Ulysses' journey

In the Greek language we find the first works of Western literature.

We attribute Homer the Iliad and the Odyssey, narratives that are the fruit of a long oral tradition, put in writing in the 8th century BC. In this project we will focus only on one of them, the Odyssey and more specifically, on the journey of Ulysses'.

In this painting we can see Ulysses tied to the mast while the sirens approach the ship

This epic poem has a complex internal structure, so we will try to clarify the journey that Ulysses makes to return to Ithaca. Unlike Interstellar, Odyssey doesn't follow a linear course. In this case, we're dealing with a work that starts in media res, which means that the narrative begins with the main action started and then goes back to explain the beginning:

Ulysses has been in the island of Calypso for 7 years, even though this is not the beginning of his journey. When he meets the Pheacians, we get to know his whole story; and then, he continues with his trip to Ithaca. In this map you'll be able to see many of the places that starred in the return of Ulysses in the order in which he visited them, not as they appear in the Odyssey. By doing this, we hope to facilitate the understanding  he stages of his journey, as well as to provide some of the most precious passages of this masterpiece. Nevertheless, you should bear in mind that the chosen locations are not exact, but we have opted for selecting the ones that most scholars agree on.

This is the name of the entries you will find down below:

1. Troy 

2. Ismarus, city of Cicones (Thrace)

3. Sicily, island of the Cyclops

4. Island of Aeolus

5. Island of Helios

6. Ogygia, city of the nymph Calypso 

7. Cocyra, island of the Phaeacians 

8. Ithaca, home 

 

 

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