The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer

Odysseus is an intelligent, cunning hero and you are really rooting for him by the time he finally makes it home from his long journey and is ready to take action against the usurpers of his household. So many stories of this time period end in tragedy, it's nice that there is a satisfactory end to Odysseus's story after so many years of pain and heartache for him and his family. I enjoyed The Odyssey more than The Iliad because it seems a more intimate story overall. We really come to know the man Odysseus, his son Telemachus and wife, Penelope through their thoughts and interactions with others.

The Iliad takes place during the Trojan war and focuses on the Greek and Trojan warriors and what takes place on the battlefield. The Odyssey is not quite a continuation of the Iliad, but takes place 10 years after the end of the Trojan war from which the great warrior Odysseus never returned. It seems he had some trouble on the high seas and on various islands along the way and has been unable to make it home. In the meantime, his home has been invaded by suitors who think he is dead and want to marry Penelope.

Telemachus is not strong or powerful enough to throw them out and goes on a journey to find news of his father. With the help of the gods, Odysseus and Telemachus are finally able to defend their home. I would recommend reading both The Iliad and Odyssey together but if you're only going to pick up one, read The Odyssey. The translation was pretty readable. This is part of the Great Books of the western world Collection that I have set out to read.

Ulysses is my favorite Greek hero. Always was always will be. I read parts of some butchered version in high-school but this one seems to have satisfied my goddess needs. I think we perhaps need some revitalization of the sentiments present in these books to save America from going down the cultural tubes. When the Odyssey is replaced with the "jersey Shore" cannot possi The translation was pretty readable. When the Odyssey is replaced with the "jersey Shore" cannot possibley turn out well.

How could i rate such a classic any less than 5 stars!? May 05, 1marcus rated it it was amazing. The adventure, mystery, and the understanding of pre-history are great for anyone who wants to read this book. All these things made me want to read the book over again and even write a book review on it. First the adventure is wild from the start.

Fighting the Cyclopes and winning made me think that no matter what the size of the person or object I can win if I put my mind to it and want it bad enough. Adventure keeps me reading the book. Never will you have to do that with this book. Last the understanding of the pre-history is good for one if they are trying to learn about ancient history. We hope that you find Homer's "Odyssey" enjoyable whether you are reading it for school, for study, or for pleasure. What will you do It didn't take me long to figure out that I'm not a Homer girl. I think the problem was partly that after years of taking in entertaining, probably dumbed down versions of the stories, the reality ended up a bit of a let down.

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Another problem was I had trouble liking any of the characters. Whiney, deceitful, and not very likeable! The Iliad was pretty painful to get through. I forced myself to finish and didn't even get a payoff in the end. What happened to T It didn't take me long to figure out that I'm not a Homer girl. What happened to Troy?! The Iliad won't tell you! The sacking of Troy is alluded to in the Odyssey with a brief overview of the Trojan Horse and the men hiding in it. The Odyssey was better than the Iliad, maybe 2 stars. I have a bit of a complex now that I've read the books and not liked them.

I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, but I just couldn't connect with these classic works of literature that have been read by, and enjoyed by countless people for centuries. View all 11 comments. The Iliad and the Odyssey are, of course, must-reads. It's hard to comment on classics like these, but, for those who haven't yet read them: I think the Odyssey is more entertaining than the Iliad because the action continues throughout whereas the Iliad has many breaks in the action to engage in the kind of lists of unpronounceable names you see in some places in the Old Testament of the Bible.

Both of them are, however, fantastic. It's a damn Greek tragedy! The Iliad takes us through the battle of Troy and the Greek invasion. We are able to Marvel at great warriors like Hector and Achilles.

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We are able to hear of their struggles and their woes and eventually their deaths. The Odyssey takes us through the year struggle to return home after the Trojan War has ended. Odysseus battles mystical creatures and the Wrath of the Gods as he tries desperately to come back home to his throne.

Homer is definitely a master of the Greek It's a damn Greek tragedy! Homer is definitely a master of the Greek epic. His writing resembles that of a playwright of modern day and even harkens back to a bit of Shakespearean feeling in the emotion of the characters. This is definitely a classic for the ages and in my opinion one that should be read once by everyone. I haven't read it since high school and have been wanting to read it again. It is obviously well written and a classic.

