thesis statement examples for the odyssey

The Odyssey

Introduction to the odyssey, summary of the odyssey, major themes in the odyssey, major characters of the odyssey, writing style of the odyssey, analysis of the literary devices in the odyssey, related posts:, post navigation.

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The Odyssey Essays

Within the four walls of the Ancient Greece, somewhere around 2,500 years ago, Homer’s exquisite power of words gave birth to one of the largest and most enduring of all time Epic, Odyssey. Odyssey is marked by an immense panorama of wondrous journey of a man through the lands of magic and mystery...

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The Odyssey In The Odyssey, Odysseus had to face many challenges during his travels; a few of these difficulties were a cannibalistic Cyclops, huge whirlpools, determined suitors, along with many hardships. Odysseus fought constantly to return to his homeland of Ithaca, but to accomplish this...

The Odyssey Report In The Odyssey , Homer uses guest-host relationships as an ethical norm against which behavior is measured. When the ritual is preformed correctly by guest-host, good results ensue. In contrast, the violations of this ethical norm results in misfortune. This idea was taken very...

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The Odyssey The Odyssey was full of wonder, power, and surprises. It is packed with epic heroes, creatures, gods, and goddesses. The gods, goddesses, and creatures had supernatural powers that effected the lives of Odysseus, his crew, and his family. Their actions proved to be powerful, beneficial ...

The Odyssey: Telemachus Telemachus recounts his confrontation with the Old man of the sea who could change his appearance in order to escape danger. Telemachus reveals the information which he obtained from the Old man of the sea to the reader. The Old man told Telemachus of the sorrowful tale of...

The Greeks, as portrayed by Homer, are a very vengeful people. Throughout The Odyssey, a theme of vengeance is dominant. These displays of retribution come from different entities for fairly different reasons. So why is revenge such a factor in The Odyssey? Fear and the overwhelming feeling of...

The Odyssey is the product of a society in which the dominant role was played by men. In ancient Greece, just as in the whole of the ancient world, and in America and Western Europe until the last century, women occupied a subservient position. Society was organized and directed by men, and all of...

When one ponders the Greek mythology and literature, powerful images invariably come to mind. One relives the heroes’ struggles against innumerable odds, their battles against magical monsters, and the gods’ periodic intervention in mortal affairs. Yet, a common and often essential...

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The Odyssey and Its Themes Homer’s great literary classic, The Odyssey, represents and illustrates many emotional and mental values. All of these values can be classified under three different main themes that are constant throughout the epic tale. These themes are: A boy’s struggle to...

Loyalty to family, community, and the gods is an important quality in the lives of ancient Greek citizens. These qualities are clear demonstrated in The Odyssey through Penelope, Telemakhos, and Odysseus. Penelope shows her loyalty in several ways. She shows loyalty to Odysseus by waiting for his...

Relationships in the Odyssey Essay Throughout the Odyssey, there are many relationships that represent love between two people. These relationships show loyalty, compassion, and the wanting to be near one another. Two of these kinds of relationships are between Odysseus and Telemakhos, and...

"There is no safety in unlimited hubris" (McGeorge Bundy). The dictionary defines hubris as overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance. In The Odyssey, Homer embodies hubris into the characters Odysseus, the Suitors, and the Cyclopes. Odysseus shows hubris when he is battling the Cyclopes, the...

The Odyssey and The epic of Gilgamesh (Similarities and Differences) Both The Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh are two incredible stories written long ago everyone knows this but what a lot of people don't is that these two epics share many of the same concepts. Such as the nostro (the Greek term...

The Odyssey has much to teach us about the feminine psyche. The feminine psyche is the way that the female mind and soul react to and process situations. Females are generally faithful, giving, and respectful to their mates. We have an insight into the feminine psyche in several things that...

Homer, name traditionally assigned to the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, the two major epics of Greek antiquity. Nothing is known of Homer as an individual, and in fact it is a matter of controversy whether a single person can be said to have written both the Iliad and the Odyssey...

Homer's poem The Odyssey depicts the tendency of people to ignore the consequences of their actions. Odysseus punished Penelope's suitors without thinking of consequences that he would have to endure. He did not acknowledge the consequences because that would prevent him from doing what he wants...

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In the epic the Odyssey by Homer (translated by Robert Fitzgerald) one of the most descriptive and best written passages in the entire epic is "The Slaying of the Suitors" (book 23 lines1-62). This is a good passage for many reasons, one of these is that it is a part of the story that has been...

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The Women of the Odyssey Many people regard Homer's epics as war stories? stories about men; those people often overlook the important roles that women play in the Odyssey. While there are not many female characters in the Odyssey, the few that there are, play pivotal roles in the story and one...

