Odyssey

Author Homer · Publisher Parangsae · Published 2026-08-25 · ISBN 9788961556026

About the Book

A hero is not someone who never gets lost,
But someone who ultimately finds their way home.

The Odyssey employs a frame narrative, recounting past events from the present. Readers follow Odysseus's voice, experiencing his journey alongside him, and naturally becoming immersed in his and his crew's adventures. As the story unfolds, a question arises: "Why?" This curiosity, beginning with "why," is precisely why The Odyssey, hailed as the first adventure epic, remains relevant thousands of years later. It encapsulates questions that transcend time and generations, questions that all humans ponder.
In an era of accelerating intergenerational disconnect, classics serve as flexible bridges connecting different times and generations. The Odyssey weaves ancient questions into thrilling adventures. Odysseus's journey, encountering countless temptations and crises on his way home, is a microcosm of life's adventure. Sometimes, he navigates crises with intellect and strategy; other times, he is swayed by emotion and instinct, facing the consequences of his choices.
The ages between twelve and nineteen, a period when one's perspective on the world changes and the need for self-made choices increases, is when one's own adventure begins. Stepping away from the familiar world of parents, friends, school, and society, one confronts the question, "Who am I?" Like Odysseus, one sometimes finds their way with their own wisdom, and at other times, gets lost due to hasty judgment and desires. In this process, they learn to take responsibility for their choices.
Odysseus is a 'human' who, despite making mistakes and wavering, ultimately finds his path. The reason why a story from thousands of years ago remains relevant today is that there are human questions that remain unchanged regardless of the era.

Curriculum Connection

Drama Unit: Enjoying Theater Together
5-1 Korean Language 2. Appreciating Works
5-1 Korean Language 3. Summarizing Texts
5-1 Korean Language 4. The Writing Process
5-1 Korean Language 7. Writing a Travelogue
5-1 Korean Language 10. Becoming the Protagonist
6-1 Korean Language 2. Summarizing Stories
6-1 Korean Language 3. Structuring Cohesively
6-1 Korean Language 8. Tracing a Character's Life
6-2 Korean Language 1. Characters in Works and Myself
6-2 Korean Language 5. Comparing Thoughts in Texts
6-2 Korean Language 8. Experiencing Through Works
5 Ethics 1. Righteous and Dignified
5 Ethics 5. Wisdom in Resolving Conflict
6 Ethics 3. Reflecting on My Life


Recommendations

The Longest Way Home
"The Odyssey is the longest and most famous homecoming story in human literary history."

What is a hero? Odysseus represents wisdom, eloquence, adaptability, and perseverance. He is not stronger than monsters, but he discerns what monsters do not know; he is not greater than the gods, but he finds ways to survive amidst their whims. He transforms into a warrior, sailor, storyteller, and beggar, and if necessary, waits for the right moment instead of acting immediately. The hero in this work is not someone who never falls, but someone who, despite getting lost countless times, does not forget where they must return and overcomes crises to find their way.

Of course, Odysseus should not be considered a perfect role model. He is clever but vain, brave but sometimes reckless. He is an excellent storyteller and also skillfully lies when needed, and after his return, he exacts revenge in a manner that today's readers might find unsettling. This classic is less a textbook to emulate every action and more a book that confronts the values of an ancient era with today's perspective, prompting questions. Instead of continuously applauding the protagonist, it invites us to pause and ask, "Was this truly the best option?" That questioning and contemplation complete the act of reading a classic.
The lesson this work offers is that wisdom is not the ability to know all the answers beforehand. True wisdom is the ability to see a situation anew when the unexpected happens and, if necessary, change one's plans. Curiosity leads to new worlds, but arrogance makes one believe they already know everything. One must also remember that choices have consequences. Small choices become habits, and habits shape the direction of life.

Life has neither a screen that tells you your destination nor voice guidance that immediately corrects wrong choices. More often than not, we only realize later which path is a shortcut and which is a trap. However, the moment we realize we've lost our way, we can set sail again. What matters is not arriving faster than others. It's about not forgetting the values you want to uphold and the people you should love, even after numerous temptations and failures, and returning at the end of a long voyage a little wiser. Perhaps that is the oldest and most accurate navigational method Odysseus left us. I wish you the best in your life's voyage.
- Jeong Jae-seung (Professor of Brain and Cognitive Science at KAIST, Planner and Author of Jeong Jae-seung's Human Exploration Report)


* Certification Type: Supplier Conformity Confirmation

Table of Contents

Odysseus Will Return Alive … 9
The Adventures of Odysseus … 81
How Odysseus Returned to Ithaca … 207
The Suitors Meet Their End … 311
Guidance_The Longest Way Home … 364