Comparing Homer's Odyssey and Everyday Life Essay

When Odysseus left to serve in the Trojan War he missed seeing his only son, Telemachus, grow up. Telemachus was only an infant when his father, Odysseus, left and sailed to Troy to battle the Trojans. Odysseus never got to witness him take his first steps, say his first words, heard sheep or string his first bow. Leaving his wife, Penelope, to take care of Telemachus. It was hard to take care of him, but she had maids by her side and Odysseus’s mother help raise him. Odysseus never saw Telemachus grow up and become prince Telemachus. When Odysseus returned back to Ithaca, to duel the suitors “He dropped his

For Odysseus to feel safe and secure again in his homeland, he tests the local swineherd Eumaeus for his loyalty in order to get information about the palace. Odysseus does not know much about the palace. To get information, he tests Eumaeus for his loyalty by seeing his reaction to his prayer to the gods. “May Zeus. . . give you your heart’s desire for the royal welcome you have shown me here!” (303) Eumaeus says it is his duty to welcome Odysseus because of his loyalty to the King. This makes Odysseus feel secure around him. After being welcomed, Odysseus tests Eumaeus about the palace by asking him who the king is. “[W]ho was the man who bought you. . . [w]hat’s his name?” (305) By asking Eumaeus this, Odysseus is able to acquire information about the suitors and Penelope. He needs to feel secure

Still he searches out for clues and any information of the possible demise of his father. He is willing to go far and wide just for the knowledge of his father's whereabouts. He is a faithful son and aids his father in all possible ways as Odysseus returns and reclaims what is legitimately his. Telemachus is there to fight side by side with his father whom he has only loved in his heart and mind. Some would call that blind faith. Just as the God whom we serve today calls us to love and serve him without seeing him with our eyes, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). Although Odysseus is Telemachus' earthly father, one can see the parallels. He is as devoted to Odysseus as Penelope is; yet he has no actual memory of his father what so ever.

Athen, the goddess, has intelligence and independent through the entire poem. Athena also has compassion for Odysseus, devising the plan to help him return home because she feels sorry for him. Athena also guide Telemachus on his journey. "You will not lack either courage or sense in the future, Telemachus, for we see now that there is a drop in you of your fathers fine spirit. .... There is hope for the future and I tell you that you will succeed." She guides Telemachos and Odysseus when they take revenge on their house.

The timeless story, The Odyssey, has left it’s mark in literature as one of the first narratives depicting the hero’s journey cycle. This work of creative writing has laid the foundation of storytelling that would later inspire other popular writings like, The Hunger Games, The Lord of The Rings, and Harry Potter. How has this ancient novel withstand the sands of time and remain relevant and appealing even to modern day readers? The Odyssey touches upon many topics that appear attractive to even present-day audiences. Such as adventure, romance, action, and magic. Moreover, this heart-pumping story includes many engrossing and varied personas that we are able to relate to and fathom in the real world. Many diverse characters face choices

Athena is constantly helping Odysseus throughout the book, and making sure he stays safe. She has no regards for Odysseus’ crew members, as she only cares about Odysseus. He tends to think very highly of himself because he is in the God’s favor. When Odysseus is caught up in a bad situation, he often brushes it off like it’s nothing because he knows that Athena will help him. This is not a good mindset to have, because he is not always sure Athena will swoop in and help him out of his mess. Alongside this, Athena only cares for Odysseus, and she only saves him. His crewmembers are not necessarily favored by the Gods, so they might be hurt because no gods are looking out for them. Athena made Odysseus prove his worth in Book 22 of the Odyssey. She had helped him so much along the way, but she finally decided to test him before he killed all of the suitors. Odysseus was frustrated that he had to work for his help from the gods, as he is usually handed assistance from

Zeus and the god have paid you!”(479-480). The way Odysseus handles the thoughts makes us believe that he is trying to make himself seem greater than he really, he is trying to seem like a mighty noble person but in reality he does not care for anyone but himself. This detriment may lead everyone to not trust Odysseus, he may act noble and wise but he really is not and people would catch onto

