Loyalty In The Odyssey Analysis

Loyalty is what binds men to their beloved king. Loyalty is the lifeblood of hierarchy; without it all order and sense would be lost. The Odyssey illustrates this importance of dedication. As a once adored king returns home, devotion is put to the test. Through character interaction and symbolism loyalty becomes an overarching theme in The Odyssey. The emphasis on obedience proves how important the idea of allegiance was to the audience. As a whole, The Odyssey uses loyalty as a universal theme to show the importance it holds with the audience. “Stranger,” this is what the once powerful king, Odysseus, is pronounced as when he returns to his “native soil.”(Book 17:526,359). This unfortunate title symbolizes the astounding loss of loyalty to Odysseus. This is one of many symbols used to emphasize the importance of allegiance in The Odyssey. Another symbol can be seen in Odysseus’ old dog, Argos. Argos acts as a symbol of undying devotion as he lays “half-dead from neglect,” just as the loyalty to Odysseus.(Book 17: 328). This graphic symbol of a starving, utterly neglected dog contrasts the

For example, Antinous throws a footstool at “the stranger” exposing his lack of respect for other men. This foolish action symbolizes the lack of loyalty he holds to the king and his values. It could be argued that it was this form of back stabbing that formally made Antinous an anti-hero. Odysseus goes so far as to name the suitors “spineless, craven cowards.” (Book 17: 134). On the other hand, Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, remains loyal to her lost husband. She proves this allegiance by sulking in tears in nearly every scene. Penelope, in this way, can be compared to Argos as she remains neglected out of sheer devotion. Meanwhile, the suitors feast on the kings supplies: the ultimate betrayal. Overall, characters’ behaviors are used to express how the theme drives the Epic