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The Greek Culture In Homer's Odyssey

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Throughout The Odyssey, we learn a lot about the greek culture. One of the first things we learn and that continues to get expressed throughout the whole story is that the gods are very important. To start it off, the storyteller prays to Muse. Then, later in the story, Odysseus stabs the cyclops eye out, causing Zeus to get mad at him. Because of this, Odysseus has a lot tougher of a trip home. Another example of the gods is with Helios's cattle. The men are not supposed to eat the cattle. However, while Odysseus is away, the men get too hungry and decide to eat the cattle, causing, them to die. From hearing about this experience, the audience learns that you always need to obey the gods and that there is always a reason for what you’re being told. Another value if the greek culture is that that you always need to welcome guests into your home. When Odysseus washes up on the shores of King Alcinous, he is given fresh clothes and a meal before getting asked who he is. …show more content…

One of the lessons is shown with the lotus eaters. The men eat the lotus flower and forget that they are trying to get back to Ithaca. This teaches us that we need to never forget our destination. We can easily relate this to our own lives because we can also easily get distracted. For example, if you need to do the dishes, you often procrastinate and do other things, so the next day, the dishes still are not done. Another lesson learned is that without a master/leader, there is no need to excel. We see this when Odysseus gets home and everybody is in caus. Today, if a teacher is gone, the students usually don’t do their

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Writing has always been a big part of History due that it can teach people, document events, and even tell a story; one of the earliest examples of this occurring is Homer's Epics (The Odyssey and The Iliad) which definitely had a greater effect than most would notice. In fact, Homer's Epics were awe-inspiring and profoundly influential at the time of their creation and were highly influential in Greek culture. Additionally, his writings/message spread and helped influence western culture. Lastly, his writings had a massive impact on future writing and literary styles. This is all due to his amazing use of story elements, theme/moral, and figurative language intertwined throughout his writing To begin, Homer's Epics influenced Ancient Greece in a profound way.

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Despite being seen as a god, Odysseus is not self-centered and shows respect to everyone through his prayers, actions, and words throughout his journey at Scherie in The Odyssey. Odysseus first displays respect towards others after being escorted to the town by Nausicaa, where he prays to Athena. He proceeds to say, “Hear me, Atrytone, Unwearied One, Child of Zeus who bears the aegis, and hear my prayer this time… Grant that the Phaeacians may receive me with kindness and compassion” (6.324-327). Even after all of the years of pain that Poseidon has caused to him, Odysseus continues to pray to the Gods, showing that he still has the utmost respect for them.

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Gods are an active problem to Odysseus. Odysseus has to conquer several obstacles on his journey these hardships wouldn't be so difficult if the gods didn’t interfere. A case of this in the novel is when Circe baits Odysseus and his men with meat and bread, then turned into pigs except for Odysseus. This causes them to stay on the longer for a more extended period of time than they had hoped for. While on the island, Odysseus says, “So day by day we lingered, feasting long/ on roasts and wine until a year grew fat.”

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