Ithaca by C.P. Cavafy
Everyone is given the opportunity to take the odyssey
that is "life, however it is important to make the journey as
memorable as one possibly can. The poem "Ithaca" by C.P. Cavafy
suggests that what is most important in life is the experience that is
incorporated with the journey, not necessarily just reaching the
ultimate goal. It is the quest, not the destination which matters
most. This message is conveyed through the poem through the use of
allusion, myth and symbolism.
The poem, "Ithaca", is based loosely around the great epic
the Odyssey by ancient Greek poet Homer. In the Odyssey the character
Odysseus trying to make his way home to his kingdom, Ithaca. The
character faces many vicious creatures and other challenges he must
endure in order to make it to the final goal. This is alluded to in
the poem, by making reference to one of the characters starting out on
"[his] journey to Ithaca" (line 1). C.P. Cavafy also refers to
mythological creatures such as "the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon"
(line 5), as well as "the Lestrygonians" (li...
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