Essays on Odysseus

Erich Auerbach describes a model for a hero from the Hebrew bible that he believes is nearly all inclusive. Joseph and the story of his journey through slavery and imprisonment up to royalty exemplifies the journey from the deepest humiliation to exaltation, aided by God’s...

The characters in Homer’s The Odyssey are forever at the mercy of the Gods, those immortals who live in the heights of Mount Olympus, and who, on occasion, walk the lands of earth. Throughout the epic poem the main characters are visited quite often at...

One of the most valued skills one can possess is the art of storytelling. Man can express himself through means of song, art, dance, and poetry—but he must have a story to express himself. After the Trojan War ended, Odysseus journeys home facing various obstacles...

The portrayal of women in classical Greek literature is varied but points towards underlying attitudes regarding their status. Within The Odyssey there are countless representations of women with different motives and personalities, but these female characters are always subverted by men. Perhaps the most vivid...

Which scenes of the Odyssey between Odysseus’ return to Ithaca and his slaughter of the Suitors show Homer at his best as a story teller.’ (Books 14-24) In the Odyssey Homer has created a poem to stir the depths of an audience’s emotions, able to...

The nature of a civilized society or person, rather than an uncivilized one, depends on perspective. Mores that one culture holds dear potentially offend others. Wise travelers remain aware of location before flashing a casual thumbs up or blowing their noses in public–although commonplace in...

The foreboding dark mist in the gloom of the night (141) shadowing Odysseus arrival to the island of the Cyclopes suggests a sinister and frightening site. Recounting the unnaturalness of the occupants and the horror of the ensuing events, Odysseus narration seemingly confirms this interpretation....

The oral tradition is the oldest and most archaic manner of human discourse. The Odyssey of Homer is an example of a literary work that emphasizes the importance of such oral tradition. In it, the hero, Odysseus, is faced with the tasks of detailing, through...

With intelligence, courage, determination, and other heroic qualities, who wouldn’t want to have a hero, or much less be one? That’s right- no one! We all have heroes in our lives, and we probably have all taken them for granted at one point. But have...

The Odyssey presents its readers with many moments of grief – Penelope grieves over the possible loss of her husband, Telemachus is riddled with the grief the suitors give him by trying to take over his missing father’s estate. Perhaps the most striking example of...

The Odyssey, by Homer, tells the tale of warrior-king Odysseus and his misadventures and accomplishments along his journey. With strength of character, a quick wit about him, and the gods on his side, Odysseus suffers through enumerable trials in order to see his wife, Penelope,...

Odysseus exemplifies adventure, courage, and the values of the Greeks, is Odysseus a hero? This essay proves that an epic hero is not only a personification of that culture but also the best version of that culture. The Odyssey is a narrative poem that was...

After the events of the Trojan War, Odysseus and his men headed back home to Ithaca. En route, they unknowingly stopped at the island of the Cyclopes to gather supplies for their long journey home. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of the island were not very friendly...

Alysandra Bui Hist 010 Professor Chrissanthos TA: David Shanta July 18th 2018 The Gods of Ancient Greek Lives Starting from the Dark Ages through the Archaic period of ancient Greece, various aspects of Greek life had changed with the addition of a writing system and...

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...

Thought history humanity has always traveled. From prehistoric nomads to modern day migrants and vacationers, there have always been various types of travelers who travel for different reasons. Through looking at ancient texts and observing the world today, it is evident that travelers of all...

Literary history is filled with tales of travelers. These travelers journey to lands far and wide, gaining new experiences and knowledge of cultures around the world. As much these literary travelers can tell readers about the new cultures they encounter, their stories also contain a...

Despite the idea that literary works stem across a multiplicity of genres and were composed in different time periods, they always seem to have one underlying core: a similar thematic idea or overarching moral of the story. One theme that seems to be the underlying...

The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey both deals with characters that question their mortality due to death. Gilgamesh and Odysseus are motivated by attaining glory and honor. Both of these stories show how fame can interact with how your life turns out in the...

Comparing and contrasting two stories can actually be quite interesting. It shows how characters are similar and different from one another, and it can show how the plots are similar and different. When it comes to comparing and contrasting two stories, it is usually easier...

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 the vast universe of Greek mythology, perhaps one of the best-known and revered works is the epic poem The Odyssey, attributed Homer. This legendary work examines many aspects of human nature, notably the distinction between moral and political behavior. The main character in the...

Homer, the author of The Odyssey, created a hero with negative attributes named Odysseus in his epic poem. The epic hero, Odysseus, is trying to get back home after being away for 17 years. During his expedition, the poem portrays Odysseus’s traits, whether they’re flaws...

Odysseus is considered of the greatest of the 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 Greek’s victory in the Trojan War. The story of Odysseus begins in...

Death is commonly reflected in Greek mythology. Many epics, myths, and short stories include death in their plot or theme. For instance, the short story of Pyramus and Thisbe conveys the idea that when one dies, it does not mean the other should too. However,...

In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus faces a great deal of hardship as he tries to get home to Ithaca and his family. His desire to get back to his homeland gives him the ability to overcome the many obstacles thrown at him throughout his...

The expectations a hero must meet are ever-changing. Historically, a hero was a strong man, one who acted as a protector and warrior on the battlefield capable of fantastic feats. Today, many associate the word with popular fictional characters possessing supernatural abilities and acting as...

Some mythologists may argue that Achilles and Odysseus are not heroes, although they were depicted as such in their prospective stories. These two characters are very much alike. They both exhibit strong heroic qualities, although in different manners they are both heroes. Some heroic traits...

In the 21st century, I would consider a hero a person who commits acts of courageousness and kindness. Many people would recognize this individual as a true hero if they did these acts for the sake of helping others. After fighting in the Trojan War,...

In the first chapter of his novel, How to Read Literature like a Professor, Thomas C. Foster discusses the idea of a quest narrative. “They [protagonists] go because of the stated task, mistakenly believing that it is their real mission. We know, however, that their...