Essays on Odysseus

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 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...

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....

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...

Odysseus exemplifies adventure, courage, and the values of the Greeks, but does that make him a hero? 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 sung...

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...

Prompt 2 – The Humbling of Odysseus 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Odysseus: A Realistic Barbaric Hero The ancient hero, often being assumed to be a beacon of perfection and civilization among the hordes of barbarians, is considered by modern standards to be less perfect, but more realistic. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, the...

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...

“Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story Of that man skilled in all ways of contending, The wanderer, harried for years on end, After he plundered the stronghold On the proud height of Troy. He saw the townlands And learned the minds...

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,...

“I wish that he may return safely so that I may hold his hand once more, and we may become a family once more.”However, this did not go to plan for the young Penelope after the Trojan War had ended, as Odysseus had not yet...

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...