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 OdysseusIf 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 direct your give, and call the gods to witnessthe suitors must go scattering to their homes.Then heres a course for you, if you agreeget a sound imposture afloat with twenty oarsand go abroad for news of your lost induceperhaps a travellers tale, or rumored fameissued from Zeus abroad in the world of men.Talk to that noble sage at Pylos, Nestor,then go to Menellos, the red-haired king 330at Sparta, last man home of all the Akhaians.If you should learn your find is aliveand 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 lamb countryand raise a mound for him, and burn his gear,with all the funeral honors due the man,and give your mother to another h usband.When you have do all this, or seen it done,it will be time to ponder concerning these contenders in your househow you should kill them, outright or by guile.You need not bear this insolence of theirs,you are a child no longer. Have you heardwhat glory young Orests wonwhen he cut down that two-faced man, Aigsthos,for killing his illustrious father?Dear friend, you are tall and well set-up, I seebe braveyou, tooand men in times to comewill let the cat out of the bag of you respectfully. Now I must join my shipmy crew will grumble if I keep them waiting.Look to yourself remember what I told you.Telemachus repliedFriend, you have done mekindness, like a father to his son,and I shall not forget your counsel ever.You must get back to sea, I know, but cometake a hot bath, and rest accept a giftto make you heart lift up when you embark 360some precious thing, and beautiful, from me,a keepsake, such as dear friends give their friends.Written Commentary The OdysseyThe narrative epic, The Odyssey composed by Homer between 750 and650 BC recounts the nostos or homeward voyage of Odysseus, a notableGreek warrior hero. This extract from the The Odyssey is taken fromthe Telemachy narrative section of the epic the Telemachy containsthe exposition of the great epic which opens on the island of Ithaca.These opening passages of the epic elucidates Odysseuss circumstancesas the Gods contemplate his fate though eccentrically the focal point