The first twelve books in The Odyssey have a specific structure that allows separating the books into three different themes or plot lines. The first three books focus on Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, “the godlike youth,” and his coming-of-age story. The first segment builds up the plot for the second part of The Odyssey from book five to book eight, where Odysseus was kept as a prisoner “in misery in the islands of the nymph Calypso”. The following last segment from book nine to book twelve is known as the main part, known as the wanderings of Odysseus, which focuses on telling about the events at the end of the Trojan War. The poem’s structure, where the author mixes the stories from past events, adds interest for the readers.
Describe the structure of The Odyssey. Discuss why this structure may be used. Explain how this structure might add interest to the story.
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Academic.Tips. 2022. "Describe the structure of The Odyssey. Discuss why this structure may be used. Explain how this structure might add interest to the story." December 19, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/describe-the-structure-of-the-odyssey-discuss-why-this-structure-may-be-used-explain-how-this-structure-might-add-interest-to-the-story/.
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