The Odyssey is an epic composed of different themes which can be analyzed through the language and usage of the text. Homer, the author, reflects upon Penelope's loyalty towards Odysseus by connecting that with her hospitality towards the suitors, even though they invaded her home. Also, Homer demonstrates Telemachus’ friendliness towards Odysseus disguised as the beggar into Odysseus being revealed near the end of the epic. This is visible through the use of complex language. One of the most important cultural values in The Odyssey is the idea of Xenia, or Greek Hospitality. By all means, Penelope shows great hospitality towards the unkind suitors. To start off, the suitors have a reputation of “having an easy life, scot free, eating the
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This phrase uses concrete details to describe the suitors. The saying of the suitors having an easy life is explicitly stated and contains further information to justify the meaning. It is also used to comprehend the idea to the reader. In here, the idea is the life of a suitor. Although Telemachus is the one who says this, it shows the mood a reader can get about the context of the character. This phrase justifies how callous the suitors are in a whole, and that can be connected to why Penelope treats them the way that she does. Despite their shrewd behavior, she develops a hospitable approach to them because of the woman she appears to be. In the first book of the epic, Penelope says, “let them sit silent and drink their wine,” (Homer 12). This being another explicitly stated quote, it tells the reader that Penelope does not care what the suitors do in her estate. Even though a literary term does not define this phrase, it is still essential in justifying …show more content…
When Telemachus discovers Eumaios with the beggar, Telemachus is described as having “the notion cuts me to the heart,” (Homer 291). Notion is an impulse or desire to do something. Personification is displayed here by giving notion the ability to cut the heart, not literally. See, it is showing a human characteristic, even though the whole phrase is exaggerated. Telemachus has a desire to be kind to this man, even though he is old, raggedy, and does not look like he should belong in a home like his. Homer uses personification to show the exact amount of feeling Telemachus has for this man. Later when Telemachus realizes the man is his father, “cries burst from both as keen and fluttering as those of the great taloned hawk,” (Homer 296). An epic simile is used and the cries of both of the men are compared to a parent hawk in a situation “whose nestling farmers take before they fly,” (Homer 296). This is not a morbid event since the tears are expressed as a happier time because of being related to a hawk who is about to see his young fly. Before then, the nestling was too young to leave its nest. If Telemachus was not friendly to both Odysseus the beggar and Odysseus, why would have Homer used a completely unrelated epic simile to describe the current setting?
This phrase uses concrete details to describe the suitors. The saying of the suitors having an easy life is explicitly stated and contains further information to justify the meaning. It is also used to comprehend the idea to the reader. In here, the idea is the life of a suitor. Although Telemachus is the one who says this, it shows the mood a reader can get about the context of the character. This phrase justifies how callous the suitors are in a whole, and that can be connected to why Penelope treats them the way that she does. Despite their shrewd behavior, she develops a hospitable approach to them because of the woman she appears to be. In the first book of the epic, Penelope says, “let them sit silent and drink their wine,” (Homer 12). This being another explicitly stated quote, it tells the reader that Penelope does not care what the suitors do in her estate. Even though a literary term does not define this phrase, it is still essential in justifying …show more content…
When Telemachus discovers Eumaios with the beggar, Telemachus is described as having “the notion cuts me to the heart,” (Homer 291). Notion is an impulse or desire to do something. Personification is displayed here by giving notion the ability to cut the heart, not literally. See, it is showing a human characteristic, even though the whole phrase is exaggerated. Telemachus has a desire to be kind to this man, even though he is old, raggedy, and does not look like he should belong in a home like his. Homer uses personification to show the exact amount of feeling Telemachus has for this man. Later when Telemachus realizes the man is his father, “cries burst from both as keen and fluttering as those of the great taloned hawk,” (Homer 296). An epic simile is used and the cries of both of the men are compared to a parent hawk in a situation “whose nestling farmers take before they fly,” (Homer 296). This is not a morbid event since the tears are expressed as a happier time because of being related to a hawk who is about to see his young fly. Before then, the nestling was too young to leave its nest. If Telemachus was not friendly to both Odysseus the beggar and Odysseus, why would have Homer used a completely unrelated epic simile to describe the current setting?