Odyssey Research Paper
A characteristics of an epic hero demonstrated in Homer epic poems was the interference of supernatural beings either as allies or enemies. Ancient Greeks society believed in gods and goddesses who live above Mount Olympus and watch over mortals below. The Greeks believed that these gods and goddesses interfered with life below Olympus. This is seen in both Homers poems the Iliad and the Odyssey, where the gods interfered throughout the stories. In the Iliad, the gods interfered in both side of the war, by favoring who they were going to help. When Agamemnon did not return Chryseis, her father a Trojan high priest turned to Apollo for help. In turn, Apollo sent a plague throughout the Greek army. When Hector took Achilles armor from Patroclus,
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One of these values is Xenia or guest-host friendship, which is courtesy and generosity towards travelers or associates. In the Odyssey, Odysseus son Telemachus traveled to find his father whereabouts at the urging of Athena. During his traveled he stayed at both King Nestor at Plyos and Menelaus Kingdom. In both stay, he is given food, questioned about his identity, given a guest gift, provided a bath, clothed, and finally provided transportation. When Odysseus washes upon the Phaeacians island, the Kings daughter Nausicaa offers him hospitality. She provided him clothes, food, and a bath. Her father gave Odysseus guest gifts and transportation. Another practice of ancient Greek culture is the requirement of a proper burial for the dead, so that their soul may rest peacefully. In the Iliad, Patroclus burial was devoted to an entire chapter which a great celebration and games in his honor. However, when Achilles kills Hector, he refuses to give Hectors body back to his father for a proper burial and instead proceeded to drag his body across the battlefield back to the Greeks camp. It wasn’t until Hectors father Priam, came to beg Achilles before he allowed Hector to be taken back to Troy for a proper burial. The epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey both reflect the principles and practices the ancient Greek society
One of these values is Xenia or guest-host friendship, which is courtesy and generosity towards travelers or associates. In the Odyssey, Odysseus son Telemachus traveled to find his father whereabouts at the urging of Athena. During his traveled he stayed at both King Nestor at Plyos and Menelaus Kingdom. In both stay, he is given food, questioned about his identity, given a guest gift, provided a bath, clothed, and finally provided transportation. When Odysseus washes upon the Phaeacians island, the Kings daughter Nausicaa offers him hospitality. She provided him clothes, food, and a bath. Her father gave Odysseus guest gifts and transportation. Another practice of ancient Greek culture is the requirement of a proper burial for the dead, so that their soul may rest peacefully. In the Iliad, Patroclus burial was devoted to an entire chapter which a great celebration and games in his honor. However, when Achilles kills Hector, he refuses to give Hectors body back to his father for a proper burial and instead proceeded to drag his body across the battlefield back to the Greeks camp. It wasn’t until Hectors father Priam, came to beg Achilles before he allowed Hector to be taken back to Troy for a proper burial. The epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey both reflect the principles and practices the ancient Greek society