Family Life as it Exists in The Odyssey In the event that you 've ever been pining to go home, you would understand the yearning for family that Odysseus, Penelope and Telemachus faced in Homer 's " The Odyssey". This is a story that everybody can identify with, as the characters acknowledge the difficulties of managing the world, face to face, separately, yet joined as one in their family profoundly. No obstacles can demoralize them from their definitive objective of reuniting. No enticement can divert them. They are bound by blood and are completely mindful of the quality of that bond. This poem explores the basic issues of family life for it creates the boundaries of trust, solidifies lifetime loyalty and enforces the role of authority.
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Not a perfect place and not perfect people, as anyone can see, but good. To function effectively, Odysseus must trust in the world and those around him with well intentions. There are many pitfalls and temptations that can lead people to do the wrong thing, however, if love leads his trust it will also lead him to true family. When Odysseus observes Eumaeus: “But the swineherd was unwilling to sleep there away from his boars. He got himself ready for a night outside, and Odysseus was delighted to see his diligent concern for his absent master’s property.” (14.522-525) he is impressed by Eumaeus’s devotion to his craft – even though it is something as simple as caring for swine – because it shows a loyalty to the well-being of Odysseus’s household even during his absence. Odysseus, an untrusting man, ironically puts his trust in his servant to care for his family. Even with this, one might even consider Eumaeus family due to the love and devotion Eumaeus has for those he …show more content…
It is not the capacity of holding power but the capacity to hold a relationship. Additionally, that relationship requires mutual trust, loyalty and respect in order for any member to feel comfortable and important. Odysseus has the defining character traits of a Homeric leader: strength, courage, nobility, a thirst for glory, and confidence in his authority. He is admired by Eumaeus because of these attributes and continues to be Odysseus’ supporter off of the strength of that authority. Eumaeus states, “...it is for the lost Odysseus that my heart aches and yearns. Even in his absence I can hardly bring myself to mention his name. He cared for me and loved me dearly. But even though he is far away, I still call him my beloved master.” (14. 143-146) Eumaeus is so loyal to Odysseus that, despite the common notion that the man is dead, he still considers him his lord and master. The authority Odysseus possess is created through the love and care he exerted on Eumaeus not just overwhelming power for the sake of power.
Faith, the kind that can only be found when all hope should be lost, is what kept Odysseus, Penelope and Telemachos going. Odysseus never gave up hope. He never reasoned away desire or accepted false rewards. Penelope, too, stood fast in her resolve to wait for Odysseus’s return. Telemachos took action and went in search of his father, despite the many dangers he knew he would
Not a perfect place and not perfect people, as anyone can see, but good. To function effectively, Odysseus must trust in the world and those around him with well intentions. There are many pitfalls and temptations that can lead people to do the wrong thing, however, if love leads his trust it will also lead him to true family. When Odysseus observes Eumaeus: “But the swineherd was unwilling to sleep there away from his boars. He got himself ready for a night outside, and Odysseus was delighted to see his diligent concern for his absent master’s property.” (14.522-525) he is impressed by Eumaeus’s devotion to his craft – even though it is something as simple as caring for swine – because it shows a loyalty to the well-being of Odysseus’s household even during his absence. Odysseus, an untrusting man, ironically puts his trust in his servant to care for his family. Even with this, one might even consider Eumaeus family due to the love and devotion Eumaeus has for those he …show more content…
It is not the capacity of holding power but the capacity to hold a relationship. Additionally, that relationship requires mutual trust, loyalty and respect in order for any member to feel comfortable and important. Odysseus has the defining character traits of a Homeric leader: strength, courage, nobility, a thirst for glory, and confidence in his authority. He is admired by Eumaeus because of these attributes and continues to be Odysseus’ supporter off of the strength of that authority. Eumaeus states, “...it is for the lost Odysseus that my heart aches and yearns. Even in his absence I can hardly bring myself to mention his name. He cared for me and loved me dearly. But even though he is far away, I still call him my beloved master.” (14. 143-146) Eumaeus is so loyal to Odysseus that, despite the common notion that the man is dead, he still considers him his lord and master. The authority Odysseus possess is created through the love and care he exerted on Eumaeus not just overwhelming power for the sake of power.
Faith, the kind that can only be found when all hope should be lost, is what kept Odysseus, Penelope and Telemachos going. Odysseus never gave up hope. He never reasoned away desire or accepted false rewards. Penelope, too, stood fast in her resolve to wait for Odysseus’s return. Telemachos took action and went in search of his father, despite the many dangers he knew he would