Odysseus is considered one of the greatest Greek heroes who fought during the Trojan War. Known for his cunning intellect, Odysseus designed the plan that sacked the city of Troy and brought Greece's victory in the Trojan War. The story of Odysseus begins in Homer's...
Homer’s Odyssey was set 10 years after the Trojan war which would mean the stories taking place in the epic are dated sometime around 1170 BC. This is a time that is arguably unrecognisable by today’s standards in many parts of the world in terms...
The epic of The Iliad primarily focuses on the glory-seeking heroes within the Trojan and Akkhaian ranks, describing their varied attempts to immortalize themselves through gaining honor. Interestingly, while the heroes all possess this same aspiration for glory, there are quite obvious differences in the...
In the Odyssey, we can constantly see how power affects the position of others in society. The Odyssey shows how who has power changes the leveling of society, who are equal, and who is oppressed. In book 1 we can see how women are expected...
In book 6, in the evening, Nausicaa, the Phaeacian princess is visited by Athena in a dream and obliges her to clean her dress. Once Nausiacaa wakes up, she takes her maids and a mule-pushcart, and the maids clean her attire in the ponds by...
The emphasis on strategy over strength in The Odyssey is prevalent throughout books 1-12, and becomes a defining characteristic of Odysseus. Ancient Greek culture places value on thinking through actions, and Odysseus enforces this when he creates plans to get out of multiple life or...
Pieces of great literature are hard to come by, especially those written before Christ. Homer was a poet, who lived in Ancient Greek. He wrote a very well-known epic poem, called The Iliad. This poem is set during the Trojan War, in Troy. The poem...
Destiny has been a constant theme for authors, poets, dramatists and playwrights since time immemorial. The idea of destiny has been incorporated in many novels and plays. Human beings have always been intrigued by the power of moira and its ability to dominate the course...
Arguably one of the most famous poems centered around a homecoming, Homer’s The Odyssey tells the story of literature’s most famous veteran, Odysseus, and his journey home. After ten years of fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus’s priority (and the entire plot of the book)...
In Homer’s The Iliad, there are many victims of war such as Sarpedon, Patroclus, and Hector, all of whom die. There is, however, another lesser discussed victim of this war, Andromache. Andromache, the wife of hector, showcases the effect of war on those left at...
The Iliad by the Greek poet Homer is a patriarchal epic led by fearless men with a supporting cast of female characters. In Greek society, women are either a man’s prized possession or a man’s impediment and are the symbol of masculine pride. In the...
Introduction The Odyssey, a famous epic poem by the ancient Greek poet Homer, is super important in Western literature. It tells the story of Odysseus, who’s trying to get back home to Ithaca after the Trojan War—a journey that takes him ten years! The gods...
Homeric Epic has become a staple of the modern evaluation of the ancient Greco-Roman world. It is among the great literary works of history, having withstood the tests of time and remaining so widely popular. Whether we believe Homer was an individual, a group, or...
Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, is a timeless tale that has captivated readers for centuries. At its core, the poem explores the journey of the hero Odysseus as he strives to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. However, woven throughout the narrative is...
Controversy infects our world like germs. It can be contained and controlled for a time but it will never truly be gone. In order to regulate the issues, they must first be addressed. However, when this occurs, more problems surface in its stead. A major...
In Homer’s epic poem, *The Odyssey*, the goddess Athena plays a big part in Odysseus’s journey. All through the epic, Athena’s eyes keep popping up as a symbol of guidance, protection, and divine help. By looking at the different times Athena’s eyes are mentioned, we...
Introduction to the Cyclops Episode The Cyclops episode in Homer’s “Odyssey” is one of the most iconic and thrilling segments of this ancient epic. It showcases not only Odysseus’s cleverness but also the themes of human cunning, the dangers of hubris, and the interaction between...
The Odyssey is a Greek epic by Homer. It tells the story of Odysseus, a great Greek hero, known for his bravery and intelligence, and his returning journey home. During his journey, he comes across many obstacles, many caused by conflicts in the realm of the gods. However, there...
Introduction The whole thing with Odysseus and the maids in “The Odyssey” has got people talking for ages. Some folks think it shows who Odysseus really is, and others wonder what the rules back then said about such actions. Let’s break down what happened, why...
When we think of epic tales, one of the first works that often comes to mind is Homer’s ‘The Iliad.’ This ancient text has been a cornerstone of Western literature, and for good reason. It’s not just a story about the Trojan War; it’s an...
The Odyssey is an epic anthem on a greek legend’s encounters. The critical subjects in this verse furthermore apply to life today because of the way wherein it helps a person’s character by learning through the character’s exercises, feelings, triumphs, and mistakes. Regardless of the way...
Temptation is a thing we often see pop up in stories. It’s a theme that really digs into what makes us human and how we handle the push and pull between what we want and what we think is right. You see this a lot...
The Odyssey of Homer and the Epic of Gilgamesh are two popular legendary works with heroic characters. Comparing the attributes and heroic aspirations of these two mythological figures via literature can assist us to recognize how exclusive they are. This Odyssey and Gilgamesh evaluation has...
The Odyssey, an epic poem by the ancient Greek poet Homer, is a timeless classic that has been studied and celebrated for centuries. One of the key elements that makes The Odyssey such a compelling work of literature is the use of dramatic irony. In...
Introduction The Iliad is considered to be one of the greatest literary works from ancient Greece, still highly regarded today. One of the most famous Greek warriors to exist, Achilleus, is the central character within the book. Homer goes to great lengths to describe Achilleus’...
Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for centuries. The story follows the hero Odysseus as he faces numerous challenges and obstacles on his journey back home after the Trojan War. Throughout his adventures, Odysseus encounters a variety of...
When we think about ancient texts, one of the first that comes to mind is Homer’s The Iliad. This epic poem has stood the test of time, continuing to inspire countless artistic interpretations across various mediums. From paintings and sculptures to films and modern adaptations,...
Homer’s epic poem, “The Odyssey,” is renowned for its vivid portrayal of heroic deeds, mythical creatures, and the trials of its protagonist, Odysseus. However, amidst the grand adventures and male-centric narratives, the female characters in “The Odyssey” play a significant and multifaceted role. From the...
One of the reasons for its enduring appeal is the use of archetypes, which are recurring symbols, characters, and themes that are found in literature across different cultures and time periods. In The Odyssey, Homer skillfully employs archetypes to create a rich and complex narrative...
Poetry is a form of literature that allows for a multitude of interpretations, shaped by personal and societal values, beliefs, and experiences. “The Odyssey,” an epic poem attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, is a prime example of a work that invites extensive analysis...
Homer is the legendary author to whom the authorship of the Iliad and the Odyssey (the two epic poems that are the foundational works of ancient Greek literature) is attributed. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential authors of all time.
Works
“Iliad”, “Odyssey”
Style
The Homeric epics are written in an artificial literary language or 'Kunstsprache' only used in epic hexameter poetry. Homer frequently uses set phrases such as epithets, Homeric formulae, simile, type scenes, ring composition and repetition. These habits aid the extemporizing bard, and are characteristic of oral poetry.
Influence
The Homeric epics were a defining influence on ancient Greek culture and education. To Plato, Homer was simply the one who "has taught Greece". From antiquity until the present day, the influence of Homeric epic on Western civilization has been great, inspiring many of its most famous works of literature, music, art and film.
Quotes
“Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing is bred that is weaker than man.”
“…There is the heat of Love, the pulsing rush of Longing, the lover’s whisper, irresistible—magic to make the sanest man go mad.”
“A man who has been through bitter experiences and travelled far enjoys even his sufferings after a time”
