Use the "comment" button below to add a brief (roughly 200 words) reaction to The Odyssey so far (Books I-XVIII).
You might discuss the oral aspects of the poem, or the way the poet unravels the plot. Maybe you want to write about Odysseus' s wild adventures or simply about what it means for him to be "skilled in all ways of contending."
Write about women in the poem, especially as they related to Penelope; or maybe write something about the interesting interplay between the Gods and mortals.
Write on something that interests you, and write well!
The disguises Athena, the grey-eyed goddess, takes or uses throughout Books I-XVIII of The Odyssey are very intriguing. In some instances in The Odyssey the use of disguises can be described as a form of trickery. Even though I have yet to read Books XIX-XXIV I anticipate that Homer’s use of disguises is a theme throughout The Odyssey.
ReplyDeleteIn Book I Athena appears as Mentes, a friend of Odysseus, who tells Telemakhos to go to Pylos and Sparta to seek news of his father Odysseus. Later in Book II Athena disguises herself as Telemakhos to help gather a crew for a ship that Telemakhos will sail to Pylos and Sparta hoping to find out what happened to his father. In Book VII Athena forms a mist around Odysseus to conceal him while he walks from the river to the palace of Alkinoos. Athena lifts the mist when Odysseus enters the palace. In Book XIV when Odysseus arrives on Ithaka he goes to the mountain hut of Eumaios, the swineherd. Eumaios does not recognize Odysseus because he is disguised as an old man. After Telemakhos arrives on Ithaka from Pylos he visits the mountain hut of Eumaios. Odysseus is there, but Telemakhos does not recognize his father because he is still disguised as an old man. Subsequently Eumaios leaves to tell Penelope that Telemakhos is on Ithaka. This gives Athena the opportunity to lift the disguise of Odysseus as an old man and reunite Odysseus and Telemakhos as father and son.
In The Odyssey, Homer uses character disguises to implement the plot of his narrative epic poem very effectively.
Karma, the idea that every action will have a repercussion, is a prevelent theme throughout the Odyssey.
ReplyDeleteIn the very beginning, the gods are sitting up on Oylmpus and discussing the actions of the mortals below. One case that they discuss is Aegisthus. He stole Atrides'wife and murdered him against the god's advice. His karma was that he was killed by Orestes.
Also, the main event that started Posiedon's wrath against Odysseus was when he blinded polyphemus, Posiedon's son. Had he been able to keep his big mouth shut and escaped the island as soon as he got the chance, Odysseus would be home and safe with his family. Unfortunately, he felt he had to taunt the Cyclops and shout his name. The whole story of the Odyssey is the karma that Odysseus incurred from this event.
The story is also being affected by a different form of Karma. Because Odysseus did not give into Calypso's advances willingly, because he still yearned to be home with his own family, the gods took pity on him. I believe it is safe to assume that had he given in, the gods would not have bothered to save him. His action of resistance and will power gave him good karma and a rough, but safe trip home.
In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus has many epithets placed upon him, but one of the key ones states that he is "skilled in all ways of contending." One of the most prominent ways Odysseus is skilled at contending is his ability to convincingly lie. There are many instances throughout the poem when Odysseus lies about many things. One particular instance is when he goes to where the Cyclops live. Odysseus and his men get captured by Polyphemos, a Cyclops who is Poseidon's son. In order to escape, Odysseus lies to Polyphemos and tells him that his name is "Nohbdy." This was very clever on Odysseus's part because whenever the other Cyclops come to help Polyphemos after he is attacked, he tells them that "Nohbdy's" ruined him, so they leave. Odysseus's witty lie allowed him to escape. Another important instance where Odysseus lies is whenever he gets back to Ithaca and is staying with Eumaios, the swineherd. After a long night of eating and drinking, Eumaios asks Odysseus who he is and where he came from. Odysseus proceeds to tell this long, fabricated, and completely false story about his life. At this part in the poem, Homer even refers to Odysseus as "the master of improvisation." Odysseus's ability to lie and tell stories certainly demonstrates how he is skilled in contending. I think that his ablility to lie can be both a good thing and a bad thing. It has helped him in many instances, but then his pride often gets in the way. I'm interested to see if his skills in this area end up helping him more or hurting him more.
