The Odyssey is a world literature masterpiece, one of the two epic poems written by Homer. It was composed around the 8th century BC, and its plot focuses on Odysseus’s journey home after the Troy’s fall. This essay aims at analyzing several peculiarities of The Odyssey that show its significance for world literature.
The Odyssey as a True Epic Narrative
The Odyssey is traditionally deemed as an epic narrative for several reasons. First, it is a lengthy narrative poem featuring deeds of people and gods and focusing on one hero – Odysseus. Moreover, it begins with an invocation to a muse and a statement of the theme: “Tell me about a complicated man. Muse, tell me how he wandered and was lost…” (Puchner 195). Finally, it includes the use of lengthy descriptions, long and formal speeches, and lists.
However, it is significant how Homer’s poem departs from the tradition as well. It can be seen how gods in The Odyssey play a smaller role than in any other epic. Furthermore, the hero himself – Odysseus – is different from the traditional epic heroes. Both of these aspects will be dwelled upon further in the essay.
Gods and Mortals in the Odyssey
In The Odyssey, as in other epics, gods intervene and play a part in the plot: Poseidon prevents Odysseus from getting home, Zeus and other gods help him respond to Athena’s plea. However, the Odyssey’s gods are quite distant from the mortal world and live their own lives. It is only Athena who takes part in the action by assisting Odysseus and intervene at the end of the poem by proclaiming peace on Ithaca.
This shift seems significant in the sense that it reflects the development of human consciousness. Gods start to act as helpers, not as active participants of the plot. Moreover, gods’ motivations are human-like: Poseidon is angry “because Odysseus destroyed the eye of godlike Polyphemus, his own son” (Puchner 196). It is humans who have the most power in their hands, and it is only humans’ responsibility to make choices: stay faithful, like Penelope and Odysseus, kill people, or show mercy.
Odysseus as a Hero
Odysseus, the king of Ithaka, is the center of the story. His journey home and adventures that took place on the way became the core of the whole narrative. Therefore, he is an epic hero, as the entire plot revolves around him. Moreover, like any hero of the epic, he is going through many trials which he succeeds by using his main heroic trait – “cunning intelligence”.
However, Odysseus is very reality-like and combines different sides, as any man does. He is not only a warrior or king but also a loving father and husband. Despite being extraordinary smart and shrewd, he makes mistakes and rash decisions, such as telling Polyphemus his actual name in the spur of vanity. Finally, being wise and noble does not prevent him from ruthlessly slaying Penelope’s suitors. This controversy makes him almost a modern character with his complicated nature and conflicts.
Conclusion
The Odyssey is a truly epic narrative that is structured according to the ancient tradition. However, it demonstrates new tendencies that put a mortal individual into the focus, making humans the center of the narrative and main characters. This makes Homer’s poem so significant for the development of world literature.
Work Cited
Puchner, Martin, editor. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Shorter 4th ed., Vol. 1, W.W. Norton, 2020.