Topic > Greek Values ​​and Themes Explored in the "Odyssey"

In Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, one Greek value explored is Kleos, otherwise known as glory. This value is not only explored in the Odyssey by the protagonist (Odysseus), but is also used to explore different themes through the protagonist reaching his own Kleos. Some examples of Kleos would be when Odysseus blinds the Kyklops, returns home after 20 years at sea and takes revenge on the suitors. Throughout these events, Odysseus' behavior also reveals themes from the epic such as intelligence, patience, and arrogance. In the middle of Odysseus' journey, Odysseus comes across a cave on a small island. Later he and his men learned that they would soon be the guests of a Kyklops named Polyphemus. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay After being patient, Odysseus and his men blind the Kyklops and escape. An example of Odysseus reaching Kleos is when he says, "Cyclops, if ever a mortal man asks you how you were shamed and blinded, tell him that Odysseus, city robber, took your eye: son of Laertes, whose home is to Ithaca!" Odysseus tells the Cyclopes that he was the one who blinded Polyphemus after he and his men fled. A theme shown through Odysseus' action is arrogance. Another example from Kleos is when Odysseus returns home to Ithaca disguised as an old beggar. A quote that best exemplifies this is when Athena says, “Now, for a little while, I will change you; no one will recognize you, the pale skin of your arms and legs withered, your brown hair gone, your body clad in sackcloth that a man would gag to see, and the two eyes, which were so bright, dirty, despicable, you will appear to your enemies, as to the wife and child you left behind. "After Odysseus returns to Ithaca, Athena disguises Odysseus as an old beggar so that he can have an even greater Kleos in seeing his wife and son again and defeating the suitors. A theme created in this scene is patience because Odysseus intends to wait for the right time to win back his wife and son. Finally, Odysseus achieves his Kleos by defeating the suitors in a game to test which man can bend Odysseus' bow. An example of this is when the author says, “And Odysseus does he took his time, turning the bow, tapping it, every inch, for holes the termites might have made while the weapon's master was abroad. Please note: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The suitors were now looking at him…so effortlessly Odysseus in one motion drew his bow. Then he slid his right hand along the string and plucked it, so the tense entrails, vibrating, buzzed and sang a swallow's note. Homer talks about how Odysseus effortlessly draws his bow and prepares to shoot the arrow. Odysseus creates intelligence as a theme because he creates a plan to take revenge on the suitors. In Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, Kleos is explored by Odysseus when he defeats the Cyclopes, returns home to Ithaca, and takes revenge on the suitors. This value explored by Ulysses also creates themes such as intelligence, patience and arrogance. As themes are created, the novel's audience has the opportunity to connect with the novel and apply the themes to real-life situations.