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The Odyssey Odysseus was always considered to be a great man and a great hero. He was known for his brain as well as his muscle. He was an epic hero of a narrative poem about the deeds of gods or heroes. He possesses qualities superior to those of most men, yet remains recognizably human. These...

Everyone has a home. Regardless of its location, it is a place of acceptance and belonging. In a sense it's where the heart is. Though in The Odyssey, the concept of home is blurry and for the most part incomplete, it is the most important thing to Odysseus, and he is willing to go through utter...

In any discussion concerning roles of male and female in the “Odyssey,” it seems natural to concentrate mainly on the evidence having to do with the situation on Ithaka, both because Ithaka is the most complex and the most fully described society in the Odyssey. All the women met...

A long time ago people believed that gods ruled the world. Each god was responsible for a certain element of nature, and all those gods are described in the well-known “Odyssey.” In this article, we’ll provide you with the way Poseidon was described in the poem. Poseidon was...

The feeling of self-confidence is a positive feature as long as it does not turn into arrogance. Hubris is one of such traits when people have too much pride in themselves, and this leads to disasters or problems. Odyssey is a great example of a character whose actions are sometimes ruled by his...

Recently, an approach of researchers to problems of the Homeric epic has changed significantly. In the field of their view, new problems are increasingly emerging. One of the widely discussed topics is a theme of hospitality in the “Odyssey”. From our perspective, this is one of the...

In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Daisy Buchanan is an important woman character, but only in relation toga Gatsby dream. Ever since Gatsby had come back from the army, he had longed to have Daisy back in his life, and so everything he did and built up was in some way for her (e...

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An epic is best described by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as a long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero. Epics like "Beowulf" and "The Odyssey" are perfect examples of this definition; they are each centered on the deeds and triumphs of their...

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Many of the tragic pitfalls of Odysseus and his men were from their own weaknesses to women. The temptations that the crew submits to always either anger the gods or distract them from their goal- returning home. In The Odyssey, by the legendary poet Homer, Odysseus and his crew desire to complete...

Pankaj Selvam English 10 Honors Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth Chosen Monomyth: The Odyssey 1. Hero introduced in his ordinary world Odysseus is a strong ruler of Ithaca (Greek city-state), however lacks experience in war. He is also the son of Laertes 2. The call to adventure He wins the Trojan war...

Joel Schain Period 2 3/28/10 Book 9: In the Eyes of Polyphemus This morning was like any other day. I got up to see the sun rise, and then I went into the forest to find something to eat for breakfast. Most days were quiet in the land of the Cyclopes. All you could hear were your own thoughts, and...

Reflective journal 1 The Odyssey Date due MB and ME: 23rd January 2014 at 8:30am – via Blackboard – – Submission to VeriGuide – Choose ONE of the following question groups and write a short essay, about 400-600 words in English or 700-900 characters in Chinese. (* A question may break down into a...

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Themes in The Odyssey: Hospitality & Perseverance Examples

The Odyssey is a tale of grand proportions. In the true fashion of Ancient Greek epic poetry, Homer tries to teach his audience life lessons. These are among The Odyssey’s themes, which are essential to understanding the context of the story. In the two dozen books of the epic, we can find a meaningful message in almost every passage. This is why here we have outlined and explained the key themes in The Odyssey .

🥳 Hospitality

⚓ homecoming, 💎 perseverance.

• 🗺️ Navigation

🎓 References

Everything in The Odyssey is reflective of the time it was written in. The main theme, which we see affect everything throughout the story, is tied with Ancient Greek myths and customs. Xenia , a Greek word for hospitality, is a fundamentally vital concept. It holds the whole poem together. It is an unspoken law that governs the land, and only absolute monsters would think to break it. Through his depictions of xenia in The Odyssey, Homer teaches his audience an important lesson in morality.

‘Guest-friendship’ is the most common translation of the word xenia . The Odyssey ’s characters often visit new lands and encounter strangers. Even so, they almost always are met with a feast and leave with plenty of gifts. This is because any respectable host was expected to provide food and shelter to their guest. Meanwhile, any respectable guest was expected to accept these gifts. These rules of hospitality ensured that when the host would travel, they would be met with the same welcome.

Hospitality in Ithaca

There are plenty of examples of hospitality in The Odyssey. Early on, Telemachus is both an exceptional host and guest. He is the only one to give the deserved respect to Athena, disguised as Mentes, when she visits him in Book I. Telemachus provides the stranger with dinner before asking for a name. This is the customary practice in Greek hospitality – a bath and dinner first, questions later.

