Homeric epic, Odyssey

Author: Homer (Ancient Greece)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: In the "Epic Series," The Odyssey follows The Returns and is followed by The Telegony, comprising twenty-four volumes with 12,110 lines. Its creation or compilation date is slightly later than that of The Iliad, possibly between 720-670 BCE. According to Aristotle's view, the plot of The Odyssey has the characteristic of "bidirectional development," but it primarily focuses on the direct depiction of Odysseus's actions and experiences. The content of the entire book can be roughly divided into four parts: (1) Telemachus's travels, (2) Odysseus's return, (3) wandering, and (4) Odysseus on Ithaca. The Odyssey portrays human suffering and reflects the hardships of life. People live surrounded by opposites.