Abheet Gupta 
Few stories in world literature are as timeless as the Epic Cycle by Greek poet Homer. Sadly only 2 of the 8 epics in the Epic Cycle have survived the test of time namely – The Iliad (Epic 2) and The Odyssey (Epic 7). Both these epics are considered the foundation of western literature but today we will be talking about the one Ser Christopher Nolan is about to adapt for the big screen.
The Odyssey follows the long and dangerous journey of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as he tries to return home after the Trojan War. What should have been a simple voyage turns into a ten-year ordeal filled with monsters, angry gods, and countless temptations. So if you too are prepping up for Nolan’s mythic adventure but do not have the time or patience to read the entire saga, here is the entire story as told in the 24 chapters of The Odyssey, but in chronological order.
I. The Fall of Troy and the Journey Begins
After the Greeks finally win the 10 year long Trojan War, the cunning hero Odysseus begins his long voyage home to the island of Ithaca. But the journey quickly turns disastrous. Odysseus and his men sack the city of the Cicones, angering the locals and losing several soldiers in retaliation.
They then reach the land of the Lotus-Eaters, whose magical fruit makes men forget their homes. Odysseus must drag his enchanted sailors back to the ships before continuing the voyage.
II. Monsters and the Wrath of the Gods
The crew soon encounters the terrifying Cyclops Polyphemus, son of the sea god Poseidon. Odysseus makes a cunning plan which involved making Polyphemus drunk and then blinding him with a huge wooden spear, and then tying his men to the giant’s cattle to help them escape. However, while escaping he reveals his name in an act of boasting and that brings Poseidon’s endless wrath upon him. Further along the journey the wind god Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag containing all the winds except the one that will carry him home. But upon nearly reaching home, his crew foolishly opens it, blowing them far away again.
They then face the cannibal giants called the Laestrygonians who destroy most of their fleet. Moving on, the survivors encounter enchantress Circe who turns his men into pigs but with some help from the god Hermes, Odysseus finds a way around it and Circe eventually ends up helping them. After spending over a year, he and his men decide to leave and Circe instructs Odysseus to journey to the land of the dead.
III. Journey to the Underworld
Odysseus travels to the Underworld and speaks with the prophet Tiresias, who warns him about the dangers ahead. He also meets the spirit of Achilles, Agamemnon and his own mother, learning that his wife Penelope and son Telemachus are still waiting for him. The spirit Tiresias tells him about his journey and turmoils to come and warns him especially about the sacred cattle of the sun god Helios.
IV. Sirens, Sea Monsters, and the Loss of His Crew
Odysseus continues his voyage facing many deadly threats including the enchanting Sirens whose songs lure sailors to their deaths. Odysseus stuffs his men’s ears with wax and asks them to tie him to the ship so that he could become the first man to hear the Sirens’ song and make it out alive. Next they encounter and evade the sea monster Scylla and the deadly whirlpool Charybdis.
Finally, they crew reached the island of Thrinacia and his starving crew disobeys his orders and slaughters the sacred cattle of Helios. As punishment, Zeus destroys their ship with a thunderous storm in which every man dies except Odysseus.
V. Stranded with Calypso
After the wreck cause by Zeus, Odysseus washes ashore on the island of the nymph Calypso. She keeps him there for seven years, offering immortality if he stays with her. But Odysseus longs only to return home. Eventually, the goddess Athena persuades Zeus to command Calypso to release him. Hermes arrives on the island to bid Calypso the will of the gods and she lets Odysseus go. As a result, Odysseus builds a raft and sets sail once again in a quest to each his homeland.
VI. Meanwhile in Ithaca: Telemachus Begins His Search
Back in Ithaca, due to Odysseus nearly 20 years absence, his palace has been taken over by arrogant suitors who want to marry Penelope and claim the throne. Prime among them – the violent Antinous, the charismatic, deceitful Eurymachus, the relatively decent Amphinomus and the rude Ctesippus. Penelope and Odysseus’ son Telemachus has grown into a young man but struggles to defend his household.
Encouraged by Athena, he finally sets out on a journey to learn about his father’s fate. He visits the wise old hero Nestor who showers him with gifts and sends Telemachus and his own son Peisistratus on a quest to Sparta. Upon arriving at Sparta, they find Helen of Sparta and King Menelaus of Sparta, who tell him stories of Odysseus (including the famous wooden Trojan horse one) and give him hope that his father may still be alive.
VII. The Phaeacians and the Final Return
After leaving Calypso’s island, Odysseus is shipwrecked once again again and rescued by the people of Scheria, the land of the Phaeacians. There, without revealing his identity, he meets Princess Nausica, who had dreamt of Odysseus (courtesy of Athena) and with her guidance he meets Queen Arete and King Alcinous of the Phaeacians.
During the feast, the blind bard Demodocus sings of the Trojan war as well as the exploits of Odysseus. This brings Odysseus to tears and he finally reveals his true identity and begins the tale of his arduous journey back home. Moved and impressed by his tale, the Phaeacians give him a ship and safely return him to Ithaca; not empty handed but with a substantial amount of treasure, surpassing what he gained from the Trojan War.
VIII. The Final Revenge
After 20 long years Odysseus finally reaches Ithaca and quietly stashes away the treasure. Athena, being forever his guide, disguises Odysseus as a beggar so he can secretly observe the situation. He stays with Eumaeus, his still loyal swineherd, and tests the virtues of the suitors making frequent visits to his court.
Soon Telemachus returns to Ithaca from his journey and is guided by Athena to visit Eumaeus. There he is united with his father and they gather a few loyal servants for a final assault. Meanwhile Penelope hosts an event involving Odysseus old and mighty bow and announces that the winner of the contest can marry her. And so, all the suitors as well as Odysseus (disguised as beggar) take part in the contest. While all the suitors fail, Odysseus lifts his old bow and wins the contest, to which the suitors get enraged. However, at that moment, Odysseus finally reveals his identity and slaughters the suitors who have been abusing his household.
IX. Epilogue
Finally, he reunites with Penelope, who tests him carefully before believing that her husband has truly returned. Later, he reunites with his father Laertes, who was living a life as a farmer after his wife’s death and after losing all hope of his son’s return. After 20 long years, Odysseus finally regains his home, his family, and his kingdom. However, the news of the slaughter reaches the families of suitors and they swear to take vengeance on Odysseus. However, when the two armies are about the charge to battle, Athena appears in her divine form to impose a lasting peace on Ithaca, ending the feud between Odysseus and the families of the dead suitors.
This is where the epic ends and the following epic called Telegony by Homer, which further expanded the tale of Odysseus has been lost to time.
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