ReplyDeleteLoyalty, is defined as an instance of faithfulness. In the Odyssey, loyalty is one of the main themes. Penelope is the most loyal in the entire epic to me. Penelope faithfully waits for twenty years for the return of her husband. Some people may think Penelope didn't have an option because she was owned by her husband. Penelope could have left or moved on because realistically, she didn't know whether or not he was going to return. I think that she shows true loyalty in the epic. I know that if I was placed in this situation, it would be so hard for me to stay around and wait. If I had no idea whether or not I would ever see my husband again, I don't know how I could remain loyal to waiting for him. My take on this aspect of loyalty is that she was the most loyal woman and wife to her husband. She was not promised or guraneteed a return, yet she chose on her own to wait for the arrival of her husband. Twenty years is a really long time to sit and wait on someone, but I feel like she was very strong for doing so.
ReplyDeleteThe Odyssey is an interesting read. One of the things that strikes my mind is that it keeps me wondering of whats going to happen next and how Odysseus will handle various situations. Prophecies are revealed to “OD” or others, but they do not go into full detail. It’s as if there are gaps of info left out; you will only get more info if you take the time to read in depth. Also you can lean into your own perception of how you think the prophecy will turn out. There are many different ways the future can be perceived to happen. " But I always looked for a handsome giant man to cross my path, some fighter clad in power like armor-plate, but now, look what a dwarf, a spineless good-for-nothin, stuns me with wine, then gouges out my eye!” Through the unveiling of the story, many prophecies began to make sense. Odysseus handles the Cyclops, Poseidon’s son, in a clever way. At first OD needed to know how to get home. When he lands on Cyclop’s island, he takes some men with him to see if there are any humans on the island. Unfortunatley, OD and his men are stuck in the cave as the Cyclops’ dinner meat. YUK! Who would want to eat a human? In order to take down the man-eater, OD intoxicates the Cyclops with wine. He also tells the dumbfounded Cyclops that his name is "Nobody". Well after the Cyclops has fallen asleep and has ate again, OD plunges a sword through this cannibal’s eye. After the whole ordeal is over, OD escapes and Cyclops recalls when his father told him that this was going to happen. It's fun attempting to piece together what will happen exactly [Book 9, Line 560-578]
ReplyDeleteGrowth- Odysseus’ son Telemachus was a small child when his father left for the Trojan War. At the beginning of The Odyssey Telemachus is an inexperienced, unhappy, and helpless young man. In book one he says to Athena, "My Mother says I am his son: I know not surely. Who has known his own engendering? I wish at least I have some happy man as father, growing old in his own house- but unknown death and silence are the fate of him that, since you ask, they call my father." Telemachus has grown immature because he has been raised without a father figure. Telemachus also grew up in very tough situation because he was raised without a father. His mother had to raise him with only the "help" of selfish and arrogant suitors. As we know the suitors were not a good influence on Telemachus because to them, Odysseus was only a fictional hero. So Telemachus is at a loss as to how to deal with the suitors who have taken over his home and seek the hand of his mother in marriage for primarily political reasons. His own life is in danger; as a pretender to the crown, he is nothing more than so much excess baggage to the men who would be king. Telemachus needs to grow up fast. He faces various barriers, falters temporarily, but eventually prevails. With Athena's help, Telemachus calls an assembly meeting of Ithaca's leaders and confronts the suitors. Although he speaks well, he finds very little realistic support in the community; nonetheless, he has taken the first step toward maturity.
