Characters in The Odyssey Symbolizing Western Values

Introduction to Values and Characters in The Odyssey

Characters in The Odyssey by Homer have a strong influence not only on the Western literary canon but also on Western cultural values that the Western nations cherish. From the Anglo-Saxon period to the present modern period, Odyssey, his wife Penelope and their son Telemachus have been used to create epithets, similes, and metaphors that embody the Western values that the intellectuals intend to inculcate among their people. Therefore, most of the heroes of Western literature have been termed after these names. However, despite this, to evaluate or judge the characters of Odyssey on the canons of Western morality is not only unjustifiable but also very difficult on account of the wider gap of time and place. Also, there is a huge gap between that period in which some other values were cherished but according to the modern moral standards, those are not appreciable. It seems a dubious supposition to impose the modern canons on the classic mythical heroes but to prove that most of the Western values derived from those characters is not only easy but also correct. It is because, after all, it is Greek literature and philosophy that has laid the foundation of modern Western civilization.  Most of the Western values have been derived from the Greek and Roman civilization. Therefore, these three characters in The Odyssey embody the Western values that are still cherished in the world such as courage, leadership style, patience, mental ingenuity, faithfulness, and claim to a rightful position.

Odysseus and Other Characters in The Odyssey

As far as Odysseus is concerned, though he has been presented as a military hero in the Iliad, most of his qualities emerge in The Odyssey. Not only he is articulate, but also brave with innate leadership qualities. His intelligence and compassion have come to the forefront. His intelligence comes into play when he faces Calypso, Cyclopes, and other adventures in which he leads his men from the front.  His mental sharpness comes out as a leader when he faces that one-eyed monster. He says, “Cyclops, you asked about my famous name. / I’ll tell you” (Book VI  662), asserting his leadership role that nobody else is there to do. Not only he loves his wife but also leaves everything else to come home for her. This is the compassionate side of his characters that the Western culture has borrowed. He also is not less courageous, which has been shown in several other heroes in  Western literature. Terming him “brave, glory seeking, articulate and resourceful” Beardsley has stated in his book, The Ideal of “The Odyssey” that Odysseus could be called “conscience” which is the most modern concept of the Western values due to which the whole charter of human rights have been created (Beardsley). The modern concept of critical decision-making has also been borrowed from Odysseus and other characters in The Odyssey.

Penelope and Other Characters in The Odyssey

Whereas the case of his wife Penelope is concerned, she is the name of a faithful woman, who can do everything to preserve her chastity. Her strong determination to remain true to her husband wins the hearts of modern readers. At some moments, it appears that she is almost accepting the claims and hands of the suitors, but at the right moment, she again makes them wait for her. This concept of being a faithful wife still holds great importance in the Western world. She is not only herself faithful, but Odysseus also trusts her on account of which he says that “I myself know very well Penelope” (Book V 268). In their book, Culture and Values: A Survey of the Western Humanities, “Cunningham et. al. have termed her as “circumspect and discreet” because she holds back the aggressive suitors for such a long time that it wins her love of no less than a man, Odysseus (Cunningham et al 2014). However, her faithfulness lies in the fact that she does not utters any word to complain to Odysseus about how she suffers in his long absence. This shows the traits of all characters in The Odyssey.

Telemachus and Other Characters in The Odyssey

Telemachus is the son of Odysseus. He is quite young when his father leaves for Troy and does not return for the next twenty years. As he is not able to guard his mother, he plays his role as a son of the king of Ithaca and claims his rightful position when his father returns. He embodies the spirit of a son of a true hero who is to return someday and if not, he is ready to claim his rightful place. He shows leadership qualities from the very start – the reason that even Odysseus trusts his son at the end. He discloses his identity to Telemachus and not Eumaios who is quite loyal to him. When Telemachus considers him one of the gods, he clearly states, “Why you compare me to immortals? / But I am your father?” (Book XVI 235) which shows how much he trust his son who is trust worthy. Then he joins his father to cause the downfall of the vicious suitors who have been sitting in the lawn of their home. There are other characters who also embody great qualities such as Eumaios who is a faithful servant of Odysseus. He stays with his wife until he returns. However, these three characters in The Odyssey are considered embodiment of the values that the Western civilization still upholds.

In short, Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus, the main characters in The Odyssey,  have now become household names due to their qualities. Several pieces have been written on and around their characters. Several heroes have been created, imitating them and several adjectives have been created to appreciate or depreciate other characters. But the qualities that they displayed in this long epic are still considered bedrock of the Western values. Therefore, to say that they are symbols of the values that the West cherishes and feels proud to hold is not wrong, for almost all the Western values owe a great deal for their derivation from the Greek civilization. The characters created by the Greeks still are role models for great and immortal values.

Works Cited

1. Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Ian Johnston. Second. Arlington: Richer Resources Publications. 2010. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.
2. Beardsley, David A. The Ideal of “The Odyssey.” The Ideal in the West. 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2015
3. Cunningham, Lawrence & John Reich, Lois Fichner-Rathus. Culture and Values: A Survey of the Western Humanities. 8. Vol. 1. Cengage Learning, 2014. Print.

Relevant Questions about Characters in The Odyssey Symbolizing Western Values

1. How does Odysseus embody the value of cunning intelligence and heroism?
2. What role do the gods and goddesses play in the characters’ lives and their adherence to moral values in The Odyssey?
3. How do characters like Telemachus and Penelope exemplify the values of loyalty and perseverance in the face of adversity?