Examples Of Tension In The Odyssey

In the Odyssey, Homer uses juxtaposition to characterize Telemachus as a Greek ideal, imagery to connect to the cultural themes of disguise and hospitality, and repetition to enforce the idea that gods were a powerful force in everyday lives. When Athena first comes down to the mortal world and goes to Telemachus’ house, “first by far to see her was Prince Telemachus/sitting among the suitors, heart obsessed with grief.” This image contrasts the boisterous, rowdy crowd of suitors against the quiet, pensive and attentive host Telemachus. As the suitors take advantage of Telemachus’ hospitality and good grace, Telemachus continues to be a gracious host by noticing the stranger at the door and inviting her in, unaware that she was a god in disguise.

In the scene where Odysseus showed the suitors who he truly was by stringing his bow and shooting an arrow through the holes in the lined up axes on page 557 Odysseus says, “Now watch me hit a target no man has hit before.” This is showing that Odysseus has larger than life qualities. He is hitting a target with an arrow that is almost impossible, and any normal human was not even able to string the bow Odysseus was using.

Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey translated by Robert Fagles completely illustrate Odysseus’s journey home after The Trojan War. Separated into twenty-four different books, the poem describes the hardships Odysseus faces and how he overcomes obstacles. Though this poem is composed for listeners and may seem incomprehensible, Homer includes a plethora of literary devices to help audiences better understand, follow, and enjoy the context of The Odyssey. Throughout this poem instances of epic simile, foreshadowing, epithet, and xenia are included to help the poem flow.

The Odyssey by Homer is a great text that manipulates the skill of storytelling bringing out the meaning of being human, the spiritual and physical homecoming. It is an archetypal epic expedition essential for understanding ourselves and other modern texts following the same pattern. The text brings out the ancient Greek beliefs and customs that are essential in studying Western Literature through the evaluation of different characters, and the themes manifested are essential in establishing a good foundation for any literature student. The themes therein such as leadership skills, folly, retaliation, mythology, death, ogres, temptation seduction, deceit, and warfare make the text an essential student companion in the quest of comprehending literature.

The Odyssey is a story made up of stories. Because there is very little action that happens in the present, the presence of storytelling within the Odyssey is something that characterizes it and makes it unique. The spreading of stories serve to form legends and myths that can have the effect of shaping a culture. In addition, since stories were such an important aspect of entertainment in Greek culture, stories also shape the audience, either by entertaining them or creating feelings of sympathy in them. The function of storytelling in the Odyssey, is to evoke emotions and leave powerful, lasting impressions on the audience. However, the stories that are told

The Odyssey is filled with emotion and adventure. Homer’s ability to show and give the reader a visual of each and every scene gives the story its unbelievable significance. To all the people who read his work there is something to be captured within every sentence, each one different in its own, unique way. Through tales of courage and defeat, friendship and love this book tells of all the values within the life of a single, solitary man, and his journey to attain what is true and dear to him. And this journey is known to all of us as The Odyssey. The Odyssey is a test of human devotion and trust through the gods, the mortals, and the obstacles through which they venture. No matter where they go or what they do, humans are tested for

First, Odysseus is physically strong, but he uses his strength violently. According to the story, Odysseus' bow is too tough so that no one except Odysseus could string it. Consequently, wise Penelope hosts a contest for suitors so that who string the bow and shoot an arrow through a dozen holes of axes' handle will marry her. Of course, nobody could not string the bow, but Odysseus in disguise accomplishes it without any endeavor, and successfully shoots the arrow through twelve holes. (Beddall, pg.79-81) This scene reflects Odysseus' classical heroic quality, however on the other hand, there is another scene that shows his violence. In

Since it was originally written in the 8th century, The Odyssey by Homer has served as inspiration to many writers and artists, who tell the story of the lost king of Ithaca, Odysseus. In Book 21 of The Odyssey “The Contest with Odysseus’ Bow”, Penelope, Odysseus’ Wife, decides that her beloved Odysseus will not return and therefore sets up a contest for the suitors to decide who her future husband will be. One portrayal of this contest is in O’Grady’s poem “The Test of the Bow” where the poet describes the act of Odysseus stringing and shooting the bow. Although Book 21 of The Odyssey by Homer and O’Grady’s poem “The Test of the Bow” express similarities in characterization, they differ in diction and tone.

