The Odyssey: Part 1 - The Prince’s Quest

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It'll write social posts for you and even set you up with a social media calendar. It started at GoDaddy dot com slash arrow. That's GoDaddy dot com slash A-I-R-O. Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. My name's Thomas and it's my honor to be your host. Tonight we'll be starting a new nine-part series, A Sleepy Adaptation of the Odyssey. The Odyssey is an epic poem from ancient Greece. It's thought to have been composed around the 8th or 7th century BCE and is commonly attributed to a poet named Homer. But before the poem was written down, it's likely that it already existed in oral form. Thousands of years ago, people would recite the story from memory, telling tales of the hero Odysseus and his seemingly never-ending quest to return home after the Trojan War. At some point, these tales became the stories we know today as the Odyssey. The version you're about to hear is a fairly faithful adaptation. It includes all the scenes that have captivated audiences over the centuries, from the Cyclops to the Sirens to that final happy ending. Along the way, Odysseus has to overcome countless obstacles, gods, monsters, and some unwelcome guests. But throughout it all, we'll try to keep things as relaxing as possible. Tonight, we'll begin with the gods and the family waiting for Odysseus' return, his wife Penelope, and his son Telemachus, who is about to embark on a quest of his own. Our version was adapted and written by Alexandra, and I'm excited to say I'll be narrating the whole series for you, which we'll release on a monthly basis. When it comes to good health and contentment, optimizing your rest is one of the absolute pillars. So why not kick off 2026 by trying Get Sleepy Premium? We really do think you'll agree that it's the best way to listen to the show and the best way to get a good night's sleep. Our premium members listen completely ad-free, with full access to our entire catalogue of stories. Plus, every Thursday, we release a brand new exclusive episode for our premium supporters. Like tomorrow when we'll visit the beautiful Lake Bled in Slovenia, Vanessa will be reading that one for us. To join us for that, and to enjoy all of the wonderful premium benefits, just go to GetSleepy.com slash support. You'll have a 7-day free trial to start off with, so you can be sure it's right for you. GetSleepy.com slash support. Thanks so much everyone. So now, find a nice comfortable position to unwinding, and begin to focus on the breath. Slowly breathe in, feeling the chest and stomach expand, and exhale gently with a sense of relief. Continue to breathe at this slow and steady pace, which will help your mind to gradually switch off, and your body to relax that bit more. And let's practice a small moment of gratitude for your body. Your legs carried you throughout the day, taking you wherever you needed to go, and you can be thankful for that. Your neck held your head high, your hands helped you accomplish your goals, and your face helped you communicate, and perhaps share a warm smile with people you passed by. You can be grateful for all of that too. The list could go on of course, but every part of your body made it possible to live and thrive throughout the day. So take this moment to smile inward, and just say, thank you. Thank you to your body for taking care of you throughout the day. And now, make any last adjustments to ensure you're as comfy as can be. And with your eyes closed, picture the scene. Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. This was where the gods Zeus lived, in a splendid palace. And this is where our story begins. In Zeus's palace, the gods had gathered, as they so often did, to discuss the fate of a mortal. What was to be done with Odysseus? After the Trajan War, Odysseus, king of Ithaca, had become stranded on an island. He was still there now, far from home, and with no way of escaping. The goddess Athena, who had always had a soft spot for Odysseus, spoke to Zeus. With eloquent words, she made her case. For years now, Odysseus had been stuck on this remote island, the prisoner of a goddess named Calypso. The island was a beautiful place, said Athena, but it wasn't home. Every day, Odysseus wept, thinking of Ithaca and the family that waited for him, his beloved wife and son. He would do anything to be back there. Even just to see the smoke in the distance, rising from his homeland. Odysseus had suffered long enough, said Athena. It was time for the gods to intervene. Having listened carefully, Zeus nodded his head in agreement. Yes, he said. It was high time that Odysseus returned home. But there was a problem. The sea god Poseidon was furious and held a grudge against Odysseus. He was the one preventing Odysseus from reaching Ithaca. So, said Zeus, the other gods would have to come up with a plan. Athena smiled, her eyes shining. She knew exactly what