When Telemachus visits the kings Nestor and Menelaus, his behavior is exemplary of a good guest. He patiently waits for gifts from his hosts, even when he is in a rush to get home. He begs Menelaus to hurry, fearing for his and his father’s lives, but still stays for lunch.

We only ever see Telemachus break the rules of xenia once . He begs Pisistratus not to stop at his father’s palace, knowing how overbearingly generous the man is. He worries that because of all the requirements of hospitality, he will be held back even more. Nestor’s son agrees but warns Telemachus that his father will be extremely angry with this decision. This episode reminds us that while xenia is an all-important custom, it can also be extremely inconvenient and even harmful.

This point is also reiterated throughout Homer’s Odyssey through the suitors. As the primary antagonists, these young aristocratic men are the very nightmare of any Greek host. Greedy and gluttonous, they occupy the royal palace, eat until they are sick, and take advantage of Penelope and Telemachus. However, with Odysseus missing, the queen and young prince are unable to evict their guests. The laws of social convention prohibit them from displaying such crude behavior. This conflict shows the audience how hospitality in The Odyssey is a double-edged sword.

Hospitality on Odysseus’ Journey

With such strict rules in place, it is no wonder that friend and enemy alike help Odysseus out on his journey:

• The nymph Calypso breaks the code of hospitality by keeping the hero for seven years against his will. However, upon being instructed to let him go by the gods, she gives Odysseus a raft and supplies.
• The Phaecians welcome him with open arms. The young princess Nausicaa offers him help despite seeing a strange and scary man on her land. As Odysseus recalls the tale of his fate, we see several more examples of the importance of xenia .
• The sorceress Circe turns his men into pigs using trickery. However, upon being overpowered by the king, she turns into a gracious hostess. When Odysseus and his crew want to leave, Circe offers advice for the hero’s journey. Using her hospitable disposition, Homer aims to tell us that the sorceress is not all foul.

That’s why the most terrible villains of the story disregard the rules of xenia completely. At one point, Odysseus and his men find themselves on an island filled with one-eyed giants. However, it is not their appearance that makes them monsters. When Odysseus walks into the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus, he attempts conversation. The creature immediately breaks the customs, demanding to know the identity of the people in his home. He then proceeds to laugh at Odysseus when he reminds him of the rules of hospitality and eats several of his men. If the suitors are the epitome of bad guests, then Polyphemus must be the worst host possible.

The behavior of characters regarding xenia is telling of their moral alignment. This theme of The Odyssey is not only a running motif – it separates good from evil . The monsters show no interest in being hospitable guests or hosts. Meanwhile, everyone from kings to ordinary people shows kindness and helps out the strangers arriving at their door.

Perhaps the most telling example of this is the swineherd Eumaeus. Odysseus arrives at his door disguised as a beggar. The king did not look like he could give anything in return, yet Eumaeus still treats him with kindness and respect. Despite not having much, he provides Odysseus with food, water, and shelter. He is put in stark contrast to the suitors. They insult the beggar, despite being members of the aristocracy. Eumaeus protects him from their abuse.

This is why the ending of The Odyssey must have been so satisfying for the Ancient audience. As we saw, the rude disposition of the suitors is condemned throughout the entirety of the story. Their behavior is disrespectful not only to the royal family but to the gods themselves. In Greek mythology, Zeus is the patron god of xenia . Thus, the slaughter of the suitors is seen as divine justice and fair punishment. The price for their transgression is justified death.

💬 Quotes about Hospitality

“Daydreaming so as he sat among the suitors, he glimpsed Athena now and straight to the porch he went, mortified that a guest might still be standing at the doors.” Book I

“Just think of all the hospitality we enjoyed at the hands of other men before we made it home, and god save us from such hard treks in years to come. Quick, unhitch their team. And bring them in, strangers, guests, to share our flowing feast.” Menelaus, Book IV

“But since we’ve chanced on you, we’re at your knees in hopes of a warm welcome, even a guest-gift, the sort that hosts give strangers. That’s the custom. Respect the gods, my friend. We’re suppliants—at your mercy! Zeus of the Strangers guards all guests and suppliants: strangers are sacred—Zeus will avenge their rights!” Odysseus, Book IX

One of the most prevalent themes of The Odyssey is that of loyalty. The power of devotion to family, friends, and gods is emphasized throughout the epic. It is one of the main driving factors behind Odysseus’ persistence to return home. Homer makes his point clear: fidelity is praised and rewarded, while treachery is punished.

