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Iliad or Odyssey

Homers work gives us rich insight into the lives of the ancient Greeks. The intended audience of the Odyssey already knows the story that is being related, since it was part of their oral tradition. However, the way in which the story is told serves to reinforce many of the codes of behavior that governed life in ancient Greece. These codes are reinforced throughout the story, in a number of ways. The outcome of certain characters reveals some of the moral lessons. In many cases, however, these are also reinforced through the use of humor.

Characters in the Odyssey that commit acts in violation of the code of behavior are often treated to humiliation. Book XXII, the slaughter of the suitors, has many such examples. The suitors are not merely killed by Odysseus and Telemachus. Their deaths are delivered by Homer with rich irony. Lead suitor Antinous had the rudest mouth, and had in Book XXI criticized beggar Odysseus both for drinking too much wine and for his bowmanship, was dispatched with a surprise arrow shot to the throat as he himself was drinking wine. Other suitors were dispatched with equal ironic humor. Ctesippus, who had thrown an ox foot