Why Is Homer's Odyssey Required For Reading?

If I were asked about what literary work every freshman at OSU should be reading, I could suggest that every first-year student should study the Odyssey written by Homer almost three thousand years ago. It is in fact a work of high artistic merit, which rises such important topics for discussion as faithfulness to family and devotion to homeland, and therefore is required for reading.
Homer’s Odyssey is everlasting and required for reading not because of its beautifully stated style but because of the eternal truths brought up by the Greek poet, who is considered to be the first epic poet. His contribution to the cultural development throughout several thousands of years cannot be overestimated. It shows that it is no matter how warm and reach are far-away lands, the heart and soul are always homesick: …show more content…
Odysseus was beside himself with worry and continued to offer up his prayers: “Father Zeus, if you really willed it so – to bring me home over land and sea-lanes, home to native ground after all the pain you brought me – show me a sign…!” (Homer). The subject of relationship between a son and a father is also developed in the poem. The call of blood, his son, who needs the father, helps Odysseus to pave his way home. The poem highlights the importance of being a fond parent and faithful husband as well as the one, who honors mother and father. Odysseus demonstrates his devotion to his father in the following lines: “Odysseus’ heart shuddered, a sudden twinge went shooting up through his nostrils, watching his dear father struggle… He sprang toward him, kissed him, hugged him,