We cannot talk about loyalty in The Odyssey without immediately bringing up Odysseus’ wife, Penelope. After all, she waits for her husband’s return for twenty long years, never losing hope. She refuses to marry one of the suitors despite their insistence. She even devises a cunning plan to trick them. By weaving and then unraveling the burial shroud for Laertes, the queen gives Odysseus the time needed to get home.

Penelope’s loyalty is in stark contrast to that of other queens. The most notable example is the wife of King Agamemnon, Clytemnestra. She gets a lover while her husband is away at war. Upon his return, he murders the king with her approval. Later, upon meeting Odysseus in the Underworld, Agamemnon warns him that all women are the same. Even Helen of Troy was not faithful to Menelaus. However, Odysseus chooses to believe in his wife. After all, he is also loyal to her.

Odysseus’ fate is to travel to many distant lands. Monsters inhabit some of them, while others have gorgeous palaces. The king does not stop his journey home despite the threat to his life. He also does not stop when met with luxury and excess and beautiful women that want to marry him:

• Calypso promises him immortality if he marries her, but Odysseus can’t bring himself to love her even after seven years.
• Circe keeps him for a year, providing him with everything he desires – but the king leaves her as well.
• The young princess Nausicaa falls in love with him, but he rejects her advances.

Nothing could deter Odysseus from coming back home to his wife and son.

Telemachus also faithfully waits for his father’s return. The young prince refuses to seize the throne, going out to sea to look for Odysseus instead. The family stays loyal to each other, and they are rewarded with the king’s safe return home.

The Odyssey celebrates faithfulness in all respects. The suitors, members of the aristocracy, are seen as the ultimate traitors both to Odysseus and Ithaca. They are the villains for wishing to betray the king, and their slaughter is just a punishment. To reiterate the point, Penelope’s maids that slept with the suitors are also executed for their disloyalty. Homer makes a critical point of punishing the traitors in awful ways.

Despite all the betrayers, Odysseus still finds support in his loyal friends and servants. When he arrives on Ithaca after his long journey, he disguises himself as a beggar. Discovering who is still on his side is his priority, and he cannot risk recognition. Athena directs him towards the swineherd Eumaeus , who immediately treats him with kindness. He tells him how much he misses Odysseus and still calls him master despite knowing he is likely dead. Eumaeus also mentions how loyal Penelope and Telemachus stayed to the king, and Odysseus is touched.

The old nurse Eurycleia is the only one that recognizes Odysseus when he is still in disguise. She stays loyal to him and his wife and promises not to reveal him. The cowherd Philoetius also remains loyal to his master. He helps Odysseus and Telemachus in the final battle against the suitors. For their devotion, the king rewards his faithful servants with freedom and power.

This account would not be complete without mentioning Odysseus’ best friend and companion. Argos in The Odyssey is perhaps the most critical display of absolute loyalty towards Odysseus. For twenty years, the dog lay in wait for his master to return. Old and neglected, he sensed the king’s return despite the disguise. Odysseus’ dog is the only one besides Eurycleia to recognize his master. Having the strength to wag his tail one last time, the loyal dog dies happy.

The relationship between the characters and the gods is very reciprocal in Homer’s world. Those who stay devoted to their gods will receive the same devotion in return. This is particularly notable between Odysseus and Athena, who stay loyal to each other. The goddess assists the king on his return journey home, also guiding his son and reassuring his wife. She is devoted to Odysseus’ family and does everything in her power to help. Meanwhile, Zeus and Poseidon punish those who prove to be unfaithful.

This theme of loyalty in The Odyssey also highlights the master/property relationships between the characters. Argos stays loyal to Odysseus since he is his pet and belongs to him. The same is expected of the servants and his family. To the same extent, people belong to the gods. In both cases, disobeying the master is punishable by death, while loyalty gets rewarded.

💬 Quotes about Loyalty

“ That man, old friend, far away as he is … I can scarcely bear to say his name aloud, so deeply he loved me, cared for me, so deeply. Worlds away as he is, I call him Master, Brother!” Eumaeus, Book XIV

“But the moment he sensed Odysseus standing by he thumped his tail, nuzzling low, and his ears dropped, though he had no strength to drag himself an inch toward his master” Book XVII

“The more she spoke, the more a deep desire for tears welled up inside his breast—he wept as he held the wife he loved, the soul of loyalty, in his arms at last. Joy, warm as the joy that shipwrecked sailors feel when they catch sight of land” Book XXIII

A breakdown of The Odyssey ’s themes would not be complete without talking about the concepts of nostos and kleos . As was mentioned before, nostos is a warrior’s wish to return home from war. Meanwhile, kleos is the desire for glory and death in battle as a hero. These two contradictory themes tell the audience of Ancient Greek values. They are explored in Homer’s epic poetry and tell the tale of two sides of the same coin.

