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Storytelling In The Odyssey

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The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer accredited as one of the most influential poems of its time. It tells stories of fighting, temptations, and how the behaviors of people can catapult their lives in different directions. It tells the tale of Odysseus of Ithaca and his journey to come back to his homeland after fighting in a war with Troy, but the short trip back takes him 20 years and he needs to come back to his kingdom and his family. The main character is Odysseus, king of Ithaca and husband to Penelope. Other important mortals of the story are Penelope, his wife, and queen of Ithaca, Telemachus, his son whom he left in Ithaca while at war who has aged 20 years, and Antinous, the lead suitor in a group of men that have invaded …show more content…

He can fight skillfully with swords to bow and arrows and he protects people around him. Whether it is his crew or his kingdom back in Ithaca, Odysseus was one to beat. The Odyssey can be seen as the story of a veteran because we continually see Odysseus fighting to get back home after the violent, treacherous war in Troy. Another huge component in the storytelling in the Odyssey besides having a strong main character is the language used to describe. Figurative language is widely used in the story to give words and phrases more meaning and emotion to convey the dramatic feeling the writer wants you to get. The messages conveyed by the poets of the Odyssey through figurative language are that following or not following the rules of the people over you in life can drastically affect how something may go for you and that you must fight for those you care for. The Odyssey uses figurative language to effectively share the message with its audience that our lives are short and should be spent with our …show more content…

The comparison of Telemachus and Odysseus weeping after finally reuniting after 20 years to a cry of a great hawk shows how powerful and how emotionally the moment was for the father and son together. Odysseus had just transformed into a good looking younger man from the old beggar disguise he had once worn right in front of Telemachus. After Odysseus revealed himself, Telemachus didn’t believe what he saw but after explaining, Telemachus knew he was looking at his long lost father. The text says “Then, throwing his arms around this marvel of a father, Telemachus began to weep. Salt tears rose from the wells of longing in both men and cries burst from both as keen and fluttering as those of a great taloned hawk.” (pg. 855, lines 71-76). The simile used to compare the reunion of Telemachus and Odysseus and the cries both had to ones of a great taloned hawk shows how powerful the connection is between this father and son even though they had spent no time together before. This interaction makes the readers understand that these two strong men are still human and thought the gods were against it, Odysseus got back home and finally saw his son all grown up. This supports the idea that we must spend time with our loved ones and appreciate it all by showing what the split between the father and son did to their relationship but Telemachus understood why

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Odysseus and his son Telemakhos have a unique relationship. Since Odysseus left home when his son was very young. While Odysseus was gone, his son was taught about his father and heard stories about his life and all he had done. Telemakhos idolized his father and was wise to form his own opinions of him based on who gave him the information versus just believing anything anyone would say. When Telemakhos was reunited with his father he knew he must protect him with all of his might.

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And so I am at your knees. Tell me How my father, Odysseus, met his end, whether you saw it with your own eyes, Or heard about it from someone else, Some wanderer. He was born in sorrow, More than any man on earth. And do not, out of pity, spare me the truth, but tell me whatever you have seen, whatever you know. I beseech you, if my father, noble Odysseus, Ever fulfilled a promise he made to you In the lands of Troy, where the Achaeans suffered, Remember it now, and tell me the truth.

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The Odyssey is an Epic Poem by Homer about what happens to Odysseus and his men on their journey. The story starts with Odysseus telling a story to a king. Throughout the story we can observe the actions of Odysseus and form a personality. Three key traits shown by this character include foresight, resilience, and quick-wit.

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I am he”(XVI.219-223). What Odysseus says displays his empathy towards his son for not visiting him in so long. The reader can realize that Odysseus is selfless since Odyssessus instantly denies being referred to as a god and owns up to what he has done to Telemachus. In addition, Odysseus fights with another beggar making many people from the town watch. During the

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Homer's epic similes or also called Homeric similes are used to give a deeper understanding of the characters and situations throughout The Odyssey. Homeric similes are used for comparing known things to the unknown parts of the story to give a deeper understanding of the significance of a passage. An Epic simile or Homeric Simile is described by the Poetry Foundation as a “detailed, often complex poetic comparison that unfolds over the course of several lines.” These epic similes are found throughout The Odyssey.

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The Odyssey is a book by Homer about a character Odysseus who was stuck at sea for many years trying to return home. Odysseus is a warrior who conquered Troy with a wooden trojan horse and prevailed from the wrath of the gods. Odysseus shows many character traits in this stunning story, but the ones that describe him the most are brave, clever and determined. He is brave enough to lead an army into war, clever enough to trick a cyclopes, and determined enough to keep trying to return home.

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Without his father who would have taken the lead and guided him, Telemachus was unable to force the suitors out. When speaking to Athena, Telemachus states that “My mother says that I am his son, but I cannot be sure, since no one knows his own begetting. ”(Homer Odyssey 1.14-16) Telemachus shows how much Odysseus’ absence is affecting his identity as he can’t even fully believe for certain that he is Odysseus’ son.

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In the novel, The Odyssey translated by Robert Fitzgerald, Telemachus gives a speech to Ithaca. He argues to the suitors about disrespecting his father Odysseus’ home even though they think Odysseus is dead and will never come home. Courageously, from the heart, Telemachus goes up against the suitors to state control over the key social practices of marriage hospitality. Telemachus’ speech was effective because it showed pathos, logos, and ethos. Telemachus looks and acts the part of his father, astonishing those who presumably knew him as a boy.

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The most important relationship is the one between Odysseus and Telémachus because there relationship drives a lot of the plot of the epic poem. Homer draws attention to the significance of their relationship when he writes that “Then, throwing his arms around this marvel of a father Telémachus began to weep. Salt tears rose from the wells of longing in both men, and cries burst from both as keen and fluttering as those of the great taloned hawk, whose nestlings fathers take before they fly. So helplessly they cried, pouring out tears, and might have gone on weeping so till sundown” (Homer 296). This quote shows reunion of Odysseus and Telémachus.

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In the story, Mercury travels to Calypso’s island to tell her that Odysseus must be released. However, during this meeting, Odysseus was on the beach with tears in his eyes. Moreover, he spent his days on the shore weeping for his dear wife, longing

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After weeks of struggle, Athena sends Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, to his father. Once Odysseus reveals his identity to his son, Telemachus questions how a low-life looking beggar could be his noble father. The unrecognizable father tells his son, “It is no hard thing for the gods of heaven to glorify a man or bring him low” (Homer 633). One can see Odysseus’ impersonation of a beggar and the proverb symbolizes a growth in character. To be brought low in the hierarchy, Odysseus experiences struggles in the commonwealth.

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The Odyssey would be less memorable without Homer’s masterful use of figurative language. This poem can only stand the test of time when the figurative language is used to help readers relate to the text no matter what time period they come from. Figurative language in the text has made the story as a whole more interesting and has made countless readers engaged by this tale of, in Homer’s own words, “that man skilled in all ways of contending.” (p. 813,

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However, some characters in the epic display many great qualities. In The Odyssey by Homer, loyalty, courage, and trickery are displayed throughout the book in a positive manner, showing that they are the Greek’s cultural values. First, loyalty is shown as a cultural

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The Odyssey by Homer is a book that involves the Journey of Odysseus and his men and the Obstacles they come across. The Odyssey portrays many themes including vengeance, hospitality, courage, bravery and more. Odysseus experiences some good and bad during his journey. He comes across people who help him, but also comes across creatures who hold him back. Odysseus is an Epic hero because of his quick thinking skills, bravery, and confidence for himself and his men.

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