The Chain Of Obstacles In Homer's Odyssey

760 Words2 Pages

In The Odyssey by Homer, an epic poem from Ancient Greece composed c. 8th century BC, Odysseus’ journey created a path for self-reflection. As I read, I noticed a parallel between our obstacles, adventures, and goals. Odysseus faced many obstacles due to his excessive pride, experienced several adventures from being taken off course, and had an overall goal to make it home to his dear land of Ithaca.
The chain of obstacles started with my parents. As a kid, they would always fight (from this I have disliked fighting and have tried to limit it when possible) eventually splitting for good when I was about six. At this time I had two brothers, and the custody arrangement was fifty/fifty. I instantly became the messenger, so I guess you could …show more content…

When I went to my father’s house, I started to experience verbal abuse, depleting my self-worth. Odysseus, as a beggar, experienced many insults from the suitors: “...Eurýmachus, began to taunt Odysseus with jeering words…” (373). As I grew up, I was awkward and isolated myself. A family member even said, “She is awkward, I hope she gets out of her shell,” so I have been trying to improve on this. Eventually, I became old enough to realize my father was physically abusing my brothers. After years of witnessing this and the verbal abuse, I hit the age where I did not have to go anymore. Even though I was not at his house, I would still receive texts from him. Over these years I felt sad that I did not have the relationship with him that I saw everyone else was having with their fathers. I could imagine Telemachus feeling this way since his father, Odysseus, left when Telemachus was a child. A few years into being a teenager, I started dating this guy. The relationship was toxic, experiencing more abuse and being pressured into doing things I did not want to. I could relate to Odysseus here: “he [Odysseus] slept with her: so side by side they lay, the willing and unwilling.” (100). I quickly became tired of this behavior, but I stupidly and regretfully

More about The Chain Of Obstacles In Homer's Odyssey

Open Document