Ithaka Vs Odysseus

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Have you ever been on a long road trip on a vacation or to see family? Does it ever seem like there is more to learn on just the way there? The ride there can mean so much and can provide lots of new experiences and lessons, for instance if a person usually goes on long rides in the car, they could have a new experience by taking a plane instead. The journey could then be more important than the destination in this way because the journey would be teaching life lessons, and have a new experiences. Evidence from epic poems and stories can show that the journey matters more than the destination. Many authors from ancient times such as Homer and even some today, have shown the theme of their stories is that the journey is more important than the …show more content…
In the section “Ithaka” from the epic poem The Odyssey by C.P. Cavafy, there is evidence that the journey is more important than the destination. The main character Odysseus has been away from his family and his home, in a war, for years. When the war has ended, Odysseus and his men set off onto the long trek to get to their homes in Ithaca. On their way to Ithaca a storm blows them out to sea.Odysseus and his men have been on the water for seven years and having to fight and outsmart many challengers, has only benefited only him and his men. Being a giant cyclops or a wild sea-god Poseidon, Odysseus had beat all and outsmarted all. Odysseus finally has the chance to go home and he has noticed that over the past seven years on the water has taught him life lessons that would stay with him forever. “Ithaka gave you a marvelous journey. Without her you would not have set out. She has nothing left to give you now” (Cavafy 32-35). The journey to Ithaca has given many new experiences and new ideas with the time that has been spent on their way to Ithaca. The journey allows people to experience new creatures and meet new people. The poem has had many new items and new ideas imbedded into it. “As many sensual perfumes as you can; and may you visit Egyptian cities to gather stores of knowledge” (Cavafy 22-25). There are many items that are and can be acquired from the long trek across the sea. There are many …show more content…
The many ways this is presented in the stories from authors such as Homer and Cavafy, have very different ways of showing this. In every one of the stories the author has the main character complete tests of courage and knowledge. The journey for that character will stay in that person’s life forever. The most important part of that expedition may not be the goal or the destination. The most important part may be the way or the objects and people they see on their way to their goal. These many stories and epic poems have only shown the reader that the journey is more important than the
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