In all that moves and breathes in the world,

Nothing is more cunning on earth than man.

He doesn't believe that he will ever encounter

Evil until the gods give him good fortune

So that everything goes well for him and he can kneel.

And when the gods send hardships upon him,

He endures both the desired and the undesired,

Because his mind always changes according to the day

That is illuminated by the One Above.

"Let man never be unjust and evil,

But rather reconcile himself within

With the gifts that the gods have made for him."

La Odisea me ha gustado muchísimo más que la Ilíada. A mí, la Ilíada se me hizo tan pesada. Sin embargo, creo que es necesario leer la Ilíada primero. Esto es porque en la Odisea aparecen personajes del pasado. Además, se deja claro cuál fue el desenlace de ellos. Es lo más recomendable.

La historia empieza in media res. Muchos de los eventos ya han sucedido y algunos ya están evolucionando. Después del desenlace de la Guerra de Troya, Ulises tiene muchos problemas en su regreso a casa. Penélope tiene muchos pretendientes. Telémaco busca a su padre. Hay trama y subtramas por varios lados. Hay historias entre historias.

La Odisea utiliza tantos tópicos literarios que me fascinan. Comienza con la seducción, la tentación, la fidelidad/infidelidad, la soledad, la muerte, el anhelo. También hay la astucia y sagacidad del protagonista. Ulises sale con vida de variadas situaciones. Hay conspiraciones, venganza, el viaje del héroe con retorno a casa. Y a su misma vez, la importancia de la familia y el hogar. Hay pruebas, presagios y la lealtad puesta sobre la mesa.

Toda una aventura para Ulises. Él es un líder con defectos y virtudes. Después de meter la pata, es capaz de crear planes ingeniosos. Quizás por eso me fascinó el libro. A diferencia de Aquiles, Ulises utiliza la inteligencia. Es un héroe que aprende de sus errores anteriores. No los vuelve a cometer y ejecuta sus propósitos con mayor cuidado y paciencia. No se deja llevar por impulsos emocionales.

Pasamos de isla en isla. Recorremos tempestuosos mares. Conocemos a la ninfa Calipso y Circe la hechicera. También conocemos a seres mitológicos como las criaturas marinas escila y caribdis, los gigantes, cícloples, sirenas y los dioses del Olimpo. Aunque aquí solo tenemos como presencia absoluta a Atenea y en parte Poseidón y Zeus.

Ha sido un largo viaje para Ulises. Diez años le costó la guerra de Troya lejos de su familia. Y diez años más regresar con ellos por la ira de Poseidón. Veinte años y toda una verdadera odisea para el pobre Ulises.

**Title: Greek Culture vs Biblical Culture**

It is almost universally accepted that what we call "Western culture" is based on two pillars: Greek culture and Biblical culture. Specifically, Western literature is seen under the shadow of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and the Bible.

But does the importance of Homer's works and the Bible in Europe come from the frequent literary and artistic references and depictions in European literature and art to the various images, stories, and settings within these books? The answer is yes, but it is definitely not a sufficient reason for us to consider these works as the pillars of European literature, art, and culture.

In fact, in my opinion, the ancient era and Homer's epics carry two different philosophical-theological traditions on which the Western intellectual/literary/artistic/cultural tradition is built. Although these two traditions are contradictory to each other, over the centuries, the Greek and Biblical traditions continue to coexist with each other in an interesting way. They find coexistence in Europe and take root in Western culture.

**Odyssey vs Exodus**

Let's explain this discussion with an example, by comparing the epic of the Odyssey and the book of Exodus:

Odysseus sets off on a journey in the midst of the seas to reach his home (Ithaca), which is described in the Odyssey. Similarly, the Israelites also set off on a journey in the Sinai desert to reach their home (Canaan).

In both, travelers move from one place to another on a long, adventurous, and epic journey, and after enduring numerous hardships, they reach their homes.

But in comparative mythology, the differences and peculiarities between them are much more important and noticeable than these superficial similarities.

Now, what are the differences between these two epics?

