The Odyssey Analysis

The Odyssey Analysis

            In the story “The Odyssey”, the main theme seems to have something to do with valuing your life to the fullest. You can identify this theme the most in books 11, 12, 13, 16, 19, 21, and 22. For example, the overall theme in book 11 is “appreciate life while living it”, and in book 16, the theme is “there is a time and place for everything, be patient.” Also, a quote directly from the story that helps prove the overall theme is on page 261, and lines 411 and 412. The quote is “Ah Odysseus, Alcinous replied, one look at you and we know that you are no one who would cheat us.” This quote shows how much Odysseus values his life, and how he wants to do good for the people who deserve it. And he wants to show the people who are nothing but bad, that what they are doing is wrong. 

            In “The Odyssey”, Odysseus is a very powerful and mighty character. He changes a lot of people’s lives, and is out there only to do good. He is an inspiration to many, and it would be hard to match all of the deeds he has done. But, no one can seem to believe he is such a good person, only because of things they have heard about him. For example, on page 351 line 463, a lady says “your violent, vicious, scheming…” this only goes to show Odysseus is there to show bad people that what they are doing is wrong, but he is the only one that notices there evil doings, and others who know what he did to them think he is out to kill for no reason. It makes sense, but people needed to come to their senses and realize who is truly good, and who is truly bad.

            Another example of what theme I think “The Odyssey” is when Odysseus and Telemachus murder all of the suitors who think they can replace Odysseus as king. They know it would be a sin to do that, and Odysseus caught them red handed in a rigged challenge to become king. This event starts on page 440 line 15, when Odysseus shot Antinous in the throat with an arrow. Odysseus was a brutal person, but everyone he killed deserved it. Another example of his brutality was on page 452 line 462 when he tells the maids of the castles to clean up the blood and bodies which Odysseus and his son have killed, and then later the maids would be killed by hanging. This might not have been the most reasonable thing to do, but it just goes to show you doing the wrong things can have serious consequences, so you will always be better off doing the right thing.  So in the end, the main theme of books 11, 12, 13, 16, 19, 21, and 22, is “Live life to its fullest, and you will always be better off doing the right thing.”