The Odyssey Book 5
Viking Saga Style
In gathering of gods, great Zeus presiding, Athena asked of Odysseus' plight: "Free the father from Calypso; let him humble his home's ravagers." Great Zeus was gallant for god-fearing men: "Hermes, haste, hie to the island. Let nymph know she shall no more hold him; allow Odysseus avenge himself." Hermes the herald hastened onward; called on Calypso across the sea. Calypso cried; her captive she loved, but now by raft she bade him leave.
Twenty trees he trimmed and cut, With bolts he bound the beams together. Seaward he sailed, sent by the winds. Odysseus aimed after his home. Day after day he drove the raft, till Poseidon perceived its prow above. He smote the sea with salty trident, angry at Odysseus after Cyclops' pain.
The raft was rent by roaring waves. Wood gripped the wanderer, washed by storms. He swam through surf, seeing an island. Up cold river current he crawled to the bank. Ripped by rocks of rugged coast, his body beaten by wood and waves, he lay in leaves; a lowly bed. The grey-eyed goddess granted him sleep.
Book 5 Synopsis
Athena asks for Odysseus’ freedom from his captivity in Calypso’s isle. Zeus agrees, sending Hermes to Calypso. Calypso cries bitterly at losing her lover, but bids Odysseus make a raft and leave, which Odysseus does after Calypso makes an oath to never plan further harm to him.
Odysseus sails for many days before Poseidon brings up a storm, wrecking him in the middle of the ocean. Aided by a goddess, he manages to swim to an island. He is swept by a current up a river, crawls to the bank, and falls asleep in a bed of leaves hidden in the trees as Athena watches over him.
I like to think the reason that Zeus now grants Odysseus reprieve is so that he can kill the suitors in an appropriately bloody manner, since they are directly defying the gods by their conduct, and the gods may prefer to act via Odysseus’ hand rather than directly start shooting thunderbolts. But who knows the minds of the gods? I certainly don’t.
I think two more illustrations are possible in this chapter, but not fully required: one of the council of the gods, and one of Calypso crying once Hermes gives her Zeus’ commands.