Throughout the text, The Odyssey presents a dichotomy of early Greek values---Athenian traits as opposed to Poseidon qualities. Athena is associated with all things cunning, rational and well reasoned-in other words, she is the embodiment of the Greek word "metis," and a symbol of civilization. ... As the narrative continues on, certain places, characters, and events echo these attributes. ... Once Odysseus had escaped the island of Ogygia and found refuge in Phaeacia, Athena "lavish[es] a marvelous splendor making him taller, more massive to all eyes, so Phaeacians might regard...

• Word Count: 792
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Numerous themes in The Odyssey are conveyed through the character of Telemachus, however, Odysseus" son especially represents the cultural importance of hospitality. ... In the fourth book of Homer"s Odyssey, Telemachos and Athena, disguised as Mentor, visit Menelaos in Sparta to hoping to attain information about Odysseus as well as bring news of the suitors" aggressive and dishonorable actions in Ithaca. ... At the expense of all?... Among all cultural elements of ancient Greek society embodied in the Odyssey, extending generosity to visitors was the most renowned. ... Hospitality reveals ...

• Word Count: 1626
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Aeneid is not a mere plagiarism of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. ... This is evidenced in book VI of the Aeneid, which superficially seems like a complete imitation of book XI of the Odyssey. ... Anchises shows Aeneas the glorious future of Rome and its leaders all the way up to the reign of Augustus who is fated to bring about the height of the Roman Empire. ... Theonoe, the other strong female character in Helen, deceives her brother into thinking she knows nothing of Menelaus being alive and in Egypt. ... These rather unflattering portrayals of women are tempered, however, by contras...

• Word Count: 707
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The first known poems in the classical epic tradition were the two Homeric epics: The Iliad and The Odyssey. Although the authorship of The Iliad and The Odyssey are traditionally attributed to Homer, both poems were actually formed through the oral tradition (Beye 3). ... Even if Homer was the initial narrator of both epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey would have undergone many changes with each recitation (7). ... This is most apparent through the character Achilles in The Iliad. ... For example, in Book I, Canto I, Spenser describes the adventure that the Redcrosse Knight must embark on: Upo...

• Word Count: 1343
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate