Introduction to Masterpieces of World Literature - Miniature Collection

Author: Dai Liangying
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: On the vast sea, a small boat drifts. Onboard sits the clever and brave hero of ancient Greece—Odysseus. At this time, the Trojan War has long ended, and Odysseus is one of the surviving Greek heroes of the war. He cannot return to his homeland because he has offended the sea god Poseidon and been imprisoned by him. Thus, he is forced to drift in the vast sea. In Odysseus' ancient Greek city-state, people believed Odysseus had died in battle, and 100 suitors had come to his palace, seeking the beautiful Penelope, his wife. These men feasted and harassed Penelope day and night, viewing Odysseus' son, Telemachus, as a thorn in their side. Penelope, loyal to her husband, despised them and devised a clever plan. She claimed she would weave a fine robe for her father-in-law's birthday before considering marriage. So, she wove during the day and tore it apart at night, using this method to delay the suitors. At an assembly of the gods on Mount Olympus, Zeus decreed that Odysseus be returned to his homeland, Ithaca, to reunite with his family. Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was sent to Ithaca. There, she disguised herself to meet Telemachus, Odysseus' son, and told him that his father was still alive. She advised the young man to drive out the suitors who had been pestering his mother, Penelope, and then to seek his father. The suitors refused to leave Odysseus' home, but they solemnly promised to let Telemachus set off to find his father, as the journey would take him far from the coast of Ithaca. The young Telemachus set sail with his companions to Pylos. There, he sought news of Odysseus from King Nestor, an old friend of Odysseus. Nestor advised Telemachus to go to Laconia to seek Menelaus, who was ruling there, as he might have some clues. At the court of Menelaus and Helen (the cause of the Trojan War), Telemachus learned that Odysseus had been imprisoned by the nymph Calypso on the island of Ogygia in the Mediterranean. However, the luxurious life in Laconia made Telemachus reluctant to leave. At this time, Zeus had sent the messenger Hermes to Ogygia, ordering Calypso to release Odysseus. Though reluctant, the nymph had no choice but to comply. The hero spent four days building a small boat and drifted away from the island. But his nemesis, the sea god Poseidon, raised fierce winds and waves that destroyed his boat and swept him ashore near the land of the Phaeacians. Princess Nausicaa, the daughter of King Alcinous of the Phaeacians, was washing clothes at the river mouth with her maids when she found him. Naked and exhausted, Odysseus awoke and asked Nausicaa and her maids where he was. At first, Nausicaa was startled by the stranger hiding in the bushes, but she quickly realized he was no ordinary man. She told Odysseus where he was, gave him clothes to cover himself, provided him with food and drink, and then led him to the palace of King Alcinous and Queen Arete. The king and queen welcomed him warmly and, at his request, promised to help him return to his homeland. At a grand banquet, the bard Demodocus sang of the Trojan War and the Greeks' journey home