... relationship between the hero and the women forms the majority of the story. The relationship between Athena and Odysseus is the perfect example of the relationship between the woman and the hero in this poem. Athena, goddess of wisdom and battle, and daughter of Zeus, is seen assisting both Odysseus and Telemachus in many difficult situations simply because of the talents and physical attributes such as being confident ... to get reacquainted. Homer comments that "she held Dawn's horses". One woman that is clearly overlooked in this poem is Eurycleia, simply because she bares the title...

• Word Count: 1295
• Approx Pages: 5

The Journey of Odysseus and Telemachos In The Odyssey written by Homer and translated by Richard Lattimore, several themes are made evident, conceived by the nature of the time period, and customs of the Greek people. These molded and shaped the actual flow of events and outcomes of the poem. Beliefs of this characteristic were represented by the sheer reverence towards the gods and the humanities the Greek society ... journeys and possibly the most important to the reader, is comprehending how these travels actually led to the final test: The battle against the suitors. This is considered th...

• Word Count: 2524
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

... 500 B.C. they believed in a patriarchal society, when in reality it was really matriarchal. The role that women play in the epic poem is one of power over men. The ascribed rule, that prevailed saying that women led Greek society, that was so dominant during the time that Homer wrote this ... epic poem is also a central focus throughout The Odyssey. In The Odyssey, there are four types of women: the good hostess, the goddess, the temptress, and the concubine. A prime example of a good hostess would be Penelope. She is not sure whether or not Odysseus is coming home. "If he ... Ogygia ...

• Word Count: 1158
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... who are unfaithful to their wives, the women remain faithful to their husbands. This concept is shown through the epic's two main characters, Odysseus and Penelope. Odysseus is unfaithful to his wife Penelope. Calypso, a goddess has captured Odysseus, the hero of Homer's epic poem, when his ship is blown off course. For seven years, she "keeps" him as her lover on her island, Ogygia. Although ... is a double standard written into The Odyssey, Homer seems to "applaud" or at least accept Odysseus and his manly needs while he views Penelope's chaste actions for twenty years as a true example...

• Word Count: 1101
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... who are unfaithful to their wives, the women remain faithful to their husbands. This concept is shown through the epic's two main characters, Odysseus and Penelope. Odysseus is unfaithful to his wife Penelope. Calypso, a goddess has captured Odysseus, the hero of Homer's epic poem, when his ship is blown off course. For seven years, she "keeps" him as her lover on her island, Ogygia. Although ... is a double standard written into The Odyssey, Homer seems to "applaud" or at least accept Odysseus and his manly needs while he views Penelope's chaste actions for twenty years as a true example...

• Word Count: 1101
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... again there are scenes of testing- Odysseus even tests his old father after the danger has past. He always keeps his guard up. The only time it fails is when his wife out-tests him with the secret of the construction of their bed; Penelope shows herself worthy of Odysseus (Book 23). Odysseus" heroic characteristics are constantly made aware of throughout the poem, and yet Homer stills ... renders the reader to the reality that Odysseus is still just a human man and not one of the immortal gods. His human vulnerability is written in such ... with the immortals Calypso and Circe. Both t...

• Word Count: 1884
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... brought out in the epic poem, The Odyssey. Odysseus was betrayed by his men. For example, "Such was their talk, and the ill counsel of the crew prevailed, they loosed the sack, and out rushed all the winds" (Homer92). Due to the crew's greed, they caused both Odysseus and themselves to be blown ... away from their native land. They could have simply asked Odysseus what was in the bag instead of finding out for themselves. Another example could be, "So spoke Eurylochus; the rest assented. ... Ah sir, consider now your native land, if you are destined ever to be saved and reach your stat...

• Word Count: 304
• Approx Pages: 1
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... , Mild and Kindly Ruler as Mentor describes Him? In book II of Homer's Odyssey, Mentor describes Odysseus as a "thoughtful, mild, kindly" king ruling his city like a "gentle father." Mentor's description does not convey the full aspects of Odysseus" personality. It is true that in most parts of the poem, Odysseus appears to be a wise, gentle and caring leader. With his composure and guile, he is able to ... save himself and his shipmates from jeopardy many times; because of his mild manner, he seems more a of a dear friend to his crew than a commander; being kind ... , he has the absolut...

• Word Count: 1077
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... which the power balance is virtually equal. Odysseus" initial encounter with the Nymph Calypso, following the destruction of his ship and death of his crew at Zeus" hand, is not explored by Homer. When we come across the relationship in the poem, we see Odysseus trapped by her powers. He is unhappy ... on her island, and longs for home; He is "looking out across the barren sea with streaming eyes" (Od. 5: 84). Despite these feelings, or perhaps as a result of Calypso's power over him, he ... compared with yours... Nevertheless I long to reach my home." (Od. 5: 216-220). Unlike Circe, we...

• Word Count: 1060
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... punish those that disobey their wishes. Every time Odysseus has not been respectful he has been severely punished and his trip home delayed. Out of this great tragedy he has become a greater man to regain his kingdom and live a long life. The poem opens at the end of Odysseus's struggle to get home, with Telemakhos, "a wonderful portrait of a son who has grown up among women, ... without a father's influence" (Green 30) dreaming of Odysseus return home. "At first Telemakhos is a disheartened young man trying to be hospitable in a house where it is impossible ... together and with Telema...

• Word Count: 1740
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... our home I come to you for news of him who owned it" (4. 337-342). Telemakhos has made his long trip for one reason, which he makes very clear in the above passage. He wants news of his father, whether it is good or bad. Earlier in the poem, Telemakhos wished for any father at all, not necessarily Odysseus. In his journey, though, Telemakhos has ... learned more about Odysseus, strengthening a bond with his father that was virtually non-existent before his travels. The two ... passages quoted above show a dramatic shift in Telemakhos. His manner of speech is completely different; the s...

• Word Count: 1185
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... in society, and also by the level of control they have over their own destiny. When examining the following texts it is obvious to see that not only are the storylines different but also the ways in which women were portrayed. The Odyssey is an epic poem, written by Homer, which illustrates the god-like Odysseus' returning voyage from the Trojan Wars back ... to Ithaca. Along the way, Odysseus is constantly faced with outlandish interruptions, most of which seem to have derived from a woman such as: Circe the nymph, the spellbinding Sirens, and ... our battle-hardened spirits over. And...

• Word Count: 1257
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate