Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story
of that man skilled in all ways of contending,
the wanderer, harried for years on end,
after he plundered the stronghold
on the proud height of Troy. 5

He saw the townlands
and learned the minds of many distant men,
and weathered many bitter nights and days
in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only
to save his life, to bring his shipmates home.

But not by will nor valor could he save them, 10
for their own recklessness destroyed them all—
children and fools, they killed and feasted on
the cattle of Lord Helios, the Sun,
and he who moves all day through heaven
took from their eyes the dawn of their return. 15

Of these adventures, Muse, daughter of Zeus,
tell us in our time, lift the great song again.
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To whom does the author make an appeal?

What is the main function of the “Prologue” to the poem as a whole?

Does the lack of rhyme scheme affect the narrative aspect of the poem? Explain.

Why couldn’t Odysseus save his men? What eventually happens to his men? Find the line numbers to support.

Based on the “Prologue,” what can you infer are Odysseus’ two main objectives?

What can the reader infer about Odysseus through lines 5-6?

How does the reader know that lines 1-5 are about Odysseus? What hints are given to the audience? How would the Greek audience know who this was based on this description?