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Return Of The Generals In Homer's Odyssey

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Return of the Generals
In The Odyssey by Homer, two heroic generals return home from the great Trojan War. The two generals are called Odysseus and Agamemnon. Both had embarked on amazing adventures before returning to their native land. Upon their arrival home, they both discover extreme events which leave a huge impact on their lives. Ultimately, Odysseus has an epic and happy homecoming, and returns home to a faithful wife. Agamemnon’s homecoming, however, is filled with death, depression, and rage. Both homecomings share similar characteristics, while also sharing complete opposites too.
One homecoming involved a backstabbing, cheating wife, igniting a rage among the gods, while the other involved a loyal wife, which seemed to please and …show more content…

The following quote is Zeus talking to the other gods in Olympus, he says, “Orestês, as you know, had just killed the man.” This quote is Zeus explaining that Orestês had avenged his father by killing Aegisthus. Another quote is “But if you are determined to murder me with the sharp bronze, then that would be my wish also, since it would be far better than to have to go on watching forever these shameful activities, guests being battered about, or to see you rudely mishandling the serving all about the beautiful palace.” This shows us that Telemachus has indeed picked up on his father’s lessons on honor. He is willing to defend himself and the palace against the suitors. This shows us that Telemachus is faithful to his mother, father, and the palace where he was raised. Odysseus had a truly happy homecoming, while Agamemnon had one of the worst homecomings possible. Odysseus had defeated all of the suitors, was reunited with his son, and solidified his marriage with his wife. Agamemnon on the other hand had come home to find his wife who he once loved with another man. The following quote is Agamemnon’s spirit talking to Odysseus in the underworld. “...Aigisthos plotted my death with my accursed wife-invited me to his house, set me down to a banquet, butchered me as if I were an ox at the manger!” This quote really explains how terrible Agamemnon’s homecoming was. Not only was

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