In the Bible, it is Yahweh (the divine power) who becomes the driving force for their journey by raising up the Israelites and giving the promise of a return to the "promised land" (=home). And in fact, Yahweh also accompanies them in a way. Therefore, this collective epic journey acquires a religious dimension and turns into a kind of pilgrimage where individuals, by taking steps in it and trying to complete it, are in the state of fulfilling the divine promise.

So when a religious person who later reads the Bible probably sees the journey of Moses and the Israelites as a journey that is carried out with the inspiration and support of Yahweh, like a historical-religious mission (although the actions of the Israelites are also confronted with the admonition of Yahweh, but in the face of the great plan that Yahweh has in mind, it is not significant).

In this way, even historical events such as the Crusades, the journey of the Pilgrims to the first American colonies, and the exile-like journey of the Jews to America after the Nazi regime in Europe also take on a Biblical meaning and become the same as the Exodus of the Israelites.

But in the Odyssey, Odysseus, from the very beginning of his journey back home, provides the reasons for the anger of the gods (divine power), and this causes these powers to strive to prevent his return home.

In fact, the journey of Odysseus and his companions (who are quickly eliminated so that the heroic journey becomes an individual journey) seems to turn into a heroic-epic journey and in a sense a struggle of an individual alone to overcome the will of the divinity (although sometimes some help also reaches him from heaven).

Perhaps it is this hero's loneliness in the face of the gods/fate/nature and his attempt to push them aside that makes this Homeric epic attractive to the humanist in Europe after the Renaissance and evokes such a sense of kindred thinking in him.

PS: If this epic is read, it is thanks to the friends who participated in its harmony.

PS2: My review on Exodus: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have come to the end of a 3 - 5 month adventure. It was one of the greatest breaks in my reading life, Iliad and Odyssey. After this, my reading life was shaken to its core and fortunately so. Before, it was as if I was reading without really knowing my direction in a dark path, and now a light has come on and I seem to be reading while seeing my surroundings.

It would not have been possible for me to understand where these two books stood in the history of world art and what the books told without reading the prefaces that Azra Erhat wrote for both books and the book Homeros - Conversation with a Rose. Thanks to this, my reading life was enlightened.

While reading the Odyssey, I often felt that the sections were written by different people. At the same time, it is easier to read than the Iliad because it is an action that constantly flows from one geography to another.

One reason for me to think that the sections were written by different people is that there are some inconsistencies between the sections. Something I read in one section came up in a different way in the following section or I felt that way.

I first encountered extracts of the Odyssey during my junior high and high school years.

Some years later, I purchased the highly acclaimed Fitzgerald translation.

This is truly a masterpiece that showcases the strengths of this iconic tale.

The story follows the voyage of Ulysses from the fall of Troy back to his native Ithaca and his beloved and besieged Penelope.

It is highly readable, filled with adventure and misadventure, featuring monsters and heroes, and ultimately culminating in a triumphant voyage home.

Yes, it is very masculine in perspective, and I cannot excuse that. However, if you read James Joyce's version and the final chapter of Penelope, you can gain a far more feminine viewpoint.

Regardless, I found this book more entertaining pound for pound than the Iliad or the Aeneid.

I hope you will have the same experience and enjoy this classic as much as I did.