ReplyDeleteMy take on Homer’s The Odyssey is “priceless”. When I first looked at the book I thought to myself I would never get done reading it. But as I kept reading my opinion for the book expanded. The many adventures Odysseus has are over whelming. From being trapped on the Island Ogygia by goddess Kalypso to the grey-eyed goddess Athena helping him free. His adventures alone set the atmosphere for the story. One thing I must admit I don’t like about the story is the way the suitors treat Penelope (Odysseu’s wife). Even though they’re waiting on her to finish the blanket, it’s still common courtesy and respect to treat her house and child with respect. And for the nieghbors to back down and not help Telemakhos is sad. Their watching Odysseu’s richs go to waste. I wonder whenever Odysseus comes back home and take his kingdom back will his nieghbors smile in his face and act like they care? The grey-eyed goddes Athena is one of the best charcters in the story. She’s not only a goddess but she also has a heart and tries in all her power to help Telemakhos and Odysseus get back together and reign over their kingdom as father and son.
ReplyDeleteI have found different forms of prophecy to be very interesting in “The Odyssey.” A very important element in the ancient Greek world was that the flight of birds was meant to be prophetic. Often times in the pages of this poem, I have found that when a bird (sometimes an eagle) attacks another bird, a person is called upon to interpret the flight of birds. The prophet is often known for being able to interpret the flight of birds and their signs from the gods. (It is interesting to note that birds are nearly always assumed to be signs from the gods.) At this point a prophet will read the sign of the bird flight and give a prophecy foretelling what is to come. As these different prophecies (predicated by bird flight) come true, we are left with the assumption that the god’s indeed do speak through the form of bird flight. I guess a good question would be, “Who first figured out that the gods sent signs in the form of bird flight?” It is an interesting question to ponder. Every time that bird flight is mentioned in reference to prophesy, the birds are engaged in some acts of violence. I would like to posit that the violence amongst the birds is a foreshadowing of Odysseus attacking the suitors and bringing wrath upon them. (Odyssey 2.129-206, 15.154-181)
ReplyDelete-EB
Pride
ReplyDeleteIn book 9, Odysseus and 12 of his crew brave land in order to get supplies. They find a cave and it just so happens to be Polyphemus’ cave. Polyphemus is a cyclops and the son of Posiden. Polyphemus had been out with his flock of sheep, then he came home to find these men in his cave. Polyphemus proceeds to eat two men and blockade the others in his cave. Odysseus gives Polyphemus some wine and lets him drink. While he drinks he gets drunk. While Polyphemus was drunk he asked Odysseus his name and Odysseus told him something that meant nobody. So Polyphemus says I will eat nobody. Then passes out. After he goes to sleep, Odysseus and his remaining men blind Polyphemus with a club they had sharpened. Then escaped on the underbelly of Polyphemus’ sheep because he let the sheep go out and graze, and he didn’t think to check the bellies of the sheep. So the men and Odysseus escaped but not before Odysseus boasted that he wasn’t nobody but he was Odysseus. Telling Polyphemus this was a mistake for Odysseus because Polyphemus is Posidens (king of the ocean) son. Polyphemus prayed to his father. Needless to say Odysseus had a long journey home but if he would have swallowed his pride and just left Polyphemus’ cave without telling him who he really was he may have made it home a lot quicker than he did.
In the Greek and Roman times the Gods played a very important role in everyday society. Everyone looked to them for the answer before everything they did. They prayed to the Gods for answers to problems and they interacted with them as when Athena changed her appearance and when Odysseus travels to the Underworld. When strangers stopped onto a new land the natives thank the Gods immediately for sending the strangers and they have a feast. Whenever they have a feast they even pour a little wine onto the floor for the Gods. In the Odyssey Athena helped Odyesseus and Telemekhos; Athena dressed as a friend of Odysseus to tell Telemekhos not to give up on his father returning. The gods aren’t always there to help the mortals they are also there to hinder them. When Odysseus blinds Polyphemos, Odysseus angers Poseidon. Poseidon wants revenge and tries to prohibit Odysseus from returning home. When a mortal is given a warning and he/she does the opposite the Gods take action. The Gods will also defend the other Gods if a mortal breaks a rule or doesn’t head a warning. The Gods will take care of a mortal when he/she deserves to be taken care of.
