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The Odyssey Research Paper 9-27-18 HSTR 101 Section 1 Robin Hardy

2 The Odyssey written by Homer is an epic poem of adventure and bravery where the main character Odysseus battles evil at every turn and only hopes to make it back to his family after twenty long years. Odysseus travels across the sea jumping through many hoops along the way and going on the adventures of a lifetime. While traveling through the seas, Odysseus also takes part in the Trojan War that lasted over ten years in order to win his homeland back. In this paper I intend to answer five questions; the importance of Greek Gods and Goddesses, masculinity and warfare, personality traits and cultural values of Odysseus, the roles of slaves and women in ancient Greek culture, as well as the ways of life. Greek Gods were a basic outline of the Greek culture. The Greek Pantheon of Gods were what made the Greeks who they were and where their cultural values came from.1 Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus looks to many Gods for help and often, the Gods help him. A good example of this would be in book five of The Odyssey when Odysseus is finally able to leave Calypso’s island and Poseidon is unaware. Since the decision was made in Poseidon’s absence, he conjures up a sea storm that takes out Odysseus’s ship, almost leaving him stranded in the ocean where he can just see the land of Scheria. Just when Odysseus needs the God’s help the most, Athena and Ino pull through and help guide Odysseus to a river that allows him safe passage to land.2 Another good example of help from the Goddess Athena coming to Odysseus’s aid would be in book eight when Alcinous calls a meeting with his counselors. Athena comes to Scheria in order to help to make people attend the meeting by saying there will be a godlike visitor there. While in the meeting, Alcinous asks to be able to give Odysseus a ship in order to return to his homeland, the proposal is approved by the attendees and Alcinous throws a celebration feast as well as games for his guest of honor.3 1

Robin Hardy, “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture) Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, September 13, 2018. 3 Homer, The Odyssey (Penguin, 2006), pg. 162-164, (lines 246-430). 4 Ibid., pg. 191-193, (lines 1-53).

3 The next topic I plan to discuss is warfare and masculinity in ancient Greece. One example of warfare from Homer’s The Odyssey, was the stories of Trojan War. The Trojan War had supposedly ended ten years before The Odyssey was written and if it did actually happen, is said to have occurred sometime between 1250-1180 B.C.4 and would have coincided with the fall of the Mycenae.5 In book one of The Odyssey, before Odysseus is away on his ten year journey, the story is told where he is said to have helped lead the fall of Troy. Odysseus does this by tricking the Trojans into bringing a giant wooden horse hiding soldiers into the walls of the city, making this a tremendous feat for the Greeks.6 An example of masculinity during the times of the ancient Greeks would be just throughout their culture and their way of life. Throughout The Odyssey on many occasions Homer explains ways men are held to a higher standard than women are. A good example of this is at the beginning of the book in book one when Telemachus tells Penelope to go back to her quarters and find something to do and to make sure the other women are doing the same and when he gives her orders it will show the other men that he holds the power in the house.7 Another good example of masculinity and power is in book four of the Odyssey when king Menelaus and his wife are telling the great story over the course of a couple days of Odysseus and the Fall of Troy, they show Odysseus as a great hero and put two and two together and 4

Robin Hardy, “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture) Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, September 13, 2018. 5 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture). 6 Homer, The Odyssey (Penguin, 2006), pg. 77, (lines 1-3). 7 Ibid., pg. 89, (lines 409-413). 8 Ibid., pg. 129 (lines 155-480).

4 realize that Telemachus has the same looks that Odysseus did. Menelaus also recounts his own return from Troy, saying that he captured Proteus who told him home to get back to Sparta as well as the fates of Ajax and Agamemnon who survived the war only to be sent back to Greece.8 Homer gives Odysseus many different personality traits and cultural values throughout The Odyssey in order to make him the hero figure that he is. Just some traits that Odysseus has are strength, wisdom, cunning, and agility. Odysseus shows all of these traits in one way or another throughout the book, but in particular in another run in with Athena he shows that in book thirteen of The Odyssey when he finds himself speaking to Athena who is at first there in a disguise. She questions him and of course Odysseus makes up a story in order to disguise himself and the way that he got to the island.9 Athena recognizes this as cunning and appreciates it, as she is cunning and full of wisdom too. She says that Odysseus is by far the best at spinning yarns, but she is known among the Gods as cunning with wisdom as well.10 Another great example of one of his traits is after Odysseus finally makes it home, Penelope doesn’t believe it could actually be him so she puts her suitors to the test with Odysseus and makes them string a bow that only Odysseus would be able to string due to his immense strength. When she presents the bow she states how the bow belonged to the great King Odysseus11 and that whoever can string the bow and win the competition she 9

Ibid., pgs. 294-295. (lines 290-324). Ibid., pg. 296, (lines 335-339). 11 Ibid., pg. 426, (line 84). 12 Ibid., pg. 426, (line 85-92). 13 Ibid., pg. 431, (246-255). 14 Ibid., pg. 435-438, (lines 400-485). 10

5 sets forth, wins her hand in marriage.12 All of her suitors begin compete in her competition, while Odysseus steps out with his loyal swineherd and cowherd, he shows them a scar from a great boar to prove that it is in fact him.

