2. Setting: Odysseus is on Calypso’s Island Time: It picks up 10 years after the fall of Troy, which means he is 20 years away from home.

3. The Conflict: A huge crowd of suitors, who think Odysseus is dead after 20 years, are occupying Odysseus’ house, and they refuse to leave until Penelope (Odysseus’ wife) selects one of them to be her new husband. They feast and carouse at her and Telemachus’ (Odysseus’ son) expense.

4. Athena’s Help: Persuades the gods to allow Odysseus to return home. Takes the form of a friend of Odysseus from overseas, and she convinces Telemachus to go in search of his father. Hermes’ Help: At the same time, Hermes (the messenger god) goes to Calypso’s Island and tells Odysseus that it is time to go home, and he claims this was a message directly from Zeus.

5. Odysseus King of Ithica Currently on Calypso’s Island Penelope Odysseus’ wife Has yet to remarry, but is being harassed by suitors Telemachus Odysseus’ son Sent out by Athena to find Odysseus Athena Goddess who helps Odysseus get home