The Odyssey: Book 1 (Lines 1-25), Book 5 (lines 1-287)

Jackson Hill

C. One thing that confused in Book One of The Odyssey occurred in lines seven through ten, “ But he could not save them from disaster, hard as he strove – the recklessness of their own ways destroyed them all, the blind fools, they devoured the cattle of the Sun and the Sungod blotted out the day of their return.” I do not really understand the meaning of this quote or the importance it has to this particular book. Is there some kind of significance to it or is it just placed there to fill up space. What importance does the Sungod have and why can’t he save his comrades from disaster. Another thing that I am confused about is from lines twenty-two to twenty-five, “ Then every god took pity, all except Poseidon. He raged on, seething against the great Odysseus till he reached his native land.” Why does Poseidon rage on? Is it because of his personality or does he just dislike Odysseus for some odd reason or another.

E. One thing that I found particularly interesting was in Book One when it says, “But he could not save them from disaster, hard as strove --…” I felt this was interesting because I want to know why he is not able to save them from the horror, and the supposed disaster that was going to happen. Was it because he simply could not just do it or was there a bigger obstacle in his way not enabling him to save his comrades?

D. A quote that I really enjoyed was, “Calypso, the bewitching nymph, the lustrous goddess, held him back, deep in his arching caverns, craving him for a husband.” I liked this quote because I felt that it was very vividly stated as though I could see this event actually happening.

Stephen Ali


Mr. Thomas


English 10


September 14, 2013





E. Page 15 “ And which of the gods was it that set them on to quarrel”. “It was the son of Zeus and Leto , for he was angry with the King an sent a pestilence upon the host to plague the people , because the son of Atreus had dishonored Chryses his priest. My opinion on this part of the reading was that I think it was cruel to punish to go around punishing people for not that serious of a crime or insult. I think that the gods think it is ok to mess with people without a serious reason. Doing what they did was uncalled for. I think that the gods find it amusing to mess around and ruin others people life. Just, because you have all this power and authority doesn’t mean you have to do thinks to people that have less then you .The gods have in my opinion to much authority and should just be able to mess with things concerning them or part of the world that they are involved in. The gods try to outdo one another, so it turns it games but really you’re messing with someone’s life. This was something the gods failed to understand and realize.


C. Did the people understand that the Gods were all along the ones to causing all the things in the people’s lives?


C. If the people did know the Gods were causing all this pain upon them why did they choose to still believe in them and worship them.

F. I feel like Hermes and Calypso have a very strong, unbreakable, and loving relationship and I feel this way because “his heart is set on his wife and his return-Calypso, the bewitching nymph, the lustrous goddess, held him back, deep in her arching caverns, craving him for a husband.” I feel its its unbreakable because there is a lot going on and there going through a lot and they still love each other even when Hermes might not be by her side all the time.

C. What confused me was how book five starts off in Calypso’s house with Odysseus being held captive there. “Athena began, recalling Odysseus to their thoughts, the goddess deeply moved by the ma’s long ordeal, held captive in the nymph Calypso’s house.” I am also confused as to why the hold him captive for so long with such a grudge and after he gives his ordeal they are completely willing to send him back.

D. I enjoyed the lines about how Poseidon, god of earthquake, sees Odysseus sailing down the sea and becomes extremely frustrated and releases his anger by raining down pain on Odysseus with an earthquake making his journey even more difficult. “With that he rammed the clouds together-both hands clutching his trident-churned the waves into chaps, whipping all the gales from every quarter, shrouding over in the thunderheads the earth and sea at once-and night swept down from the sky.”

C. what had confused me in Book 5 is that although Odysseus wanted to leave so badly to see his wife and his native land and claimed he didnt like it there and was being held captive when he was talking with Calypso he says that his wife is no where near as beautiful as her and she is mortal. Also she feeds him provides him with clothing and a place to sleep plus immortality. If it was me i would stay there as opposed to being stuck in the sea with the potential of dying at any moment and it seems like a pretty good deal.