Achilles and Kleos

To outline the significance of homecoming and glory in war, we have to refer to The Iliad . Odysseus plays a significant part in the events of the Trojan War, but this story is not about him. Instead, it is about Achilles and his dilemma in choosing between nostos and kleos . The hero wants to go home but eventually succumbs to death in battle. This wins him glory and fame all over Greece – the kleos every warrior strives for.

In The Odyssey , Odysseus meets Achilles in the Underworld and is jealous of his fate. He wishes he was as mighty as the demigod. Instead, he finds himself smaller and weaker than all the monsters on his path. Achilles, however, says that he would rather be a common servant on earth than rule over the entire Underworld. Through this encounter, kleos in The Odyssey is implicitly criticized . The king of Ithaca is reminded that he should hurry back home.

Odysseus and Nostos

While The Iliad is about strength, The Odyssey is about intelligence and cunning. Unlike the hero Achilles with his kleos , Odysseus uses his wit to solve his problems. His perseverance and quick thinking stem directly from nostos , the desire to return home. From the very beginning of the epic, he is described as a “ man of twists and turns. ” This description tells us not only that his fate is complicated but that Odysseus himself is a complicated man.

This is another reason that the goddess Athena favors him greatly. She compares them to each other and says they are the wisest of their kind. Time and time again, Odysseus shows that she is right.

During his travels, Odysseus encounters and outwits many terrible monsters. Perhaps the most famous example is his deception in the face of the Cyclops Polyphemus. The giant asks for the strangers’ names, but that doesn’t hinder Odysseus. “Nobody,” the hero answers instead. Thus, when he blinds Polyphemus, other Cyclopes do not come to help. He and his men then escape by strapping themselves to the bellies of the sheep in Polyphemus’ cave.

However, this is where Odysseus’ desire for kleos overtakes him , and he is punished for it. In search of glory, the king reveals his real name to the Cyclops to taunt him. In turn, the monster asks his father Poseidon to curse his offender. Once again, we are taught that kleos is not more important than the journey home.

Throughout his subsequent troubles, Odysseus proves to be just as sharp:

• He saves his crew from the Sirens and becomes the first person to hear their song and live.
• The hero carefully navigates around the monsters Scylla and Charybdis.
• After finally reaching Ithaca, he disguises himself as a beggar to test the loyalty of his servants.
• Most importantly, Odysseus knows that he cannot defeat the suitors in his home using strength alone. This is why he devises a cunning plan to leave them weaponless and takes them by surprise.

Cunning Penelope

Odysseus isn’t the only one to display cunning. His wife, Penelope, is just as crafty as her husband and the goddess Athena.

To calm the suitors down, Penelope claims that she will decide who to marry after she is done weaving the burial shroud for Odysseus’ father. However, she unravels the day’s work by night. Thus, the shroud never grows. For three years, she kept this up until she was discovered by one of the suitors.

However, her wit doesn’t stop there. Her next plan is to devise an unwinnable contest. She said she would marry the suitor who manages to string up Odysseus’ bow and shoot an arrow through a dozen axes. Knowing the feat is near impossible for anyone but her husband, Penelope is satisfied.

Even when Odysseus drops his beggar disguise and reveals himself, the queen remains skeptical. She devises one last test for him, mentioning how their bed was relocated in his absence. Of course, Odysseus knows that this is impossible because the object is immovable.

Both Penelope’s and Odysseus’ intellect and cunning are rewarded with the story’s happy ending. The husband and wife are reunited, and the king returns to his throne. Peace is once again brought back to Ithaca.

💬 Quotes about Cunning

“Any man—any god who met you—would have to be some champion lying cheat to get past you for all-round craft and guile! You terrible man, foxy, ingenious, never tired of twists and tricks—” Athena, Book XIII

“So, you ask me the name I’m known by, Cyclops? I will tell you. But you must give me a guest-gift as you’ve promised. Nobody—that’s my name. Nobody— so my mother and father call me, all my friends.” Odysseus, Book IX

“So by day I’d weave at my great and growing web— by night, by the light of torches set beside me, I would unravel all I’d done. Three whole years I deceived them blind, seduced them with this scheme.” Penelope, Book XIX

This theme of nostos, or homecoming, is a fundamental concept in Ancient Greek poetry. A warrior’s desire to safely return to his family is praised. This is what is explored in The Odyssey. Home is where the heart is, and Odysseus’ heart belongs in Ithaca.

