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Odyssey book 5 summary
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A concise summary of Homer’s Odyssey book 5
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The Odyssey Book 5: Summary In the morning, the Gods awoke and assembled for a meeting regarding the fate of Odysseus
and whether he should be released from Ogygia
Athene tells the assembly of Odysseus’ troubles; that his people seem to have forgotten him
and he has been “left to languish in misery in the Island home of the Nymph Calypso.”
Athene then tells the assembly how Odysseus has no way of returning home “for he has
neither ships…nor crew to carry him so far across the sea”
She also tells the gods of the fate of Telemachus who has “gone to sacred Pylos” in search of
news of Odysseus and that the suitors plan to murder him on this return to Ithaca
Zeus tells Athene that this was all her plan and that it is her job to save Telemachus. He then
turns to Hermes, “his beloved son” and tells him to tell Calypso that she must release
Odysseus so that he can return home to Ithaca
However, Zeus’ terms and conditions for Odysseus being released from Ogygia is that he
may have “neither gods nor men to help him” and he must build a raft himself and on his
20th day of travelling he shall reach Scherie, whose people (the Phaeacians) are close to the
gods, but only after much hardship
Zeus explains to the assembly that the Phaeacians will bestow upon Odysseus food, gold and
ships so that he may sail home to Ithaca
Hermes then tied on his “lovely sandals of untarnishable gold”
Hermes travelled across the sea, skimming the waves until he reached the “remote island”
of Ogygia and went to meet Calypso
When Hermes reached Calypso’s home, which was so beautiful that “even an immortal
visitor must pause to gaze in wonder and delight”. Odysseus was not there as he was sitting
by the shore, crying at his desire to return home
Calypso sits Hermes down in a “brightly polished chair” and offered him xenia
Hermes tells Calypso that Zeus sent him and that no one, mortal or immortal can escape the
will of Zeus. He then tells Calypso that she must let Odysseus return home
Hermes states that Odysseus was “destined to see his friends and come to his high-roofed
house and his native land” once again
Calypso calls the Gods “hard hearted” and “unmatched for jealousy” but begrudgingly
agrees to set Odysseus free and says that she will give him honest directions to Scherie and
Hermes leaves
Calypso goes to Odysseus, whom she has been sleeping with, and tells him to build a raft
and set sail for Scherie
She promises to give him clothing, food, water and a fair wind
They both walked to the cave and they eat, Calypso once again showing xenia to a guest and
Calypso offers Odysseus immortality which he refuses as he wishes to return to Penelope
and Telemachus, and they make love on their final night together
In the morning, Calypso bestows gifts upon Odysseus; a “great axe of bronze” and an “adze
of polished metal” and Odysseus sets himself to the task of creating a raft
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