The Odyssey traces Odysseus's arduous nostos from Troy to Ithaca, interweaving the Telemachy with episodes of wonder and peril-Cyclops, Circe, the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, Calypso, the Phaeacians. Composed in dactylic hexameter and launched in medias res, it marries ring composition to expansive Homeric similes and formulaic epithets. Exploring xenia, marriage, and justice, the poem contrasts metis with brute force as Athena aids and Poseidon obstructs. Layered narration-Odysseus recounting his wanderings-situates the epic at the heart of archaic Greek poetics and as a counterpoint to the Iliad. Attributed to the shadowy Homer, likely an Ionian aoidos of the late eighth or early seventh century BCE, the poem crystallizes an oral tradition. A bardic milieu of seafaring communities, colonial ventures, and courtly performance shaped its themes and mnemonic art. Whether by one master singer or successive redactors, The Odyssey bears the imprint of a performer attuned to social codes-oaths, guest-friendship, reputation-and to the ethics of cunning in a world of shifting alliances. Readers seeking a foundational epic of adventure, moral inquiry, and narrative brilliance will find The Odyssey indispensable-equally rewarding in the classroom and at leisure, and renewed with each translation, commentary, and re-reading. Quickie Classics summarizes timeless works with precision, preserving the author's voice and keeping the prose clear, fast, and readable-distilled, never diluted. Enriched Edition extras: Introduction · Synopsis · Historical Context · Author Biography · Brief Analysis · 4 Reflection Q&As · Editorial Footnotes.

Homer, the revered and enigmatic figure of ancient Greek literature, is traditionally considered the author of two of the greatest epics in the Western canon: 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey.' The biographical details of Homer are shrouded in the mists of history, with scholarly debate continuing over his existence and the true authorship of the works attributed to him. It is commonly believed that he lived during the 8th or early 7th century BCE, and was possibly a bard from the Ionian region. 'The Odyssey,' his epic poem of homecoming and adventure, has captivated readers for millennia with its rich narrative and complexity of characterization, notably the cunning Greek hero Odysseus. The work delves into themes of perseverance, loyalty, and the human struggle against the whims of the divine. Homer's dactylic hexameter, a meter known as the 'epic measure,' set the standard for epic poetry and influenced countless works across generations. His contribution to the literary world not only provided the foundation for Greek literature but also shaped the entire Western literary tradition. Although the specifics of Homer's life remain elusive, his legacy is indisputable, solidified by a timeless oeuvre that continues to be studied and revered to this day.