Loyalty In The Odyssey

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The Significance of Loyalty When one thinks of a poem, they normally envision a short, craftily worded work not a 300 plus page book about the journey of one man. “The Odyssey” by Homer is an epic written about the trip home for the main character Odysseus. All throughout the story he is faced with many trials that test his prowess as a man, a father, and as a husband. On his journey, Odysseus also learns that his guardian angel, the goddess Athena, has not forgotten him and has been watching his every move, ready to assist him if ever he should need it. At the time that the story was written, 720 BC to be exact, the customs and culture of the Greek people welcome all, be that friend or foe, for fear that the gods could be among them at any given time. This work, although being an escapade written about …show more content…
She refused to give an absolute “No” or an “Yes” to a marriage which was so distasteful to her, but scheming instead to bring about our downfall.”(Homer 314) This quote is a real life example of devotion from a wife to her husband. Even though Odysseus has been gone for the better part of twenty years, Penelope remains faithful to her spouse, and stands against the suitors pressure. This action proved to the suitors that she would not be intimidated by anyone other than the gods. Another great example of devotion in “The Odyssey” is the actions of the swineherd, Eumaeus. “‘It is for the lost Odysseus that my heart aches and yearns. He cared for me and loved me dearly. But even though he is far away, I still call him my beloved master.’”(Homer 185) The swineherd has not heard an order from his master for over a decade, yet he continues to do his job, just as he would if his master was watching. Even though he believes that Odysseus has died in some far off land, he does not bail ship and find new work, but he stays with the herds and watches over them

Loyalty In Odyssey

The Importance of Loyalty and the Consequences of Disloyalty Throughout the epic “The Odyssey” Odysseus, the ruler of Ithaca, experiences true disloyalty and loyalty throughout his twenty year journey and even returning home. His one desire was to get home as soon as possible, no matter what it took. He had setbacks throughout his miserable journey, and those setbacks were because of the difference between loyalty and disloyalty. Even in the years of 750-700 BC, people throughout the universe…

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Loyalty In The Odyssey

20 years later. Loyalty is a big part of The Odyssey, it is represented in all the character relationships. The Odyssey is a book where Ulysses left his family for 20 years. He went to war for 10 and ran into some speed bumps on the way so that took another 10 years. This book tells the story about what he had to do, to get back home to his family. All the time Ulysses was gone, Penelope brought up their child, Telemachus. The most important theme in The Odyssey is loyalty. No matter how far…

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Theme Of Loyalty In The Odyssey

One of the most significant values of the Greek culture in the book, The Odyssey is loyalty. A prime example of this would be when Odysseus turned down Calypso’s offer to stay on the island with her and he would become immortal. He told her, “Yes it is true, each day I long for home, long for the sight of home…” (1515). Another strong example of the Greek culture showing loyalty is when Odysseus has to make a decision on whether to go the way six of his men will die or to go to away or where all…

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Odysseus Loyalty In The Odyssey

The base of a strong relationship is trust or loyalty. If there is no loyalty and trust, a relationship can not grow. In The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles, Odysseus has been gone due to the war in Troy for more than twenty years. Odysseus’ one desire is to make it home to his wife Penelope, and he will do whatever it takes. Odysseus’ loyalty is questionable throughout the book, because his actions are disloyal and rude to Penelope and others. Even though Odysseus’ reasoning behind…

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Importance Of Loyalty In The Odyssey

The value that is most vital to a relationship is loyalty. With loyalty comes reward and with disloyalty comes consequences, for loyalty builds trust while disloyalty destroys relationships. Throughout the Iliad and the Odyssey, Homer expresses the significance of these values. The characters’ acts of loyalty and disloyalty have dramatically different results. In a relationship, loyalty strengthens the bonds between two parties. In the Iliad, Hector knows that Helen adores him, but he only loves…

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Examples Of Loyalty In The Odyssey

The Odyssey is Homer’s epic of Odysseus’ journey to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. This novel incorporates altercations with mythical creatures when he and his men must face punishments from the many angry gods. Also, Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus, attempt to stop the suitors that are looking to take Penelope’s hand in marriage and Ithaca's throne before Odysseus, the original ruler, returns. The Odyssey ends when Odysseus proves his identity (to all who surrounded…

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Role Of Loyalty In The Odyssey

What does loyalty mean to you? When would a person show loyalty to someone? Why wouldn’t someone show loyalty? In The Odyssey, written by Homer, you follow the legendary Odysseus and his journey on his way home to Ithaca from the Trojan War. On his way back, he faces many challenges with his crew by his side. He meets many awesome people that help him significantly, but he also meets some horrible people that put him in a lot of danger. To get out of those rough times, he puts a lot of responsibility…

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Loyalty In Homer's The Odyssey

Loyalty: a noun used to describe how loyal someone is to another person or group. The word loyalty plays a huge role in The Odyssey, by Homer. The book tells the story of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca in Ancient Greece, and his 20 year long journey to get home to his wife Penelope and son Telemachus. In the book, Odysseus is called upon to go fight in the Trojan War, forcing him to leave his wife and newly born son. After 10 years of fighting, Odysseus is finally able to go home, however, it is not…

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Loyalty To Family In Homer's The Odyssey

Homer uses metaphor and allusion to reveal the theme of importance of loyalty to family. In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, he discusses how loyalty to family is worth the effort put into it. The protagonist, Odysseus, is stranded on Calypso’s island and is presumed dead, so suitors swarm his household in an attempt to gain his wife Penelope’s hand in marriage. In dialogue between Penelope and Antinous, “Wait until I finish this cloth, for I don’t wish to waste all the thread I have spun… there she…

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Odysseus Loyalty In Homer's The Odyssey

Odyssey Essay In the literature, The Odyssey, whose written by Homer. A character named Odysseus faces many conflicts throughout his journey to return home after the Trojan War. Throughout his journey, he illustrates different characteristics that allowed his beliefs to find the way to Ithaca with the crew of men he was taking them. While he displays characteristics such as bravery & eager, but his loyalty is the most significant in The Odyssey. Odysseus loyalty shows his respect to others & sometimes…

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