by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald

Homer: The Odyssey
Here you will find summaries of the chapters, descriptions of the characters, and a discussion of the themes in the Odyssey. Can you think of any themes to add to the list? Or can you expand upon the discussion here? Write your ideas about the central themes of the Odyssey in the Web Links Activity Log.

The Odyssey
This site features a brief illustrated summary of the Odyssey. Imagine that you are a reporter covering Odysseus’s return to Ithaca. Write a newspaper article about the event from an unusual angle. For instance, how does Odysseus’s return affect Penelope’s suitors or the wives of the men who had been in Odysseus’s crew? Be sure to include details such as who, what, when, where, why, and how.

The Odyssey Game
In this interactive game, you will select a character from the Odyssey (either Odysseus, Penelope, or Telemachus) and answer questions to see if you make the right choices. Play the game with two other members of your class; or play alone, choosing all three characters to see where you score highest.

The Hero's Journey
This interactive Web site based on writer Joseph Campbell's book The Hero with A Thousand Faces describes elements of the hero's journey found in all classic literature, including the Odyssey. Click on I am packed and ready to go, then on the reference link. To learn the stages of a hero’s journey, click See also on the drop down menu and then Summary of the Steps. As a class discussion, relate these steps to scenes in the Odyssey.