themes in book 4 of the odyssey
We are told that 7. (Homer’s the Odyssey) Throughout all of his journeys and hardships Odysseus listened to the word of Athena. Menelaus and Helen both display cunning in guessing Telemachus's identity: tears and grief often serve to break through anonymity and disguise. He then left to chamber to blind himself. When being taken over by complete and total grief his mother, Anticlea decides on taking her own life. There is also bad Xenia exhibited through the Suitors and a servant. Though Athena assures Penelope of Telemachus's safety, she cannot say anything about Odysseus: perhaps there is a limit to the knowledge permitted to mortals, because certain kinds of knowledge interfere with fate. When blinded Polythemus called upon his father screaming they had blinded him. Helen displays her cunning both in guessing Telemachus's identity and in tricking the men into pleasant forgetfulness. Telemachus does not give Menelaus a clear answer because the problem is both public and private: the honor of the realm and Telemachus's honor are both at stake. (The Oedipus Rex Cycle- Oedipus Rex, antithesis) When Oedipus first arrives to Thebes and comes across the Sphinx that was placed there by Apollo. The gods respect tactics of this kind – Zeus himself often took other shapes for various reasons. And that's it for Odysseus' story to the Phaiakians. Although he wanted to go home to Ithaca many obstacles faced him. He let the two make his city of Colonus their home.. (Homer’s the Odyssey, antithesis) Since Odysseus had been away from his home for twenty years suitors began to want his wife Penelope’s hand in marriage. Xenia is a strong theme that runs through the Odyssey as a whole. Throughout his travels, Odysseus' central emotion is loneliness. Penelope scolds them and allows Odysseus to stay. LitCharts Teacher Editions. 4. The reader learns about the characters through the themes. Teachers and parents! Odysseus left the Trojan War with the mindset and hopes of returning home. While being disguised he goes to his own Swineherd, Eumaeus. He knew of her death sentence and refused to let it happen, but Creon did otherwise. Menelaus grieves especially for Odysseus, because it is particularly unjust that such a clever and hardworking man should suffer such a harsh punishment from the gods. 4. He fought against the Cyclops, survived against Poseidon’s wrath, left the Island of Calypso, and many other dangers just to come home. There he was accepted and taken care of by the princess Nusicaa. Within the cave they see a roasting sheep. eNotes critical analyses help you gain a deeper understanding of The Odyssey so you can excel on your essay or test. Out of pure frustration he turned the sword onto himself and killed himself. Though Menelaus must feel powerful to have defeated a god, he also learns to show piety and respect toward the gods. These texts use these rhetorical devices to prove that a soldier’s struggle does not stop when he leaves the battlefield. They arrived to his home and disrespected those who worked for Odysseus and his home. Hospitality. 3. In this way, he chooses piety over glory. Not knowing who he is Eumaeus still allows the stranger (Odysseus) to stay with him. When they reach Polythemus’ home he does not welcome them in, but tells them to go away. A 20-question multiple choice test on the characters in books 1-10 of the Odyssey. She hung herself in the cave in which she was left to die in. Theme 1: Love for your family (or home) 1. The document Hospitality Quotes - The Odyssey Novels Notes | EduRev is a part of the Novels Course The Odyssey by Homer- Summary, Themes & Characters.