The Role Of Dreams In The Odyssey

I found the connection between dreams and ancient religions to be the most intriguing part of the reading. It certainly does make sense that dreams might have inspired animism and other forms of religion and the way that the ancients interacted with dreams seems to share many similarities with how we interact with dreams. Similar to what happens in a Seneca Dream Guessing ceremony, people today analyze their dreams and interpret them in various ways, although it is not always in a spiritual light and there are many more resources now besides for friends, family, and other tribe members to offer ideas of what dreams might mean. Additionally, just as people in ancient times might have interpreted their dreams according to their religion, considering dreams to be visions or proof of possession by some higher power, people today may do the exact same thing. Considering how odd dreams can seem and how we still don’t seem to have much knowledge on their causes today, this comes across as unsurprising.
I also find it interesting to note how many myths seem to be centered on demigods or
Given the explanation in our reading, though, it makes sense. As I gather, a trickster hero can display what seems to be the qualities of a regular hero, just as Odysseus does, but typically possesses a level of intelligence or some sort of knowledge that they use to cause mischief. Without a doubt, Odysseus’ most defining characteristic is his wit, and while he is seen using it to get himself out of sticky situations (as he did when escaping Polyphemus), he also uses it to create troublesome scenarios for what seems to be his own humor. This is most evident to me in The Odyssey when, after finally returning to Ithaca and learning of the suitors that have occupied his home, Odysseus disguises himself as an old man and completes Penelope’s tasks before turning on the suitors and killing