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odyssey.txt
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1996-04-08
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The Odyssey by Homer is the story of Odysseus and how he faced
misfortune in his attempts to return home after the Trojan war. From these
misfortunes he learned to be a better man and became able to regain his place
in his homeland of Ithaca.
During his journeys Odysseus often makes the mistake of staying to boast
to his enemies but learns that doing so gives his opposition a chance to seek
retribution against him. After leaving Troy Odysseus attacks the land of the
Cicones. Instead of leaving after his victory, he stays to celebrate until a force
is rallied against him and he must flee with many casualties. Afterwards
Odysseus and his crew land on the island of the Cyclops. They are attacked
and some are eaten by Polyphemus. After intoxicating the great Cyclops,
Odysseus and his men blind the monster with a heated spear. The men could
have made an escape without incident but Odysseus mocked Polyphemus and
shouted out his real name, when before Odysseus had told him that his name
was "Noman." With this new information Polyphemus prays to his father
Poseidon to have Odysseus and his men punished. Having angered
Poseidon, they must wander throughout the sea slowly dying one by one.
Odysseus learns that bragging can have ill effects and uses this knowledge on
the island of the Phaecians and Ithaca when he does not openly boast of his
deeds and his journeys.
Odysseus also learns to pay close attention to the instructions of the gods,
or he might have to face a terrible price. When Odysseus and his crew
landed at the island of Aeolus, they were given a parting gift that would have
helped them greatly if they had paid heed to the warnings of Aeolus. He
gave Odysseus a bag full of the bad winds that would keep them from their
home of Ithaca. Odysseus and his crew were in sight of the homeland they
had waited so long to see, when a band of rebel crewmen opened the bag
creating a great gale that blew them back to Aeolus. When Aeolus saw this
he believed that Odysseus was cursed and banished him from the island.
This is not the only time Odysseus was betrayed by his men and suffered a
great price. When they landed on the island of Hyperion, bad winds
prevented them from leaving. Food soon became low; and when Odysseus
fell asleep, the crew killed the cows of Hyperion against numerous warnings.
Hyperion was infuriated to see this and had all of Odysseus' men killed in a
great storm. Odysseus learns that the gods must be respected in order for any
man to succeed.
During his journey Odysseus uses what he has learned from his mistakes
to return home and kill the suitors. On the island of the Cicones, and with his
encounter with Polyphemus, Odysseus learns that bragging can bring
damaging circumstances. On Ithaca Odysseus never brags to the suitors and
is able to enter his house without the suitors knowing his real identity. He
takes the punishment of Antinous and the other suitors without saying a word
and is able to observe those who have invaded his house. Odysseus is able to
see who is loyal and who is not and take his revenge with the suitors never
knowing who he was until the final moment. Odysseus also learns to respect
the gods. When he landed on Aeaea, the island of Circe, he follows the
instructions given to him by Hermes so that he can overcome Circe and free
his men. Odysseus follows the instructions that Circe had given him very
closely; entering and leaving Hades without misfortune and using wax in the
ears of his crew to pass the Sirens. Odysseus becomes a better man through
his journeys and is able to return to his homeland to restore his name.
Throughout his wanderings for home, Odysseus becomes a humbler and
more respectful man. The once boastful man learns that his bragging can
bring people against him, and is quieter than before he left for Troy. He also
learns that the immortal gods of Olympus can be merciful and bring great
prosperity, but they also punish those that disobey their wishes. Everytime
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.