The relevance of The Odyssey in Modern Times

The Odyssey is one of the most ancient literature dating back to 800 BC. It is an epic
poem written by Homer. He tells us an adventurous story about Odysseus, who struggles to get
back to his Ithaca home after fighting in the Trojan war for ten years. Odysseus is depicted as a
hero, popular for his cunning and intellectual personality in ancient Greece. He engineered the
strategy that helped conquer the city of Troy. Despite his heroic act, he is faced with very many
challenges as he goes back home, a journey that takes him ten years. However, amidst all the
challenges, Odysseus reunites with his family. The Odyssey is entertaining, impactful through its
different themes, and relevant in modern times.
The poem could just seem like an interesting adventure story but has several themes. The
poem’s main idea is a life journey full of obstacles. It shows the many obstacles Odysseus had to
conquer before he could get home. Together with his companions, they had to face the wrath of
the gods and face many mysterious creatures. The author aims at motivating us to keep pushing
through life’s difficulties.
The theme of loyalty is well displayed in the poem. Odysseus’ loyalty to his friend
Menelaus, led him to accompany him to rescue Hellen. His loyalty forms the basis of this story.
Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, is being coerced to choose a husband from the many suitors.
However, she believes that her husband is still alive. She seems as sly as her husband because
she delays the process of choosing a suitor by pretending to knit a shawl for her purported

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mother in law during the day and unwinding it in the night. For ten years, she was loyal to him
even without an assurance that he was alive. Eurycleia and Eumaeus were some of the loyal
friends who helped the hero reclaim his family and belongings at the end of the poem. Loyalty is
a virtue upheld even in the contemporary world today.
The poem is of historical significance because it tells a tale of preservation. All through
the years, people have relentlessly made copies of the work because it is a source of reference. It
has massively impacted literature. Many authors from the past, as well as in recent history, have
drawn their inspiration from it. Most recently, the writer of the prison break series is said to have
drawn his motivation from Homer. He incorporates Homer’s idea of Odysseus being held captive
into his film and even uses some of the names in the poem in the film. Some books use the poem
as a point of reference hence making it very relevant in the world of literature.
When Odysseus was returning home, he expected to be treated like the hero he was and
be honored with gifts. However, he was attacked, and this taught him to be wary of how he
perceived people. He learned to observe the ways of the people before showing his real identity.
He also disguises himself as a beggar when he gets home so that he can observe and know who
his true allies are. Homer felt the need for the Greek people to understand the world around them
in order to survive. In a world of diverse cultures and beliefs, this act of disguise teaches us not
to stereotype people’s thoughts and attitudes.
Through this ancient literature, we learn to respect higher authority and the laws they
impose on us. It is clearly described when Odysseus is forced to obey a god for him to survive a
storm. He might have been intellect, but he realized that fighting or disrespecting a supreme
power would only cause more harm than good. It is also portrayed when Odysseus is told to
stand down by the goddess of war. The art of surrendering to a higher power can be applied in

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the current world by obeying the laws put in place by our governments and respecting those in
leadership positions.
When Odysseus went to the underworld, he saw his comrades and his mother, who had
died from grieving his presumably dead son. His attempt to suppress the painful glimpse of his
mother is noticeable in “he would not let her ghost” (Homer 11). The author goes ahead to
describe the “world of pain” that awaits Odysseus back home. Grief is evident in the fact that
Odysseus stayed with a dog in the underworld. Grief is not a strange occurrence, even in today’s
world. People still grieve over the loss of their loved ones. However, this poem teaches us that
there is an end to grief, and life must go on despite the losses we suffer.
Overall, Homer’s Odyssey is relevant literature today because it bears a lot of moral
lessons. It teaches us to respect life and the mortality of human beings. It also teaches us how to
live our lives. It also acts as a source of motivation for literature lovers due to its thrilling
suspense and an irresistible plot.

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Work Cited
Homer, Homer. The Odyssey. Xist Publishing, 2015.