4 Themes of the Odyssey and Oedipus Rex
Theme 1: Love for your family (or home)
1. (Homer’s the Odyssey) In the Odyssey, Odysseus spends ten years trying to go home to Ithaca. Odysseus left the Trojan War with the mindset and hopes of returning home. Although he wanted to go home to Ithaca many obstacles faced him. He fought against the Cyclops, survived against Poseidon’s wrath, left the Island of Calypso, and many other dangers just to come home. Odysseus survived through all of the hardships just to return home to his family and city.
2. (The Oedipus Rex Cycle- Oedipus at Colonus, antithesis) When Oedipus’ sons (Polyneices and Eteocles) learn of their father’s past they banished him away from Thebes. They were disgusted by what he had done and decided on forcing him to leave his city. With this they disrespected their father and even their own home of Thebes. Polyneices and Eteocles sided with their uncle, Creon who brought Thebes to its downfall. This caused them to once again disrespect their father, Oedipus and hurt Thebes.
3. (The Oedipus Rex Cycle- Oedipus at Colonus) Once Oedipus was banished from Thebes his daughter Antigone stays by his side. She is there to guide him and keep him safe. She stays with him until the very end and never gives up on her father. Antigone leads Oedipus to Colonus where the two are treated with respect and honor. When Oedipus “dies” Antigone is devastated and heartbroken without him. She wished to go see her father, but she is forbidden to do so.
4. (Homer’s the Odyssey, antithesis) The suitors who stayed at Odysseus home while he was lost at sea were disrespectful to him, his family, and his home. They tried to marry Penelope, but disregarded her wishes to stay with Odysseus. The suitors ate all of Odysseus cattle and food and also disrespected those who worked for him. They also disobeyed Penelope and Telemachus’ word when told what to do. The suitors made a mess of Odysseus home and also his family.
5. (Homer’s the Odyssey) When Odysseus arrived home to
1. (Homer’s the Odyssey) In the Odyssey, Odysseus spends ten years trying to go home to Ithaca. Odysseus left the Trojan War with the mindset and hopes of returning home. Although he wanted to go home to Ithaca many obstacles faced him. He fought against the Cyclops, survived against Poseidon’s wrath, left the Island of Calypso, and many other dangers just to come home. Odysseus survived through all of the hardships just to return home to his family and city.
2. (The Oedipus Rex Cycle- Oedipus at Colonus, antithesis) When Oedipus’ sons (Polyneices and Eteocles) learn of their father’s past they banished him away from Thebes. They were disgusted by what he had done and decided on forcing him to leave his city. With this they disrespected their father and even their own home of Thebes. Polyneices and Eteocles sided with their uncle, Creon who brought Thebes to its downfall. This caused them to once again disrespect their father, Oedipus and hurt Thebes.
3. (The Oedipus Rex Cycle- Oedipus at Colonus) Once Oedipus was banished from Thebes his daughter Antigone stays by his side. She is there to guide him and keep him safe. She stays with him until the very end and never gives up on her father. Antigone leads Oedipus to Colonus where the two are treated with respect and honor. When Oedipus “dies” Antigone is devastated and heartbroken without him. She wished to go see her father, but she is forbidden to do so.
4. (Homer’s the Odyssey, antithesis) The suitors who stayed at Odysseus home while he was lost at sea were disrespectful to him, his family, and his home. They tried to marry Penelope, but disregarded her wishes to stay with Odysseus. The suitors ate all of Odysseus cattle and food and also disrespected those who worked for him. They also disobeyed Penelope and Telemachus’ word when told what to do. The suitors made a mess of Odysseus home and also his family.
5. (Homer’s the Odyssey) When Odysseus arrived home to