He has not a single clue as to what has happened--besides the Suitors, in which Odysseus has already made his judgement. But for his family, his most trusted servants and maids, Odysseus doesn’t know who to trust. In an effort to make sure that he still has people on his side despite the years that have passed, he disguises himself as a beggar: “‘You, on the contrary, are in no hurry even to ask questions and learn the news. No; with your own eyes you must first make sure of your wife--who, by the way, does nothing but sit at home with her eyes never free from tears as the slow nights and days pass sorrowfully by.’” (13, 117) Athene is, once again, there to praise Odysseus for his intelligence, and encourages his plan to infiltrate the palace. Trust is a of huge importance to Odysseus and for the other characters; whoever has remained loyal to Odysseus stays alive, and those who have not receive his wrath. One of the first people that Odysseus “tests” is his old friend

When Odysseus returns home to Ithaca after many years he finds his old servants. After sneaking around as a beggar for the majority of the time Odysseus finally decides that he should reveal himself to those who were loyal to him. In this scene, Odysseus pulls the two men outside and begins to question them. The author writes, “if Odysseus were to come back suddenly would you be the sort of man to defend him?” (Homer 21.125-127) Odysseus’ loyal servants then answer with “O father Zeus, would that you might fulfill this very wish- may that man come, and led on by some God. Then you would know the kind of strength I have and how many hands can show my power.” (Homer 21.130-134) The second quote shows loyalty because the men pledged their allegiance in front of a man whom they didn't even know and risked their safety by doing so. These acts show trustworthiness and reliability which are key factors with

And here, even during this fight, we see Athena’s divine powers being put to light. This is, in a way a confirmation that the Gods are always with Odysseus and all the way through the end, Athena keeps her faithfulness by watching over father and son. Odysseus’ words to Leodes: “You’re a dead man”, is harsh and direct, re asserting his position as king. However, we can clearly notice that Odysseus is a man of high moral standards.

Odysseus and people in society today learn to only take credit for what they are responsible for. Odysseus demonstrates this after defeating many people when he explains that “men hold [him] formidable for peace and war: this fame has gone abroad to the sky’s rim” (896). Odysseus later regrets saying this because in reality, the gods helped him and he hasn’t gave them any praise. This behaviour causes the gods to be very mad at Odysseus and they promise that he will have a very difficult time getting back to Ithaca. Another example is when Circe, a goddess, warns Odysseus and gives him advice about how to journey past the sea monsters. When Odysseus is traveling across the sea he commands, “heads up, lads! We must obey the orders as I give

The tales Odysseus tells to the Phoenicians are all ones characteristic of Odysseus: tales of cleverness overcoming all challenges. From his use of the name Nobody to trick the cyclops and gain freedom to the way he disguises himself and crafts a master plan to kill the suitors with his guile, it is indisputable that Odysseus is often the cleverest man around. Athene herself watches over him because of it. His bravery is also showcased in the stories, as well as in his murder of the suitors. He goes back to Circe’s house even though his men have all turned into pigs, and he takes on multiple suitors even though he only has himself, his son, and two servants.

He ultimately finds the strength along with his cleverness and intelligence and ambition to help him in his journey home to Ithaca. Odysseus establish order when he returns home in Book thirteen by disguising himself as a beggar and making allegiances as well as practicing his brand by dissembling and contending so that he can infiltrate himself in the presence of the suitors so that he can ultimately make them pay for what they have done. It is important for Odysseus to regain his house and kingdom so that he can put his land and kingdom in order as well as put the confusion of his wandering behind him. As the plot continues Telemachus finally knows and accepts Odysseus as his father and stands with him to take on

She clearly states that he is able to withhold the negative bits of his story. She continues, “you are far the best of all mortal men for counsel and stories, and I among all the divinities am famous for wit and sharpness; and yet you never recognized Pallas Athene, daughter of Zeus, the one who is always standing beside you and guarding you in every endeavor. (page 206, line 298)” Once again Athene expresses her respect but she still separates Odysseus from the status of a god. I believe that Athene saw something special in Odysseus and through her interactions helped him while testing him.

In various encounters throughout the book, Athena, the goddess of wisdom influences the lives of Odysseus’s family in order to improve their fate due to her favoritism for the persistent mariner attempting to return home and respect of his cleverness. Her preference to Odysseus is seen in the beginning of Book 1 stating to her father, Zeus that she is concerned of the whereabouts of Odysseus and pleads for support to deliver him