Book 15-A Son's Journey Home

I woke up in the house of Menelaos, staring right at Athena. She told me that I must get home, and the suitors were going to kill me. After this news, she left me. I quickly shook Nestor's son awake and started getting ready for the return trip. Menelaos kindly let me leave, but he insisted of giving me gifts and breakfast before I left. As we were heading out, an eagle swooped down, a sure sign from the Gods. Menelaos interpreted it and said that it was a sign of my father coming home. I was so excited. We said our good byes and we were on our way. We reached my boat and quickly prepared the ship for the journey home. Just then, a strange man approached me. We had our introductions, and then asked me for a ride on my ship. I kindly said yes. It wouldn't be a big deal, and he seemed like a nice guy. We were sailing beautifully. Nearing the shore, Theoklymenos asked for a place to stay. I found him lodging at one of the sailors homes. I got off the boat, and landed in Ithaka.

When Athena visited me in the middle of the night, I had to believe her. After she talked to me, I woke up Nestor's son, "Get our team into harness. We have a long day's journey," (269). I had no hesitation to do what Athena told me to. First of all, she is a Greek goddess. It would be foolish not to listen to the goddess of wisdom. Also, she's helped me many a time from leaving Ithaka, to finding information on my father. Intelligent humans follow what the gods tell them to do.

Book 4-Stories From Meneláos

We arrived at Meneláos mansion. He invited us to dinner within his vast and beautiful home. He started talking about his long, weary journey, and connected it to my father's without knowing who I was. I suddenly broke down thinking about my lost father. Meneláos was angry at the Gods for not allowing him to return. After all of the good things he ever did, he is now lost in the world. This statement caused everyone to weep, including Zeus's daughter. Then, everyone at the table spoke of my father's greatest stories. After, I told Meneláos of the problems that were going on back home. He was furious, and he wanted them to honor Odysseus. He then told his entire story and asked me to stay for eleven more days with him. I would have loved to, but I had to get back to my journey. Meneláos understood and gave me a few gifts for the next part of my journey.

I'm happy that I've heard all of these great things about my father, but in the end they don't really matter. I said to Meneláos, "...all the more pity, since these valors could not defend him from annihilation..." (61). My father is a great man, but if his powerful acts don't get him home, then they weren't for anything. If heroes don't get rewarded or aren't allowed to return home, then what's the point of setting out for that journey in the first place?

I was surprised when Meneláos told me the story of when he tricked a God. He told me, "Still we hung on... through everything until the Ancient saw defeat..." (66). Aren't all Gods supposed to be all powerful? If they were the strongest beings in the world, then a few mortals shouldn't have been able to trick and defeat one. This is very embarrassing for them. Gods may not be as powerful as they are seen.

Book 3-Meeting with Nestor

We landed on the coast of Pylos. I had to go talk to Nestor about my father. I didn't want to at first, but Mentés instilled confidence in me, and I found the right words to say. There was a feast, and we prayed to the Gods. Even my mentor, who I could have sworn was a God himself, said a prayer to Poseidon. After, I asked Nestor for the truth about my father. Nestor didn't know where my father was, and he hoped that Athena, who loved my father, would also help me out. When it was time to settle in for the night, Nestor invited me back to his house to stay for the night. He told me that my mentor, Mentés, must be none other than Athena herself. We prayed to her and the Gods. The next morning, Nestor had supplies prepared, so I could begin my journey to Sparta.

I feel much more confident that I'll find my father with the help of a God. Nestor told me, "...I can have no fears for you...the gods are your companions" (46). When I've gotten down on this journey, my mentor, or now known as Athena, has picked me up and pushed me into the right direction. She jumpstarted this journey for my father in the first place. I know I can take more risks in this journey because I have faith that Athena will protect me.

Why do Gods make people suffer when they could just save them? Mentés told me, "A god could save the man by simply wishing it...If I were he, I should prefer to suffer years at sea, and then be safe at home..." (42). Athena wants men to earn their freedom. She thinks that mortals need to finish their journeys on their own, not finish them with the help of an immortal. Gods want to see humans struggle through their journeys and reach their goals on their own.

Book 2-Standing Up For Yourself

Taking the advice of the wise old man who visited yesterday, I held a town council. I brought up the suitors, and all the destruction they were causing. Instead of blaming themselves, the suitors blamed my mother. How could they say that? I didn't believe this for a second. I begged Zeus to give these evil men what they deserved. Right away, two eagles, who could have came from no one else except for the king of Gods, swooped down and attacked the group of suitors. This was a sure sign of an omen, but they remained ignorant. Frustrated with those fools, I left the council. I prayed for help again, and the visitor appeard again. This divine person gave me a plan, and I finally felt more confident about this situation. The plan was to sail about to find information on my father, so I went to get the supplies we needed. My mentor had prepared the boat and crew and with my supplies, we were about to set off to find information on my father.

I can't believe how stubborn the suitors are. Eurymakhos said in the council, "...go tell the omens for you children at home...I am more fit to interpret this than you are" (24). How can he say that a sure sign from the Gods isn't a real omen? These men are much more foolish than I thought. I hope the Gods will strike them down for their idiotic behavior. You must respect the Gods, for they are the most powerful beings in the world.

After the assembly, I wasn't sure what to do, and I needed help from somebody. That's when the Méntes appeared. Sounding like he had already pre-thought this speech, he said "I'll find a ship for you, and help you sail her" (27). This supernatural person saved my adventure. I was very discouraged from the unsuccessful assembly, and was about to give. up. This great person pushed me into the right direction. Although people can be heroes, they still need advice, help, and training to achieve their goal.

Link of hero training video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8CKhw5lhxts&feature=related

Book 1-Help From a Stranger

It was like any other day. I was alone, watching the disgusting suitors kill our livestock and steal our things. I wished my father was there to show them off. Well I was minding my business when a stranger approached our door. I brough him in, and we started talking about my father, and the problems I had with the suitors. He heard what I had to say, and he gave me a plan of what I should do to get rid of the suitors and find my lost father. His words were so powerful, I had to wonder whether or not he was immortal. He only stayed for a short while, but I remembered his words and followed them. The next day I held a council for the town. I told the suitors to get away from my father's house. They replied with laughter and continued their destruction, but I know that they will pay greatly later.

I feel terrible about watching the suitors take over my father's house without any trouble, but I can't stop them by myself. They get whatever they want, "...lusty suitors casting dice...at ease on hides of oxen--oxen they had killed." Without my powerful father, there is nobody here to stick up for my mother and me. I need someone, like my father, to get things back under control here at home.

With the surprise guest coming to my house, it shows that there will always be hope. When Mentes told me, "...men in times to come will speak of you respectfully." Although there are always bad situations, like the one I'm in now, good things can always come from it. Every cloud has its silver lining. There will always be hope in dire situations.