Odyssey Themes in Book 14 Thesis

"The Odyssey" also demands that guests show similar kindness in return to their hosts. While Odysseus is not blameless and morally upright in his actions towards others and he has an occasionally violent temper, he usually only strikes back at a host when he is threatened, as in the case of the Cyclops. For this demonstration of his need for kindness when he is wandering, he is rewarded, finally, with the restoration of his homeland.

Whether Odysseus will return is a question that arises over the course of Book 14. Although Eumaeus does not believe his master is returning, he makes a sacrifice to the gods in the hopes that Odysseus will return, and even though Odysseus has arrived, he has not fully 'returned' to his old position even by this part of the book, because his ability to regain his palace remains in doubt.He still needs to be reunited with his son and wife. This uncertainty explains one of Odysseus's more perplexing actions during the book -- his decision not to tell the truth to Eumaeus despite the fact that he has been told by Athena that he can trust the swineherd. The two men show kindness to one another, but not absolute trust, but even though they do not trust one another completely, this does not mean that they have to descend into cruelty and savagery like the dogs that attack anyone whom they do not know.

Works Cited

Homer. "Book 14." The Odyssey. Translated by Ian….....