Homer's Odyssey - Themes
<< Back

• The View of the Nature of Man
  There are conflicting views portrayed in The Odyssey. One is that all men are wild and uncontrollable, such as the suitors on Ithaca or the crew on the islands of Circe and Hyperion. Another view is that men are smart, skilled, and powerful, such as Odysseus and Telemachus.

• The View of the Nature of Woman
  During the episodes of Circe, Calypso, and Penelope (loom and bed), we see women as crafty, intelligent and sneaky. In the example of many of Odysseus' maids, woman is portrayed as disloyal and cruel.

• The View of Order and Chaos
  When Odysseus is gone, the suitors turn his island into a site of anarchy. When he returns, peace is restored. On Circe's island, there is much chaos when the men party. There is no order on the island of the Cyclops; each one is his own ruler and dictates the law for his family.

• The Attitude Towards One's Homeland
  Throughout the novel, we see Odysseus' undying love for his homeland. Even when he is trapped on Calypso's island and tempted with immortality if he stays, he still yearns for his home. He struggles non-stop to return. However, on the island of the Lotus Eaters, the lotus flower takes away one's desire to return home.

• The Idea of the Journey of Discovery
  Telemachus embarks upon a journey to discover if his father is alive. During Odysseus' journey, he learns of many things, including his entire future from the prophet Tiresias.

<< Back