Introduction
The Odyssey represents an epic poem that is attributed to the ancient Greek poet known as Homer. This poem is said to have been composed in the late 8th century B.C.E. In Western Literature, The Odyssey is the second-oldest-known work. In the 17th century, The Odyssey was translated to English and it has further been translated more than 50 times (Chapman 171). Most of the phrases and words used by Homer are open to numerous interpretations that cause not-insignificant dissimilarities between translations. In the beginning, Homer addresses the Muse, asking her to describe Odysseus. Odysseus is the hero who is seen mostly traveling back to his home in Greece as compared to any Greek hero during the Trojan War (Chapman 171).
We realize that Odysseus was under the captive of the goddess Calypso. However, all the other gods fell sympathy for Odysseus except Poseidon. The main reason why Poseidon hates Odysseus is that he was responsible for his son's blindness. Odysseus is seen as a protagonist in the poem. Generally, his journey to Ithaca after the war is the main narrative of this poem (Richardson 393). Odysseus is a non-traditional war hero who is known for his cunningness and cleverness rather than his physical strengths. Odysseus is married to Penelope to whom they give birth to Telemachus. Penelope is known for her cleverness which equals that of Odysseus. She is the loyal-wife type. When Odysseus left, his son was still an infant and his wife came up with various tricks to stave off the main suitors who wanted to marry her and rule Ithaca (Minchin 1).
Telemachus tries his best to find out his father's whereabouts and will finally reunite with him. This reunion will help Odysseus kill all the suitors of Penelope. The following essay highlights the actions performed by Odysseus and the way these actions help to restore the household and polity.
Analysis of Odysseus
Although the story is all about homecoming, it also involves the terrible cost of home-wrecking. The Odyssey provides a timely lesson to the readers who are living in times when numerous forces are working to erode family and marriage. The first glimpse of this story shows the readers the character of Odysseus. Odysseus is first seen stranded in Ogygia. We learn that he is a prisoner of Calypso. Calypso is an amorous and beautiful goddess. Odysseus is seen weeping for his home which is on Ithaka. Odysseus is seen losing the sweet lifetime in him (Minchin 10). With this, it shows that even with Odysseus the epic hero, there is no good place like home. The story shows us that it will take wits and brawn for Odysseus to make it back home safe. However, Homer sets the bar much higher than life and limb (Richardson 393).
Telemachus is still immature and Penelope is surrounded by rough suitors, wealthy household teeters who are great tacticians on the brink of disaster. Odysseus's house will fall if he will not make it home alive or gets stranded. Moreover, because Odysseus reigns as King in Ithaka, his house failure will also have serious consequences for his people. When the poem ends, the disorder of Odysseus's house results in incredible violence which almost leads to war. Homer is seen as concerned with maintaining a stable family and working out the terrifying political and social consequences of household breakdown. Odysseus is seen telling princess Nausikaa about the importance of having a more stable household. He explains that a household in discord normally results in destruction (Chapman 171).
This theme is introduced by Homer right away in The Odyssey. The fall of the house of Agamemnon is highlighted at the beginning of the story. We learn that after Agamemnon went out in the Trojan War, his wife was seduced and married by Aegisthus. These two illegal lovers later on murder Agamemnon when he gets back home. Agamemnon is butchered while he is at his table feasting. Orestes, who is Agamemnon manages to restore order in the house of his father by murdering his mother and Aegisthus (Chapman 171). With this story, Homer reminds the readers that this could be the destiny of Odysseus and his family. If Penelope could not remain faithful, even with a successful return of Odysseus would mean nothing but his death. His end would be the same if the suitors grew impatient and get her by force.
Restoring and preserving the integrity of the household of Odysseus leads to his life and kingdom to hang in the balance. To ensure that the readers have this in mind, Homer returns regularly to the fall of the family of Agamemnon in the poem. When the son of Odysseus tries to seek for information about his father on the survivors of the Trojan War, he regularly hears this story of treacherous Aigisthos. In the journey of Odysseus, Homer divides the people he encountered into two groups which are the hospitable and the savage. What occurs in the household will eventually affect the quality of civilization. This is seen when the home of Odysseus brings ripple effects to the civic kingdom of Ithaka (Richardson 400).
During the absence of Odysseus, who is the head of his household, the readers learn that the public assemblies have not taken place. These were the civic meetings held by men and elders where the affairs of the kingdom were discussed and decided. Furthermore, the absence of Odysseus resulted in moral disorder in Ithaka (Minchin 11). Homer shows that when one of the dissolute and greedy suitors manages to take the throne, there will be a severe fate of the civic family of Ithaka. Within the household of Odysseus, we also see the impact of domestic disorder brought about by the disruption of family life. The readers may consider that such disorders could spread to the Ithaka kingdom. The dissolute suitors go further and plot for the death of Telemachus. They craft a sea ambush for him on his way back after searching for his father's news (Chapman 171).
The disorder of Odysseus's house affects another domestic relation which is between a man and his dog. Odysseus learns that his beloved dog Argos is neglected during his absence. The death of the family dog shows the worst consequences of a disordered household. Odysseus discovers that to restore his household and polity, he needs to kill all the suitors. This is because the just of their gods demanded it. However, the violence does not end here. The families of the suitors who were killed later on come for revenge. With intervention from gods, and self-control of Odysseus, he avoids further conflicts and break up of a family (Richardson 393).
Conclusion
The essay is concerned with the idea of revenge and restoration of household and polity. After Odysseus goes to the Trojan War, his household and polity become disordered. Dissolute and greedy suitors try hard to seduce Penelope to take over Ithaka. Telemachus who is the man of the house after the departure of Odysseus matures through the book to a man who revenges all the abuse he went through. Telemachus set foot on a journey to find his father, Odysseus. After all those years, Telemachus does not lose hope that his father is alive. The Odyssey story starts in the middle of the action which provides expository facts later. Odysseus manages to escape numerous tricky situations with his clever tricks. Penelope possesses the same cunning behavior as her husband which makes it hard for the suitors to seduce her. Her loyalty saves the life of Odysseus when he returns. The desire and fight of Odysseus to return home, Telemachus's maturity, and the loyalty of Penelope result in the restoration of the household and polity.
