Main Themes In Homer's The Odyssey

The Main Themes of the Odyssey A theme is defined as a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly. It usually is an important notion that the author wants the reader to learn from their literary work. The main characters either possess these characteristics, which leads the reader to want what that character contains, or the character lacks the characteristic, which leads to their downfall. Theme is significant in Homer’s The Odyssey because the lessons change the outcome of each character. Three important themes are hospitality, humility and loyalty.

Hospitality is the most important theme of The Odyssey and it influences Odysseus’ opinion of every person he meets on his journey. Every time Odysseus comes to a new island, the narrator comments on the hospitality of the characters and to what extent are they hospitable. Zeus is seen as the acme of generosity and the example that everyone should strive for. He watches over the hospitable and punishes those who are selfish. When Odysseus arrives on the Phaecian kingdom, he is bathed in oil, given luxurious clothes,

Penelope remained faithful to her husband for twenty years even though suitors surround her. She lies to the men and weaves and unweaves a cloth for years merely so she will not have to marry one of her suitors. Odysseus’ childhood nurse, Euryclia, continues to be devoted to him and Penelope even though her master is gone. Telemachus, Eumaeus, and Philoetius are loyal to Odysseus and when he returns, they fight with him to kills the suitors. Because of their fidelity, their lives are spared and they continue to be friends. The suitors and some of the maids are fickle, which brings upon their downfall when they are all killed by those loyal to Odysseus. Loyalty impacts every character of The Odyssey and it is a book-wide