Introduction
The epic poem The Odyssey by Homer represents Greek culture, as it traces an essential association with its rich heritage and the author’s contribution. Homer’s narrative, written around the 8th century BC, manifests human strength, endurance, and readiness to overcome challenges. Having become the motivation of Greek culture, the story of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, laid the foundation for the essence and even the mentality of ancient society and its present descendants.
The exaltation of heroism contributed to a significant sense of dignity for the Greeks, and the highlighting of morality and ethics led to the evolution of an inclusive and tolerant community. In addition, the epic poem fostered the desire for knowledge enrichment and global questioning. This paper aims to outline the leading influences of Homer’s poem on the formation of the cultural and social background of the Greeks. Lessons, insights, and inspiration that the reader can comprehend from the delineated poem testify to its exceptional role in the formation of community values.
Biography of Homer
Given how long Homer lived and wrote, factual information about him combines truth and imagination, altered by retellings. Speaking about his personality, the authorship of The Iliad and The Odyssey, which are considered prominent in world literature, definitely comes to mind (Pache 27). Homer was believed to be born in the 8th century BC – the period of the prosperity of ancient civilizations and the formation of cultural heritage, which descendants will cherish in the future (Pache 36). His figure is affiliated with inconsistencies and myths that still provoke disputes among scientists and admirers of ancient literature.
Homer’s extraordinary attributes begin with his name and questionable identity. Since it was not mentioned before in manuscripts preserved to this day, it is assumed to be a pseudonym (Saïd 313). Historians and scholarly experts who intensely studied his personality diverge in their interpretations. For example, Plutarch claimed Homer was named so because “he wanted to accompany [Homēreuein] the Lydians when they were under pressure from the Aeolians and decided to abandon Smyrna” (Saïd 313).
At the same time, there is a version that this is not one artist, but a group of people, since “Homēros” in archaic language “may have been an ancient word in Greek for ‘an assembly’ of the people, with which poetic contests were associated” (Saïd 313). To this day, it is not known whether Homer’s works are conventional stories passed down through different generations or whether they are poems by a single author. Whatever the answer to the question of authorship and background, the historical significance and role in shaping the culture of society, especially The Odyssey, cannot be overestimated.
As noted earlier, knowledge about Homer’s origins and life is limited, and what is available cannot be comprehensively confirmed as authentic. Attempts to trace his origin mostly come down to the fact that he was Ionian or Aeolian and born in Chios or Smyrna (Saïd 314). From a more global point of view, it is worth noting that Homer lived in times of transformative cultural triumphs, as he glimpsed the period of the rise of city-states and the establishment of colonies. His works reflect that era, as the influence of the perception of heroic poetry shaped them. Authors of historical references discuss related topics, leaving the possibility of the unreality of Homer’s identity. Whether he lived in reality or his poems were transmitted myths, their influence and cultural heritage are impressive.
Upholding Heroism
The Odyssey is an epic narrative dedicated to the heroism and courage of its central figure, Odysseus. Homer portrays him as a resilient and multifaceted character whose abilities surpass human physical limits. Remarkably, the persona is not straightforward or depicted exclusively from one perspective. Thus, Homer shows him as a thoughtful, diplomatic, assertive traveler and warrior. However, on the other hand, sources indicate that “the controversy about his lies and crimes in later literature makes him even more interesting” (Verhelst 3).
The poem is rich in descriptions of the brute strength and cunning intellect of Odysseus, who proudly declares his actions. The following lines are in The Odyssey: “…if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so—say Odysseus, raider of cities…” (Homer 163). According to ancient canons, Odysseus’s character and actions belonged to the heroic archetype, which was deeply valued in Greek society.
Throughout the plot, the main character encounters mystical beings, gods, and mortals; in these interactions, he shows cleverness and courage. In the twelfth book, Odysseus and his crew sail past the Sirens: “…when the Sirens sensed at once a ship was racing past and burst into their high, thrilling song…” (Homer 216). Myriad variety of characters and wealth of depicted beasts and phenomena are characteristic of Greek literature.