Nostos is not only a helpful force for reaching home. It also has a sequence of drawbacks that makes the homecoming more dramatic. The three major negative sides are:

• a grueling geographical journey,
• a traumatic postwar disorder,
• returning home after a long absence.

A grueling geographical journey is the first issue. It is undoubtedly true that coming home from far away is extremely difficult and painful. Do you remember how many obstacles did Odysseus face on his way home? Storms, shipwreck, loss of his crew members, violent or even cannibalistic people… The list is incredibly long. All these troubles make the hero physically drained. Moreover, they cause severe pressure on a person’s mental health.

The second negative aspect of nostos is a traumatic postwar disorder . Odysseus met the world’s violent realities. He was involved in bloody strifes, witnessing the death of friends, and lived under harsh circumstances. Therefore, his emotional and mental condition suffered because of the pitiless nature of war. It made his challenging journey home even more difficult.

The last obstacle of homecoming addressed in The Odyssey is the long absence . Odysseus was gone away from home for 20 years. During this time, a lot of things may have changed. After returning to Ithaca, the main character was unsure whether his wife was waiting for him. He did not know anything about his son, who he saw 20 years ago when he was an infant. Odysseus did not receive any news from his friends, parents, neighbors. He was returning in total uncertainty.

Nevertheless, the courage and braveness of Odysseus helped him overcome all the obstacles. He finally returned to Ithaca, where this loving family was patiently and faithfully waiting for him. The Odyssey proves that even the most challenging task is achievable if people put in enough effort.

💬 Quotes about Homecoming

“Many cities of men he saw and learned their minds, many pains he suffered, heartsick on the open sea, fighting to save his life and bring his comrades home.” Book I

“But battle-weary Odysseus weighed two courses, deeply torn, probing his fighting spirit: “Oh no — I fear another immortal weaves a snare to trap me, urging me to abandon ship! I won’t. Not yet. That shore’s too far away…” Book V

“No winning words about death to me, shining Odysseus! By god, I’d rather slave on earth for another man — some dirt-poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive — than rule down here over all the breathless dead.” Achilles, Book XI

There is a particular trait that all the heroes in The Odyssey exhibit to some degree. Despite their differences, the quality that unites all these characters together is perseverance. Odysseus’ voyage home would have been impossible without his unyielding determination. He travels island to island, all across the Mediterranean, to reach his home. And, in the end, he succeeds.

The theme of perseverance can be found at the very foundation of The Odyssey . It drives the plot and the heroes forward despite all the challenges. Nostos, another subject at the heart of the epic, relies on the idea that a warrior is determined to come home. This is unveiled through all the trials the characters go through. The hero Odysseus is the first to provide us with plenty of perseverance examples.

Odysseus’ Perseverance Examples

Starting with the end of the Trojan War, the king of Ithaca is determined to go back home no matter what. He encounters many challenges that would have made a lesser man give up.

After incurring the wrath of the sea god Poseidon, Odysseus’ travels become riddled with storms. They set him back, bringing him farther away from home, but he never stops sailing forward. After encountering the god of wind Aeolus, Odysseus manages to secure his help. His homeland is already in sight when his crew mistakenly opens the bags with winds. They blow the ships back to the start, and all progress is lost. Still, even this does not deter Odysseus from starting over again and setting his sails towards Ithaca.

He guests on Circe’s island for a year, enjoying the luxury and comforts of her palace. However, he is soon to climb back aboard his ship, once again resuming the journey home. And even in the face of death, Odysseus doesn’t stop moving forward. Circe warns the hero of the losses he will incur traveling to the Underworld. She tells him of the Sirens and the monsters Scylla and Charybdis. Odysseus decides that he will have to live with the sacrifice of his men. He does not let regret deter him from going back either, and his crew suffers along with him .

In the end, they are all killed, and Odysseus finds himself stranded on a raft. All alone, he sails onward, still looking for Ithaca. The Odyssey makes a point of reminding its audience through how many difficulties Odysseus goes through. Eventually, he comes to Calypso’s island, where he spends the next seven years of his life. He doesn’t forget his home or family and yearns to leave every single day. The gods, especially Athena, are in awe of his determination, and his wish is granted. The Phaeacians give him a ship and gifts to bring home. Athena makes sure that Odysseus returns to Ithaca.

Other Characters’ Perseverance

Other characters are also worthy of praise for their perseverance. Penelope patiently waits for her husband, using everything at her disposal to delay marrying anyone else. She persevered for twenty years, never giving up on Odysseus, even after hearing of his death. The same could be said of his l oyal servants and his faithful son Telemachus . They are determined to stay true to Odysseus no matter what.

