Article Contributed on: 1/8/2008 6:00:17 PM
The famous book
The Odyssey by Homer really measures up to its fame. Although I have not read other versions of it, I really enjoyed Fagles version of it. Beautifully written in poem form, I flowed through the pages.It's a story of adventure, love, passion, obstacles, bravery, and revenge.When you begin reading it with an open mind, (if you don't usually read this style of writing), you can reallystart to enjoyit. I would definately recommend it to anyone looking for something different to read and a story that is really, in my opinion, the essence of many things in life. A lot can be taken from this book when you look deeper. How neat, that it all is symbolized by cyclops, giants, gods, and other characters many will enjoy reading about.
Many people walk away from reading
The Odyssey by Homer, thinking they've just read another useless made up story. They think that it's just a silly story about a man who faces monsters, gods, and challenges on his way home to Ithaca. On the contrary,
The Odyssey is a very wise book. Believe it or not, it is actually full of symbols about real life and is so much more than a story of monsters and battles. Whether it symbolizes addictions, tempting distractions, or overcoming a hard time to become a new person; it has many real life lessons.
In life, there are many "Lotus-eaters" and seemingly delicious lotus that become a challenge.
The Odyssey shows the difficulty of choosing to deny or join in on the Lotus-eating in life. "Any crewmen who ate the lotus... lost all desire to send a message back, much less return... all memory of the journey home dissolved forever." (214). The lotus symbolizes addiction in the story and the lotus-eaters, the addicts. Life can get difficult, just like for Odysseus and his crew. This part in the story shows the danger of addictions, whether it be the lotus, alcohol, drugs, etc. The crew, like people in life wanted to use it as a way to escape and numb their feelings. "But I brought them back, back to the hollow ships, and streaming tears- I forced them... so none could eat the lotus , forget the voyage home..." (214). The story also shows how hard it is to overcome addiction even when someone close is helping, or possibly forcing you. The crew's tears show this hardship.
The Odyssey shows the importance of not getting wrapped up in addiction and continuing your journey through life.
Along with the temptation of addictions,
The Odyssey shows how many are faced with other distractions that make it difficult to continue. It's hard to keep going when the Circes and Calypsos will always seem to have a greener patch of grass on their side."'Your hearts never lifting with any joy- you've suffered far too much.' So she enticed and won our battle-hardened spirits over." (244-245). Here, the story symbolizes how many people are faced with other temptations that appear to be great. There will always be those items or people in life that tempt you to want a more wonderful life that is completely different from where you're suppose to go and who you really are. "Ah great goddess... don't be angry with me please. All that you say is true... my wise Penelope. She falls far short of you, your beauty, stature... Nevertheless I long- I pine, all my days- to travel home..." (159). This passage shows the importance of continuing on with who you really are, even though you have to leave something wonderful behind. Not all temptations are bad and can also be a sanctuary in your life for a time. However,
The Odyssey illustrates the importance of making sure that the sanctuary does not become a permanant distraction in your life.
For some, life sometimes gets to a point where they feel it's a living "Underworld" and
The Odyssey quite literally symbolizes this. Odysseus, like many people is able to pull throught this time. "And I my mind in turmoil, how I longed to embrace my mother's spirit... desperate to hold her... the grief cut to the heart, sharper, yes..." (256). This section of the story shows how Odysseus goes through a very dark time, which is very emotional for him. It's a symbol for the dark times/all time low people go through in life, such as depression or illness. This all time low can just seem to be cutting into their heart, making it hard to go on. "They swung aboard... and a strong tide of the ocean river swept her on downstream, sped by our rowing first, then by a fresh fair wind." (207). Here, Odysseus is just leaving from his visit in the Underworld. It tells how getting out of the all time low requires motivation at first, (rowing). However, when you realize you've gained knowledge or improvement, the new life keeps you going, (fresh wind).
"A symbol is anything that stands for or represents someting else beyond it."
The Odyssey by Homer, (Fagles version), is a symbol of life. Almost every challenge and adventure in the book is a symbol of something in real life. Everyone goes through struggles and challenges in life. There wiill always be the lotus you have to be careful not to get wrapped up in. The seemingly better life will always distract you and try to stop you from leading your real life. Also, many will go thorouhg a dark time and find there is life after death.
The Odyssey is a collection of symbols like these and has deep lessons and hopes to be learned. Like everything, something can be learned from it when looking under the surface.