The Use of Symbols and Symbolism in Homers Odyssey :: Odyssey essays

The Use of Symbolism in Homers Odyssey in that location ar three signs in the Odyssey which atomic number 18 quite signifi faecest to the epic and are symbolic of different things. The first base sign is the moolah, the second sign is the knuckle under and the third sign is the bed.Note the importance of signs in the works of Homer, such(prenominal) as the sign of the burning ship in the Iliad. Then in that location is a long flashback telling how Odysseus got the scar and the significance of it. The scar is symbolically important, for it defines who he is -- and what he is. The scar-flashback starts with the naming of Odysseus by his grandfather Autolykos, who was the worlds greatest thief. There Autolykus says, since he has caused pain to people all over the world (the Grecian verb odyussai) the boy will be called Odysseus. Odysseus is one who both gives pain and in like manner suffers it. Then we get the long description of the hunt in which Odysseus gets the scar. This i s a type of male initiation ritual, where the men of the family or tribe head the young man on an animal hunt so he can prove himself in the company of men. Such rituals often take in scarring or ritual mutilation, and here Odysseus achieves notable deeds by sidesplitting the fierce boar (giving pain) but also receiving pain and a scar as token of his accomplishments(chss.montclair.edu/classics/ODYNOTES19TO24.HTML).IN the folk-tale told about the husband who comes home after(prenominal) years of absence, so changed by time and Fortunes hard usage that he must adduce proof after proof of his identity in the beginning his wife will admit his claim, the first Sign to be exhibited is the scar. This he reveals first to an aged dame, his old nurse, perhaps the only woman consequently alive in the world who was familiar with its appearance and history. For naturally the first token must not be of a kind so intimate and convincing as to make the wifes unreadiness to respond to it appea r capricious and unreasonable. To this extent Homer has adopted the ancient tale(questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5372374).The book ends with another sign of the great sympathy that exists amidst the two, as Penelope admits she could gladly spend all night talk with Odysseus. The beggar has accomplished his mission of winning her confidence and now can see the means by which he might kill the suitors -- the put forward (chss.