Images and Symbolism in The Odyssey Essay - 767 Words

The Sea Odysseus spends so much time sailing home that the sea really takes up a good chunk of his life. This is fitting, since the sea and its perils work much the same way the Odyssey argues that life does, it is full of suffering, but it can’t be avoided. The sea can send blessings like sea breezes to blow him home or obstacles like storms, Skylla and Charybdis, and treacherous islands. Because the sea is ruled by Poseidon, it is also a manifestation of the superiority of the gods and nature over man. Laertes’s Shroud The shroud is a symbol of female deception. Because she is a woman, Penelope doesn’t have much power to resist the suitors (as seen repeatedly by her son’s commands to go back upstairs to the bedroom, since everything†¦show more content†¦Of course, that he stops upon request reminds us that he maintains deference to Odysseus’s will. Argos Odysseus’s pet dog is a symbol of unconditional loyalty. Though Argos was a puppy when he last saw Odysseus, many years later he still loves him and shows his affection for his master by wagging his tail and trying to move nearer Odysseus when he hears his voice. Though he is ignored and often mistreated by the hands that once fed him, Argos still hangs around the palace hall, waiting only for his master’s return. After seeing him at last, Argos dies happy. Disguises and Dreams In the Odyssey, disguises are usually a sign of divine intervention, manipulation, and sanction. The gods have no qualms deceiving mortals and helping their favorites deceive others. They often use disguises themselves, reminding us that the gods, too, can be devious. Dreams as well are the direct result of divine power, but tend to be more straightforward and often comfort the sleeping mortal. Food and Banqueting In a culture that holds hospitality as an all-important test of character, feasting and festivities are a measure of hospitality and human civility. Often, defects in the banquet signal some fundamental flaw in the host. For example, Polyphemos feasts on human flesh, which makes him, well, an inhuman monster. Circe seemsShow MoreRelated Essay on Symbolism, Imagery and Diction in Homer’s Odyssey878 Words   |  4 Pages Symbolism, Imagery and Diction in Homer’s Odyssey nbsp; During the course of history, the world has seen many fine works of literature like Homer’s epic, Odyssey. This book is a standard against which to compare all literary novels. The symbolism permeates the pages drawing the reader into the intriguing plot that includes twists within the central theme. Also, the author intelligently uses imagery and diction painting dramatic images in the readers mind - building upon major the themesRead MoreOdyssey Death and Rebirth in the Odyssey1402 Words   |  6 PagesThe Odyssey, by Homer, is a classical piece of Greek literature. 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