Embarking on a Journey

Storytelling is an art that is found in literature of all different types. There are only a few renowned books that have exceptional storytelling, which is what keeps them being studied generation after generation. The Odyssey by Homer and Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes are two of the few books that have this outstanding art integrated. To assist telling the story of both novels, Homer and Cervantes make the main characters of their work set off on a journey. Throughout their journeys, the reader learns a lot about the characters essence due to their encounters. The journeys that the characters experience demonstrate the art of storytelling of the respective authors. Assistants, women and goals are a few issues the characters have to combat along their voyage.

Authors purposely send their characters on a journey in order to assign them a assistant. From the beginning of The Odyssey until the end, Homer makes it seem that the goddess Athena is an exclusive and special assistant for Odysseus. Homer displays Athena’s assistance towards Odysseus, whether it is by disguising him or consulting other gods on his behalf, all of her actions are for his ultimate benefit. For example, in book six, Athena disguises Odysseus by making him appear more handsome in order that Nausicaa should be attracted to him. As a result, Odysseus receives an invitation to palace, which ultimately helps him make his way back home. By Homer introducing the authority of Athena, it makes it appear that Odysseus is already at an advantage over anyone that stands in his way. Athena gives Odysseus the extra ability to succeed in challenging situations, which helps Odysseus be the hero that he is. Without Homer incorporating the goddess Athena, it is tough to...

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...authors needed to reveal in order to tell their story. Homer and Cervantes both had to send their respective characters on a journey in order to demonstrate whether or not their characters would achieve their objectives.

Assistants, women and goals are three matters that were surfaced throughout the characters journeys in order to teach us about them. If it were not for sending Odysseus and Don Quixote on journeys, they would have not come across these concerns, which were a major part of the story telling. The parallel art of storytelling that is found in both The Odyssey and Don Quixote are appreciated much more when the works are studied. Homer and Cervantes have created two remarkable novels that are studied in schools throughout the nation. The sophisticated art of storytelling revealed Homer and Cervantes is appreciated by all who come across their works.