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Odysseus comes back into his house and waits for his turn to use his

bow, his son Telemachus comes in a close second place, but no one can string the bow like Odysseus can, he hits each axe handle perfectly with his arrows and proves to his son that he in fact has returned home.14

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Ibid., pgs. 294-295. (lines 290-324). Ibid., pg. 296, (lines 335-339). 11 Ibid., pg. 426, (line 84). 12 Ibid., pg. 426, (line 85-92). 13 Ibid., pg. 431, (246-255). 14 Ibid., pg. 435-438, (lines 400-485). 10

6 Slaves and women play an interesting role in Homer’s The Odyssey because the way women and slaves are portrayed is very true to their time period. Throughout Odysseus’s twenty-year journey he has relations with not only one but two women, Circe and Calypso. If Penelope were to have these relationships with other men while Odysseus was away, unware if he was going to come back, it would’ve most likely been unforgiveable. Penelope stayed extremely loyal to Odysseus while he was gone, one example being in book two its described how Penelope stated that she would marry after she had finished her burial shroud in tribute to her father, but instead of ever finishing the shroud, she unravels it every night so she will never have to remarry.15 Throughout The Odyssey there are a few slaves that are come up multiple times, Eumaeus and Melanthius. Although slaves in Greek society typically weren’t treated well,16 Eumaeus is trusted by Odysseus as well as his son Telemachus and this is shown in book sixteen after Athena told Telemachus to go to Eumaeus’s house and ask him to have the suitors leave Odysseus’s home for his return.17 Finally, throughout The Odyssey, Homer explains the ways of ancient Greece throughout many scenarios, whether it be what the Greeks ate, to how they viewed women, or how they spoke to each other. Prime examples of these in the books are when King Menelaus throws a feast 18, or when 14

Ibid., pg. 96, (lines 90-113). Robin Hardy, “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture) Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, September 13, 2018. 16 Homer, The Odyssey (Penguin, 2006), pg. 338, (lines 1-39). 17 Ibid., pg. 129 (lines 155-480). 18 Ibid., pg. 96, (lines 90-113). 19 Robin Hardy, “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture) Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, September 13, 2018.

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7 Homer describes Penelope’s undying loyalty through her weaving.19 Everything Homer writes gives you a slight peek into the way of life of the ancient Greeks and how these people used to live. Historians also still use Homer’s epics as a historical reference to this day.20 Homer’s work also touches on the story of the Trojan War which is an important aspect for us now because Historian’s have not yet found proof of the Trojan War actually occurring.21 What historians do know is that if the Trojan War did occur, it happened around the same time as the fall of the Mycenae which was around 1250-1180 B.C.22 The Odyssey also gives us insight into the rights that women and slaves had which is also important for Historians to know so we can know as a civilization how far back slavery has gone. Through reading The Odyssey you can see that women, children, and slaves have little to no rights and are unable to do many things in society, especially not things that a white male could do.23 All in all, throughout the epic book that is The Odyssey, there are many life lessons and important characteristics, as well as morals, that are to be learned.24 The Odyssey portrays the importance of bravery, honor, courage, self-control, sacrifice, love, community, and hope.25 All of these ideals are still important even in today’s age yet still gives you an inside look into how the ancient Greeks way of life and morals were portrayed in their everyday society and amazing stories. Homer also gives you a peak into the Greek Pantheon of Gods and Goddesses and how much the Greeks believed and put all of their faith into them. Throughout this paper I have shown and explained through evidence the importance of Greek Gods and Goddesses, masculinity and warfare, personality traits and cultural values of 21 Robin Hardy, “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture) Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, September 13, 2018. 22 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture). 23 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture). 24 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture). 25 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture).

8 Odysseus, the roles of slaves and women in the ancient Greek culture, as well as the ways of life. With each topic I also provided examples of situations that Homer described through stories in his epic poems that cross over many different books. Homer’s books even today have become a part of Greek history and truly give you a peak into their way of life.

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Robin Hardy, “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture) Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, September 13, 2018. 22 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture). 23 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture). 24 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture). 25 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture).

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Robin Hardy, “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture) Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, September 13, 2018. 22 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture). 23 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture). 24 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture). 25 Ibid., “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture).

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Ibid., pg. 96, (lines 90-113). Robin Hardy, “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture) Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, September 13, 2018. 16 Homer, The Odyssey (Penguin, 2006), pg. 338, (lines 1-39). 17 Ibid., pg. 129 (lines 155-480). 18 Ibid., pg. 96, (lines 90-113). 19 Robin Hardy, “Homeric Greece and Warfare” (lecture) Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, September 13, 2018.

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