“On wrongs swift vengeance awaits” (Pope). Agree or not, these wise words from Alexander Pope describe well what Homer’s The Odyssey is about. In this novel, characters often seek vengeance for things or people they have lost. This is shown through Poseidon’s actions to Odysseus and his men after they stab the Cyclop’s eye, Odysseus’s men being killed by Zeus after they eat Helios’s cattle and Odysseus killing all of the suitors once he returns to Ithaca. From these trials, there is one overarching theme: Vengeance comes as a consequence of the misuse of power. Never underestimate your enemies. Odysseus, after believing he can get away from the Cyclops's island safely, starts to taunt the Cyclops as he leaves on his ship. He clearly underestimates him as the Cyclops calls to Zeus and curses him by saying: “‘... let him come home late and come a broken man- all shipmates lost, alone in a stranger’s ship- and let him find a world of pain at home!’” (Homer, The Odyssey page 228). In this line, Homer uses foreshadowing to help the reader understand what will most likely come soon in the story. After the foreshadowing, Odysseus …show more content…
In The Odyssey, this can openly be seen from the situation between the suitors. This is shown when Odysseus tells the suitors that they are doomed by saying: “‘... no fear that men’s revenge might arrive someday- now all your necks are in the noose- your doom is sealed!’” (Homer 440). Using an idiom, Homer stresses the severity of the situation by using the saying of “your necks are in the noose”. This idiom, like stated before, helps the readers understand how severe the situation is and the anger being expressed by Odysseus. The suitors betrayed Odysseus by thinking that they could win over Penelope’s affection and being unloyal to the king is an act of betrayal. By misusing their power and assuming that they could take over Odysseus’s place in Ithaca, Odysseus kills all of them to avenge his