ReplyDeleteAthena plays many parts of both mortals and immortals in The Odyssey.To me, she plays a major part throughout this book. She is the one who knows where to go, and what to tell people. Sometimes she’s herself and other times she will put on a disguise to portray someone else. In book VII Odysseus is on his way to the King’s palace and he runs into a young girl who we later find out that it is really Athena who had disguised herself. She comes down like a protector over Odysseus and shows him the way. She puts this “mist” like fog around him like a cover to protect him from any harm as he makes his way to Alcinous’ palace. The young girl tells him to ask only Arete for help to find his way home. In book VI, she visits Nausicaa in a dream and pretends to be her friend. Athena encourages her to go wash her clothes the next day down by the river. Athena already knows in her mind that she is planning for the princess and Odysseus to meet. Nausicaa goes the next day to wash her clothes and she meets Odysseus. She leaves him there to wash up and put on clothes. With the help of Athena, Odysseus becomes attractive to the princess and they fall in love. Athena is like a counselor, a path guider, and a matchmaker. She is the one who truly puts the story together.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading about how most of the gods and goddesses, especially Athena, favor Odysseus …except Poisedon, it didn’t really make sense. It made sense as I read further and found out what he did to Polyphemus, Poisedon’s son, and how either he or his shipmates go against the gods and goddeseses. After reading book 9, and how Odysseus tricks Polyphemus; Odysseus could probably be in Ithaca now and have already dealt with the suitors, but what would an epic poem be if it ended there? Another item that struck me was that Odysseus has an inflated ego about him. This is especially true when he taunts Polyphemus, “’O Kyklops! Would you feast on my companions?/Puny, am I, in a Caveman’s hands?/ How do you like the beating that we gave you,…’”(Book 9 499-501). Another example would be when Odysseus and his shipmates land on the Thrinacia, where Helios’ cattle our. He was told not to kill any of the cattle or suffer consequences. Well, after a month of not having any wind to sail on, Eurylochus convinces Odysseus’ men to kill a cattle for food. When they finally get back to sailing, Helios asks Zeus to punish them for slaughtering his cattle. Zeus says that he will punish them; he throws a thunderbolt and completely destroys Odyssesus’ ship and kills all his crew members. Yet, again because either Odysseus himself or his crew members disobey a god or goddess and get more days lost at sea. This is way you should never anger the gods, they can make you life a living hell.
ReplyDeleteI’m not a fan of double standards in my personal life and feel that the story is full of them. I believe that if you hold others to a standard then you should hold yourself to the same standard. Odysseus while on his journey home slept with goddesses on his return to his wife and home that he missed so much. Meanwhile Penelope for three years weaves then unstitches the pall she makes for the hero Laertes in order to stave off the suitors. The story portrays women as being untrustworthy by telling the tales of Aegisthus and Clytemnestra and their plan to kill Agamemnon after his return from Troy. Later the Bard recounts the tale of Mars and Venus.
ReplyDeleteNow Venus was just come in from a visit to her father Jove, and was about sitting down when Mars came inside the house, an said as he took her hand in his own, "Let us go to the couch of Vulcan: he is not at home, but is gone off to Lemnos among the Sintians, whose speech is barbarous."
So to me in the story it seems that the men can do whatever they want and its ok, but the women that are involved with the men are considered evil and wrong. So had Penelope been the one who went on a journey, say to another land to visit her parents, would Odysseus had just had a line leading to the bedroom the next day? For years she awaited her husbands return and never let anyone in their bedroom. I’m believe Odysseus wouldn’t have waited that long.
Thus far the Odyssey tells the story of someone who is more than just a hero. He is not the typical hero that is read about in fairy tales or in children books. He seems more down to earth. The everyday man can relate to him. His ego may get him into trouble but that is what makes him, well…. him. Lying may be something that he does a lot, but it also seems needed in order to survive. Don’t we all do what we feel is needed to get what we needed done?
ReplyDeleteI think I like Odysseus the most because of the way he plays everything so cool. He keeps a level head, even in the face of sure doom, and instead of using force all of the time, he uses his brain to outsmart his opponents. Along with his brain, he is also able to back up his slick tongue. Odysseus is a fierce warrior and also a compassionate person… at times.
