5000-word Bedside English Learning Reader 8: The Odyssey (English-Chinese Contrastive Translation)

Author: Wang Ruoping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The Odyssey (English-Chinese Parallel) primarily narrates the story of Odysseus, one of Greece's main generals and the king of Ithaca, who, after the fall of the city of Troy, undergoes ten years of wandering and faces various hardships and obstacles before finally returning home. The human nature to enjoy interesting stories and novels is innate, and reading English novels is certainly a good way to learn English. However, many English learners have experienced the frustration of not being able to understand novels. The Odyssey primarily tells the story of Odysseus, one of Greece's main generals and the king of Ithaca, who, after the fall of the city of Troy, wanders for ten years and returns home. During his return journey, Odysseus encounters various difficulties and obstacles. The story begins with the gods deciding to let Odysseus return home and unfolds along two threads. One thread is set in Odysseus's home, where suitors for his wife Penelope hold daily feasts, squandering his wealth. Penelope is weak and unable to the suitors' persistence. Odysseus's son Telemachus, filled with anger at the suitors' reckless behavior, is inspired by Athena, the daughter of Zeus, to go out in search of his father. He first goes to Pylos to ask Nestor, and then travels to Sparta to visit Menelaus. The other thread is that after learning of the gods' decision, the goddess Calypso reluctantly agrees to let Odysseus return to his homeland. On his way home, Odysseus encounters a storm and is stranded in the land of the Phaeacians. With the help of King Alcinous of the Phaeacians, Odysseus finally returns to his homeland. Telemachus returns with news of his father, and the two threads converge as father and son meet. With the help of Athena, they take revenge on the suitors. In the end, the opposing sides stop the fighting under the mediation of Athena and sign a peace agreement.