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The Odyssey
541 pages, 1999
Robert Fagles, winner of the PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for Translation and a 1996 Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, presents us with Homer's best-loved and most accessible poem in a stunning modern-verse translation.
Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns-driven time and again off course, once he had plundered the hallowed heights of Troy. So begins Robert Fagles's magnificent translation of the Odyssey, which Jasper Griffin in the New York Times Book Review hails as a distinguished achievement. If the Iliad is the world's greatest war epic, the Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of everyone's journey through life.
Odysseus' reliance on his wit and wiliness to survive in his encounters with divine and natural forces during his ten-year voyage home to Ithaca after the Trojan War is at once a timeless human story and an individual test of moral endurance.
In The Odyssey, Homer shows us that perseverance is key. Despite the numerous challenges that Odysseus faces on his journey home, he never gives up. This teaches us the importance of staying strong and persistent, no matter how tough things get.
Homer emphasizes the value of loyalty throughout the book. Odysseus remains loyal to his wife Penelope, despite the temptations he encounters. Similarly, Penelope stays faithful to Odysseus, even when she believes he's dead. This shows us that loyalty is a virtue that should be upheld in our lives.
The Odyssey teaches us about the dangers of hubris, or excessive pride. Odysseus' pride often leads him into trouble, such as when he reveals his true identity to the Cyclops, which results in more obstacles on his journey home. This reminds us to stay humble and avoid letting our ego get the best of us.
In the book, Homer explores the role of fate and the gods in human lives. Despite Odysseus' efforts, he can't control everything that happens to him. This teaches us to accept that there are things beyond our control and to focus on what we can change.
Odysseus often relies on his wit and cunning to overcome challenges. Homer shows us that intelligence and resourcefulness can be just as important as physical strength. This encourages us to think creatively and use our brains to solve problems.
Quotes 4
The Odyssey is the greatest epic of all time, it has shaped the modern narrative structure.
James Joyce - Modernist LiteratureHomer's Odyssey is not a book, it's a world. It has influenced my writing profoundly.
Virginia Woolf - Modernist LiteratureThe Odyssey is a mirror of the human soul, it's a timeless masterpiece.
Friedrich Nietzsche - Philosophy, CriticismThe Odyssey is a work of genius, it's a cornerstone of Western literature.
Samuel Butler - Victorian Literature
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