Throughout the story, Odysseus has been looked upon as the hero, yet he doesn’t quite fit the criteria. Though he is fighting for a righteous cause, the way he goes about doing thing are a little less than “right” and “just”. Lying and cheap shots have saved Odysseus on numerous occasions but will his luck ever run out?
The Odyssey is certainly about Odysseus and his journey home from Troy. I consider this poem the kingping of epic poems. The gods in this epic poem uses signs to warn mortals or guide them through their difficult situations.The mortals personality truly motivates their destiny and mortals are nothing without gods. Osysseus would not be a war hero, if he didn’t face the obstacles that were placed in his way. For example, there were many conflicts between the Odysseus and Poseidon. But this poem is also about his family reunion with loved ones, and revenge for his suffering. The themes of family, and revenge are general ones. Odysseus’s journey is everyman’s journey. Another example, he has, foolish sailors and those sailors causes him great trouble. He wants return home with his wife, and she just wants to be with him. For three years Penelope weaves then unstiches the pall she makes to stall her suitors. It’s pretty hard to get there. Every time he thinks he’s going to make it, something else comes up. As we follow his struggles and his frustrations, we relate to him. We may not understand ancient Greece, but the themes do resonate.
ReplyDeleteOdysseus’s journey home to reclaim his kingdom after the Trojan War is filled with action and passion, from gruesome fights with Cyclops to a touching breakdown of a rough and tough war hero. The Odyssey is an epic poem that can be described as an interpretation of home and homecoming. I must point out also that although Odysseus is fighting to make it home to his kingdom where his wife is awaiting him, I believe he is more concerned with making it there to reclaim his throne, not necessarily to be with his wife. This, I must argue, shows how women are perceived in the time The Odyssey was first being told. Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, is at home awaiting her husband’s return from war. While she has suitors in her home, she has not given her heart or her body to another man. She spends her days knitting a shroud, that when finished, is supposed to indicate when she will choose a suitor to take her husband’s place. Penelope spends her nights undoing the work she has completed on the shroud during the day hoping desperately to gain more time for her husband to come home and reclaim that which is his, including her. Although Penelope is faithful and doing what little she can to keep her suitors at bay, Odysseus has repeatedly been unfaithful to her, showing no remorse for his adultery. The acceptance of this behavior by the people around Odysseus and by Odysseus’s neglect to see his actions as immoral by continuing to do so while Penelope is home fighting to be faithful shows me how Odysseus viewed the institution of marriage as more superficial compared to Penelope who is more deep-rooted into her marriage and committed to her husband.
ReplyDeleteGuile means to be cunning, tricky yet wise, to be skillfully deceptive, or just to be witty. All of these characteristics describe the protagonist Odysseus from the narrative epic poem the Odyssey. Odysseus is a man of strength, but it appears that he relies much more on his clever mind as seen throughout the story. An example of this can be seen when Odysseus and his men are captured by a Cyclops, Polyphemos, who is the son of the god of the sea, Poseidon. Odysseus isn’t strong enough to move a boulder so he must rely on being skillfully deceptive. He does this by tricking Polyphemos into believing his name is “Nohbdy” which proves to be vital to his escape. Odysseus and his men attack the Cyclops, who calls for help, but when he says “Nohbdy” has ruined him, the neighbors just leave him alone, which allows Odysseus to escape. This is just one of several instances in which Odysseus uses his guile to his advantage. I find it interesting that a man of great strength has to rely on his mind more so than his muscles in numerous situations. Odysseus is a man of many epithets, or titles, and I feel a “man full of guile” describes him best. It will be interesting to see how this trait is seen throughout the rest of the poem as I would have to believe Odysseus will use it again.
ReplyDeleteOdysseus is a man who does whatever it takes to accomplish what he sets forth. He is very cunning to the suitors and he also takes on a lot of different forms from the help of the gods on his voyage. He does what I go by which is “the any means necessary approach.” When you start to think about how he does things in the poem it makes you put things into perspective about your everyday life. When there is someone you are trying to get to do something that they might not do on a day by day basic. We may tend to be nice to that person, putting on a different characteristic and next thing we know they are friend and more open to us. When that happens like in The Odyssey he conquers his conquest. Especially when he is face to face with the kyklops of course he helps from the gods and has this veil over him and does not reveal his appearance in other to leave alive. He is one that follow the God’s command and it seems like good things come upon him he doesn’t get eaten by the kyklops and he makes it to the island and is the only survivor.