This feature is correlative to the theme of heroism, as it is part of a broader picture of the worldview of the Greeks. Moreover, even modern adaptations and interpretations imitate the style and adhere to the concept of Homeric heroism as the leading direction in The Odyssey(Moula and Malafantis 61). Therefore, among the multi-layered and versatile nature of the poem, courage and strength of spirit became a guiding force of the theme of the work.
Teaching Moral and Ethical Values
The readers of The Odyssey have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the adventures and encounters of the main character. Morality and ethics play the role of a guide in his actions, navigating complicated situations and seemingly hopeless cases. After Odysseus reveals his identity to the Cyclops, he gives hope to his crew to reach their destination. In the eleventh book, it is stated how he adopted complex ethical decision-making for the safety of his men: “…because you blinded the Cyclops, his dear son. Even so, you and your crew may still reach home…” (Homer 189).
In addition, the plot line of the family, in particular the relationship between Odysseus and his wife Penelope, underscores the morality matters of the poem (Lesser 221). In essence, the author poses moral and ethical dilemmas as the basis of the difficulties faced by the protagonist. In the context of Greek culture and global significance, the lessons in The Odyssey should have formed the community’s consciousness and provided guidelines for life choices.
Inspiring a Desire for Exploration
Another direction of the narrative and its influence is the formation of the civilians’ desire to sail and explore. It is not known for sure whether Homer set out to inspire a generation of readers to develop curiosity. However, the poem’s content became a testament to the investigation. Some adventures flow into others, making a literary work a continuous journey both physically and internally in consciousness. In particular, the Phaeacian episode perfectly shows Odysseus’s reflections and story about his experiences and travels (Pache 45). The epic poem unobtrusively but quite convincingly awakens the reader’s desire to explore the world around and one’s essence and purpose.
Furthermore, in the perception of former Greek civilization and modern descendants, The Odyssey serves as a cultural compass in the search for truth. The plot’s dynamism and the protagonist’s corresponding contemplations give insight into the world’s endless possibilities in real life. For the society of the 8th century, it gave the idea of colonization of distant lands and excited the imagination of the overseas diversity of cultures (Cooper 96). The travels of Odysseus correlate with the ancient Greeks’ aspirations to get to know other peoples and establish their privilege. From a more general perspective, The Odyssey provokes inquisitiveness, the satisfaction of curiosity, and the achievement of new heights.
Conclusion
The wealth of topics covered and the variety of lessons gained from The Odyssey by Homer leads to a prominent finding regarding the critical role of this literary work in the historical legacy of the Greeks. The heroism embodied by Odysseus became the basis for understanding the concept of a hero in general and an ideal for comparison. Additionally, guiding the protagonist with moral and ethical values and making difficult decisions based on them gives insight into the need for dignity in everyone’s life. Ultimately, the multifaceted and inspirational portrayal of Odysseus’ travels and adventures enlightened Greek society to explore, making this quest a part of the culture. Combining the above-described aspects and features of the poem makes this work of art unique in literature.
Works Cited
Cooper, Samuel. “Speculative Fiction, Ecocriticism, and the Wanderings of Odysseus.” Ramus, vol. 48, no. 2, 2019, pp. 95-126. Web.
Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Robert Fagles, The Folio Society, 1998.
Lesser, Rachel H. “Female Ethics and Epic Rivalry: Helen in the Iliad and Penelope in the Odyssey.” American Journal of Philology, vol. 140, no. 2, 2019, pp. 189-226. Web.
Moula, Evangelia E., and Konstantinos D. Malafantis. “Homer’s Odyssey: From Classical Poetry to Threshold Graphic Narratives for Dual Readership.” Journal of Literary Education, no. 2, 2019, pp. 52-70. Web.
Pache, Corinne Ondine, et al., eds. The Cambridge Guide to Homer. Cambridge University Press, 2020.
Saïd, Suzanne. “Lives of Homer.” The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Biography, edited by Koen De Temmerman, Oxford University Press, 2020, pp. 311-323.
Verhelst, Berenice. “Six Faces of Odysseus: Genre and Characterization Strategies in Four Late Antique Greek ‘Epyllia’.” Symbolae Osloenses, vol. 93, no. 1, 2019, pp. 132-156. Web.