Thoughts of the Myth Odysseus

After reading Odysseus as assigned for class I wanted to reflect on what I read. I briefly read Odysseus in high school but reading it again helped me clarify the general plot, motifs, and themes that were present in the method is this myth.

In regards to theme not just in this specific myth, but a general theme that I have discovered among many myths I have read for class, Include this idea of a hero.  We discussed the ideas of what it meant to be a hero and how we think of what it means to be a hero in modern times based on mythological heros.

Odysseus went missing for 10 years and due to the  longevity of his absence many believe that he had died. Odysseus being the King of Ithaca, a new king would be needed  to lead the kingdom.  Although many people wanted to take the role of being king of Ithaca it was tradition that the son of the dead King would now be crowned king.  I found that this desire for power is a common theme among Greek myth.  Even in modern times, holding power is something which people aspire to contain whether it's being president or being a captain of a sports team.  This everlasting desire for power is something which is so often found in Greek myth and has shaped modern era.

Also the theme of disguises tended to be prevalent not only in Odysseus, but in other mythological tales as well. Odysseus was put in disguise in order to protect himself. In another myth, like Persephone, Demeter disguises herself as an older woman also to protect herself. This notion of disguise is purposeful in order to look human and attract less attention than that of a God. Similar behaviors occur in modern times with movie stars, who cover their face to shield their identities.

Odysseus will be discussed in class today and I am eager to hear more about Odysseus as a person as well as common themes found in myth in the future.

Works Cited: Trzaskoma, Stephen, R. Scott Smith, Stephen Brunet, and Thomas G. Palaima. Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing, 2004.