Greek Values In The Odyssey

“Of all the creatures that breathe and creep about on Mother Earth there is none so helpless as man” (Homer 242). As Homer wrote these words the understanding of the Greeks was made much more clear. Odyssey was written between 750 and 700 BC, which indeed was during the Trojan war. This epic was written and orally passed down to the people, to enjoy and to teach them the different lessons and values. The epic being written and passed down for this reason shows how important the Greek’s values were to them and how they wanted these values to carry on. In Odyssey, the Greek’s beliefs, values, prejudices, and superstitions are understood through Odysseus’ trials, pitfalls of temptation and his storytelling. Homer symbolizes many of the Greek’s

Homer uses the different trials of Odysseus to portray the values of the Greek’s as a lesson for the people. For example, when Poseidon told Odysseus, he would never return home. However, Odysseus persevered after many different adventures finally makes it home to Penelope. This trial, which endures the entire epic poem was a huge value for Greek culture. Time and time again the stories and adventures include, perseverance. Another example of a Greek value observed in Odyssey is the that cunning is better than strength. The entire story is based around how Odysseus is a cunning which is why he is favored by the Gods. This value of being cunning is seen when Odysseus is trying to defeat the Trojans, rather than using the force of an army they were swift and cunning. These different trials were examples of the different lessons that the greeks are trying to impose on their people. Another example of the values coming from the different trials are set forth by the gods. The Greeks set these gods at a higher and unattainable level, which is why they were so treasured by the Greeks. The gods were also feared due to the fact that the people were always afraid of their wrath. For example when Poseidon would not allow Odysseus to return home. The different values observed are used to teach the people to become something

An example, is when Odysseus was with the Goddess Circe, for an entire year, a year flies by while being pampered. The crew and Odysseus give in to temptation and are thrown off track which causes problems for them. So this trial explains that even the strongest of warriors will give in to the temptation of the Gods or deities. Homer persuades the people to be superstitious of the different deities that they can be trapped by due to the fact that you could end up there forever. The Greek culture had many beliefs that were prevalent in their writing, which is especially true with the Odyssey. It is observed in the epic poem that the Greek’s believe in hospitality, loyalty, and growth. Hospitality is observed throughout beginning with the hospitality Penelope gives to the suitors to the hospitality Odysseus receives from Alcinous to return home. Loyalty is observed through Penelope and how she refuses to take a husband by the time she and Odysseus agreed upon. Finally, growth is observed throughout the epic poem with Odysseus, his journey, which teaches our society now that the Greek’s believe in growing with time. This personal growth shows that the Greek’s value the person as well as the Polis. With these beliefs and superstitions we also observe them through the way Odysseus tells the story and why there is such an emphasis on these