Does Odysseus 'Suffering Depicted In Homer's Odyssey'

Yes it was harsh for Odysseus to brutally kill all of the maids and suitors but they deserved it. The maids treated the suitors like they were kings and obeyed their every desire which is not what their king would want of them. The suitors disobeyed the rules of hospitality and on top of that attempt to murder his son and marry his wife. They were slobs and got what they

In the closing passages of the Odyssey, the suitors and disloyal servants are punished for their crimes against Odysseus, and it does indeed seem that the death penalty doled out by Odysseus is harsh. However, at this particular period of Greek history, it was expected that each man take his own vengeance against his trespassers as there was no judicial system in place to deal with these problems at the time, therefore it seems justified that as their crimes stretched over a period of nearly 20 years and were directly against xenia, the law of Zeus, that Odysseus take his revenge as he wishes.

Odysseus had many reason to make revenge on all the wooers who had tried to steal his thrown from him. Not only did they try to steal his throw, but also they disrespected his wife and son on multiple occasions. Although, that did not make any of his actions justified. In a few instances the punishment was too severe, and they did not deserve it.

The term “dynamic” is often used in literature to describe a character who changes drastically from one point in the story to another. When reading “The Odyssey” an epic poem by Homer, we see that our protagonist, Odysseus, changes throughout the course of the novel. This essay will argue how he changes, and also what changes him, such as his travels, his relationships, and how fate and the Greek gods affect and change him.

The love that is shared between a husband and wife is sacred. Their bond should be as close as peanut butter and jelly on a sandwich. Their love will be tested, and there will also be trials and tribulations. Most important, their loyalty should be to each other. In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, Odysseus is faced with more temptation than any man should. In Book Five, Odysseus’ conversation with the nymph Kalypso, she questions his desire to go home to Penelope. Odysseus’ speech appeals Kalypso’s values and the reader’s emotions.

There are many times in The Odyssey where Odysseus’ actions are questionable whether they were justified or unjustified. When Odysseus’ saw the way the suitors were treating the women, how they were stealing Odysseus’ things, and eating all of his food which made him mad. Odysseus’ proceeds to get the cowherder and swineherder to help him and Telemachus to take the suitors down. After Odysseus’ returns his actions towards those in his palace were justified when, especially when he killed Antinous and Melanthius.

Odysseus believed he was in the right when killing the suitors “You dogs! You never imagined I'd return from Troy- so cocksure that you bled my house to death, ravished my serving-women- wooed my wife behind my back while I was still alive!” (Homer 22: 37-40). Odysseus was dead set on killing the suitors since the beginning. He even told them “. . . all your necks are in the noose-your doom is sealed” (22: 43), illustrating how he would kill them as to avenge his wife and his honor. In doing so he was perceived as a hero by the most prevalent male figures in Ithaca, displaying an excellent example of Kleos, “fame through having great honor and virtue. Earned pride.”

When Odysseus returned home to his wife and son, he took a very brutal approach to rid his home of the suitors who had invaded his household.  This revenge was also taken out upon the servants and maids who had been unfaithful to Penelope and had slept with the suitors.  Some may say this punishment was too harsh, and made Odysseus less than an honorable man.  However, Odysseus’s actions were justifiable.

Odysseus revenges against the wooers were severe and justifiable. The wooers had attempted to take everything from him, when they thought him to be dead. They raped some of his women servants. They also lusted after his wife and plotted murder against his son. By doing these actions they dishonored him and his wife. Odysseus was justified in his actions, because the wooers attempted to use his death as a means to take everything that Odysseus owned, including his wife

Odysseus was the strong and powerful king of Ithaca. He was a courageous and loyal warrior who was known for his being able to outsmart his opponents. Odysseus returned to home after an almost twenty year absence to find that his home and kingdom had been taken over. He became enraged at the wooers, especially Antonius and the handmaidens at their total lack of disrespect for his home, kingdom and family. Odysseus decided that killing all who were disloyal to him was the only way to gain back control of his kingdom. For this reason I feel that Odysseus was justified in his actions.

In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus takes revenge when he returns back home to Ithaca after 20 years of war and travel. He has good reasons to want revenge. All the deaths are justified, not just the death of the suitors. He does not kill people because he wants to do so, he wants revenge. In the cultural context, Odysseus’ revenge is justified in many ways.

Odysseus had all the reason to do what he had to save his kingdom and family. Some maids were trying to get Penelope to marry one of the suitors, and even helped plan a way to kill Telemachus. And when Melanthius was passing Odysseus when he was disguised as a beggar kicked him in the hip. So everyone who was punished in a different way but they all deserved what was coming for them.

After the battle was over and Odysseus returns home, he realizes that his family was taken advantage of. He tries to resolve this situation peacefully but unsuccessful in his efforts. Therefore, he settles for revenge against the wooers and punishes everyone who was involved in disrespecting his wife; dishonor his house, as well as his traditions and his people.

home, he only shows himself to be a selfish man looking for his own satisfaction. Odysseus wants for himself more glory (KLEOS),and insinuates much fighting in his travel home. He could very well have avoided a fight with Polyphemos, he could have escaped the vengeance of Poseidon, if he was so bent on accumulating as much glory as can be attained. Even upon his arrival at his home in Ithaca where the suitors squander his land, he takes no mercy on the suitors, even after they surrendered and offered compensation, "not for the whole treasure of your fathers would I hold my hand. There will be killing till the score is paid".

I think that Odysseus was justified in his actions. Odysseus had his home taken over by the wooers. In addition, Antious tried to steal Odysseus’ wife. Further, Antious plotted to kill Telemachus. For these reasons, Odysseus was right to seek revenge.