Oh no, I didn't! Did I just give Homer's Odyssey 3 stars?! (Well, 3.5 really) What gall! Who the hell do I think I am?! Believe me, I am as shocked as you are. I thought I would end up liking this much more than its twin The Iliad. But the opposite turned out to be the case. Homer is a great writer. The Odyssey contains more down-to-earth concerns than the vast epic of blood, guts and glory that was the Iliad. However, I just didn't find it as compelling. As a literary artifact and founding work in the Western canon, this is probably a five-star book. But for me personally and my own enjoyment of it, it was still just a 3.5.
I think part of this may stem from my misapprehension that The Odyssey was primarily about the adventures and travels of Odysseus on his way home from Troy. While those aspects are here, they took up a smaller proportion of the book than I thought. The lion's share seems more devoted to the travails that Odysseus encounters when he gets home to Ithaca. He has to approach his wife and home incognito due to the presence of dozens of overzealous, greedy suitors. There were also some interludes with Telemachus, Odysseus' son. To be frank, I found Telemachus a little less interesting than his dad. The picture of Greek domestic life and traditions of hospitality & obligation in these segments of the poem are interesting. But I was hoping for more adventure and less skulking and planning.
Overall, there's still a lot of great stuff going on here. The catalogue of the travails Odysseus must overcome to make it home after the Trojan War is well-known. These stories are related in the past tense by Odysseus himself. I also enjoyed seeing the links between The Odyssey and The Iliad. The chronic meddling of the gods in human affairs is also carried over. This time, it's mostly restricted to Poseidon and Athena. The preponderance of the text concerns the actions of the suitors and Odysseus' plans. The killing of the suitors is no less violent than many of the battle scenes from The Iliad. The story also includes a return to the Underworld with the spirits of the suitors. We meet with the shades of the heroes of The Iliad and get their commentary on Odysseus and his wife. One of the most interesting aspects for me was the different visions of death presented. Achilles is praised for his hero's death, Odysseus is envied for his quiet death, and Agamemnon is pitied for his treacherous death. In the end, it may all come down to how you are remembered.

  After many years of agony and absence from one’s home, a person can begin enjoying grief.

It may seem a bit absurd to rate "The Odyssey," but I did read it and indeed found enjoyment within its pages.


There are several aspects of this translation that I particularly relished.


➽ Emily Wilson, in her introduction, emphasizes "Xenia" – hospitality. The villains in "The Odyssey" are villainous either because they distort hospitality, like eating guests instead of nourishing them, or because they fail to uphold pompe [sending], as Menelaus declared that "To force a visitor to stay / is just as bad as pushing him to go." The suitors, too, pervert hospitality by excessive eating, and ultimately, Odysseus does the same in slaughtering them.


➽ The portrayal of Odysseus as a character who is neither simply good nor bad but clever and cunning above all is equally captivating. As the chapter commences, it is established that Odysseus is not Athena's favorite because he is good; rather, he is favored because of his cleverness.


➽ Penelope is a highly engaging character. I rather like the ambiguity regarding whether she knows her husband is home. I think she definitely has an inkling.


➽ The translation's focus on repeating Homer's "smaller units of sense" and using simple language to convey that "stylistic pomposity is entirely un-Homeric" is great fun.


➽ Another conceit that I truly enjoyed is the focus on the doglike women's face. "The idea that it is not the woman or goddess herself, but her [Helen's] face, that is like a dog suggests that it might be male perceptions of women, rather than female desires themselves, that threaten the social fabric."


➽ The penultimate book, Odysseus's slaughter of the suitors, is brutal and animalistic, with beautiful yet oddly terrifying imagery. I enjoyed it quite a lot and may, at some point, have further thoughts about its use of violence.


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After a grueling 10 years of fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus faces yet another 10-year odyssey to return home to Ithaca and be reunited with his beloved wife Penelope, his son Telemachus, and his father Laertes.

It is this latter 10-year period that forms the basis of this captivating and legendary story from the 9th Century BC. During Odysseus's long absence, his home has been overrun by countless suitors, all vying for the hand of Penelope in marriage. They engage in excessive feasting and carousing, consuming vast quantities of wine and meat as if there is no tomorrow.

The reasons for his delayed return home are explored in-depth in the book, presented through a series of flashbacks. These include a fateful consultation with the dead seer Teiresias in the underworld of Hades, as well as his perilous interactions with The Sirens, Polyphemus the Cyclops, Circe, Calypso, Scylla, and Charybdis. Additionally, Poseidon's continued interventions pose significant obstacles to his journey.

Fortunately, Odysseus has the unwavering support of clear-eyed Athene by his side. After many long and arduous days, with rosy-fingered dawns greeting him each morning, he finally manages to cross the wine-dark sea and return to the sea-girt shores of Ithaca. Here, he exacts a brutal vengeance not only on the suitors of his wife but also on their relations. The book is filled with numerous deaths and thrilling moments as Odysseus battles his way to reclaim his rightful place.

