Odysseus Passage Analysis

This passage appears after a time when Odysseus has undergone a significant amount of hardship. Odysseus’s journey begins during the Trojan War, where he is a warrior and a general throughout all ten years of the conflict. Odysseus possesses normal physical attributes, however his superior intelligence allows him to contribute greatly towards the Greek’s victory. Despite his success, the loss of many of his friends due to the continuous violence as well as the general discomfort associated with war certainly would be challenging for any man. In addition, Odysseus is a king and had given up a life of peace and pleasure back home. After to the war, most of the warriors returned home with little challenge carrying substantial wealth and receiving

During the events following shortly after the passage Odysseus finally learns that he will in fact be able to return home. His return in contingent upon even more torment and hardship, yet he does not even for a second consider either the possibility of failure nor any other potentially better options. Odysseus has proven that he will remain steadfast towards his goal of returning home, and therefore the man of “tactics” and “cunning” unknowingly acts as the embodiment of what the passage says about the importance of family. It is Achilles insight into the life in the underworld combined with Odysseus perseverance and sense of what in life provides true satisfaction that help to illustrate the true value and importance of family and one’s

Contrary to many modern religion’s depiction of the afterlife, the Greek afterlife was rather bleak. The common belief was that upon death, a mortal’s soul would be transported to the Underworld. The Underworld was divided into different sections, and every soul would be placed in a section according to what they accomplished and how they acted during their time on earth. While some exceptional Greeks believed they would make it to the most select portions of the underworld, the common Greek man would not enjoy an eternal paradise or life among the gods. While most of the underworld was not depicted as a modern interpretation of hell, it was not a place of bliss. In order to combat this rather bleak future, the Greeks developed an intense desire to perform acts during their life on Earth that would be both remembered and respected. If the future held nothing but melancholy, then being remembered and praised post-mortem on earth would at least provide some sense of satisfaction and