to do. The gods must send their messenger Hermes to talk to the goddess Calypso. He would tell her of the gods' decision, that Calypso must set Odysseus free. As for Athena herself, she would go to Ithaca and meet with Odysseus' son, Telemachus. He too needed all the help he could get. And with that, Athena prepared to leave. She strapped her golden sandals to her feet, the sandals that allowed her to travel like the wind, and took to the air. When Athena arrived on the island of Ithaca, she disguised herself as a man and made her way to the palace. There, the situation was even worse than she'd feared. In Odysseus' absence, his palace had been taken over by more than a hundred young men. They were suitors, men who hoped to marry Odysseus' wife, Penelope. Of course, Penelope had no intention of marrying any of them. Even as year after year passed, she remained loyal to her husband, hoping that he would return. But the suitors were stubborn. Every day they came to the palace, where they ate and drank to their heart's content. They would play games, sing, and flirt with the maids into the early hours. Poor Penelope was at her wit's end, as was her son, Telemachus. It was Telemachus that Athena had come to visit. The young prince needed guidance. Athena was lingering at the entrance when Telemachus spotted her. Though, of course, as she was in disguise, he took her for a stranger, a king from another land perhaps. Welcome, stranger, said Telemachus. He invited Athena to join him for dinner. Unfortunately, it would be a somewhat rowdy affair, with all the suitors at the table. But there was little he could do. Telemachus always made sure to treat guests well, just as his father had once done. It was one of those unspoken rules. Once Athena was seated comfortably, a girl came to the table with a golden jug of water so she could wash her hands. Meanwhile, the other servants laid out the finest food and wine. Then it was time to eat, or, more importantly, to talk. Telemachus had chosen seats at the end of the table, as far as possible from the suitors. He hoped to have a private conversation with this stranger, who might have news of his father. As a bard began to sing and play the lyre, Telemachus leaned close to Athena and spoke quietly. He told her of the terrible situation, how the greedy suitors had taken over the palace, while his father's bones were most likely lying at the bottom of the ocean. And yet, part of him held on to hope that Odysseus was still alive, somewhere in the wild. Athena introduced herself as Mentes, king of the Tafians. During her travels, she had not encountered Odysseus, but she was certain that he was alive. There must be something blocking him, the will of the gods perhaps, or someone keeping him prisoner. But Odysseus was quick-witted. Sooner or later, he would find his way home. Athena and Telemachus talked late into the night. The young prince spoke of his troubles, his fears for his father, his worries for his mother, and his growing resentment of the suitors. Odysseus would surely return one day, said Athena, and take vengeance on the suitors. But in the meantime, Telemachus was the man of the house. This was her advice, to call a meeting with the suitors and order them to leave. Then Telemachus should set out on a journey to seek news of his father. He should go first to Pylos and speak to wise king Nesta. From there, he could travel to Sparta and meet with Menelaus. Both men had fought alongside Odysseus in the Trojan War. Hopefully at least one of them would have news. Telemachus could then decide what to do, to mourn his father, or to continue waiting. But either way, he must have courage and get rid of the suitors once and for all. Telemachus was very grateful for the advice. Once the meal was over, he invited his guest to stay a little longer, to enjoy a relaxing bath, and then take a gift before leaving. Another time, said Athena with a smile, she had somewhere to be. And then, to the prince's amazement, she just disappeared. It was as though she had flown into the air, or vanished in a puff of smoke. Now he understood. The guest was not a king, but a god, one who had come to give him courage. Happy, but weary, Telemachus left the hall. And while the suitors continued their revelry, he made his way upstairs to his bedroom, which overlooked the courtyard. He was accompanied by a faithful old servant, Euryclea. She had been with the family for years, and was like a second mother to Telemachus. After bringing the torches to his room, Euryclea took his tunic, which she smoothed and folded, and then hung on a hook on the door, ready to be worn the next day. Then she left, quietly closing the door behind her. At last, Telemachus was alone. He snuggled down in his soft woolen blankets, his mind full of thoughts. He would have to plan his journey to Pylos. He needed supplies, gifts. But before he could think any more, his eyes became heavy, and a sweet sleep overcame