The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer, which tells the story of the hero Odysseus and his treacherous journey home after the Trojan War. It has been a source of inspiration for many generations, and it is still regarded as one of the great works of Western literature. In the Odyssey, Homer explores the values of the ancient Greeks, including the great value they placed on the idea of home. The following excerpts from the Odyssey demonstrate this idea in a variety of ways.
Ancient Greek Values
The ancient Greeks placed great value on the idea of home. This is evident in many of their stories, such as the Odyssey. Home was seen as a safe haven, a place of refuge from the chaos of the outside world. It was also seen as the source of strength and comfort, and a place to be cherished and protected.
The ancient Greeks also believed that home was a place of stability and order, and that it should be defended at all costs. This is demonstrated in the Odyssey, where Odysseus is determined to return home despite all the obstacles in his way. He is willing to make any sacrifice in order to protect his home and his family.
Odyssey Excerpts and Home
One of the most famous excerpts from the Odyssey is when Odysseus is finally reunited with his wife, Penelope, after a long and treacherous journey. Penelope says to Odysseus: “You are home now, and here we will stay together”. This excerpt demonstrates the great value the ancient Greeks placed on the idea of home, as it is seen as a place of refuge and comfort, and a place where Odysseus and Penelope can be together.
Another excerpt from the Odyssey is when Odysseus is determined to protect his home against the suitors who are trying to take it from him. He says: “I will not let my house be taken by any man”. This excerpt demonstrates the ancient Greek belief that home should be defended at all costs, and that it is a place of stability and order which should be cherished and protected.
The excerpts from the Odyssey demonstrate the great value the ancient Greeks placed on the idea of home. Home was seen as a safe haven, a place of refuge from the chaos of the outside world, and a place of stability and order which should be defended at all costs. The Odyssey is a timeless classic which still resonates with readers today, and its exploration of the values of the ancient Greeks is as relevant
The Ancient Greeks, perhaps more than any other culture in history, valued the concept of home fiercely. For Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer’s The Odyssey, this feeling was especially strong. As his epic journey takes him further from home, he longs for it and speaks of it with longing and affection.
One excerpt from the Odyssey which best illustrates this is when Odysseus describes his homeland of Ithaca to the bewitched Cyclops Polyphemus, wishing he could see it once again: “‘Ah, if only I could find a way out of this cave so I could stand on firm ground, I would kneel to Zeus and pray to him for deliverance from these horrors and that I might find my way home. To Ithaca. Home, with the nighest hill of Mount Neriton the crown’” (Homer, lines 327–330).
In this passage we see that above all else, the Ancient Greeks cherished the idea of having a home. Despite the fact that Ithaca is not a particularly grand city-state, Odysseus speaks of it longingly and describes it with reverence as though it is the most beautiful thing in the world. He also suggests that the gods would not deny someone’s desire to return home, indicating a deep-seated belief that home is a special place that should be protected and revered.
The Odyssey is a timeless story which illustrates the values which the Ancient Greeks held dear. This excerpt in particular reveals the great regard they had for the idea of home, a feeling which resonates with people of all cultures and ages.
