Mla Citation For Ithaca Poem

Everybody has his/her own destination in life; in the poem “Ithaca” by Constantine P. Cavafy, Ithaca is perceived as that destination. In the poem, Cavafy describes the journey to Ithaca as well as the arrival. The theme of the poem is to not rush and to experience the journey to the fullest, because the journey is worth more than the destination. Cavafy uses metaphors, allusions, and imagery to convey this theme. Cavafy’s use of allusions describe the long journey and relate the poem to “The Odyssey.” As one sets out on a journey there may be obstacles and hardships that he/she must face. Everyone might have his/her own version of “[t]he Lestrygonians and the Cyclops, [or even] the angry Poseidon” (lines 4-5). These obstacles are some that
Odysseus had to face, and could be challenges that people face in daily life. On a journey there are many places that one must take time to explore and visit. People should take time to “enter ports seen for the first time,” explore, and visit “Phoenician markets” on any journey (lines 16-17). Enjoy the Phoenician markets, which were found in many areas during the time period of “The Odyssey,” as well as the different places visited. The title of the poem, “Ithaca”, refers to a final destination of a person as well as Odysseus’s home. Individuals, including Odysseus, must “[a]lways keep Ithaca in [his/her] mind,” because “[arriving] there is [the] ultimate goal” (lines 24-25). It is important to focus on the destination like how Odysseus kept on wanting to go home. With the use of allusions the long journey to Ithaca is illustrated in an exciting new way.