Odysseus has the best of a fellow beggar in a fair fight, spurred on for the amusement of his wife's wooers. Face to face with Penelope, he assures her that hope is still alive for her in spite of her despair.

Odysseus, having concluded his tale, is given transport by the Phaiacians to the island of Ithaka. There, concealed by Athene under the appearance of a beggar, he stays in the company of one of his own servants, the swineheard Eumaeus, whose tale Odysseus asks to be told.

Odysseus continues the tale of his trials, recounting how they were within sight of Ithaka when jealousy and resentment creates even greater misfortunes. Their journey brings them onto the island of Circe, the Enchantress, and past the song of the Sirens and the terrible monsters of Scylla and Charybdis where all is nearly lost.

After being treated to games and a feast, Odysseus reveals his identity to the Phaiacians, and begins to recount his trials and sufferings with the story of their landing on the Island of the Cyclopes.

Hermes brings the will of Zeus to the island where Odysseus is stranded, and he makes his way by sea toward home. He can't get far before he is wrecked on the Island of the Phaiakians.

Helen concludes her sorrowful tale of Hector's death and funeral, and Telemachus resolves to return, at last, to Ithaka.

Achilles and Hector meet for their final confrontation before the walls of Troy, and Priam, guided by Hermes, visits Achilles in his camp.

Thetis obtains a great favor for her son from Hephaistos, the metalsmith, Achilles re-enters the war with Troy, and Helen recalls with many tears the final days of Hector.

Patroklos, wearing the armor Achilles in battle, forgets his promises, and the greatest of the Greeks is stirred to revenge by a tragic turn in the battle before the walls of Troy.

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