Even Odysseus’ dog Argos shows persistence unlike any other. The pup survives for twenty long years, dying when his master returns home.

Perseverance is one of the most important themes in The Odyssey because it allows the heroes to succeed. Through strength, courage, and determination, they manage to endure incredible challenges. If Odysseus decided to give up on his dream, he would have never returned home. This is why in the end, he defeats his enemies and is rewarded with nostos .

💬 Quotes about Perseverance

“‘You’re a hard man, Odysseus. Your fighting spirit’s stronger than ours, your stamina never fails. You must be made of iron head to foot.” Eurylochus, Book XII

“…When the happy gods bring on the long hard times, bear them he must, against his will, and steel his heart. Our lives, our mood and mind as we pass across the earth, turn as the days turn …” Odysseus, Book XVIII

“Nevertheless I long—I pine, all my days— to travel home and see the dawn of my return. And if a god will wreck me yet again on the wine-dark sea, I can bear that too, with a spirit tempered to endure. Much have I suffered, labored long and hard by now in the waves and wars. Add this to the total— bring the trial on!” Odysseus, Book V

Thanks for reading! We hope that now you have a deeper understanding of The Odyssey ’s themes. If you’re interested in its symbols, plot, or characters, check the links below.

• The Odyssey by Homer — The Internet Classics Archive
• Moral Values in the Epic Poem, “The Odyssey” — Kristine Tucker, Pen and the Pad
• The Odyssey: Be Our Guest with Xenia — Ben Potter, Classical Wisdom Weekly
• Kleos and Nostos in Homer’s Odyssey, Books 1-8 — Literature and History Podcast
• What to Know About Poseidon’s Grudge Against Odysseus — GreekBoston
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IvyPanda. (2024, May 21). Themes in The Odyssey: Hospitality & Perseverance Examples. https://ivypanda.com/lit/the-odyssey/themes/

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Odysseus — Analysis Of Odysseus As A Good Leader

Analysis of Odysseus as a Good Leader

• Categories: Odysseus The Odyssey

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Words: 912 |

Published: Dec 16, 2021

Words: 912 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

The essay explores the intrinsic leadership qualities of Odysseus, a pivotal character in "The Odyssey," asserting that his bravery, thoughtfulness, and cleverness substantiate his role as an exemplary leader. Odysseus's bravery is underscored through his numerous fearless encounters and persistent resolve during precarious situations, such as confronting Cyclops and navigating through Poseidon’s wrath. His thoughtfulness emanates from his unyielding concern for his men’s wellbeing and meticulous planning, illustrated when rescuing his crew from different adversities, like the spell at the Land of the Lotus Eaters. His cleverness shines through strategic maneuvers and cunning plans, notably when deceiving the Cyclops and orchestrating the Trojan Horse strategy, further solidifying his astuteness in leadership. The essay underscores that Odysseus’s adept combination of these qualities not only navigates him and his crew through treacherous journeys but also rightfully garners him respect and the esteemed title of a king in Ithaca.

Works Cited:

• Gopnik, A., & Schulz, L. (2007). Causal learning: Psychology, philosophy, and computation. Oxford University Press.
• Hume, D. (1975). An enquiry concerning human understanding. Oxford University Press.
• Locke, J. (2017). An essay concerning human understanding. Princeton University Press.
• Plato. (2016). Meno. Princeton University Press.
• Pinker, S. (1994). The language instinct: How the mind creates language. William Morrow & Company.
• Quinton, A. (1975). The innate and the acquired. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 76, 165-188.
• Saffran, J. R., Aslin, R. N., & Newport, E. L. (1996). Statistical learning by 8-month-old infants. Science, 274(5294), 1926-1928.
• Simon, H. A. (1976). From substantive to procedural rationality. In Method and appraisal in economics (pp. 129-148). Springer, Dordrecht.
• Spelke, E. S., & Kinzler, K. D. (2007). Core knowledge. Developmental science, 10(1), 89-96.
• Tomasello, M. (2009). The cultural origins of human cognition. Harvard University Press.

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Loyalty in the Odyssey Essay

This essay will discuss the theme of loyalty in Homer’s “The Odyssey.” It will analyze how loyalty is portrayed through the relationships between Odysseus and his crew, Penelope, and Telemachus. The piece will explore how these relationships demonstrate the values and cultural norms of ancient Greek society. It will also consider how loyalty affects the characters’ decisions and the overall narrative of Odysseus’s journey home. At PapersOwl, you’ll also come across free essay samples that pertain to Greek Mythology.

