Odyssey Death and Rebirth in the Odyssey
By: Edward • Research Paper • 1,412 Words • April 21, 2010 • 1,395 Views
Odyssey Death and Rebirth in the Odyssey
The Odyssey, by Homer, is a classical piece of Greek literature. Throughout
The Odyssey, the Blind Bard makes use of many literary techniques in order
to lend meaning to the poem beyond its existence as a work of historic fiction
and aid his readers in the comprehension of the tale. One of these techniques
is the use of motifs. A motif is a recurring theme that is used throughout the
work. In The Odyssey, Homer makes use of many motifs including
eating/drinking, Odysseus's anger, bathing, and disguise, just to name a few.
However, perhaps the most important of Homer's motifs is the symbolic death
and rebirth theme. This motif is used throughout The Odyssey to emphasize
the growth and enlightenment of the characters. The first example of this motif
occurs with Telemachos early in the text. Telemachos, in book I, is visited by
the goddess Athena in disguise. In their conversation, Telemachos reveals the
pain and suffering that he is experiencing as a result of living without knowing
the status of his father, fearing that he is dead. ". . . and he left pain and
lamentation to me. Nor is it for him alone that I grieve in my pain now (The
Odyssey, Latimore, I. 242-3)." Symbolically, at this point in the text,
Telemachos is dead. He is willing to take no action to save his home from the
suitors or take any initiative to determine the status of his missing father.
However, his symbolic death is not without a rebirth. Athene, disguised as
Mentes, brings Telemachos back to life. She convinces him that he must take
action to preserve his household and determine the fate of his father. This
prompts Telemachos to take over his father's role in the household and
journey forward to gather information about his missing father. His rebirth is
further carried out in the story when he is reunited with his father; together,
the two act to regain control of their household from the derelict suitors. The
next example of the death and rebirth motif occurs with our introduction to the
story's main character and hero, Odysseus. Homer introduces Odysseus on
the Kalypso's island. On a purely literal level, Odysseus's stay with Kalypso
would cause his demise as that was the fate of mortals who lived with
goddesses. On a more symbolic level, Odysseus was dead to the world as
Kalypso forbids him from leaving the island and forces him to do her bidding.
Odysseus was reborn, however, at the hands of Hermes, who was a
messenger for Zeus himself. Hermes tells Kalypso that Odysseus is to be
freed so Odysseus builds a raft and sets out for home. This symbolic rebirth is
emphasized by Odysseus's emergence from the ocean on the island of the
Phaiakians. He is washed ashore with nothing--his raft is destroyed and he is
completely naked. This naked emergence can also be seen as symbolic of
birth.
Another reference to this rebirth is found at the end of book V. "As when
a man buries a burning log in a black ash heap in a remote place in the
country, where none live near as neighbors,