him. Early the next morning, Telemachus held a meeting in the square. He had summoned all the suitors, and invited the elders of Ithaca. So there was quite a crowd. With his bronze sword strapped to his back, and his finest sandals on his feet, Telemachus looked like a god. Athena herself had given him a divine grace, and an air of authority. But as the prince spoke, complaining about the suitors, and lamenting his situation, tears came to his eyes. While some of them impited him, others jeered. One man, Antinous, declared that the suitors had done nothing wrong. If anything, it was Penelope who was to blame. She had led the suitors to believe that she would marry one of them, once she'd finished weaving a cloth. Each day, Penelope had worked at her loom. But each night, she had secretly unraveled the cloth. She had played this cunning trick for four years, until the suitors caught her in the act. The men would not leave, said Antinous, until Penelope chose a husband from among them. At last, the still tearful Telemachus announced his decision. He would travel to Pylos and Sparta, seeking news of his father. If Odysseus was dead, Telemachus would build a tomb and arrange the funeral rites. Then, and only then, would Penelope marry. Later that day, Telemachus began his preparations for his journey. He was feeling calmer now, and ready for whatever lay ahead. He went down to the storeroom, which was filled with goods, boxes of gold and bronze, chests of clothes, jars of olive oil, and vintage wine. He called Eurycleia and asked the servant to help him prepare. He would need jugs of wine and bags of barley for the journey. When Eurycleia heard of his plans, she began to weep. Telemachus was still so young, just a boy. If he left home, the suitors might plot against him, and the seas were so dangerous. Telemachus embraced his old nanny and did his best to reassure her. He would be home before she knew it. In the meantime, she mustn't say a word. He didn't want his mother to know, as she would only worry. As Telemachus and Eurycleia stood there in the storeroom, surrounded by jars and boxes, the servant swore on oath. She promised to keep his secret. Elsewhere, the goddess Athena was also making preparations. First, she cleverly disguised herself as Telemachus and walked through the streets of Ithaca, sharing men for the voyage. When the sun went down, having prepared the ship and ready to the crew, Athena made her way to the palace. There, she lulled the drunken suitors into a deep sleep, so they would not wake during the night. The goddess disguised herself as a mortal man once again. This time, she took the form of Mentor, an old family friend. In this disguise, Athena went to the hall and summoned Telemachus. The crew was ready for departure, and there was no time to lose. Telemachus followed Athena down to the shore, where the ship and sailors were waiting for him. Once the prince had given his commands, they quickly sat sail, leaving the shores of Ithaca further and further behind. All the while, unbeknownst to the men, Athena guided the wind and smoothed the waves. Odysseus had been unlucky on his travels, but at least she could grant his son safe passage. Telemachus and his men raised their cups of wine and poured libations to the immortals, most of all to bright-eyed Athena, daughter of Zeus. And all night long, the ship sailed across the Windarck Sea. At dawn, they arrived at Pylos. Still in disguise, Athena led Telemachus to the shore and told him to go to Nestor's house. Perhaps the old king had some advice. Telemachus was a little shy, but Athena urged him to be brave. He was a clever boy, and the gods were on his side. It would be all right. At Nestor's house, Telemachus and Athena received a warm welcome. They sat down for a wonderful feast, eating until their bellies were full. Afterwards, as they relaxed at the table, Telemachus told Nestor why he had come. To search for news of his father Odysseus. Did he lose his life during the Trojan War? There was a sadness in the king's eyes as he spoke, recalling all that had happened during the war. The lives that were lost, the fate of poor Agamemnon. But as for Odysseus, one of the best, the cleverest of men, Nestor did not know. He gazed at Telemachus fondly. The young prince looked and talked just like his father. The men sat at the table until sundown. Telemachus shared his troubles, and Nestor counseled him to be strong and brave. He also advised Telemachus to visit Menelaus in Sparta. Menelaus was a good, honest man who had recently returned from distant lands. Perhaps he would know something of Odysseus. At this point Athena, who was still in disguise, quietly interjected. Now that darkness had fallen, it was best that they return to their ship. But Nestor wouldn't hear of it. Telemachus at least must stay the night as his guest. It was a privilege to have the son of Odysseus at his home. Very well said Athena, Telemachus could stay, but