ReplyDeleteHospitality is a very important and continuous theme in The Odyssey where guests are always treated as royalty, even to the extent as the host sleeping outside and have their guest sleep inside by the warm fire.
ReplyDeleteOn every journey each character goes on in the poem, they are put up for a night or two and given the ultimate treatment as well as gifts. On his way back to Ithaka, Odysseus was treated like that of the royal family and was given a feast with fine wine along with gifts from the King and Queen Alkinoos and Arete of the Phaiakians.
Telemakhos was given horses and a chariot and someone to help him on his travels by Nester. Nester gave him his son Pisistratus to help him on his journey to find his father Odysseus and bring him back home.
Odysseus stumbles upon the swineherd Eumaios where he also puts Odysseus up in his home. When he tells the swineherd of his journey so far, he does not believe Odysseus but accommodates him anyways. He slept outside so that Odysseus could stay inside by the fire and keep warm.
Although Eumaios does not believe what Odysseus says, he puts him up in his home anyways….do we know why exactly? I believe it is because they believed in karma. What goes around comes around, and if they took care of their guest and treated them well, I think that they believe that they will ultimately get something in return. Opinions anyone?
Women in the Odyssey are put in the role of seductresses. Throughout the story women who are mortal and God like use their feminine powers over men; sexual charms as divine way of control. Penelope plays a big part in this role when she is able to conceal how she feels about the suitors, but is able to lead them to do what she needs them to do in order keep the ruse going keeping her from having to decide on one over her beloved Odyssey. She wants them to believe that she is going to make a chose. Another the Sirens enchant is another way that men are lead into the dark with a woman alluring ways which is the death of those who listing to the calls of the song. Leading men astray is part of what the role was as the story teller creates this type of cloak of sex and lies. The story allows a man to be temped which sometimes leads them down a moral rocky road. Women are used in this way but contradiction about the value of women as pure in clean comes into play. So women are really able to go between the nice and pure in order to control men for freedom and power. The ways of a women is great the way the story allows for her role to demand presents.
ReplyDeleteThere are several powerful gods involved with Odysseus, but despite their opinion of him, none can control Odysseus's fate. Not all the gods have the same intent for Odysseus, and though they cannot control the outcome of his fate, that does not mean they cannot interfere.
ReplyDeleteAthena, for example, adores Odysseus and wishes him to return home quickly. Poseidon, angered by Odysseus’s harm to Polyphemos, would like for Odysseus to suffer and have a difficult journey home. The most powerful of the gods, Zeus, seems to have the least amount of interest. Zeus only interferes when appealed to by another god. Zeus's response seems to based on his sympathy for the god appealing to him, and not based on his sympathy for Odysseus.
While neither Athena nor Poseidon have control over Odysseus’s fate, his journey relies greatly upon them. Without Athena’s aide Odysseus could not survive his journey across the sea, which Poseidon reigns over. Odysseus is cursed by Poseidon while blessed by Athena. He has no more control of his fate than any of the gods.
"You must get back to the sea, I know, but come take a hot bath, and rest; accept a gift" (Telemakhos Book II Lines 347 - 348)
ReplyDeleteHomer's Odyssey places a large amount of importance on hospitality and respect. So much so that it was considered necessary to treat your fellow man with respect and hospitality if one wanted to avoid the wrath of the gods. Zeus was proclaimed to be the protector of beggars and supplicants. So, it is easy to understand why hospitality was such a big deal to the ancient Greeks. There are numerous examples of the utmost respect being bestowed upon strangers throughout the story.
Although a complete stranger, Odysseus was greeted with open arms and treated like a king wherever his tribulations took him. Not until after a feast and much fanfare was he asked to explain who he is and what his intentions are. Once Odysseus is ready to continue his travels he was then showered in expensive and luxurious gifts.
