1. The Odyssey
Themes

2. Themes in The Odyssey The establishment of order
Odysseus must return to keep his kingdom of Ithaca safe.
He must return to take care of his wife, Penelope.
He must help his son Telemachus become a man.
He must end the disastrous battle with the god Poseidon.

3. Themes in The Odyssey
The development of loyalty, devotion, and strength
Odysseus must help his men reach home
Penelope must not give up on her husband
Odysseus must not be distracted from his goal
Telemachus must face threat with courage

4. Themes in The Odyssey
The search for identity and a place in this world
Odysseus seeks to return home to become once more a king, a husband, and a father.
Though adventures may seem exciting, all figures in this story seek home,
and peace.

5. Themes in The Odyssey The triumph of good over evil
The man who holds to his honor is rewarded with success.
Suffering makes eventual happiness sweeter.

6. Themes in The Odyssey The interaction of gods and humans
Homer focuses events through the lens of the anger or pleasure of the gods.
Athena helps Odysseus, as his intelligence mirrors hers.
Poseidon rages against the mortal whose pride hurt his own.
The gods, like nature, like life, are undependable, changeable.