she had things to do. And with that, she transformed into a majestic bird of prey and flew into the air. All the men stared in silent astonishment until Nestor finally spoke. Clasping Telemachus' hand, he said that the young man would surely be a hero, just like his father. It was clear that the gods were on his side. Until that evening, Nestor arranged a sacrifice and poured libations in honor of Athena. Then he had a bed prepared for Telemachus, a comfortable camp bed under the portico. And soon enough, the whole household was fast asleep. The following morning, Telemachus enjoyed a long, luxurious bath. His skin was rubbed with oil, and he dressed in a fine cloak and tunic. Being fresh and clear-headed, he made his way to the hall to meet with Nestor. The king told him that everything had been arranged. He would give Telemachus two horses and a carriage to take him all the way to Sparta. And he wouldn't have to travel alone. Nestor's own son would accompany him. Once they were packed up, the two men sat off. Nestor's son took the reins, driving them across vast open plains, through fields of wheat and sleepy, sun-drenched towns. After spending a night at the palace of King Diocles, they continued their journey. And towards the end of the second day, as darkness cloaked the land, they arrived in Sparta, a place of wild beauty. Sparta was the home of King Menelaus. Like Nestor, he had fought in the Trojan War, and he had known Odysseus well. When Telemachus and Nestor's son entered the palace hall, they found a lively scene. The family were in the middle of a wedding feast, celebrating the marriages of Menelaus' children. A bard strung a lyre, while acrobats swallowed around the room. When Menelaus discovered that two more guests had arrived, he invited them in immediately. And after a refreshing bath and a change of clothes, Telemachus and Nestor's son joined the banquet. "'Eat,' said Menelaus. "'There would be time for talking later.' After the long day of travel, Telemachus had quite an appetite. But even so, he ate slowly, looking around in wonder. The hall was magnificent, a shining room of gold, silver, and ivory. Zeus' palace on Mount Olympus must look something like this. When at last they had finished eating, Menelaus shared his story. He told Telemachus about his travels after the Trojan War, how he'd traversed distant lands like Egypt and Ethiopia. He had suffered losses too, but the man he missed most of all was Odysseus, his companion in battle. With a sigh, Menelaus said that Odysseus' family must be missing him too. His poor wife and son, Telemachus was just a child when Odysseus left for Troy. When Telemachus heard these words, tears came to his eyes. But even as he tried to hide them, burying his face in his cloak, Menelaus had already understood. Just then they were joined at the table by Helen. She was the wife of Menelaus, and is beautiful as a goddess. As Helen made herself comfortable at the table, resting her feet on a stool, she asked Menelaus about the guests. One of the young men looked just like Odysseus. This nodded. He too had noticed the resemblance. At this point, Nestor's son joined the conversation. The man beside him was indeed Telemachus, son of Odysseus. He was a shy young man who had come to Menelaus in search of guidance, and if the gods were dead, news of his father's fate. As the men spoke of Odysseus and other absent loved ones, they were overcome with melancholy. It was a shame, thought Helen, to see the men so downcast. During her travels, she had acquired a magic plant that took away all pain and sadness. So now, in secret, she mixed it with the wine. As the men drank, their tears dried, and their spirits were soothed. They continued to talk, until Telemachus could no longer keep his eyes open. Two soft beds were prepared beneath the portico. From there, under fleecy blankets, Telemachus and his friend fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. The next day, Telemachus and Menelaus spoke again. Telemachus recounted his troubles with the suitors and his search for his father, and Menelaus shared his own experiences. He had a story to tell, one that would answer Telemachus's question. On their way home from Troy, Menelaus and his men had become stranded on an island. It was a hopeless situation. For twenty days, there were no winds, and their supplies had nearly run out. But one day, while pacing alone on the shore, Menelaus encountered a goddess. This goddess took pity on him and gave him some words of advice. A sea god named Proteus lived in these parts. He was a wise old god, and he would surely know how to help Menelaus. The problem was, Proteus was a slippery fellow. Menelaus would have to catch him fast. To begin with, said the goddess, Menelaus and his men should disguise themselves in seal skins. That way, they could hide among Proteus's seals, whom he counted every day, just like a flock of sheep. Then, when Proteus fell asleep, Menelaus