Betrayal In The Odyssey

In 9th grade English, we explored the theme of loyalty through multiple literary works. Some of these include, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, The Odyssey by Homer, and Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I found that Romeo and Juliet displays the theme of loyalty, because of how dedicated and loyal Romeo is to Juliet and how he even commits suicide for her. Where the Crawdads Sing shows both loyalty and betrayal, because of how loyal Kya is to Tate and how loyal Tate is to Kya. It also shows betrayal because of how Chase Andrews used Kya and cheated on her. The Odyssey displays loyalty in an unclear way and focuses on betrayal in multiple different ways. The texts Romeo and Juliet and Where the Crawdads Sing strongly depict

In the epic, The Odyssey the main character Odysseus had been at war for ten years and was trying to return home to Ithaca with the goddess Athena’s help. In Ithaca, his wife, Penelope, is surrounded by suitors who have taken over the house and have eaten their food and used their resources, and they try to marry Penelope and convince her that Odysseus is dead and will not come back to her. Instead of showing the theme of loyalty, it portrays the theme of betrayal. “...and when she’d finished, then at last, I mounted Circe’s gorgeous bed…” (Homer Book 10, lines 385-386). This quote proves how Odysseus was unfaithful and unloyal to Penelope, and betrayed her. Odysseus had an affair with another woman and this caused him to return to Ithaca and Penelope later, which induced more stress on her. The suitors also betrayed Penelope and Odysseus in multiple ways. One of which was overstaying their welcome and eating and using all of their resources and by trying to marry Penelope, when she was faithfully waiting for her husband. “‘Each from his own house must try to win her, showering her with gifts. Then she can marry the one who offers most, the man marked out by faith to be her husband.”’ (Homer Book 16, lines 432-435). This shows that the suitors were betraying Odysseus by trying to win Penelope as their wife. Odysseus’ house had already been taken advantage of by the suitors, so when the suitors moved on to try and marry Penelope against her will, this was a large act of betrayal. Another act of betrayal was committed by Odysseus’ crewmates. “‘Hurry, let’s see what loot is in that sack, how much gold and silver. Break it open–now!”’ (Homer Book 10, lines 49-50). This quote from The Odyssey shows that Odysseus' men betrayed him by opening the bag of winds the god Aeolus had given to him. The bag was given to Odysseus to