| Post 516 made on Sunday January 19, 2003 at 07:05 |
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The Odyssey follows Homer’s original story of Odysseus’ struggle to return home after fighting the Trojan War. Beginning with Odysseus’ meeting Princess Nausicaa, the play looks back upon the many adventures Odysseus and his men faced.
In the first episode, Odysseus and his men, led by his friend Pete, stop on Cape Maleas to restock their supplies. There they encounter strange lotus plants that make his men lose their memories. Losing many of his men, Odysseus continues onward.
Soon, the crew make an unexpected stop at the island of the Cyclops, Polyphemus. Polly, an awkward teenage Cyclops, finds Pete trying to steal her sheep for food. Odysseus must use his brain, instead of his brawn, to free Pete and escape Polly. Meanwhile, Polly’s father, Poseidon, creates a storm which ravages Odysseus’ boat, and forces them to land on another island to make repairs. There, they meet Aeoulus, God of the Winds, who gives them a present: a bag of adverse winds, thus allowing Odysseus and his men to make it home safely. Odysseus thanks Aeoulus, and they continue towards home.
On route, Pete becomes suspicious of Odysseus and believes the bag of winds must really be filled with treasure. He opens the bag; the ship is again thrown off-course, and lands on the island of Aeaea. There, the lonely goddess Circe turns Odysseus’ men into pigs. She agrees to turn them back only if Odysseus stays with her for one year. He does, and the crew again continues their journey home. On their way, they stop to make offerings to Tiresias for a safe journey.
A few days later, the boat comes upon the Sirens, who hypnotize Pete into almost crashing the boat. Again, Odysseus uses his brains to defeat the Sirens. All is well, until the boat comes upon Charybdis, a huge whirlpool, and The Scylla, a 6 headed monster. This time it is Pete who uses his head, having learned from Odysseus that although brawn is helpful, brains can get you out of almost any situation.
Finally, heading once more towards home, Zeus, seeing that Pete has stolen his cows for food, destroys the boat. Pete is lost at sea, as Odysseus makes it to shore where he is saved by Princess Nausicaa.
Hearing his story and feeling badly for him, Princess Nausicaa and her family provide a boat for Odysseus to end his journey. He makes it home, but it is a hollow victory: he has lost most of his crew. He has, however, gained confidence, learned not to make fun of others, and discovered that his intellect was his most valued weapon on his Odyssey.
THE ODYSSEY by HOMER
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Time Flies Like An Arrow. Fruit Flies Like A Banana |
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