Ulysses As A Modern Epic Analysis

2.3. Ulysses as a modern epic
The clasical epic is generally defined as a long narrative poem about one great subject. It is centered on a heroic figure on whose actions the fate of a nation depends. The traditional epics were written in a form of a poem in order to be easily remembered and passed on. Many epics begin “in medias res” and with an evocation of a muse. During 20th century, writer got interested in plot-lines, themes and ideas that were used in Ancient Greece. This resulted in many stories that share similarities with ancient epics. Although, those are mainly themes such as hope that good will win over evil, these entertaining stories based on ancient literature are actually trying to find an answer to society`s fundamental questions

In Homeric version, the son Telemachus, goes in a search for his father Ulysses, in order to help him come back home while at the same time searching for his identity because due to him not knowing his father, his journey is based on the tacks left by his father. In modern version, we have Leopold and Stephen who act as father-son figures respectably. Stephen`s journey is guided by the need of a shelter and his hopeless situation. However, his identity is not build upon his father’s image, but rather he is already given his central position in the previous Joyce`s novel A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man. He does not have the burden of his father’s history, he has individual space to define his own history and to create present. During his journey he is constantly in conflict within himself between religion and existential tinge to the psyche. Leopold and Stephen both use everyday objects to help them cope with their inner anxiety, both escape to the world inside their minds when found in situations where their presence is being ignored by the others. Stephen has the lack of authority in his life, with his mother dead and no father figure, while Leopold is looking for somebody to be father