Storytelling in "The Odyssey" Storytelling Book Report

It is also worth noting that the "story" is something of a fictional account, unlike some of the tales we encounter in The Odyssey. Storytelling was a form of entertainment, just as songs and poetry. In this culture, one is actually no greater than the other, each possessing positive qualities and benefits. The songs worked on Odysseus in a way that words did not and they allowed him to remember. Here we see the important of storytelling in that it can help people discover things about themselves.

Storytelling becomes an important aspect of The Odyssey because it represents the humanity Homer captured so many years ago. This tale is not one, but many, woven together through history to read much like life, in that it is not chronological or neat by any means. Instead, it is a conglomeration of events that happen simultaneously over time. The fact that we do not begin reading about our hero until Book Five is an indication of the importance of story telling. Odysseus is like most men because he loves to relish in his own tales.His storytelling represents a human aspect to the poem. Helen and Menelaos help fill in the missing pieces of Odysseus' character. Without Helen's contribution, we would not know of Odysseus' willingness to dress as a beggar and with out Menelaos' account of the Trojan horse, we would miss one of the greatest tactical moves in history. These stories help readers see the importance of storytelling as a whole. Each of these characters contributes to Odysseus' development. Each character tells readers something different and adds to the complexity of the character. Without thee tales, some component of Odysseus, the man, would be missed and readers would not have a complete image of him. Additionally, we see the importance of stories from one life to the next. Stories have the power to inspire, educate, compel and rejuvenate. Without them, man would not feel a connection to his fellow man. With this in mind, Homer is demonstrating the importance of storytelling.

Work Cited

Homer. The Odyssey. Butler, Samuel. trans. Greek Mythology Online. Web. October 06, 2011. http://www.greekmythology.com/Books/Odyssey/odyssey.html.....