The Odyssey Chapter Summary & Analysis - Book 5 Summary

Book 5 Summary

The gods come together on Mount Olympus to discuss what to do with Odysseus, though Poseidon is not present because he remains in Ethiopia. Athena offers an impassioned speech about Odysseus, and Zeus agrees to assist him. He sends Hermes to Calypso with the message that she is to set Odysseus free. Calypso is at first resistant, frustrated that the male gods are able to have affairs with mortals while the female gods are prevented from doing the same. However, she relents and allows Odysseus to leave. Since Odysseus' crew has been killed off through his various adventures and he has no boats left, Calypso helps him build a new boat and gives him the supplies he needs for his journey home.

Odysseus sees the island of the Phaeacians, Scheria, after 18 days at sea. However, Poseidon returns from Ethiopia to see that the other gods have let Odysseus go...
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