As was told in the poem, those who did not offer hospitality and respect were the recipients of an ill fate. Polyphemus treated Odysseus and his men badly and suffered a blinding strike at the hands of Odysseus. Penelope's suitors verbally and physically assaulted Odysseus when he was disguised as a beggar. As a result, all of them were doomed to death.
The Odyssey is an interesting story, full of adventure, with many twists and turns that make you want to keep reading to the end. The main character, Odysseus, is intelligent, creative, cunning, and above all else, a survivor. He longs for home and the more I read the more I hope he succeeds. The fact that the goddess Athena is helping Odysseus guarantees his success. The gods are such an intricate part of life in Odysseus's time. They seem very human in their display of emotions but the gods are all knowing, powerful, and can either help save lives or destroy them. Odysseus made the mistake of injuring Polyphemus, the Kyklopes, who is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. This angered Poseidon and he took revenge on Odysseus by killing his crew and leaving him stranded in the sea only to be captured by Kalypso, a goddess-nymph, and held for seven years. Other than that event, Odysseus seems to have high regard and much respect for the gods. Odysseus and others in the story show their respect by first giving cuts of meat and "tipping the wine" to the gods as an offering before they themselves have any. Hospitality and being kind to strangers also pleases the gods. Perhaps these are some sort of moral compass to follow. Part of being human is having the freedom to choose between what is right and wrong or good and evil. As Zeus says in Book 1 lines 45-48, "My word, how mortals take the gods to task! All their afflictions come from us, we hear. And what of their own failings? Greed and folly double the suffering in the lot of man."
ReplyDeleteFather and Son
ReplyDeleteThis epic poem unfolds into more than just a journey home that is sidetracked to foreign lands that are controlled and swayed by the Gods. But a reunion of family separated by war that is now slowly slipping further away from each other with the passage of time.
At the heart of The Odyssey thus far, is the reunion of Odysseus and his son Telemakhos. Telemakhos, a baby at the beginning of the Trojan War is now nearly grown into manhood. However, still considered a “young pup”, Telemakhos lacks the experience of persuasion and the support from his community to evict the suitors from his father’s castle at Ithaka. He is assisted by Athena to make his own journey to find his father before the scores of suitors consume their abundance of riches and take control over his mother.
Athena is also guiding Odysseus home, and the two are soon to meet up with each other. Reunited at last, father and son helplessly wept and cried over the years of separation and longing for each other. Odysseus tells Telemakhos his plan to kill their enemies and regain control of his throne. Wise in his young age, Telemakhos has some of his own convincing to do, “Ah, Father, even when danger comes I think you’ll find courage in me.”, in my opinion the makings of the next great Odysseus!
Book XVI is a beautiful story about family reuniting and the bonds that stand the trials of time. Most importantly, Telemakhos accomplished his purpose by finding his father, and Odysseus is now beginning the last stage of his journey home with the loyalty of his only son by his side.
I never thought that I would actually enjoy reading The Odyssey. Homer found a way to keep us on our toes through Odysseus’ adventures. Odysseus is able to survive all these adventures through the help of the gods; and because he is very cunning and intelligent. The gods make me feel as if they understand what it is like to be human through their emotions. The humans consider guests a gift from the gods; therefore they put on a celebration in appreciation to them. They tilt their glass and allow some wine to fall to the ground to give the gods a drink, before they themselves have a drink. Hospitality pleases the gods. I believe the reason Homer stresses hospitality throughout the story so much is to show people how important it is. He wanted people to see firsthand how it affects everyone. An example of this is when Odysseus landed on the island of Kyklops. Kyklops way of being hospitable was to eat Odysseus last. In return Odysseus blinded Polyphemus, the Kyklopes, who is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. Poseidon was angered and got his revenge by crashing Odysseus ship, killing all his men and leaving him stranded in the sea alone. Kalypso, a goddess nymph, captured him and held him captive for seven years. Athena rescued him and takes on many forms to help him on his journey home.
