Odyssey Homer's Odyssey Is a Classic Epic

Odyssey Homer's Odyssey is a classic epic poem, demonstrating all the hallmarks of epic poem structure and the epic journey cycle. The narrative of the Odyssey follows the return on Odysseus from Troy, a journey that takes ten years and spans many locations and setbacks, until he finally reaches his home in Ithaca. Even then, Homer must deal with one final setback before being successfully reunited with his family.

This paper will focus on three central themes that define the epic poetry genre -- an epic hero There are several elements of an epic poem. An epic poem should have an epic hero and in this case that is Odysseus. He is the focal point of the action (no author, 2012). His journey is entirely about him, to the point where his actions dictate the fate of all those around him. The key supporting characters are in his and his wife. Odysseus is also portrayed as the quintessential hero.

He is always described with flowery adjectives. Even when he commits negative acts, such as taunting the Cyclops, he is treated with sympathy and his negative act used as a means of conveying a social lesson. This treatment of the major characters is a central theme in all epic poetry -- Rama in the Ramayana, Aeneas in the Aeneid and Achilles in the Iliad.

The Odyssey plays a role in reinforcing social norms in ancient Greece, and Odysseus is thus portrayed as a classic hero, the center of the action, and the one through whom all lessons flow. That the story is named after Odysseus only further enhances his position as an epic hero -- the name seems to indicate that the hero is more important than the narrative elements. Another element of epic poetry is the high position portrayal of the characters.

The characters are all treated with lofty adjectives, and certain themes are repeated as well, lending the same treatment to the setting. The traits associated with each character - wise Athena, loyal Penelope, and the disrespectful suitors among them are repeated to the point where that character and those traits become one and the same. With each character given a strong trait, each of these characters takes on the appearance of being important. Even minor characters are treated with extensive background stories, again raising those characters above their fringe roles.

Perhaps the most central defining characteristic of epic poetry is the epic journey cycle. The journey in the Odyssey consists of two parts. The first is the physical journey. In the Odyssey, this is given epic format in both its length and the diversity of experiences that Odysseus experiences. The journey home from Troy takes ten years, and he has already been away for ten, making the total time away twenty years. His journey takes him to unknown lands, and to places where he meets fantastical creatures.

Odysseus is pushed into the boundary between gods and men, something that elevates his status as a hero and elevates the status as more than a simple journey across the Mediterranean. Indeed, Homer takes Odysseus to Hades to meet the shades and has him coupling with a goddess, things a normal man would never experience. This again serves to elevate the status of the journey. Contributing to the epic journey cycle is the role that others play in Odysseus' journey.

As an epic hero, Odysseus is the focal point of the journey, and every other character plays a role in helping him along his journey, or providing an obstacle along his path. His men are all killed, leaving just him as the sole survivor of this journey, highlighting how challenging it was. Even the Phaeacians, when they help Odysseus make it back to Ithaca, suffer for that assistance.

One of the structural elements of the epic journey is that it also involves a challenge that comes at the end of the journey, a role that the suitors play in this story. Odysseus also undergoes a spiritual journey. Although already a hero at the outset of the Odyssey, he must also transform in some way as the result of the journey.

His son and wife are proven as a result of their roles in the story, and Odysseus must also prove his worth as a hero by learning about humility, justice, and wisdom. As he gradually learns these lessons, he becomes closer to completing his journey. Ultimately, it is only when he breaks free from Calypso, having longed for home for seven years thus proving his own loyalty and worth, that he is at the point where he is ready to finish his journey.

The hallmarks of an epic poem are an epic hero, high position portrayal of characters and the epic journey cycle. The Odyssey contains all three of these elements, and is therefore a classic epic poem. The Odysseus character is a king, and is the center of the action in the story. All.