The Authoress of the Odyssey Where and when she wrote, who she was, the use she made of the Iliad, and how the poem grew under her hands

"The Authoress of the Odyssey" by Samuel Butler is a thought-provoking exploration that questions the traditional authorship of the epic poem "The Odyssey." Butler puts forward the idea that a woman, not Homer, actually crafted this classic tale. His argument focuses on specific details within the text, linking them to Sicily and suggesting a unique female point of view. Early in the book, Butler lays out his case for a female author, reflecting on how this idea could change the way we understand the poem's characters and central ideas. He shares his own journey of discovery, expressing his intrigue with the mysteries of the text; additionally, he mentions the scholarly background, talking about the numerous discussions surrounding the "Iliad" and "Odyssey". Overall, the beginning of the book creates an environment for a careful study of the poem, challenging common academic ideas.