Odyssey Quotes

Examples of Odysseus’ longing to return to Ithaca (nostos) and his family

‘would give anything’ (book 1)

 

‘tears he shed for his lost home’

 

‘it is my never-failing wish’

 

‘that wife of yours, who is never out of your thoughts’ (book 5)

 

‘no sweeter sight…than his own country’

 

‘a man’s fatherland and his parents are what he holds sweetest’ (book 9)

 

‘overjoyed at the sight of his own land’

Scholar quote about men and their household

Jones: ‘Ancient Greeks placed an absolute value on a man’s loyalty to his household.’

Odysseus is desirable - trait of a hero

‘longed for him to marry her’ (book 1)

‘I wish I could have a man like him for my husband’ (book 6)

‘remain here as my son in law’

You can change your fate (free will)

‘Consider Aegisthus: it was not his destiny’ (book 6)

‘The rest of us eluded our fate and got away’ (book 9)

‘You must choose for yourself’ (book 12)

Athena’s concern/pity for Odysseus

‘It is for Odysseus that my heart is wrung’

‘poor man’ (book 5)

‘in her concern for his welfare’

‘her favourite’ (book 7)

Role of the immortals and relationship between the immortals and the mortals

‘It was their own transgression that brought them to their doom’

 

‘Yet all the gods pitied him, except Poseidon, who pursued the heroic Odysseus with relentless malice till the day when he reached his own country’

 

‘For he will not be able to struggle on alone against the united will of the immortal gods’

 

‘in Telemachus’ heart [Athena] had implanted spirit and daring’

 

‘But when Zeus, who bears the aegis, makes up his mind, it is impossible for any other God to thwart him or evade his will’

Epithets to show Odysseus’ excellence

‘wisest man’ ‘most generous’ (book 1)

‘picked up the biggest discus of all…With one swing, he launched it’ (book 8)

‘most understanding’ (book 23)

The gods have the power to make decisions and have the final say in matters except fate and will punish people

‘unalterable decision’ (book 1)

‘Zeus had spoken’ (book 5)

‘we, weeping, lifted up our hands to Zeus’ (book 9)

‘it is easy for the gods in heaven to glorify or debase a man’ (book 16)

Scholar quote about fate being absolute

Duffy: The poem’s fate is absolute and stands above the gods.

Telemachus and Odysseus mirroring each other - like father, like son

‘sitting disconsolate’ ‘sighing and grieving’ (book 1)

‘endured so much sorrow and trouble’ ‘tears arose in them both’ (book 16)

Scholar quote about the ‘true story’ of the Odyssey

Davids: The true story of the Odyssey is that of Odysseus and Telemachus.

The Suitor’s appalling behaviour and lack of xenia leads them to their deaths

‘swaggering’ ‘dissolute mob’ (book 1)

‘hauling the maids about for their foul purposes’ (book 16)

‘struck Odysseus on the back’ (book 17)

‘exploited this house’

‘desecrate and destroy a great man’s household’ (book 21)

Good xenia

‘You can tell us what has brought you here when you have had some food’ - Telemachus to Athena/Mentes

‘the sort of present that one gives to a guest who has become a friend’

Odysseus constantly suffers and struggles. This means he has incredible endurance, which is one of his key traits, and the epithet ‘much-enduring’ is used to describe him throughout the epic

‘the most unfortunate man that ever lived’ (book 1)

‘dogged by misfortune, more so indeed than any’ (book 5)

‘many bitter and exhausting experiences’ (book 8)

‘detested by the gods’ (book 10)

‘ill-fated above all men!’ (book 11)

‘He will think of a way to return - he is endlessly resourceful’

[Odysseus] ‘is the most unfortunate man that ever lived’

Scholar quote about the condition of suffering

Nicholson: Homer ‘dramatised the shared human condition of suffering.’

Penelope is a strong, capable woman who is able to run the house in Odysseus’ absence, kleos can be passed on from mothers

‘With Penelope as your mother, I cannot think that your house is doomed to any inglorious future.’ (book 1)

Penelope’s loyalty, endurance, intelligence, and tricky and cautious nature makes her the perfect partner for Odysseus as they share all the same key traits

‘hates the idea of remarrying’

‘no one was dealt a heavier blow than I’ (book 1)

‘given them all grounds for hope’ (book 13)

‘extorting gifts from her suitors and bewitching them by her persuasive words’ (book 18)

‘I mean to test you’

‘more intelligent and resourceful than other women’ (book 19)

Scholar quotes about loyalty + Penelope being a good wife

Lower: ‘Loyalty has a major meaning in the world of Odysseus’ tale.’

Jones: ‘the equal of her husband’s.’

Gender - women as objectified in ancient Greece as it is a patriarchal society

‘give your mother in marriage to a new husband’ (book 1)

‘The women and the vast plunder we took’

‘each man is a lawgiver to his own children and women’ (book 9)

‘hauling her maids about for their foul purposes’ (book 16)

‘your prize - a lady’ (book 21)

Scholar quote about women as possessions

Jenkyns: Odysseus wanted to return home to Penelope not only because he loves her and she is his wife but also because she is a possession of his.

Penelope remains chaste and modest while Odysseus is away (veiled, stays away from the men, has female maids at her side) and is also one of the key figures in the house (pillars support the roof, keeping the house intact)

‘veil across her cheeks and took her stand by a pillar…maids on either side’ (book 1)

‘I am not going to face that masculine company alone: modesty forbids’ (book 18)

Women are expected to stay chaste/modest and spend their days doing housework inside, out of sight

‘attend to your own work, the loom and spindle’ (book 1)

‘I should blame any girl who associates with men before being properly married’ (book 6)

‘veil over her head’ (book 10)

‘welcomes him graciously…as is natural for a woman’ (book 14)

‘skin whiter than newly sawn ivory’ (book 18)

‘trained in household duties like carding wool and to be willing servants’ (book 22)

Odysseus has learnt to be cautious after everything he has been through

‘keeping a sharp lookout’ (book 5)

‘I decided the better course was to return first to my ship’ (book 10)

‘debated…In the end, he managed to control himself’ (book 17)

‘checked it all over’ (book 21)

Athena is the one who gave Greece olives - even when she isn’t physically there, she’s always present (indirectly helps Odysseus)

‘handle of olive wood’ (book 5)