Revenge as a Symbol of Power

A detailed Summary of Revenge as a Symbol of Power

Revenge in Homer's Odyssey* symbolizes the strength of a person or family with their ability to repay evil, thus clearing their name of shame by winning glory and respect. Revenge is an act or instance of retaliating in order to get even, it is an opportunity to show personal strength. The theme is present in different examples throughout the Odyssey: The vengeance of Orestes, Agamemnon's son, upon Aegeisthos for killing his father; Poseidon avenging Odysseus for injuring his son Cyclops, and Phoeacians, for helping Odysseus; finally the protagonist himself avenging the suitors for their disrespectful, arrogant behavior. Revenge brings rising action into the epic. The climax of the book is built entirely upon it. It is not without a reason that Homer devoted such important parts of the book to this theme. This symbolic placement emphasizes the important role revenge played in Greek society. This essay will follow the development of the theme as it appears in the beginning, middle (in medias res), and the end.

In the beginning of the Odyssey there is an example of how revenge can be used as a way to restore family honor and win glory: "Orestes took revenge, he killed Aegeisthos who killed his fam

A wrongdoing to one family member was taken as an insult to the strength and honor of the whole family. Because this social law controls even immortal gods, it is another example of anthropomorphism. The Cyclops asked Poseidon to revenge Odysseus for injuring him: "Poseidon, my father, grant Odysseus... that he never reaches home...or make him come home as an old broken man...let him find pain."(228). This is an example of transferring the obligation for revenge between family members, in order to sustain the respect and honor of the family. If one member could not perform revenge, it was an obligation of the other, to make sure that necessary action follows. Further, all individuals who were involved, or aided and abetted the one who wronged the person, were also to be punished. The following quote is an example of it: "Father Zeus, I [Poseidon] will loose all my honor among immortals, mortal men show me no respect...they helped the one who wronged me..."(290). Here the god himself brings up that the lack of action against harm could eventually cause the lowering of his social status, thus loosing honor and respect. In Homeric society all family members shared the responsibility to sustain the respect and honor of the family.

In conclusion it can be said that Homeric society comprised a honor based system in which rank was under constant negotiation and in which elite warriors tried to establish status in relation to one another through agonistic exchange or revenge. Revenge in ancient Greek society was a positive thing; it was a means to restore family honor. A wrongdoing to one family member was taken as an insult to the strength and honor of the whole family. It was an obligation of the whole family to make sure that action follows and the wrongdoer is punished. Successful reve

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Approximate Word count = 1213
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English