ipl-logo

War, Home, And Family In Homer's Odyssey

523 Words3 Pages

War, home, and family are all important aspects of the Homer’s Odyssey, as well as Odysseus to Telemachus, Joseph Brodsky’s poem adaptation of the Odyssey. However, war, home, and family can also all be perceived differently. One example of this comparison is the contrast between Homer’s Odysseus and Brodsky’s Odysseus. Both of these characters share a name and a story, but the two have diverse, polar opposite, views of war, home, and family. Homer’s Odysseus has defining characteristics like strength, courage, and nobility. His most known trait is his intelligence, as often described by The Odyssey. He believes in the Greek values: timé, or honor, and kleos, or glory. Homer’s Odysseus also has the desire to return to his home in Ithaka, which represents nostos. “I long for home, long for the sight of home.” (Homer V. 229).After landing on Ithaka’s shores, Homer’s Odysseus makes a tearful reunion with his son Telemachus. “Salt tears rose from the wells of longing in both men…” (Homer XVI. 255-256). This version of Odyseeus also returns home, something that Brodsky’s Odysseus does not do, pointing possibly towards his indifferent feelings for home. Unlike Homer’s Odysseus, Brodsky’s Odysseus’s feeling towards war, home, and family is characterized as apathetic. He does not care for war, as if he see it as …show more content…

But Homer and Brodsky depict two different forms of this man, Odysseus. While the men share a similar affection for their son, Telemachus, their wife, Penelope is held on two different standards. War and home are also recognized differently. One man views them as honorable, while the other views them as purposeless. In some interpretations, Brodsky’s Odysseus is the representation of depression, while Homer’s Odysseus can be interpreted as the heroic side of war, hinting towards each of the author’s personal interpretation of culture and values as pessimistic and optimistic

Show More
Related
862 Words | 4 Pages

There are many themes in both O Brother where Art Thou and the Odyssey which seem to be strongly similar. Many similarities between the characters and their actions surface through their actions. In my essay I will not only compare and contrast the most important elements of the mentioned works, but will also discuss the importance of heroic figures and the less favored themes, such as revenge and foolish fearlessness. It is important to note that both works are taken place during hard times. Odysseus’ journey is dated around 1200 BCE, or the ‘Dark Age’.

Read More
506 Words | 3 Pages

Joseph Brodsky, the poet of “Odysseus to Telemachus”, successfully conveys the feelings of a homesick man -- Odysseus from The Odyssey -- longing to see his son, Telemachus, once more by both relating it to The Odyssey and using assorted literary devices. The poem is three stanzas long, and formatted like a letter from Odysseus to Telemachus -- which allows the reader feel as if they are catching a glimpse into the heart and despair of Odysseus while he is journeying back home. In “Odysseus to Telemachus”, Odysseus first contemplates the events of the Trojan War, but finds that he cannot even recall who the victor was -- despite having been a main contender in it himself. Afterwards, he begins to describe his current location: a dirty island housing pigs, buildings, weeds, and plants.

Read More
1764 Words | 8 Pages

In the book called The Odyssey by Homer, it mainly follows the story of a king of a village called Ithaca, hundreds of years ago-This man, is named Odysseus. Odysseus goes through many adventures after the victory of the Trojan War. However, this is where Odysseus, is not being as strong as a great war hero and a king as he should be. Although Odysseus was seen as a very strong person, physically and mentally, he lacks the appreciation and the care of his crew throughout the trials and didn’t think through many of his actions thoroughly and how they would affect not only his crew but people around him.

Read More
1125 Words | 5 Pages

Odysseus’s Traits Throughout the Odyssey, the main character Odysseus goes on an epic adventure with his focus being to get home to his wife Penelope, and his son Telemachus. He faces many obstacles dealing with characters such as the Cyclopes, Poseidon, Aeolus, Athena, Helios, Calypso, Zeus, Hermes, Scylla, and Circe. Odysseus’s men are some of the most valuable people to him throughout the Odyssey. He always puts himself in front of danger for them to protect them even though they all died from an unexpected turn of events soon before he returns home. When Odysseus comes home he greets his twenty year old son and straightens things out on his homeland, Ithaca.

Read More
500 Words | 2 Pages

In the epic story the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is returning from the Trojan war, and on his way home he finds many obstacles ahead of him. Odysseus is the ruler of Ithaca and he is trying to return home to his land. Many creatures try and stop him from achieving his goal of returning home, but he and his crew have to push through and get home. Odysseus portrays bravery and courage leading his crew through these tough challenges. Odysseus heroically leads his crew and himself through dangerous obstacles, but also foolishly endangers them during the journey home.

