How Did Robert Fitzgerald Use Epithets In The Odyssey

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The Odyssey is Homer’s epic of Odysseus’ journey to return home, to Ithaca, after the Trojan War. This novel includes altercations with mythical creatures when he and his men must face the anger and punishments of many gods. Also, his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus attempt to stop the suitors that are looking for Penelope's marriage, and Ithaca's throne long enough for Odysseus to return. The Odyssey ends when Odysseus proves his identity to all who are surrounding, slaughters the suitors, and reconquered his kingdom of Ithaca. Through epithets and cultural aspects, “The Odyssey” by Homer, Robert Fitzgerald’s translation, illustrates an opposition between the [Cyclops] and hospitable men.
The Cyclops are unaccustomed with Greek culture …show more content…

Homer says, “This isle-seagoing folk would have annexed it / and built their homesteads on it” (9.141-142). Also the text states, “At this I went aboard, and gave the word / to cast off by the stern. My oarsmen followed, / filing into their benches by the rowlocks, / and all in line dipped their oars in the grey sea.” (9.190-194). Through the epithets, one can infer that Odysseus and his men are civilized. The epithets tell the reader that any man who passed this island and saw all of the beautiful land and resources, would claim the territory and build a home, or life on the island. Odysseus is saying that the island is a place that should be developed. This proves that he has an idea of how to lead a civilized life, and is aware of his resources and surroundings. The text referring to Greek cultural aspects demonstrate that Odysseus kind. Odysseus takes on the leadership of guiding his crew through the water to many unknown lands including the Cyclops island that they are currently on. Also, when being a leader, Odysseus must display appropriate conduct for and during the situation that is presented before him, for the people he is leading to follow. While Odysseus is leading his crew, he also displays that he and his men are