The Odyssey Group

Question:

lexinabox7
lexinabox7
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Why does Homer think Odysseus will stay in Ithaca? Also, why does Tennyson think Odysseus will not stay in Ithaca?

For a persuasive essay, how would I prove that Homer thinks that Odysseus will stay in Ithaca, yet Tennyson thinks that Odysseus will leave Ithaca?

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Posted by lexinabox7 on Monday December 1, 2008 at 4:31 PM and tagged with odysses, the odyssey, ulysseus.

Answers:


  1. troutmiller Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Homer portrays Odysseus as a family man longing to get back to his wife and son.  He even gives up immortality with Circe and Calypso in order that he may return to his wife's arms.  He even dreams of his wife while stuck on Calypso's island.

    Then Tennyson portrays him as the fierce warrior that he is.  He says, "How dull it is to pause, to make an end,/ To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!"  Odysseus feels like he's tarnishing without use.  He still wants to do more.  The last line says, "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." 

    This would be a good persuasive essay.  Choose the side you support--or that you have more support for.  Use quotes to back up your choice.  Attached are some links with quotes in them.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/odyssey/book-5-summary-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/odyssey/themes
    http://www.online-literature.com/tennyson/733/

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    Posted by troutmiller on Thursday December 4, 2008 at 12:35 PM