The Odyssey: Themes

Loyalty and Fidelity

The virtues of loyalty and fidelity are important themes in the Odyssey. The most striking example of loyalty is Penelope, who faithfully waits for twenty years for her husband to return. During this time, multiple suitors try to woo her, but she remains loyal to Odysseus. Other characters that symbolise loyalty include Eurycleia, the old nurse; Eumaeus, the swineherd; and Philoetius, the cowherd. In contrast, characters such as Melanthius, the goatherd and Melantho, a maidservant, betray the king and are disrespectful toward him. In the end, however, only those who remain loyal to the king are rewarded. Odysseus, too, remains loyal to his wife and his people. Neither the offer of immortality nor the love of a beautiful goddess can deter Odysseus from his path. In the epic, disloyalty is always punished and loyalty is rewarded.

Temptation

Temptation is another important theme in the epic. Odysseus’ journey back home is filled with temptations. He succumbs to some temptations and overcomes many others, but both these experiences are integral to his transformation. Odysseus succumbs to the temptations posed by Circe and Calypso, but his fidelity ultimately triumphs. Not just Odysseus, his men, too, are faced with temptations. Penelope, too, has to overcome enticements to take a new husband while Odysseus is away.

Overcoming temptation is an important aspect of any hero’s journey back home. The lures are meant to help the hero grow, become humble, and demonstrate his loyalty.

Hospitality

Hospitality was an important virtue in Homer’s world, and it is a major theme in the Odyssey. The strangers in need of help could either be dangerous or harmless, but residents were expected to be prepared for trouble. Often, these strangers were wayfarers in need of help. All residents, or their kin, could at some point be wayfarers, a realization that impels the residents to help strangers in need. As such, people were invested in helping those who traveled.

Furthermore, communication channels were not well developed in ancient Greece. It was through visitors that the Homeric Greeks learned about and kept abreast of what was happening in the world.

Hospitality, or the lack of it, affects Odysseus throughout the epic. Odysseus’ own home has been taken over by suitors, who take advantage of Ithaca’s tradition of hospitality. Throughout his journey Odysseus receives help from others, such as Aeolus and the Phaeacians. On the other hand, the Sirens and Cyclops (Polyphemus) make no attempt at hospitality.