Odyssey, Vol. 1

by Homer

Publishers:

Harvard University Press; William Heinemann

, 1919

Overview

Perhaps the best-known and most influential of the Greek epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey stand in a class by themselves. The poems are the oldest existing works of Western literature. Their style and content played such an important role in shaping subsequent Greek culture that Homer was often called the teacher of Greece. The style of Greek used in the works has become its own form or dialect, known as Homeric Greek. Like the works of Cicero, the Iliad and the Odyssey are studied for their eloquent use of language. Innumerable works of literature, theater, and poetry have been written based on or responding to the Iliad and the Odyssey. The influence carries right up to our own day. One of the most important literary work of the twentieth century, James Joyce’s Ulysses, is a direct and intentional parallel of the Odyssey (Ulysses is the Latin version of Odysseus, the main character in the Odyssey). This volume contains A. T. Murray’s English translation of the first volume of Homer’s Odyssey.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Stranger, thou hast not spoken well; thou art as one blind with folly. So true is it that the gods do not give gracious gifts to all alike, not form nor mind nor eloquence. For one man is inferior in comeliness, but the god sets a crown¹ of beauty upon his words, and men look upon him with delight, and he speaks on unfalteringly with sweet modesty, and is conspicuous among the gathered people, and as he goes through the city men gaze upon him as upon a god. Another again is in comeliness like the immortals, but no crown of grace is set about his words. So, in thy case, thy comeliness is preëminent, nor could a god himself mend it, but in mind thou art stunted. Thou hast stirred the spirit in my breast by speaking thus unmannerly.” (Page 271)

“‘Do we know, Menelaus, fostered of Zeus, who these men declare themselves to be who have come to our house? Shall I disguise my thought, or speak the truth? Nay, my heart bids me speak. For never yet, I declare, saw I one so like another, whether man or woman—amazement holds me, as I look—as this man is like the son of great-hearted Odysseus, even Telemachus, whom that warrior left a new-born child in his house, when for the sake of shameless me ye Achaeans came up under the walls of Troy, pondering in your hearts fierce war.’” (Page 117)

“I care not; let any one come of all the Phaeacians, save Laodamas alone. For he is my host, and who would quarrel with one that entertains him? Foolish is that man and worthless, who challenges to a contest the host who receives him in a strange land; he does but mar his own fortunes.” (Page 273)

Product Details

• Title: Odyssey, Vol. 1
• Author: Homer
• Series: The Loeb Classical Library: English
• Publishers: Harvard University Press, William Heinemann
• Print Publication Date: 1919
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Odysseus (Greek mythology); Epic poetry, Greek
• Resource ID: LLS:ODYSSEY1HOMER
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:31:44Z

About Homer

Homer, a Greek poet best known for The Odyssey and The Iliad, was likely born sometime between 750 BC and 1200 BC. Some historians believe he was an individual man, while others believe he did not exist at all and instead was the combination of multiple Greek poets. It is also surmised that Homer was blind, but this is derived from the character Demodokos in The Odyssey. Although his history remains one of the greatest literary mysteries, Homer is widely considered one of the most profound poets and storytellers of all time.