The Odyssey Archetypes

Archetypes Born in the Odyssey In The Odyssey by Homer, there are three archetypes from Greek culture that modern readers can still relate to today: Scylla and Charybdis, Odysseus revealed himself to his son, and the Sirens. Homer wrote archetypes that still apply to modern teenagers today. Homer wrote great literature with several interesting archetypes, that even today's culture can understand and relate to almost three thousand years later. Homer (approx 850-750 B.C) is credited with writing The Iliad and the Odyssey. For almost three thousand years,these epic poems have captured readers imaginations and inspired countless works of art and literature. An “epic” is a long narrative poem. Modern readers gain insights about ancient Greek

In the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus says “steer for that headland; watch the drift, or we fetch the smother and you drown us” (Homer 583). Odysseus was giving his crew commands to try to get through Scylla and Charybdis without being harmed. Modern teenagers face difficult decisions where both choices are bad, just like the Greeks did. In life people have to make complicated decisions when really they would rather not have to choose. In The Odyssey, Scylla and Charybdis are monsters that Odysseus had to choose which one he would lead the ship to. The ancient Greeks knew how to spin a good yarn, and clearly could appreciate the chills and jolts of a decent monster story…“The Odyssey is not to frighten the audience” (Richardson). Modern readers will most always have a point in their life where they have to make a tough decision. The Greeks also had a point in their lives where they had to make difficult decisions. Yet when the Greeks had to make a difficult decision, both of the choices turned out bad. No matter if they went towards Scylla or towards Charybdis both ways lead them to danger. Modern culture also faces tough decisions where both choices are bad. In The Odyssey “Scylla to port and on our starboard began Charybdis, dire George of the salt seaside” (Homer). Odysseus is leading his team onwards to Scylla and Charybdis. Odysseus had a very tough decision because he didn't want to lead his crew

When he reveals himself, he automatically was showing father-like features. Odysseus emotionally says to his son “ I am that father whom your boyhood lacked and suffered pain for lack of. I am he”(Homer). Odysseus shows a strong archetype because in modern culture, it is frequent for fathers to reveal themselves to their sons that they have not seen in awhile. Odysseus has been out of Telemachus’ life for twenty long years. Odysseus felt awful at first because his son thought he was a god, because he still looked young after twenty years of being gone, but Odysseus was anything but that. In this part of the Odyssey, Odysseus was about to go into his home and take it back, but had to tell Telemachus “look on, hold down your anger” (Homer), because Odysseus didn't want the suitors to know that he had made it home. Odysseus told him this because he was showing a father like figure by telling Telemachus, basically, that he will be fine. In modern culture this is also happening a lot, when fathers let their kids know that they will be okay. During this time when Odysseus was trying to take back his home, he and Telemachus had to make a plan so that their family can reunite. During this, Odysseus told his son “Athena counseling me, will give me word, and I shall signal you nodding”(Homer), Odysseus’ plan was to tell Telemachus