Throughout history literature has revealed what is socially acceptable human conduct within a culture. These unwritten codes of conduct vary from culture to culture and are still present within societies today. Each society emphasizes different values that are important to them and can sometimes be dependent upon the time period. Cultures throughout time have differed in their beliefs, but it is essential to recognize that differences, as well as similarties, allow for progress and change. Morals and values are not black and white and there is no correct answer for variance of importance of values within society. Two works of literature that reveal important cultural values are The Odyssey and the Bible. Although there are significant differences
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Throughout the epic there is great emphasis on loyalty as a significant value in their culture. While Odysseus is battling monsters during his long journey home, Penelope and Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, waited patiently for his return although it was generally presumed that he was dead. Despite the fact that many assumed that he was either dead or was not returning, Penelope remained faithful to her husband regardless of her many suitors. In order to delay her suitors, Penelope promises that she will marry the suitor of her father’s choice as soon as she finishes the funeral shroud she was weaving for Odysseus. Her loyalty to Odysseus is apparent when it says, “So by day she’d weave at her great and growing web—/ by night, by the light of torches set beside her, she would unravel all she’d done. Three whole years/ she deceived us blind, seduced us with this scheme,” which reveals that she had been delaying her suitors for three years despite the rumors that Odysseus would not return (Fagles, 96). Although Penelope had been waiting twenty years for Odysseus to …show more content…
In The Odyssey, Odysseus is known as the strongest and the most powerful. It is significant in this culture to be powerful and to not show weakness because this was a time where empires were constantly overthrown. The constant worry of being defeated fueled this value of power and strength because a dominant leader would never allow for his people to be conquered. The many battles that Odysseus faced against creatures such as: the monsters, Cyclops, nymphs, and sirens drove his notoriety about being the most powerful. Near the end of the epic, Penelope’s suitors eventually became unruly and ordered her to make a decision about who she would marry. Penelope decided that whoever could string Odysseus’ bow would be the suitor that she would marry. When Eumaeus becomes upset when he is ordered to bring out the bow of Odysseus he states, “But leave that bow right here—/ our crucial test that makes or breaks us all./ No easy game, I wager to string his polished bow./ Not a soul in the crowd can match Odysseus,” which reveals that not just anyone can string Odysseus’ bow and that this would show great strength (Fgales, 427). It is evident that strength is an important value in this society because being able to string his bow was a difficult task and not everyone would be able to complete this challenge. It is also apparent that they
Throughout the epic there is great emphasis on loyalty as a significant value in their culture. While Odysseus is battling monsters during his long journey home, Penelope and Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, waited patiently for his return although it was generally presumed that he was dead. Despite the fact that many assumed that he was either dead or was not returning, Penelope remained faithful to her husband regardless of her many suitors. In order to delay her suitors, Penelope promises that she will marry the suitor of her father’s choice as soon as she finishes the funeral shroud she was weaving for Odysseus. Her loyalty to Odysseus is apparent when it says, “So by day she’d weave at her great and growing web—/ by night, by the light of torches set beside her, she would unravel all she’d done. Three whole years/ she deceived us blind, seduced us with this scheme,” which reveals that she had been delaying her suitors for three years despite the rumors that Odysseus would not return (Fagles, 96). Although Penelope had been waiting twenty years for Odysseus to …show more content…
In The Odyssey, Odysseus is known as the strongest and the most powerful. It is significant in this culture to be powerful and to not show weakness because this was a time where empires were constantly overthrown. The constant worry of being defeated fueled this value of power and strength because a dominant leader would never allow for his people to be conquered. The many battles that Odysseus faced against creatures such as: the monsters, Cyclops, nymphs, and sirens drove his notoriety about being the most powerful. Near the end of the epic, Penelope’s suitors eventually became unruly and ordered her to make a decision about who she would marry. Penelope decided that whoever could string Odysseus’ bow would be the suitor that she would marry. When Eumaeus becomes upset when he is ordered to bring out the bow of Odysseus he states, “But leave that bow right here—/ our crucial test that makes or breaks us all./ No easy game, I wager to string his polished bow./ Not a soul in the crowd can match Odysseus,” which reveals that not just anyone can string Odysseus’ bow and that this would show great strength (Fgales, 427). It is evident that strength is an important value in this society because being able to string his bow was a difficult task and not everyone would be able to complete this challenge. It is also apparent that they