Read More
688 Words | 3 Pages

The Odyssey by Homer revolves around the character, Odysseus, and his ten-year struggle to return home after the Trojan War. As the epic’s idol, he displays the combination of a clever, handsome, and courageous man popular among the mortals as well as the gods. Essentially, he embodies the ideals of the ancient Greek culture, being adorned with many favored characteristics of the era. However, an intriguing aspect of Odysseus lies in his personality. As the protagonist, he does not manifest the entirety of a stereotypical hero because Odysseus has a fatal flaw—his arrogance.

Read More
364 Words | 2 Pages

In Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," the character of Odysseus embodies the theme of family in profound ways. Throughout his arduous journey home, Odysseus's unwavering love for his family serves as a constant driving force. Despite facing countless challenges and temptations, he remains resolute in his desire to return to his beloved family. For example In the underworld section of Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," the theme of family takes center stage, offering a poignant exploration of the bond between the living and the dead. As Odysseus descends into the realm of Hades, he encounters the spirits of his deceased loved ones, including his mother, Anticlea, and other familiar faces.

Read More
711 Words | 3 Pages

Martin Luther King Junior once said “Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave”. The importance of home is an universally applicable subject from Odyssey that has a meaning that can be applicable to our lives. Home was a very important part in Greek culture and is also important to us in western society. In The Odyssey by Homer, xenia, nostos, and hubris is used to show the importance of home. Xenia is used in the Odyssey to show the importance of home.

Read More
759 Words | 4 Pages

From Odysseus’ time with Calypso in Ogygia up until the moment he takes back his home and wife from the suitors in Ithaca, the struggles he faces help answer what makes for a good life. Homer uses Odysseus’ journey throughout “The Odyssey” to identify four aspects of a good life: mortality, honor, hospitality, and experiences. Homer reveals that mortality is necessary for a good life when Odysseus denies the opportunity for immortality that Calypso offers, he shows the significance of honor in his description of Odysseus’ bravery in the Trojan war and the consequent respect that Odysseus’ crew has for him, Homer reinforces the importance of hospitality in each city Odysseus travels to, and he conveys that experiences, good or bad, define a good life. The Greeks held their gods in high esteem and therefore when Homer or other characters in the epic refer to Odysseus as being “godlike,” this is one of the highest compliments he could receive.

Read More
450 Words | 2 Pages

The odyssey, an epic told by Homer in ancient greece, has many major themes following odysseus’s adventures. While Odysseus is sentenced to never return home after the Trojan War. He is overcoming challenges to return home to his wife penelope and his son Telemachus. Throughout the story major themes of loyalty, hospitality and vengeance are hidden within the plot. The story continues to show his heroic side with three major traits.

Read More
709 Words | 3 Pages

Odysseus rises above most men when it comes to being a military leader, a good father, and a loyal husband. When one reads this prodigious text their imagination is immediately swept away to a place of hero’s, monsters, and gods. Odysseus, our main hero, is tiredly making his way home form the Trojan war. This war is an event that the book “The Iliad” was focused on, (also written by Homer). Unfortunately it was not as easy as it was originally suppose to be.

Read More
933 Words | 4 Pages

Symptoms such as depression, impulsive anger, and paranoia continue to affect Odysseus in his life, though he and others might fail to recognize it. While The Odyssey might be a fictional epic, the issues it addresses are still very real even in today’s society. Post traumatic stress disorder is still a significant issue, and though rates of the illness have improved, work still needs to be done. However, the solution to PTSD is not reducing the impact of warfare, but instead, providing a better, more welcoming environment for returning soldiers like Odysseus. This story might still provide comfort to soldiers today, because they witness Odysseus overcome his adversities, giving hope that they too can

Read More
1299 Words | 6 Pages

The Odyssey begins as Odysseus leaves an island he was trapped on for 10 years to go back to his hometown, Ithaca. However, we do not know if he will make it back, as it is highly probable that he will die. The Odyssey is a Greek Epic involving some of their ancient Gods. On the way to Ithaca Odysseus faces many challenges while his wife deals with challenges of her own at their house. Suitors have taken over Odysseus’s home, and are all trying to marry Odysseus’s wife, Penelope.

Read More
803 Words | 4 Pages

“Foundation of Family” Family is the fundamental building block of all societies. It is all inclusive across generations and cultures. Based on the epic poem The Odyssey and current families today, we see that family is where we learn to love ourselves and each other, to bear one another’s burdens, to find meaning in our life and to give purpose to other’s lives, and to feel the value of being part of something greater than ourselves. Family is where we experience our biggest triumphs, deepest vulnerabilities, and where we have the greatest potential to do good.

Read More
541 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More

More about War, Home, And Family In Homer's Odyssey

Related Topics

Open Document