Other famous figures from Greek mythology also make appearances in the story, such as Agamemnon, Achilles, Menelaus, Nestor, and the infamous Helen of Troy. However, it is Odysseus's unwavering persistence and determination that truly shine through as he overcomes all the odds and makes his way back home.

The first classic text that I read and, much to my regret, I must admit that it has cost me a bit.

I had two different editions: one in prose and another in verse. And out of stubbornness, I read it in verse when I myself could see that in prose I understood it and could follow the story much better. Besides, I liked the translation more.

On the one hand, I am very happy to have read it and remember epic moments of the plot. But on the other hand, I am a bit sad because it has not had the impact that I expected.

Recommendations for continuing to read classic literature? Because I think I will leave the Iliad for a good while from now...xD

Perhaps I could start with some shorter and more accessible classic works. This way, I can gradually build up my interest and understanding of the genre. Another option could be to read some modern interpretations or analyses of classic literature before delving into the original texts. This might give me a better perspective and help me to appreciate the works more fully.

It is also important to choose a translation that suits my taste and reading level. Some translations can be very literal and difficult to understand, while others are more fluid and engaging. I could try different translations of the same work to see which one I prefer.

Finally, I should not be too hard on myself if I do not understand everything the first time around. Classic literature is often complex and requires multiple readings and careful study to fully appreciate. With patience and perseverance, I相信 that I will be able to develop a deeper love and understanding of classic literature.

I will rewrite here what I wrote and for the Iliad. Review of ALL of those that I thought I knew because I thought I was taught the Odyssey at school.

ΥΓ Spoiler Alert

Homer’s The Odyssey is a captivating tale that I often find myself drawn back to. However, it has been some time since I last delved into the entire book. I turn to the works of Homer and Greek Myths to gain a deeper understanding of the stories depicted in various artworks, ranging from those by renowned painters like Raphael, Rubens, the Pre-Raphaelites, and beyond.

This particular translation is originally by E V Rieu, and it was later updated by his son. I have a penchant for this translation as its prose style allows me to simply enjoy the reading experience without constantly having to look up words or phrases. Moreover, every time I read it, I manage to glean a little more understanding of the numerous sub-plots and intricate story details that might otherwise be easily overlooked in modern interpretations.

The story commences with the powerful opening line:

Tell me, Muse of that resourceful man who was driven to wander far and wide after he had sacked the holy citadel of Troy.

In just under 15 words, a vivid picture of the story and the events that have already transpired is painted in my mind. What follows is a somewhat dizzying array of characters, but the central conflict remains crystal clear: will Odysseus ever manage to find his way back home?

Some of my favorite scenes in the epic are a delightful blend of comedy and drama. In Book 4, Eurymachus, one of the suitors, discovers that Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, has secretly slipped away to determine if his father is dead or alive. Worried about the implications, he and the other suitors hatch a plan to assassinate Telemachus. In Book 14, there is a poignant moment when Odysseus, disguised as an old beggar with the help of Athena, engages in a chat with Eumaeus, his loyal old servant who fails to recognize him. And in Book 23, Penelope’s request for Odysseus to prove his identity adds an element of suspense. I also enjoy the scene where Telemachus is eager to leave and return home, but Menelaus just won’t stop talking.

While there are moments in Homer’s The Odyssey that can make it a challenging read, the process of unravelling this complex story for myself has been an absolute thrill.

Odysseus' decade-long voyage home through the uncharted seas was an incredibly uncertain, mystical, and prophetic journey.

It was filled with divine revelations that guided him, natural temptations that tested his resolve, and numerous struggles that he had to overcome. Odysseus' unwavering perseverance, cleverness, and spiritual guidance were the keys to his success.

It was truly a pilgrimage of introspection, human determination, and the power of imagination.

Homer's illustrations of Odysseus' adventurous voyage and Penelope's skillful handling of her suitors while remaining unswervingly loyal to her husband were a joy to read.

However, Odysseus' ultimate handling of his wife's suitors towards the end of the epic poem was, in my opinion, excessively barbaric.

Despite this, Odysseus' and Penelope's journey of progression and determination has left a profound and lasting impression on me.

It serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of loyalty in the face of great challenges.