Homer book summaries

“Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns”

Opening line of the poem, invoking the Muse to tell the story of Odysseus.

“There is nothing more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.”

Odysseus says this to Nausicaa in Book 6, praising the ideal of marital harmony.

“I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, known to the world for every kind of craft—my fame has reached the heavens.”

Odysseus reveals his identity to the Phaeacians in Book 9, after the games.

“Nobody—that's my name. Nobody—so my mother and father call me, all my friends.”

Odysseus tells the Cyclops Polyphemus in Book 9, using the trick that allows him to escape.

“The wine-dark sea”

A recurring epithet used throughout the poem to describe the sea, often in the phrase 'over the wine-dark sea.'

“There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.”

Odysseus says this to the Phaeacians in Book 11, indicating his desire to end his tale and rest.