The Odyssey

A detailed Summary of The Odyssey

The lessons that Odysseus learns on his way home to Ithaka will allow him to get back to being a good, father, and leader of his civilization. He needs to relearn all of what he once knew as leader of Ithaka in order to safely survive there. Luckily, Odysseus has a strong will and is able to accomplish all of his goals. The three most important lessons he learns are the need for opportunity, the importance and enjoyment of group activity, and the last, most important, hospitality.

The need for opportunity is an important quality, of a civilization, that Odysseus must learn in order to be leader of Ithaka. If he doesn't realize that all the people in his civilization need opportunity his community wouldn't be able to grow, and prosper. In a Greek culture ruled by Gods, as Odysseus lives in, he would also be punished if he didn't correctly rule over his city, fairly. On his journey home Odysseus learns the values of opportunity in many different place, the most important being at Alkinoos' castle. It is here that Athena guides Odysseus after Poseidon ruins his first ship. Here Odysseus asks kindly, for help on returning home. He doesn't, at first, reveal his identity but he lets the king, and his wife, know of his troubles, "

The most important key to a civilization Odysseus must learn before returning home is the importance of hospitality. Without it the other keys wouldn't be able to co-exist. In a civilization run without any real laws or rules to live by they must all rely on each other's hospitality. There is no law enforcement so if they can't trust and depend on each other their whole city would fall apart and crumble. For Odysseus, being king of Ithaka means he has to know the value better than anyone, because his whole city depends on him. Luckily, Odysseus is able to see this custom in full effect in many places throughout his journey. At Kalypso's cave, Alkinoos' palace, and on the islands he and his men travel they all show some kind of hospitality. At Calypso's cave and Alkinoos' palace there is definitely signs of hospitality. Even though the two places are opposites, uncivilized and civilized, they still show signs of hospitality. At Alkinoos you get a specific insight on how to treat others from Ekheneos, "Alkinoos, this will not pass for courtesy: a guest abased in ashes at our hearth," this shows how you have to be nice and respect others.

The Odyssey is a story about a man's journey home to his city, and family. Along the way that man must learn lessons on how to run his city. These lessons will allow him to get back to what he knew best, and serve as a good leader to the people who

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Approximate Word count = 937
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English