Compare And Contrast The Odyssey And Argos

Journal Book 17 : Argos

Compare and Contrast: In the epic novel, The Odyssey, by homer, Odysseus is trying to return back home after 20 years of being away. When he first left, he had a dog named Argos. It was told that if you were around when Odysseus was still home, “‘you would be much surprised to see his speed and strength’”(Homer 215). When Odysseus is disguised as a beggar, and he comes to his palace after a long time, he meets a dog lying there, “Argos it was, the dog of hardy Odysseus, whom long ago, he reared but never used… but towards his master he had not strength to move” (Homer 215). After Odysseus left 20 years ago, Argos had been tossed to the side and not taken into account any longer. He noticed his master even though Odysseus

For one, Argos only spent a short time with Odysseus, and he still waited for 20 years for him to come back to finally die. That was the love that the dog had for him. I think that Argos also symbolised his wife and son. The whole, family, including Argos waiting for Odysseus to come home. I also believe that Argos symbolises Odysseus. Argos was at him top and prime when Odysseus left (Homer 215). After 20 years, the dog 's health deteriorated. With that, Odysseus’ help also decreased because he was put through so much. At this point, I think that Odysseus was more humble that he was before, and that is the same with the dog, as he doesn’t even have enough strength to

After he reaches back to Ithaca, he disguises as a beggar with the help of Athene, and tries to get revenge on the suitors. Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, announces that the first person to string and shoot the bow of Odysseus through 12 axe heads will become her wife. All the suitors try and fail, then Odysseus comes up, “so without effort did Odysseus string the mighty bow… Then laying the arrow on the arch, he drew the string and the arrow notches… with careful aim, and did not miss an ae’s ring from first to last, but clean through all sped” (Homer 270). This is when Odysseus shows who he really is, by showing the true power that only the real Odysseus would have. This surprises the suitors, and puts them into shock. He then “aimed the pointed arrow at Antinous...But Odysseus aimed an arrow and hit him in the throat; right through his tender neck the sharp point passed” (Homer 271). Antinous was one of the leaders of the suitors and killing him right in front of the others showed an act of power. In Edith Hamilton 's Mythology, Odysseus says, “‘At last, at last,’ he cried in a great voice and he shot an arrow. It found its mark; one of the suitors fell dying to the floor” (Hamilton 305). Here, it only says that one of the suitors falls and dies, while in The Odyssey, Antinous does. When Antinous dies, who is the