Odysseus journeys far and wide to be able to see his beautiful wife and son again. He has lost touch with his homeland and has not seen his home, friends, or family in ten years. His entire journey is symbolic of death and rebirth. First, Homer depicts this motif through Telemakhos, Odysseus' son. In the first book of the poem, Athena addresses Telemahkos in disguise. By speaking to him, the reader is shown that Telemakhos feels symbolically dead inside. Speaking of the suitors, he says "Meanwhile they eat their way through all we have, and when they will, they can demolish me (I, 289-90)." He feels lost and dead inside without any knowledge of his father, but is reborn through obtaining that knowledge. Athena convinces Telemahkos to gather himself together and take on Od

Throughout the Odyssey, Homer presents a grand motif, which encounters most of the main character in the story. The idea of death and rebirth reoccurs time and time again. This motif primarily helps the reader to gain a better understand into what is one of the main themes of this story: one should never lose hope and faith in life. When the adventures seemed insurmountable and all was lost, through Odysseus' own intelligence, he save himself and many others. Sometimes all it takes to get us through life is a little intellect, a belief in ourselves, and hope for the next day to come and be a little bit brighter.

Homer constantly reveals this motif time and time again. In Book XIII, Homer spells out his intentions once again by saying "Slumber, soft and deep like the still sleep of death, (90-91)." Again he puts Odysseus in a position which calls for the theme of death and rebirth. Here, Odysseus is placed to sleep by the Phaiakians and sent on his way to Ithaca. In the eyes of Odysseus' people he is already dead. This sleep reinforces that idea. His voyage home and final entry to his homeland is his ultimate rebirth. For so long he was thought to be dead, but now, he stands before everyone, alive and well. This leads us to the final example of death and rebirth, one that focuses around Laertes. When Odysseus and his father are reunited, Laertes faints upon his son's arrival. This fainting is symbolic of a loss of life. Upon his awakening, he is reborn, strengthened and glorified ready to take on life to the fullest extent.

Another instance where Odysseus' adventures lead him on a cycle of death and re

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Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)