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“Loyalty is used as a major theme in many works of literature to show how humanity values people who are trustworthy and who don’t abandon others. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is facing a difficult journey to get back home to Ithaca from the Trojan War. Homer develops the message of loyalty by showing loyalty in family, how Odysseus is loyal to his men, and the consequences of being disloyal.

One way that Homer develops the message of loyalty is through showing the values of loyalty in family relationships.

One example of this is how Penelope stays faithful to Odysseus while he is away for twenty years. Even when the suitors show up at her palace, she doesn’t marry any of them. This shows how she was loyal to Odysseus. Another time loyalty is shown through family is when Odysseus turns down immortality from Calypso. “Let me make you immortal, no matter how anxious you may be to see this wife of yours, of whom you are thinking all the time day after day; yet I flatter myself that I am no whit less tall or well-looking than she is…” (Homer 69). Calypso offers Odysseus immortality if he stays with her forever, but Odysseus declines, wishing to return home to his family instead. This shows how he is loyal to his family even when offered a godly gift. One more time when loyalty is shown through family is how Telemachus is loyal to his father even though he never met him. Telemachus goes on a journey looking for his father who may be dead. He could have just accepted that he might me dead, but instead he stays loyal to his father and promises to look for him. These reasons show how loyalty is valued in family.

Another way that Homer develops the message of loyalty is by showing how Odysseus is loyal to his men. This is shown when Odysseus saves his men from Circe. “‘Sir, do not force me to go with you, but let me stay here, for I know you will not bring one of them back with you, nor even return alive yourself; let us rather see if we cannot escape at any rate with the few that are left us, for we may still save our lives.’ ‘Stay where you are then,’ answered I, ‘eating and drinking at the ship, but I must go, for I am most urgently bound to do so” (Homer 136). Odysseus did not have to go back and save his men, but he decided to risk his life to save them. This shows his loyalty to them. Another time that shows Odysseus’ loyalty to his men is when he explains what Circe tells him to get past the Sirens. “My friends, it is not right that one or two of us alone should know the prophecies that Circe has made me; I will therefore tell you about them, so that whether we live or die, we may do so with our eyes open” (Homer 166). This shows how Odysseus was loyal to his men by not lying to them and choosing to tell them what Circe said. One more time when Odysseus was loyal to his men was when they were passing by Scylla. “In one thing only did I disobey Circe’s strict instructions- I put on my armour. Then seizing two string spears, I took my stand on the ship’s bows, for it was there that I expected first to see the monster of the rock, who was to do my men so much harm” (Homer 168). Odysseus, knowing that Scylla would attack them, could have hidden in the ship and not stood with his men, but he was loyal to them and decided that if his men were risking their lives, he would too. These moments show how Odysseus was loyal to his men and further Homer’s message of loyalty.

One final way that Homer develops the message of loyalty is through showing the consequences of being disloyal. One example of being disloyal is when Odysseus’ men don’t trust him and look in the bag that he got from Aeolus. “Let us see what it all is, and how much gold and silver there is in the sack he gave him. Thus they talked and evil counsels prevailed. They loosed the sack, whereupon the winds flew howling forth and raised a storm that carried us weeping out to sea and away from our own country” (Homer 130). This shows how the men were punished by being disloyal to Odysseus. Another time when disloyalty is shown is when Odysseus’ men are disloyal on the sun god’s island. They are told not to touch the cattle and they do. “Meanwhile Lampetie went straight off to the sun and told him we had been killing his cows, whereon he flew into a great rage, and said to the immortals, ‘Father Zeus, and all you other gods who live in everlasting bliss, I must have vengeance on the crew of Odysseus’ ship: they have had the insolence to kill my cows, which were the one thing I loved to look upon” (Homer 172). This shows how the men were disloyal to both Odysseus and the gods, and how the sun god had vengeance on them. One final example of disloyalty is the suitors who try to marry Penelope. Some of these suitors are men from Ithaca, who are being disloyal to Odysseus by trying to marry his wife just because they don’t believe he is alive. “Listen to me, you suitors, who persist in abusing the hospitality of this house because its owner has been long absent, and without other pretext than that you want to marry me” (Homer 290). This shows how the suitors are disloyal to Odysseus. They are ultimately punished when Odysseus comes back and kills all the suitors. These reasons show how being disloyal comes with consequences and strengthens Homer’s message of loyalty.

Homer’s message of loyalty can be shown throughout The Odyssey through loyalty in family relationships, Odysseus’ loyalty to his men, and the consequences of being disloyal. In conclusion, there are many benefits of being loyal in relationships, and also many consequences of being disloyal.”

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• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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McCombes, S. (2023, August 15). How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 11, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/thesis-statement/

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