Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey Is Still Relevant Today

In Homer’s The Odyssey, translated by Robert Fitzgerald and another version translated by Samuel Butler, Odysseus endured many hardships over his journey. He fought in the 10 year Trojan War. After the war he struggled to get home for three years and was then held on Ogygia by Calypso. Odysseus longed to see his family and he finally arrived at home after about twenty years. Odysseus’s story is relevant to today because many people today are sent away from their homes and families just as he was. Odysseus’s life parallels the lives of most soldiers. Odysseus was sent to war for ten long years. He did not plan for his ten year struggle to get home. This relates to modern day lives because the military sends men and women to foreign lands for protection and to stop unjust causes. These people are given estimates of how long they will be away from home, but that time could change. After Odysseus fought in the Trojan War, he was supposed to return home to his family. His return was delayed by almost ten years. Odysseus was cursed to a long journey at sea by Poseidon after blinding Polyphemus the cyclopes. “Let him lose all his companions, and return under strange sail to bitter days at home” (Homer 9.460 ). Modern soldiers’ time overseas can prolonged due to shortage of troops and changing circumstances.

“Your wife still remains in your house.” (Homer par 12)Military employees are often sent overseas to provide assistance in ongoing affairs. When these people are sent away from home, they are unable to allow their families to accompany them. Odysseus’s wife was not allowed to go with him because she was a woman. Odysseus’s son was too young to go to war. Odysseus was accompanied by his beloved friends, but after ten years of war he longed to see his family. Many soldiers go overseas for years at a time without seeing their families just as Odysseus has. Odysseus’s life parallels the lives of most