ReplyDeleteOdysseus, the journey of this adventure that he endured from the beginning. He had to face the trials and tribulations from the gods, natives, and his own homeland. Poseidon was angered at Odysseus for plucking out the eye of Polyphemos, so he did not favor the journey that Odysseus had too endure to his homeland "Ithka". But, the grey eyed goddess, Athena looked after Odysseus through his adventures. On each Island that Odysseus adventured upon; most of the natives showed hospitality. Providing him with food, clothes, and sleeping arrangements. The natives even sent him off with gifts for his journey home. Besides the Kyklops, that feasted on his crew; only leaving him with a few crewmen and himself. Which they escape under the bellies of the sheep. Odysseus homeland "Ithka", was in ruins if he could not get home. The young suitors were devouring everything that he owned. His wife "Penelope", was trying to drag out having too pick a suitor. She wept for Odysseus. Even Telemekhos, his son that was a child when Odysseus left; was in danger in his fathers' home. He left to try to find out any news of his father. Athena, the grey eyed goddess set Odysseus foot on his own land and protected him with a disquise as "an old beggar". She even persuaded his son Telemekhos to return home about the same time. It is interesting to read this poem. Also, I can't wait too see how Odysseus and his son Telemekhos get rid of the suitors and how he puts his house back in order.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on the Odyssey is that it’s a unique epic poem in its own way. Homer covers areas that we see on an in everyday life such as hospitality, leadership, heroism, loyalty etc. Each one of these themes makes the Odyssey a book that must be read from start to finish. I don’t think one man on this earth could’ve walked in the shoes of Odysseus many journeys. Odysseus is one human being that can be considered a man of heroism. He took the role of becoming a hero by going to fight the Trojan War. Whereas taking the necessary journey to get back to his home Ithaca. This poem will make individuals view poetry differently than just a literary work with words. Homer gave room for several themes to take a part in the Odyssey. Loyalty stands out as a theme in this epic poem. For an example, I truly believe that true love has to abide in a relationship for one to remain loyal to his or her mate. The way Penelope was loyal to Odysseus in his absence for 20 years showed that no matter what nothing will come between them. Even though, Odysseus told her to remarry once she saw a beard on their sons chin, her loyalty to her husband gained her a chance to see his face once again. It took Penelope having a strong mind and the deepest love within her for Odysseus to remain loyal the way she did. Another example of loyalty is Telémachus standing by his father as the suitors plundered through his father’s house. On the other hand, this is a true epic poem, due to its many themes that happens within everyday life. In addition of how the women played their parts from Penelope being the faithful and loving wife to Odysseus. Then Athena disguises herself as many people throughout Odysseus’s many journeys to make it back to his home Ithaca. Last, Circe and Calypso seducing Odysseus hoping to make him forget about his wife Penelope. Overall, I enjoyed reading as well as watching the movie about the Odyssey. Even though, the gruesomeness of Odysseus and the Phaecians poking Polyphemus (the Cyclops) eye out was disturbing. As well as the six headed monster devouring up six of the Greeks. The Odyssey will always be a classic book to read no matter what time of the year it is.
ReplyDeleteReading the Odyssey has been a struggle for me, I have never been able to get into greek mythology nor I have I ever been able to understand it, but while reading the Odyssey I learned some things about Odysseus. He has all the components that make a strong man but not necessarily a good man. He is pretty much the average man, he lies, he is capable of loving, and he is smart for the most part. Outsmarting his opponents has been what has got him out of trouble so far it could just be luck but it has managed to work for him. When he went to visit the Cyclops he told them that his name was “Nohbody” so when they Cyclops awoke blinded and dumbfounded from the night before all he knew was that Odysseus’ name was “Nohbody.” Smart huh?.. Well he escapes that problem and continues his journey home to Penelope and his son. While Odysseus is gone for years his loving wife Penelope waits for him at home being faithful to him the whole time. Now Odysseus on the other hand was not so faithful the entire time he was gone. Of course when a man looses companionship he looks for something or someone new and that is what happened. Greek gods are immortals are more alike than we think!
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