The Odysseus: The Theme of Love
There are many essential emotions that form the building blocks of our
lives. These emotions help to shape the people that we are. These feelings
are emotional necessities to ultimately keep us happy. Nothing makes these
feelings more evident than the Odyssey by Homer. Through out the course of
this book there is one major emotional theme which is love.
Often times in life we search for a companion, someone to share our love
and life with. Odysseus and Penelope's lasting relationship is an obvious
representation of love in the Odyssey. Although Odysseus is gone for twenty
years he never forgets his faithful wife in Ithaca. This love almost seems
to help him persevere through the many hardships that he encounters on his
journey home. On the other hand, Penelope also exemplifies this same kind
of love for Odysseus. At home in Ithaca, she stays loyal to Odysseus by
unraveling his shroud and delaying her marriage to the suitors that are
courting her.
ODYSSEUS karnavires 51
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ODYSSEUS karnavires 68She always keeps the hope that her love, Odysseus, will
return. Odysseus and Penelope's marriage clearly illustrates the theme of
love. There are also many other bonds formed in life that show great love
and guidance. One of the most emphasized in the Odyssey is the father -
son relationship. These relationships clearly support the issue of love in
the Odyssey.
The father - son relationship between Odysseus and Telemachos is a little
awkward because they both never really got to know each other but they
still care for each other's well being. When Odysseus hears of all the
suitors devouring Telemachos's future fortune and mistreating him, he wants
to return and revenge the misuse of his family and property. Odysseus,
like any parent, also misses his only...