In the epic The Odyssey by Homer, the main character Odysseus is one of the men fighting in the Trojan war and is just trying to get back to his hometown, Ithaca. Odysseus faces many challenges like a Cyclops and the nymph Calypso who trapped him on her island for seven years, After twenty years, Odysseus finally gets home to Ithaca and to his wife and family. Through Homer’s characterization of the characters Cyclops, Calypso, and Penelope, Homer conveys the values of Greek culture.
In Homer’s characterization of the Cyclops, he conveys the value of respect for the gods that was part of Greek culture. For example, the author describes the Cyclops as being rude to the gods when he says, “We cyclops care not a whistle for your thundering Zeus or
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For example, the author describes Calypso as being beautiful when it says, “Devine Calypso the mistress of the isle, was now at home” in lines (15 through 16) on page (1206). By conveying Calypso as being beautiful the author demonstrates the way in which greeks did value beauty. In another example, the author characterizes Calypso as being hospitable when she says, “Swiftly she turned and led him to her cave, and they went in the mortal and immortal” in lines (60 through 61) on page (1208). By conveying Calypso as hospitable, the author demonstrates the way in which the Greeks valued having hospitality. In another example, the author characterizes Calypso as showing desperation. “Can I be less desirable than she is? less interesting? less beautiful? can mortals compare with goddesses in grace and from?” In lines (77 through 79) on page (1209). By conveying Calypso as being desperate, the author demonstrates the way in which Greeks did not value having desperation. Thus, the characterization of Calypso as being beautiful, having hospitality, and showing desperation illustrates that the Greeks have approved of only two of Calypso’s