Theme Of Tests In The Odyssey

Tests, as students know, evaluate their ability and knowledge on a topic. In the Odyssey, tests are used to determine the loyalty, strength and trustworthiness of a character. These characteristics can often be taken advantage of. As a result, tests are motifs that are used to verify the truth found in the characters. Loyalty is defined as faithfulness to commitments or obligations. In The Odyssey, loyalty can be easily hidden and faked in different characters. Odysseus, a major character, was held accountable for a major challenge of defeating the suitors throughout his journey. Thus taking on this challenge, Odysseus needed to prove the right suitors from the wrong to determine which to kill and save. “So saying, Athena touched him with

As disguise was used to hide the true identity of a character, resulting in unknown trust. It is hard to trust someone, that isn't for sure himself. Tests were used to be determine the true identity, resulting in allowance of gained trust. As Odysseus had returned home to his wife, she had a hard time believing it was actually him standing before her. As did many, she couldn’t trust a stranger and treat an unsure person as her long lost husband. “She was testing her husband. Odysseus could bear no more, and he cried out to his wife: ‘By God, woman, now you’ve cut deep. Who moved my bed? It would be hard for anyone, no matter how skilled, to move it. A god could come down and move it easily, but not a man alive, however young and strong, could ever pry it up. There’s something telling about how that bed’s built, and no one else built it but me’”(23.187-195). By triggering her husband into telling a secret only the true Odysseus would know, proved she was able to trust him. Trust is something that must be earned, and cannot be given for any reason. In this case, Odysseus earned his trust by sharing the secret and confident story of how their bed was made. As she tested him, he could prove it was him standing before