Symbols In The Odyssey

Owen Geagan Ms. Winter English 14 June 5, 2024 Declamation Essay How can an object in a story transform into a profound symbol? Symbolism involves using objects, characters, or events to represent deeper meanings and convey ideas indirectly. In Homer's timeless epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus comes home and confronts his wife after twenty years away. The symbolism in this short passage connects readers to the emotions and insights of Homer's timeless epic. The twenty-four lines chosen are significant due to their symbolism and Penelope’s test within, which connect readers to the epic's deeper emotional and artistic aspects. Penelope’s test exemplifies the passage's narrative importance and emotional depth. Penelope suggests that Odysseus’s bed was moved, and he realizes that someone would have had to cut the

Similarly, the literary elements used make the passage critical in the turning point of the epic. Motifs and symbolism elevate the passage. Throughout the epic, the olive tree appears multiple times as a motif. In these lines, the olive tree motif is described as sturdy when Odysseus discusses the trick behind how the bed was made. “Inside the court there grew an olive tree with delicate long leaves, full grown and green, as sturdy as a pillar.” In The Odyssey, literary elements surround the olive tree to highlight its importance as a symbol. The tree is a sign of stability to show how stable and loving Penelope and Odysseus’s marriage is. Other lines in the passage symbolize different aspects, such as when Odysseus suggests that someone else could have moved his bed. “I do not know if someone – a man – has cut the olive trunk.” The tree symbolizes the loyalty in their relationship because it remains unmoved. Homer’s artistic skill proves the worth of these lines. In conclusion, Homer’s symbolism in The Odyssey transforms objects into representations of values seen throughout the