new husband. After the suitors fail to string the bow, Odysseus, still disguised as a beggar, requests to try. He effortlessly strings the bow and shoots an arrow through the sockets. With the help of Telemachus, he kills the suitors and saves his home.

The Odyssey: Book 20 Summary

In Book 20 of The Odyssey, the servant Eurycleia recognizes Odysseus and helps him prepare for battle. She promises not to tell anyone that he has returned. Meanwhile, the suitors are angry that they cannot defeat the beggar who has just defeated them in the archery challenge. They plan to ambush him, but Penelope intervenes and tries to reason with them. They ignore her and continue their plan. However, they are no match for Odysseus, who easily defeats them with the help of Telemachus and a loyal servant.

The Odyssey: Book 21 Summary

In Book 21 of The Odyssey, Penelope announces that she will marry the man who can string Odysseus’s bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axe-helve sockets. She does not know that Odysseus has already done this and that he is in the room disguised as a beggar. After the suitors fail to string the bow, Odysseus requests to try. He effortlessly strings the bow and shoots an arrow through the sockets. With the help of Telemachus, he kills the suitors and saves his home.

Book 22-24

The Odyssey: Book 22 Summary

In Book 22, the epic climax of The Odyssey takes place. After stringing his bow with ease and executing all the suitors, Odysseus reveals his identity to his loyal servants, Eumaeus and Philoetius, and orders them to lock the doors of the hall to prevent any of the suitors’ allies from aiding them. He then calls upon his son, Telemachus, to help him take revenge on the treacherous maidservants who had been aiding the suitors. After the massacre, Odysseus reveals himself to the suitors’ families, convincing them that the suitors were the ones who brought their own deaths upon themselves by their own wickedness.

The Odyssey: Book 23 Summary

In Book 23, the story of The Odyssey comes to a conclusion as Odysseus is finally reunited with his wife, Penelope. She is initially wary of him, fearing that he may not be who he claims to be, but he finally convinces her of his identity by revealing a secret detail about their bed. They embrace and recount their tales of the past 20 years. Athena then intervenes and makes peace between the families of the suitors and Odysseus, putting an end to the bloodshed that has plagued Ithaca for so long. Odysseus then sets sail once again, on a journey to make offerings to the gods and to seek further adventures.

The Odyssey: Book 24 Summary

In Book 24, the shades of the suitors visit Hades, where they are met by Achilles, who expresses his disdain for their cowardice and treachery. Meanwhile, on Ithaca, the parents of the suitors mourn for their lost children, while the families of Odysseus and his loyal servants rejoice in their victory. Hermes leads the spirits of the suitors to the Underworld, where they are tormented by the spirits of the dead. The shade of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae and a former ally of Odysseus, offers a warning to the hero about the dangers of trusting women. Finally, Odysseus goes to visit his aged father, Laertes, who has been living in seclusion. After proving his identity to him, they embrace, and Odysseus mourns for all the men he has lost throughout his journey, including his comrades and the suitors.