The Odyssey Research Paper

An epic tale of a journey home; is the tale fiction or based on fact?

The Odyssey is a poem attributed to the Greek poet Homer, written between

800-600 B.C.. The poem according to scholars was intended to be passed down orally by storytellers long before being written (Worrall). The poem is the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who wanders for 10 years (although the poem covers the final six weeks) trying to get home after the Trojan War (Blumberg). The poem chronicles Odysseus’ many adventures during his wanderings or journey. Over time, the poem or story is the subject of great debate. The main idea for this paper is awareness of research to date, which may decide whether the poem is a great tale or based on facts?

This epic piece

For the purpose of this paper the most “westernized’ title is used; The Odyssey. The Odyssey is considered the “sequel” to The Iliad. Just as

The Iliad did, The Odyssey causes debate within literary circles and among scholars.

The Iliad and The Odyssey are two of the key works of Western civilization. The simple fact that the poem is over 3000 years old and known by three different titles can lead some not familiar with the poem to conclude it is a fictitious tale.

The next item of debate is whether Homer is the author of The Odyssey. Almost nothing is known of Homer. Studies by scholars have found seven different places claiming the birthplace of Homer. Two possibilities are Smyrna and Chios, Greek settlements in Asia Minor or the west coast of modern-day Turkey. Research by scholars have found ancient Greeks accredit The Iliad and The Odyssey, to Homer as well as several other works, including the Homeric Hymns (Struck).

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In “Why Homer Matters,” historian and award-winning author Adam Nicolson

There is a concept that something only has meaning if it 's written down. Captured in a selfie, or on social media. The literate world is minimal compared to the depths of human history. Humans are essentially oral. In a funny way the modern, electronic communicative world is making orality take on a new significance. Agers 6

Until modern times the research and science was not available to determine if the great tales were fact based, so it was easy to just assume they were fiction. Even today people are drawn to those individuals that can “spin a good yarn” (Worrall).

Since The Odyssey became known to the literate world, it has fascinated a wide audience, from the scholarly world to those who love to read a good story. It truly is a good story, dated as early as 800 years before the birth of Christ and to this day still read, taught, discussed and debated. Homer if in fact is the only author of The Odyssey, he is ahead of his time. Think about it, he created the sequel. He wrote The Iliad then followed up with The Odyssey, hence sequel. Both classics have come under immense scrutiny, by historians, scholars, critics, etc.. Like

Star Wars, Harry Potter, the Twilight Saga and the Hunger Games. But