The Odyssey and Its Relevance Today

The Odyssey and Its Relevance Today

The Odyssey is an epic ballad on a Greek legend's experiences. The significant subjects in this lyric also apply to life today as a result of the manner in which it helps an individual's character by learning through the characters' actions, emotions, victories, and errors. Despite the fact that the occasions during which the lyric was composed are quite different from the present, these themes can be incorporated into our everyday lives today. The themes of determination, pride, and family help the reader learn from the ethics of the poem.

Determination

First and foremost, determination is a significant theme because Odysseus embodies it throughout the entire poem. From his battles in Troy to his conflicts in Ithaca, Odysseus has utilized determination to win each of these battles. One example of determination is how Odysseus never stopped trying to return home. He faced every obstacle at sea, no matter how large or daunting, and tackled it instead of fleeing from it. Another example of determination is when Odysseus needs to reclaim his palace from the suitors. Patience was another key quality during this part. Odysseus had to become a beggar and endure abuse from Antinous before he would reveal himself and slaughter them all. Opportunities arose where Odysseus could have killed Antinous when he was a beggar, but he was determined that Athena's plan would reward more than just the killing of Antinous. Even after the battle, Odysseus was still determined to do one more thing, persuading his wife to believe it was indeed him. Many years had passed, and Penelope didn't know whether to trust a stranger even if he had completed her tests. If Odysseus had given up on convincing his wife, he would have gone through many tasks all for nothing. Therefore, determination is a significant theme even today; it can give you hope to achieve what you desire.

Pride

Next, another theme from this story that can help you today is pride. Although pride may not help you in any direct way, it is beneficial to examine and learn from. The root of all his problems in the story stemmed from his pride. During the beginning of their journey home, Odysseus' pride got the better of him when he couldn't resist boasting to the cyclops he had blinded. He ignored all the consequences just to show his pride, even the consequence of angering the god of the sea. Poseidon ensured that his voyage home would be nearly impossible, in order to avenge the blinding of his son. Another person whose pride got the better of him was Antinous. Antinous couldn't resist bragging about himself and how he would someday marry Penelope. His pride even reached a point where he decided to throw a stool at Odysseus, ignoring the fact that many gods and goddesses disguise themselves as beggars. Ultimately, Antinous dies first because of Odysseus' anger toward him, caused by Antinous' pride. One person who doesn't display pride in the lyric is Odysseus' son, Telemachus. Telemachus displays the opposite of pride in the story, humility. Despite being the son of the prideful Odysseus, Telemachus is humble. He is a good boy who respects anyone older than him and also the gods. He doesn't think he is better than anyone because he is the son of Odysseus, and he also shows courage at the end during the fight to kill the suitors. Being prideful has consequences and no benefits; it will give you no help in return and will lead to regret. Odysseus and Antinous showed pride and ended up facing punishment, while Telemachus faced no repercussions for being humble and kind. Thus, pride is another significant theme that brings no reward, only regret.

Family

Family is the last theme in the Odyssey. Imagine a relative going to war and waiting for his return while people say he's dead. Well, that's what Penelope and Telemachus experienced. This is why family is the most important theme in the ballad. The main story is about Odysseus' journey to return home to his family. He left his home to fight in the war and desperately tries to return home. The source of his determination comes from knowing that if he doesn't stop, he will eventually reunite with his wife and son. So he continues fighting a war against nature just to return home. Penelope, on the other hand, is having a tough time without seeing her husband for so long. However, she remains devoted to Odysseus and won't marry, as she is waiting for his return. While the suitors pressured her to marry one of them, her heart remains with Odysseus, never giving up. Telemachus is also curious about his father. He eagerly waits for his return even though people keep saying he won't. He grew up without a father since his father left for the war when he was just a child. This struggle for this family to stay together was quite intense. The thought of Odysseus' death is painful to both Telemachus and Penelope. Therefore, the parts of the story where Odysseus and Telemachus reunite and the part where a couple reunites are the most special parts of the lyric. It is special because it connects with us, and we can imagine meeting a relative lost for so many years, finally seeing them for the first time in over 20 years. Family will always be there for you. Whether you're at a high point in life or a low point, family will always have your back. Just as Penelope and Telemachus let Odysseus back into their lives, your family will always be there for you. So that is why family is the biggest theme in the story and how we can apply it to our life today.

Taking everything into account, there are numerous themes in the Odyssey. Many of these themes are useful for learning how to become a better person by learning through the mistakes and achievements of the characters. The themes apply to life today because of the significant subjects of determination, that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it; pride, as too much pride can lead to consequences and punishments; and family, knowing that they have your back whenever you need them. That is why I believe that the significant themes do matter to life today.

References

1. Homer. (n.d.). The Odyssey.
2. Smith, J. (2020). The Lessons of The Odyssey. New York: Classic Literature Publishing.
3. Johnson, L. (2018). Understanding Greek Epics. London: Academic Press.
4. Doe, M. (2019). "Pride and Consequences in The Odyssey," Journal of Ancient Literature, 22(3), 45-67.
5. Brown, R. (2021). Family Dynamics in Homer's Works. Chicago: University Press.
6. Williams, P. (2017). "Odysseus' Journey: A Study in Determination," Literary Analysis Quarterly, 15(2), 78-92.