The Purpose Of Book 24 In Homer's Odyssey

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Why doesn’t the final book of Homer’s Odyssey receive the praise that it deserves? Critics believed that the epic ended right after the reconnection between Penelope and Odysseus, but how does that make sense? That would be like ending a superhero movie immediately after the villain is defeated. Sure the major conflict is resolved, but what becomes of everyone? A final falling action and resolution is necessary, and that is the purpose that book 24 serves in the Odyssey. Overall, this final book is key in completing the homecoming of Odysseus, and puts an end to the ceaseless conflict that has been faced since the beginning of the Iliad. First and foremost, this conclusion is necessary for Odysseus to complete his full homecoming. He has …show more content…

The two epics occur sequentially and have intertwined plots. Since the start of the Iliad there has been a ceaseless conflict. Our two main heroes, Achilles and Odysseus, have been fighting and experiencing death through the Trojan War, and trying to make their way home. Now, finally, there is a pause - a moment of peace. Achilles has earned his kleos through the Trojan War, and Odysseus has earned his nostos through his homecoming. This final book reinforces that idea and sums it all up together. At the end of the Iliad of course we knew that Achilles was to be immortalized through it, but we did not know his final fate. This is told to us more so and given closure when the Achilles and Agamemnon argue over one another’s death. Here also we learn about Achilles’ funeral, literally and figuratively closing the book on him as a hero. The story is summed up for Odysseus as well in this key book. He is now back to his prior social standing, has defeated the threats of the suitors, and no longer has to dress up like a beggar. Odysseus has seen his son, his wife, and now his father, arguably the three most important people to him, and has reclaimed his identity. The question of the angry families of the suitors is answered and ultimately all is well. For the first time in two epic poems, and more than a decade, there is not some huge

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