That is why epic poem Odyssey is so unique; Homer put women into roles that were previously unheard of for women to possess. The other thing is that the relevance and importance of storytelling in Odyssey needs to be correlated in the context of the time and place in which it was contrived. Attributed to the singular ancient Greek poet Homer, the Iliad and the Odyssey are considered to be, not only, the most important works of ancient Greek literature but the oldest extant works of Western literature. Even a poem written centuries ago can provide us with important information we can use today. The Odyssey also employs most of the literary and poetic devices associated with epics: catalogs, digressions, long speeches, journeys or quests, various trials or tests of the hero, similes, metaphors, and divine intervention. “The Odyssey” (Gr: “Odysseia”) is the second of the two epic poems attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer (the first being “The Iliad”), and usually considered the second extant work of Western literature.It was probably composed near the end of the 8th Century BCE and is, in part, a sequel to “The Iliad”. Xenia And Odyssey essay sample. The Odyssey Literary Elements. The Odyssey. Don't know how to write a literature essay on "The Odyssey"? I’ve taught English in a public high school in Los Angeles for over two decades. "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" are two of Homer's most enduring works and are considered to be epic poems. Even so, it can be tough to slog through, and a good foundation in Greek mythology will help the reader understand some of the nuances of plot. In conclusion, the importance of disguise in the Odyssey was not only that of practical purposes (to help Odysseus on his journey back home to Ithaca), it also psychologically impacted Odysseus for the better, which helped him complete his hero-cycle. ... are dated to the 8th century B.C. Evidence that Xenia was integral to Greek society can be found in the fact that Zeus, the king of the Gods, was also portrayed as the God of Xenia. It was a year later, ... regrettably, to be losing some of its position in recent times. The Iliad details a few weeks during the end of the Trojan War and the Odyssey describes Odysseus' ten-year journey home from the Trojan War. It … Why The Odyssey is the Perfect Book for High School English On the Surprising Relevance of the World's First Novel. Of course there are many other important literary devices that are key in anyone’s writing, like synecdoches and mytonymys, but many of these are specific examples of the above mentioned devices or are devices that you would use naturally (e.g. Why Does Homeric Literature Still Survive Today? Literary works are portrayals of the thinking patterns and social norms prevalent in society. According to Homer, Odysseus was king of Ithaca, son of Laertes and Anticleia (the daughter of Autolycus of Parnassus), and father, by his wife, Penelope, of … This example will help you. Narrator and Point of View. Homer is best known as the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey. Written by the great Roman poet Virgil and modeled on the Iliad and the Odyssey , the Aeneid tells the story of Aeneas, who was destined to escape from the burning city of Troy and found a new city, Rome. Ancient Literature: Literature has been around for millennia, and we know this because of ancient works of literature that still exist. Odysseus (with help of Athena) represents spiritual growth. Explain your views and support them with details from the poem. Buy Study Guide. But the Iliad and the Odyssey hold their foremost place as firmly as when Plato cited Homer nearly twenty-five hundred years ago, or when, at the turn of the last century, most college students read them in the Greek. Genre. Homer - Homer - The Odyssey: The Odyssey tends to be blander in expression and sometimes more diffuse in the progress of its action, but it presents an even more complex and harmonious structure than the Iliad. Those women were certainly valued in society, but they were not given important roles or any decision making power. The Odyssey occurred ancient Greece times. The Iliad and Odyssey are the beginnings of Western literature. Why is literature important? Essay on the Odyssey. Although few contemporary authors attempt to compose epics, the influence of the genre and of The Odyssey is a long series of wanderings or adventures, esp. While Odysseus battles mystical creatures and faces the wrath of the gods, his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus stave off suitors vying for Penelope's hand and Ithaca's throne long enough for Odysseus to return. The story of the Odyssey is a quintessential quest that relates to the passage through life and the importance of love, family and home. And it started me on the process of reading all serious literature more closely. Ancient Greece, in the wake of the Trojan War. Woman characters were valued but the only participated in affairs when they had the permission of men. The Odyssey . Literature; Literature Summaries; Fun Games; Home > Literature > Summary > The Odyssey > The Odyssey Important Characters. Home All categories Order Now. Homer's writing entitled "The Iliad" is said to be the oldest work of Western literature. The Iliad, the Odyssey, Hesiod’s Theogony and Works and Days, and the Homeric Hymns formed the foundation for all of ancient Greek literature and they were the basis for a large swathe of ancient Greek culture.Of these poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey were the most important and influential. The story of that war and its aftermath continues in the Aeneid , which our students read in the eighth grade. The primary importance for The Epic of Gilgamesh as a piece of world literature is its age. Unusual creatures The Odyssey Penelope and Odysseus symbolize the themes of loyalty/perseverance. Treacherous weather the Trojan War omniscient narrator spiritual growth with details from the poem a. Classic, and transmitting knowledge and entertainment oral literature, much of which has been around for millennia and. Know how to write a literature essay on `` the Iliad '' is said to the. Today could learn from how Homer lays out his plot and plays the characters off against each other maximum! 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