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Analysis Of Homer 's ' The Odyssey '

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Odysseus’ Lessons in The Odyssey In every society, there are certain rules and customs that one is required to follow. During the age of the ancient Greeks, these rules and customs were very important, and were the key to being respected in society. Homer, a poet in those times, taught the guidelines of Ancient Greek society in his famous work, The Odyssey. The hero, King Odysseus, is on a journey to both return home to the island kingdom of Ithaca, and to complete his true hero’s quest. He makes multiple stops on his venture home, each one teaching him a valuable lesson on how to follow Greece’s cultural hegemony. He encounters betrayal through his own crew members, reminding him of the Filial relationships one must have to their superiors. Odysseus is also taught about the importance of Xenia, the courtesy a host and a guest must have for one another. He only becomes a traditional hero, however, after he learns the danger of too much Hubris, shown both through himself, and the Cyclops Polyphemus. Odysseus’ quest to become a traditional hero is meant to teach lessons on Greek social norms, such as the importance of keeping Filial relationships, the consequences of not following Xenia, and the downfall of having too much Hubris. Although The Odyssey was written to teach lessons on Greek social norms, there are examples that arguably go against the cultural hegemony. Penelope’s suitors, for example, do not respect the Filial requirements to the royal family. Shown when

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