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  • Essay / Greek Values ​​and Themes Explored in “The Odyssey”

    In Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, a Greek value explored is Kleos, otherwise known as glory. This value is not only explored in the Odyssey by the protagonist (Ulysses), but is also used to explore different themes through the protagonist reaching his Kleos. Some examples from Kleos would be when Odysseus blinds the Kyklops, returns home after 20 years at sea, and takes revenge on the suitors. Through all of these events, Odysseus' behavior also reveals themes throughout the epic such as intelligence, patience, and arrogance. In the middle of Odysseus's journey, Odysseus comes across a cave on a small island. Later, he and his men knew that they would soon be guests of a Kyklops named Polyphemus. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay After being patient, Odysseus and his men blind the Kyklops and escape. An example of Odysseus reaching Kleos is when he says: "Kyklops, if ever a mortal asks how you were shamed and blinded, tell him that Odysseus, plunderer of cities, took your eye: the son of Laertes, whose house is in Ithaca! Odysseus tells the Kyklops that it was he who blinded Polyphemus after he and his men escaped. A theme shown through Odysseus' action is arrogance. Another example from Kleos is when Odysseus returns home to Ithaca disguised as an old beggar. A quote that best illustrates this is when Athena says, “Now, for a moment, I will transform you; not a soul will know you, the fair skin of your arms and your shriveled legs, your brown hair gone, your body clad in sackcloth that a man would have gagged to see, and the two eyes so bright, soiled, contemptible , you will be like your enemies, like the wife and son you left behind. » After Odysseus returns to Ithaca, Athena disguises Odysseus as an old beggar so that he can have an even greater Kleos by seeing his wife and son again and defeating the suitors. One of the themes created throughout this scene is patience, as Odysseus plans to wait for the right moment to win back his wife and son. Finally, Odysseus achieves his Kleos by defeating the suitors in a match to test which man can bend Odysseus' bow. An example of this is when the author says: "And Odysseus took his time, turning the bow, tapping it with every inch, for the piercings that the termites might have made while the master of the weapon was at l 'stranger. Keep in mind: This is just a sample.Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essayThe suitors were looking at him now…so effortlessly, Odysseus drew the bow in one motion . Then he slid his right hand along the cord and pinched it, so that the strained intestine vibrated and sang a swallow's note. Homer describes how easily Odysseus strings the bow and prepares to shoot the arrow. Odysseus creates intelligence as a theme because he creates a plan to take revenge on the suitors. In Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, Kleos is explored by Odysseus when he defeats Kyklops, returns home to Ithaca, and takes revenge on the suitors. This value explored by Odysseus also creates themes such as intelligence, patience, and arrogance. Through the creation of themes, the audience of the novel has the opportunity to connect with the novel and apply the themes to real-life situations..