E. I feel that Calypso is a very nice goddess and wants to have somebody to love, like Odysseus. Holding him captive there, she doesn't have anything bad to do to him nor does she want to at heart. I think she has great feelings for Odysseus and that is why she is so sad to see him go but she knows she has to which is why she helps.

G. If i were Odysseus i would feel like the most unlucky man in the whole world because he hasnt done anything wrong and he never broke any rules. If i were him i would feel incredibly sad and on the brink of giving up and staying with Calypso and have lost all faith.

I-hessd16 I agree with you on your questioning of why calypso wants to have oddeyseus, when she is an immortal and can live forever and have anything she wants since she is a goddess. I also wondered why oddeyseus has not left on his own and if he was being held captive or by his own will.
G- If I were Oddeyseus I would not want to be with Calypso stuck on the island forever. So I would try my best to escape or constantly ask her to let me go instead of just crying and doing nothing. I would also pray to the Gods for help in escaping the grasps of Calypso. I also would stop eating whatever she was giving me because it may have drugs or side effects to it that make me feel lazy and unable to want to leave. Finally I would try to make a deal with Calypso like I would bring her back with me to my village and find her a companion if that is what she seeks.
H- If I was a set designer for the Odyssey and I had to create the scene for Calypso’s island I would design it as a deserted island located 1000 of miles from the shore in the middle of the water, completely isolated from the entire world. I would design the island as very rocky and natural until u reach the middle of the island where Calypso’s home is. The home would be hidden inside of a mountain and would not be visible from above or in front of the mountain. The only way in is by swimming in the river and into the cave. Once you entered the cave there would be stairs leading to the main entrance of the home. In there it would be extremely beautiful and filled with food. There would be piles and piles of food and drink. There would also be a room for oddeyseus and it would be very nice. Finally Calypso would look extremely beautiful and would have very seductive features. She would be every mans ideal woman. Oddeyseus would look much unkept, he would have a beard, and he would look tired and upset. He would also seem depressed and sad.

C. Why would Calypso have such an “addiction” to Odysseus? Odysseus is a mortal human being who cannot live forever and wants nothing but material things, and cannot possibly provide for a goddess. Why even spend the time trying to make him yours, Calypso? There are gods that can be your husband, and can provide better for you. Why want a mortal to be in your life for all of eternity? It makes no sense whatsoever! Odysseus is a very lucky man, to be quite honest.
E. I don’t understand why Odysseus would reject the opportunity of a lifetime to live with a goddess and live forever. I understand that he can have feelings for his mortal wife back at home, but he has been away for far too long, and many things could’ve happened. The fact that he left Calypso hanging like that really was a bit unbelievable. THAT OPPORTUNITY DOES NOT COME AS OFTEN AS YOU THINK, ODYSSEUS!!!
G. If I were Odysseus, I would’ve stayed with Calypso, married her, and live for eternity on that isle. It is better to live forever and be permanently happy than to die and be sad and alone in the end. It is very good to know that you’ll be with the person that you love forever, and you won’t separate (unless bad things happen). I would’ve already forgotten about my wife, and any thought of returning home, because I was lucky enough to land in paradise, and also lucky nough to have a goddess fall in love with me!
(Eric Idelfonso)

C.One thing that I was confused on was in book one the few last line, “then every god took pity, all except Poseidon. He raged on, seething against the great Odysseus till he reached his native land”. What I dont understand he is why Poseidon was the only god who didn't take pity on him and kept raging on. Why just him and no other gods? What is the connection between the two?

D. A part that I really enjoyed when Zeus asks Hermes to deliver for him. I like the way the story really focuses on the preparation of hemes like putting on the gold winged shoes that lets him fly over the water and the staff that let him control peoples minds,etc. I just really liked the created that moment for that god. And also because he is one of my favorite gods.

I. I agree with hessd16 on the question you ask. Why does calypso want Odysseus so badly. She is a goddess which means one, that you are immortal, and two that you can get pretty much anything that you desire. There is no need to keep Odysseus. I’m even sure that because you are a goddess that there is a much easier way of getting what you want.