Odyssey Justice And Reciprority
There are many themes Homer uses in The Odyssey. This poem by Homer, describes the long journey of Odysseus. A few themes Homer portrays are justice and reciprocity. There is no linear justice system within this Greek poem. Thus characters act accordingly to xenia. The host is to properly treat the guest with care since the guest can be a god in disguise. Reciprocity plays a roll in The Odyssey, since characters are reward for displaying good xenia. Characters who don't display xenia are the ones who have justice dealt to them where the punishment is usually severe. By giving a foresight of justice, before it is served, it allows Homer to portray the punishment of justice in a severe and timely matter.
The theme of justice is shown very early in the poem. Zeus is thinking about the story of Aigisthos. Aigisthos married Agamemnon’s wife, Klytaimestra, and killed him on his return. Aigisthos was warned by Hermes to, “not to kill the man, nor court his lady for marriage” (Lattimore, Book 1, 39). This led to Orestes, son of Agamemnon, to kill Aigisthos in honor of his father. Not only does Orestes kill Aigisthos, he even kill his mother for committing adultery and aiding in the death of his father. The gods believes Aigisthos death was justifiable because he was warned; yet he still committed those crimes. Shown in the first few lines of the poem, Orestes’ actions seems to be a justifiable precedent for Odysseus when he gets back to his household.
Similar to Orestes, Odysseus is on a journey to return home and slaughter the suitors that have invaded his home. In addition it took both of these characters some time before they are able to serve justice to those that wrong them. Odysseus is clever in the way he will serve justice to the suitors. Instead of returning straight home, for which he desires after a long brutal journey, Odysseus does some reckoning to find those who are loyal. With the aid of Telemachos, Eumaios, and Philoitios, Odysseus was able to kill
The theme of justice is shown very early in the poem. Zeus is thinking about the story of Aigisthos. Aigisthos married Agamemnon’s wife, Klytaimestra, and killed him on his return. Aigisthos was warned by Hermes to, “not to kill the man, nor court his lady for marriage” (Lattimore, Book 1, 39). This led to Orestes, son of Agamemnon, to kill Aigisthos in honor of his father. Not only does Orestes kill Aigisthos, he even kill his mother for committing adultery and aiding in the death of his father. The gods believes Aigisthos death was justifiable because he was warned; yet he still committed those crimes. Shown in the first few lines of the poem, Orestes’ actions seems to be a justifiable precedent for Odysseus when he gets back to his household.
Similar to Orestes, Odysseus is on a journey to return home and slaughter the suitors that have invaded his home. In addition it took both of these characters some time before they are able to serve justice to those that wrong them. Odysseus is clever in the way he will serve justice to the suitors. Instead of returning straight home, for which he desires after a long brutal journey, Odysseus does some reckoning to find those who are loyal. With the aid of Telemachos, Eumaios, and Philoitios, Odysseus was able to kill