Odysseus: Spartan or Athenian?

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Recommended: Critical analysis of the odyssey

Sparta and Athens: Two of the most prominent city-states in the Greek empire and home to two of the most different view upon life. Homer writes a brilliant tale about the soldiers of war returning home from war to these city-states, but centers around a single hero, Odysseus. Odysseus has fought valiantly through the Trojan War, but while he is returning home, countless challenges change his course and delay him for years and years. Odysseus shows many different traits while facing these challenges, leading us to believe that he is actually from one of the prominent city-states. The only question remains is whether he is from Sparta or from Athens. From the Odyssey, there are many carefully crafted quotes that point directly towards Odysseus originating from Sparta. Considering Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, had substantial freedom managing the family estate while her husband was away and Odysseus showed significant ability with a sword, bow, and in warfare; therefore, Odysseus is undoubtedly from Sparta.

During the period where Odysseus was absent from the family, Penelope was relentlessly bombarded with suitors; she faced the challenge of repelling the suitors away from her home and her family, being the loyal and faithful wife. Penelope had an arsenal of different tactics to drive these suitors away and had the means to exact them. This is a great example of her power and her authority. In Sparta if the husband of a family leaves for war, the wife of the man receives plenty of freedom managing the estate. (Beck p. 131) This freedom for Spartan women is extremely similar to the rights Penelope received. She had the position of the head of the estate for the twenty or so years when Odysseus was at war and during his return. This peri...

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...us was from Sparta.

Not only are Spartan men known for their ferocity in battle, but also for their bonds among comrades; Odysseus demonstrates all of this through Homer’s epic. This is without a doubt a true tale of inspiration, following a hero through all his downfalls and uprisings. Homer’s Odyssey is one of the greatest sagas within ancient Greece and is a tale to take to heart. With respect to how Penelope had room to concoct methods to protect her family and her estate, as well as Odysseus’ natural skill with his sword, bow, and wits; he is, beyond question, from Sparta.

Works Cited

Beck, Roger B., Linda Black, Larry S. Krieger, Phillip C. Naylor, and Dahia I. Shabaka, eds. World History: Patterns of Interaction. New York: McDougal Little, 2009. 128-31. Print.

Homer, . The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fitzgerald. New York: Farrar, Straus and Girous, 1998. Print.

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