A divine argument sharpens the fate of a man far from home. As the gods debate justice and mercy, the suffering of Odysseus is brought fully into view—lonely, trapped, and aching for the sight of his own land once more.

In this passage from The Odyssey, Book I continues with Athene speaking in defense of Odysseus before Zeus, recounting his isolation on a distant island and the sorrow that nearly breaks his will. Zeus responds by clarifying the true source of Odysseus’ torment: the enduring anger of Poseidon, born from the blinding of the Cyclops Polyphemus, and tempered only by the limits of divine consensus.

This moment matters because it sets the terms of Odysseus’ return—his survival assured, his journey still contested, and the gods themselves poised to intervene.

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Odyssey is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Homer’s classic epic — every day. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Odyssey.