The Importance Of Not Following Directions In The Odyssey

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Homer’s The Odyssey teaches readers values of Ancient Greek culture that still exists in our modern age. Universal themes transcend time for we learn lessons from history and apply it to our own lives. One of the lessons that I choose to apply in my life is the simplicity of following directions because we often ignore the guidance and instructions of others who are more knowledgeable than us. In The Odyssey, Homer asserts the importance of following directions through demonstrations of imagery, symbolism, and catharsis.

The narrator’s use of imagery when Odysseus’s crew opens the bag of wind and “all the winds burst out… and swept us back to sea”(X.52-53) demonstrates the negative consequences of not following directions. Odysseus tells …show more content…

Odysseus requires his men to “swear me a binding oath… not one man among us - … will slaughter an ox or ram”(XII.323-326) emphasizing how imperative it is that they listen to his instructions. The “binding oath” symbolizes the fates of Odysseus and his men figuratively and literally from prophecy. When Odysseus’s crew out of Eurylochus’s persuasion, hunger and self-control break the “oath”, they destroy the fate of them surviving and making it back home. Odysseus’s crew “slaughtered and skinned the cattle”(XII.386) foreshadowing their own deaths. The symbolism of the “cattle” is the instructions they are to follow and when they “slaughtered” the “cattle”, they killed themselves. Only Odysseus survives because he was the only one to not touch the cattle but since he couldn’t keep his crew from killing the cattle, he still faces repercussions. In comparison, today’s laws instruct us to not text and talk on the cellphone but we still do it and it leads to accidents and repercussions for all parties involved. This lesson taught me that not obeying simple instructions could lead to potentially disastrous consequences that should have been …show more content…

Odysseus prior to his transformation would have been stubborn and persistent in doing things his way or what would seem best to him. Once he “obeyed” it can be interpreted that he understands the importance of following directions and acknowledges that doing as he is told when necessary is best. The result of his decision allows Athena to set forth “her pacts of peace between both sides”(XXIV.599-600) demonstrating the positive outcome of listening to instructions. Odysseus’s catharsis allows him to see the bigger picture and make the better decision of following instructions and avoiding needless bloodshed while still reclaiming his kingdom. I am able to apply this to my own life in that by following instructions as advised from those more knowledgeable, brings me a positive payoff rather than facing negative

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