The epic poem The Odyssey by the ancient Greek writer Homer takes us deep into the life of a man called Odysseus. As the reader gets to know Odysseus many sides of his character are exposed through the challenges he faces. Though he and his crew face danger and obstacles every step of the way Odysseus’s character hardly changes. The entire book Odysseus longs to see his wife but he is a good man and a courageous leader.

The Odyssey is one of the oldest well known stories to date, and it is believed to be written around 2000 years ago. Its age is not the most fascinating fact though, the epic poem is comprised of 12,000 lines of death-defying, adventurous tales that are separated into different episodes. The Character traits of the might Odysseus, the structure of The Odyssey, the diction within the epic poem will be explained in this essay.

While Odysseus was on his long journey, he could have stopped at any point- the travel conditions were harsh, there were many nice islands to stay at, and many attractive women. Yet, he pushed through, staying loyal, to come back to Ithaca to his wife and son. Telemachus didn’t give up on his father either, as he “journeyed to Pylos and Sparta to learn what he [could] about his father’s fate”. (596) Although he was unsure about Odysseus’s plan, he stayed loyal to it and when Odysseus shot an arrow cleanly to win Penelope, Telemachus ran by his side, ready for whatever may come, “belted his sword on, clapped hand to his spear.” (608) Then, Odysseus made another perfect shot, right into the most annoying of suitor’s neck. This started an outrage, and formidably, Odysseus spat to the rest of the suitors, “Your last hour has come. You die in blood.” (610) With more hubris, but also truth, “I doubt one man of you skins by.” (611) When the wooers attacked, Odysseus, “the kingly man, let fly an arrow at that instant.” (611) Telemachus remained loyal and “with a spear throw from behind...hit him [another suitor] betweeen the shoulders.” (612) Like Odysseus, Telemachus then followed his instincts and came up with a small plan to stay safe- he would “bring [Odysseus] a shield and spear” while Odysseus “hold[s] them off with arrows.” (612) He armed the servants as

During the course of history, the world has seen many fine works of literature like Homer’s epic, Odyssey. This book is a standard against which to compare all literary novels. The symbolism permeates the pages drawing the reader into the intriguing plot that includes twists within the central theme. Also, the author intelligently uses imagery and diction painting dramatic images in the reader's mind - building upon major the themes.

In Epic Poem “The Odyssey” Odysseus is the protagonist. Odysseus’ over-the-top ego caused him to lose his men and his son’s childhood, but taught him a valuable lesson about humility. The Odyssey, written by Homer, tells the story of Odysseus and how he faced misfortune in his attempts to return home after the Trojan War. Odysseus is not famous for his great strength or bravery, but for his ability to deceive and trick. To his friends, he was a brilliant strategist. To his enemies, he was a deceiver and a manipulator of the worst kind.

When Odysseus was in his prime, he was given a bow as a gift. He and Iphitus exchanged powerful weapons as a sign of their friendship. Odysseus’s bow is so powerful and sturdy that only he is able string it, and make it useable. Penelope challenges the suitors to string the bow, and shoot an arrow through the holes of axes. Telemachus jumps up at the challenge, ready to impress his parents and the suitors; only he is unable to string the bow. Three times he struggles to string it, resulting in fleetingly bending the bow. He cries out in disappointment, “Must I be a weakling, a failure all my life?/” (Od. 21. 150). Next, all of the 108 suitors attempt to string the bow, yet none of them are even able to bend the wood. Upon failure, the suitors

Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey follows Odysseus on his long journey home. The Epic also includes the stories of Odysseus’ family left behind: the travels of his son, Telemachus, and how plenty, of what we would now call “home wreckers”, suitors pressured his wife, Penelope, into marrying one of them. The characters are beautifully crafted and the story is truly epic. All the elements presented can bring in any reader from any century, the Cyclops, the Gods, the trickery of Penelope, and the disguises of Odysseus, are all legendary literary hooks . There are many things to learn—about writing, about the world around us, the world ahead of us, and the past behind us—from The Odyssey. (26) It is undeniably evident that this ancient text has