As a female though I couldn't help but get annoyed with Odysseus sleeping with goddesses etc. Although, I also got annoyed at Penelope's inability to send the suitors away, so maybe they were meant for each oth 3. Although, I also got annoyed at Penelope's inability to send the suitors away, so maybe they were meant for each other? Some of the fighting scenes got too gruesome for me. Also, why is Athena so committed to Odysseus?

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I started reading "Anna Karenina" in the middle of it and kind of had to force myself to finish this one. Still an enjoyable read that everyone should be familiar with. Nov 19, Lisa Harmonybites rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Recommended to Lisa Harmonybites by: Assigned in High School. Together these two works attributed to Homer are considered among the oldest surviving works of Western literature, dating to probably the eighth century BCE, and are certainly among the most influential.

I can't believe I once found Homer boring. In my defense, I was a callow teen, and having a book assigned in school often tends to perversely make you hate it. But then I had a "Keats conversion experience. Obviously, the translation is key if you're not reading in the original Greek, and I recommend looking at several side by side to see which one best suits. A friend of mine who is a classicist says she prefers The Illiad --that she thinks it the more mature book. The Illiad deals with just a few weeks in the last year of the decade-long Trojan War.

As the opening lines state, it deals with how the quarrel between the Greek's great hero Achilles and their leader Agamemnon "caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss and crowded brave souls into the undergloom. One close to three thousand years old with a mindset very alien to ours. One where unending glory was seen as a great good over personal survival or family. One where all felt that their ends were fated. And one with curiously human, or at least petty, gods. Some see the work as jingoistic, even pro-war, and I suppose it can be read that way, but what struck me was the compassion with which Homer wrote of both sides.

We certainly care for the Trojan Hector as much as or more in my case much more than for the sulky and explosive Achilles.



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Homer certainly doesn't obscure the pity, the waste, and the grief war brings. And there are plenty of scenes in the work that I found unforgettable: The humorous scene where Aphrodite is wounded and driven from the field. The moving scene between Hector and his wife and child. The grief Helen feels in losing a friend. The confrontation between Priam and Achilles.

Even just reading general Greek mythology, Odysseus was always a favorite, because unlike figures such as Achilles or Heracles he succeeded on his wits, not muscle. It's true, on this reread, especially in contrast to say The Illiad 's Hector, I do see Odysseus' dark side. The man is a pirate and at times rash, hot-tempered, even vicious. But I do feel for his pining for home and The Odyssey is filled with such a wealth of incident--the Cyclops, Circe, Scylla and Charybdis, the Sirens--and especially Hades, the forerunner of Dante's Hell.

And though my friend is right that the misogynist ancient Greek culture isn't where you go for strong heroines, I love Penelope; described as the "matchless queen of cunning," she's a worthy match for the crafty Odysseus. The series of recognition scenes on Ithaca are especially moving and memorable--I think my favorite and the most poignant being that of Odysseus' dog Argos. Epic poems about 2, years old, in the right translation both works can nevertheless speak to me more eloquently than many a contemporary novel.

Apr 28, Eva added it Shelves: I noticed more, I laughed more, I analysed more. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I'm happy I've done so. I don't have a rating, because it feels wrong to rate a book that has been around for over years. Who am I in comparison? That means I've read parts of it in Ancient Greek and parts in Dutch. I've seen the entire story in detail, so I consider it read. We'll see The Oddyssey in class next semester, so I'll also read parts of it in the original Greek.

I have read the entire thing in Dutch already. I really enjoyed reading Homer's Odyssey and Iliad.

I actually read this book of my own volition and not because I had to for school. The stories are very unique and captivating. You'll be sitting on the edge of your chair. I recommend this book to anyone who likes mythology of any kind. I enjoyed it so much that I believe I'll give it another read after so many years and an adequate review. Couldn't finish it, that's a pity! The Iliad and The Odyssey are two of the oldest works of western literature--yet these ancient myths still offer powerful lessons for our times.

From the fascinating fall of Troy to Odysseus' perilous journey home, from the gods and goddesses to the Sirens and the suitors, the events and characters of these epic tales captivate us, teach us, and inspire us. You'll be moved by these magical works, and then delight in displaying this beautiful book in your home. The Best Books of Check out the top books of the year on our page Best Books of Looking for beautiful books? Visit our Beautiful Books page and find lovely books for kids, photography lovers and more.

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