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Homer's epic poem, "The Odyssey," is a timeless tale of adventure, perseverance, and the quest for home. It follows the journey of Odysseus, a valiant hero, as he embarks on a ten-year odyssey to return to his homeland, Ithaca, after the Trojan War. In this essay, we will explore the profound significance of home in the epic, not only for Odysseus but also for other characters and creatures within the narrative.
Odysseus' journey back to Ithaca is marked by numerous trials and tribulations.
His longing for home is palpable throughout the epic, as Ithaca represents not only a physical place but also a symbol of his ultimate goal. Home, for Odysseus, signifies the end of his arduous journey, the end of the battle-scarred hero's quest, and the potential culmination of his life's purpose.
As Schultz aptly notes, "In his 10-year trip from the battlefields of Troy to his home in Ithaca, Homer's Odysseus travels extensively across the sea, experiences diverse meteorological conditions, and visits numerous islands with diverse natural features and diverse human cultures" (Schultz 299).
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Odysseus endures a life-changing odyssey filled with adventures and challenges, all with the singular aim of reuniting with his homeland.
Oftentimes, Odysseus reflects on his yearning for Ithaca, as seen in his words, "Yet every day, while absent thus I roam, / I languish to return and die at home" (Book V, 1. 281-282). This poignant verse underscores Odysseus' desire for his life to conclude in the comforting embrace of his homeland, surrounded by loved ones.
While Ithaca represents the ultimate destination for Odysseus, it also carries a sense of finality that affects other characters in the epic.
Agamemnon, the hero of the Trojan War, returns home only to meet a tragic end. He is mercilessly murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus, illustrating how home can be a double-edged sword. As Homer poetically narrates, "Amidst a war of spears in foreign lands, / Yet bled at home, and bled by female hands" (Book XI, 1.478-479). Agamemnon's homecoming, while long-awaited, ultimately becomes his undoing.
For many characters in "The Odyssey," home serves as both a final goal and a point of reckoning. It represents the culmination of their struggles and desires. The concept of home is not limited to a physical location but encompasses the idea of finding ultimate peace and fulfillment after enduring trials and tribulations.
Odysseus' return to Ithaca is a complex and emotional journey. Upon his arrival, he must conceal his identity due to the presence of Penelope's suitors who have overtaken his home. In this disguise, only a loyal nurse and his aged dog, Argus, recognize him. Tragically, upon reuniting with his master, Argus succumbs to death. Homer poignantly describes the moment, "He [Argus] knew his lord; he knew and strove to meet.... ... Takes a last look, and having seen him [Odysseus], dies" (Book XVII, 1.360, 398). Argus' ultimate goal, though not explicitly stated, was likely to see his master one last time. Odysseus' return home fulfills this aspiration and brings closure to Argus, who had been waiting for this moment.
Furthermore, Odysseus' homecoming also renews his connection to the people and creatures of Ithaca. As Schultz notes, "Odysseus' homecoming not only brings him back to a specific natural place, but also to a sense of his particular relationship within this place and to all of its inhabitants" (Schultz 300). His compassion and sorrow upon witnessing the dire condition of Argus and the citizens of Ithaca demonstrate his humane side and the depth of his emotional attachment to his home.
When Odysseus first sets foot on Ithaca, he struggles to recognize the land that was once his kingdom. It has been so long since he left that the familiarity of his homeland has faded. As Homer writes, "Thus, when at last he reaches Ithaca, Odysseus initially identifies his homeland through Athena's description of its rich forests and farmland" (Schultz 308). Odysseus' initial disorientation highlights the transformation that home undergoes during his absence.
Before he can fully embrace his long-awaited homecoming, Odysseus must confront the usurping suitors and restore Ithaca to its former glory. He embarks on a mission to reclaim his homeland and undo the damage caused during his absence. His dedication to this endeavor demonstrates that home is not merely a static place but a dynamic concept that can change over time.
After successfully vanquishing the suitors, Odysseus faces the challenge of proving himself to Penelope to achieve a true sense of homecoming. He willingly undertakes this task, understanding that his journey is incomplete without her. In one of his visions, Odysseus sees himself coming home, recognizing his place in the land and among its inhabitants (Schultz 309). However, uncertainty lingers as he wonders if things can ever return to the way they were before his long absence.
While nostalgia for the past is evident, Odysseus' primary goal is not to recreate his former life but to reunite with his loved ones. As "The Odyssey" exemplifies, Ithaca symbolizes the end of the journey, the ultimate goal of the hero's mythic trek. It represents the fulfillment of his quest, even if it doesn't perfectly replicate the past (Major Symbols in The Odyssey). For Odysseus, the essence of home lies in finding his family, not in recreating an idealized past.
In this sense, Odysseus' homecoming is not about recovering his former life but about concluding another journey, another challenge. As Taoka asserts, "The Odyssey" is not a poem about being home but coming home (Taoka 256). Odysseus longs for the end of his journey as much as he longs for home, as both represent the completion of a profound odyssey.
Upon finally reaching Ithaca, Odysseus seeks solace and reprieve. He retires to his own bed, ready to rest after years of hardship and toil. As Homer beautifully portrays, "Sees with delight the sun's declining ray, When home with feeble knees he bends his way / To late repast (the day's hard labour done); / So to Ulysses welcome set the sun" (Book XIII, 1.41-44). His return home signifies the achievement of his long-sought peace and the conquering of the challenges posed by gods, creatures, and people.
Although "The Odyssey" raises questions about the ever-elusive nature of home and its fulfillment, Odysseus does attain his goal. As Nesbet observes, "Home is regained by the time the epic ends, but only after a profound bringing into question of the very meaning of 'home' as a place, as a destination, as a never perfectly fulfilled desire" (Nesbet 388). This highlights that while home may never be perfectly fulfilled, it can still be attained.
In Homer's "The Odyssey," home is a multi-faceted concept that represents both a journey's end and a new beginning. Odysseus' relentless pursuit of his homeland, Ithaca, reflects his deep yearning for a place of belonging and the culmination of his heroic quest. The epic also demonstrates that home is not static; it can transform and evolve over time.
Moreover, "The Odyssey" reveals the emotional attachments and connections individuals have to their homes, extending to both human and non-human inhabitants. Odysseus' return brings not only personal fulfillment but also the restoration of order to Ithaca, reinforcing the idea that home is a collective experience.
Ultimately, "The Odyssey" emphasizes that the significance of home lies not in its perfection but in the journey to reach it. Odysseus longs for home as he longs for the end of his journey, for both represent the completion of his odyssey. Home is not just a physical place; it is a symbol of achievement, reunion, and fulfillment.
The Significance of Home in Homer's "The Odyssey". (2021, Oct 08). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-significance-of-home-in-the-odyssey-by-homer-essay
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