This paper examines Homer's Odyssey as a classic epic poem by analyzing three defining characteristics of the genre: the epic hero, the high-position portrayal of characters, and the epic journey cycle. Drawing on the narrative of Odysseus's twenty-year absence from Ithaca, the paper demonstrates how each element — from Odysseus's elevated status as protagonist to the spiritual transformation he undergoes — aligns with the conventions of epic poetry seen in works such as the Aeneid and the Ramayana. The paper argues that the Odyssey not only fulfills all hallmarks of the epic form but has also shaped countless subsequent epics through its structure and style.
Homer's Odyssey is a classic epic poem that demonstrates all the hallmarks of epic poem structure and the epic journey cycle. The narrative follows the return of Odysseus from Troy — a journey that takes ten years and spans many locations and setbacks — until he finally reaches his home in Ithaca. Even upon arriving, he must overcome one final challenge before being successfully reunited with his family. This paper focuses on three central themes that define the epic poetry genre: the epic hero, the high-position portrayal of characters, and the epic journey cycle.
An epic poem must have an epic hero, and in the Odyssey that hero is Odysseus. He is the focal point of all the action (No Author, 2012). His journey is entirely about him, to the point where his actions dictate the fate of everyone around him. The key supporting characters exist in relation to him and his wife Penelope. Odysseus is also portrayed as the quintessential hero: he is consistently described with elevated, admiring language. Even when he commits negative acts — such as taunting the Cyclops — he is treated with sympathy, and his flaw is used as a means of conveying a broader social lesson.
This treatment of major characters is central to all epic poetry — consider 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 figure through whom all lessons flow. The fact that the story is named after him only further cements his status as an epic hero, suggesting that the hero matters more than any individual narrative event.
Another defining element of epic poetry is the high-position portrayal of characters. All characters are described with lofty language, and certain epithets are repeated throughout, lending the same elevated quality to the setting as well. The traits associated with each character — wise Athena, loyal Penelope, the disrespectful suitors — are repeated so often that character and trait become inseparable. By giving each character a strong defining quality, Homer makes even secondary figures feel significant.
Even minor characters receive extensive background and backstory, raising them above their peripheral roles. This technique, common across epic poems, ensures that the world Odysseus inhabits feels fully populated and consequential, reinforcing the epic scale of his journey.
"Ten-year voyage as an epic structural device"
"Odysseus's inner growth through trials"
Ultimately, it is only when Odysseus breaks free from Calypso — after seven years of longing for home, thereby demonstrating his loyalty and inner worth — that he reaches the point where he is truly ready to reclaim his life in Ithaca. This arc of personal growth is a key feature of the epic form, distinguishing the genre from simple adventure narratives.
The hallmarks of an epic poem are an epic hero, the 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. Odysseus is a king and the undisputed center of the story; all events relate to him and his journey home. The journey itself is epic in scope, spanning ten years of travel and twenty years in total. Odysseus faces numerous trials and challenges and has otherworldly experiences, with the gods closely involved throughout — a detail that further emphasizes the cosmic scale of his journey.
His visit to Hades is particularly significant because it sets his journey apart from those of ordinary heroes in the Greek tradition. The challenge awaiting him at the journey's end — defeating the suitors — is also an essential structural component of the epic journey cycle. The elevated treatment given to all the characters, including even those who appear only briefly, is likewise characteristic of the epic style. Together, these three defining characteristics confirm the Odyssey as a foundational epic poem whose form and structure have influenced countless later epics, many of which borrowed heavily from Homer's example.
Downes, J. (2005). Epic, epic formula, epic smile. [University]. Retrieved February 15, 2012 from
No Author. (2012). A story of epic proportions: What makes a poem an epic? National Endowment for the Humanities. Retrieved February 15, 2012 from http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/story-epic-proportions-what-makes-poem-epic
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