could seize him. The god would try to escape, changing into a hundred different forms, from animal to fire to water. But Menelaus must hold firm. And at last, when Proteus was worn down, he would change back to his true form. Menelaus could then question him, and get all the information he needed. So this was exactly what Menelaus did next. He and his men hid among the seals, and waited until Proteus was fast asleep. Then they grabbed hold of him. Just as the goddess had warned, Proteus was full of tricks. He changed into a lion, a snake, a stream of water, and then a tree. But Menelaus and his men held on. Eventually, Proteus grew weary, and changed back to his original form. A grumpy sea god. And with a huff, he agreed to answer Menelaus' questions. Anything to get rid of the man, so he could go back to sleep. First, Menelaus wanted to know how to escape from the island. To his dismay, Proteus told him that he must first return to Egypt, and make a sacrifice to the gods. Only then would he be able to return home. Next, Menelaus asked what had happened to his companions in battle. What about Ajax, Agamemnon, and Odysseus? Were they still alive? Proteus told Menelaus everything he knew. Ajax and Agamemnon had met tragic fates. As for Odysseus, he was alive, but trapped on an island. He was the captive of the goddess Calypso. Without a boat, Odysseus had no way of escaping. After his meeting with the sea god, Menelaus had eventually found his way home. At last, he had been reunited with his family, and he hoped that Odysseus would one day be just as fortunate. Telemachus felt somewhat comforted by what he had heard. Though far from home, at least his father was alive. There was still hope. As they continued chatting, Menelaus invited Telemachus to extend his stay at the palace. After eleven days at least. Then Menelaus would send him home with gifts, horses, a shining chariot, and a special cup. Whenever Telemachus used it to make offerings to the gods, he would think of Menelaus and the time they had spent together. Telemachus was touched and thanked the king warmly, but he couldn't accept such gifts. The island where he lived, Ithaca, had no meadows. It was a land for goats, not horses. And as much as he appreciated the offer, he couldn't stay at the palace. He had to return to Pylos, where his crew was waiting for him. Smiling, Menelaus said that he understood. Telemachus was free to leave whenever he wished, and he would have a different parting gift. A precious silver bowl crafted by the god Hifvistus himself. But before Telemachus left, they still had time for one more feast. Meanwhile, back on Ithaca, the suitors were becoming restless. Telemachus had been gone for quite a while now, and he'd taken many men with him. What was the prince doing? Perhaps he was gathering an army. If so, the suitors couldn't take the risk. Instead of waiting for Telemachus to return to Ithaca, they would meet him halfway and ambush him. While the suitors plotted, Penelope was listening. She was deeply concerned by what she heard, that her son had gone all the way to Sparta, and that the suitors planned to ambush him on his return. In tears, she went to her room, where she was comforted by the women. Among them was Eurycleia, the loyal old woman who had helped Telemachus to prepare for his journey. Eurycleia tried to reassure Penelope. The gods would keep Telemachus safe, and Penelope mustn't weep. It would only spoil her lovely complexion. So, Penelope dried her tears, and followed the old woman's advice. After a warm bath, she scattered grains of barley on a tray, and prayed to Athena. May the goddess protect her son from harm. As Penelope settled in Tibet, her mind was still racing. But her eyes were heavy, and her body felt loose and relaxed. In a matter of moments, she was asleep. The goddess Athena had heard Penelope's prayer, and she wanted to comfort her. So, she created a spirit in the form of a woman, and sent it to the queen's bedroom. When Penelope opened her eyes, she thought she was still dreaming. In her darkened room, she saw a figure of a woman. Someone she thought she recognized. Then, the spirit spoke. In a quiet, soothing voice, she told Penelope that she mustn't worry. Telemachus was coming home. With Athena as his guide, no harm would come to him. Penelope gazed in wonder at the spirit. Perhaps she had been sent by the gods, or was herself a god. And if she knew about Telemachus, perhaps she knew about Odysseus too. But when Penelope asked, the spirit said that she could not say whether Odysseus was alive or dead. His fate was like the wind, an intangible thing. Before Penelope could reply again, the spirit had vanished into the night air. It was only then that she awoke, and understood that she had been dreaming. Her heart felt lighter, now that she knew her son was safe. As for Odysseus, she would always live in hope. Penelope drifted into sleep once more, and all was quiet on Ithaca.