Moreover, there is a stark comparison between the individuals who abide by the rules of hospitality and those who do not. Those who refrain from being hospitable are usually arrogant, evil or even monstrous, seen in the character Polyphemus who not only is unkind but kills and then eats his visitors.
In comparison to this, those who do abide by the rules of hospitality are depicted as being good and peaceful people, and this is epitomised in the Phaeacians who care for Odysseus until he is rested. While the theme of hospitality in the poem is wrapped up in the mythology of the poem, ultimately the message is rather simple — be kind to others. It is this message which is definitely relevant to the modern day, as since we clearly live in an age of discord and confusion in both the political and social spheres, perhaps the simple message of being kinder to other people would be useful when trying to fix the societal problems over race, sexuality, religion, etcetera that we face today.
In conclusion, the Odyssey is a text which is relevant to the modern reader, as it presents some rather essential messages for the modern times. The student-led academic journal of the Grammar School at Leeds, showcasing passion, curiosity and creativity. Also on Twitter gsaljournal - we would love to hear from you! View all posts by thegsaljournal. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account.
He wants to return home and live well in Ithaca; as a result, every step along the way is another test, sometimes, another battle.
His concern with victory is also cultural, as well as practical. In Homer's world, where there are no police or justice systems, might usually makes right. The strong prevail. Odysseus often has only two choices: death or victory. Even when Athena intervenes on his behalf, she often leaves ultimate success or failure up to Odysseus. During the battle with the suitors, for example, she could easily and quickly prevail; but she makes Odysseus earn the victory.
Appropriately, Odysseus' development as a character is complicated. He is, in every way, "the man of twists and turns" 1. While he does seem to grow throughout his wanderings, the reader should not look at each event as a one more learning experience for the hero. The Odyssey is not a lesson plan for growth; the episodes are not didactic examples of the importance of prudence or anything else.
When Odysseus left for Troy, he had already established his reputation as a hero. His participation in the war was crucial to the Greeks' victory.
Getting somewhere is not just the destination, but even more so the journey. The goals are our destination and obstacle and temptations litter the voyage. Like Odysseus, achieving these goals is not a cinch. Obstacles must be faced or avoided, and temptations should be resisted. Our entire lives we all try to accomplish our own personal goals. Like Odysseus , we all have long-term and short-term goals to realize.
Of course we all have minor, transitory goals such as building a house or finishing an essay. Personal goals, however, will manage to be interrupted in one way or another.
On our journeys we all must resist, or give into, temptations that may hinder our ascent to our goal. All people give into temptation at least once in their lives. Another time Odysseus defied temptation was when he refused to reveal himself to the people but ceased expose himself until he felt it was the right time. Temptation is not the only thing to obstruct our expedition. We all face obstacles in our life like Odysseus did.
One case of this is when Odysseus had to confront Antinous. Get Access. Feliciani Ojeda said his production will show what it takes to go home through various lenses—the actors, the text itself, the production elements, and the audience. She is also an artistic associate at the Goodman Theatre. I hope that, as we follow along with Odysseus, we see ourselves in the characters returning home. The director hopes his audiences will see themselves in Odysseus.
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