Homer As A Greek Poet

Aesop, Hesiod, Pindar, and Sappho were all great Greek poets that have work still alive today, but one author stands out above the rest. His name is Homer. Homer was a Greek poet that lived somewhere on the coast of Asia Minor into Greek territory. He grew up to become the most well known Greek poet ever. He is also one of the most influential writers in Western culture to have existed. Along with his writings being influential to others, these passages were shaped by his own experiences and learned knowledge. Homer’s epics and other writings were influenced by the traditions of storytelling, Greece’s history, and his religious beliefs. Homer’s epic writings were influenced through many experiences and sources throughout his career, and one

One example of this is the Greek definition of a hero. Hero’s in Greece, were traditionally people who showed their abilities as a warrior, physicality, courage, intelligence, self control, endurance, and honor (Homer 192). These qualities are encompassed by Homer’s characters Achilles and Odysseus. For example, Achilles is able to show his physicality, courage, abilities as a warrior, honor, and endurance as he quarrels with the Trojan Hector. Achilles courageously storms into the fight with Hector to honor his fallen comrade, and defeats him by using his endurance to chase him down and eventually use his physicality and warrior like aspects (Homer 207). Odysseus displays these ideals as he courageously trudges through the waters of the syrens. Odysseus knows the Syrens have voices of beauty that he cannot withstand so he intelligently fills his ears so he can no longer her and shows much self control as he moves through these treacherous waters for he is not tempted by their beauty either (Michalopoulos). This interprets how Homer incorporates a fundamental of Greek tradition into his writing. Another point that shows the Greek interference is in the inner meanings of the passages. In much of Homer’s works, one can witness instances of philosophy, oratory, generalship, and moral values. These are seen as Odysseus asks the gods for insight on what place he actually has in the world in the Odyssey. These ideas were widely studied by Greek philosophers alive in Homer’s time such as Socrates or Plato (Eustathios). One can look upon how Homer has been influenced by these philosophical ideas that were present in his time. Another way to witness the Greek influence of Homer is through the likeness of his epic hero, Odysseus and another Greek hero, Gilgamesh. Odysseus and Gilgamesh live almost entirely the same lives (Beye) This indefinitely portrays the idea that Odysseus and