Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The sea itself is a recurring symbol throughout the epic. It is, in effect, the sea of life. It represents a
great man's journey through life with all its victories and heartbreaks.
Because Odysseus is far from Ithaca and the only way home is by way of the sea, he shows lack of
judgment when he incurs the wrath of the sea god, Poseidon, by blinding the god's son Polyphemus. The
sea god answers the Cyclops' prayer by making Odysseus' struggle long and hard, assuring that he
returns home alone and finds formidable problems in his household. Part of the appeal of The Odyssey is
this universal journey that we all undertake, in ways great or small.
Ithaca
The island of Ithaca symbolizes home. There Odysseus can share his life with his beloved wife and son,
enjoy the wealth that he has earned, eat the food of his youth, and even sleep in the bed that he built.
Ithaca symbolizes the end of the journey, the goal of the mythic trek. Nevertheless, it is not gained
without a fight.
Odysseus must initially enter his own home in disguise. This is necessary because his home has been
invaded by the enemy: the suitors. Being the military leader that he is, Odysseus first gathers pertinent
information. He then plans the time and place of his attack, doing what he can to limit the enemy's
weapons while procuring his own. His son and two loyal herdsmen stand by him, and Athena intervenes
only enough to encourage victory so long as Odysseus fights well. The reward is that Odysseus resumes
his proper position as king of his homeland, Ithaca.