Literary Criticism: THE ODYSSEY

(A requirement in English 10 3rd Quarter)

Submitted by: Steven J. Bachoco Jr

Submitted To: Teacher. Edelyn E. Yap
Title: THE ODYSSEY
Author: Homer

I. HISTORY
"The Odyssey" is an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, composed around the 8th
century BCE. It follows the journey of the hero Odysseus as he tries to return home to Ithaca
after the Trojan War. Along the way, he faces numerous challenges and obstacles, including
encounters with mythical creatures and divine interventions. The epic explores themes of
heroism, loyalty, fate, and the longing for homecoming. Its enduring cultural and literary
significance lies in its compelling storytelling and universal themes, making it a cornerstone of
Western literature.

II. STRUCTURE
A. CHARACTERS:
Odysseus: The protagonist of the epic, Odysseus is a clever and resourceful Greek hero who
embarks on a long journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
Penelope: Odysseus's wife, known for her loyalty and cunning as she waits for his return
while fending off suitors.
Telemachus: Odysseus's son, who grows and matures throughout the epic, especially during
his journey to find news of his father.
Athena: The goddess of wisdom and warfare, Athena often aids Odysseus and Telemachus
throughout their trials.
Poseidon: The god of the sea, Poseidon holds a grudge against Odysseus for blinding his
son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, and continually obstructs his journey home.
Circe: A powerful sorceress who turns some of Odysseus's crew into pigs. She ultimately
helps Odysseus on his journey.
Calypso: A nymph who keeps Odysseus captive on her island for several years, eventually
releasing him at the behest of the gods.
Polyphemus: A Cyclops and son of Poseidon who encounters Odysseus and his crew,
resulting in a harrowing escape.
Hermes: The messenger god, who assists Odysseus with guidance and messages from the
gods.
Eurylochus: One of Odysseus's crew members who plays a significant role in several
episodes of the epic.
B. SETTINGS:
Troy (Ilios) , Mount Olympus , The Underworld (Hades) , Circe's Island, The Land of the
Phaeacians (Scheria), The Cyclops Island, The Island of the Sirens,The Palace of
Alcinous.

C. PLOT/SUMMARY
It follows the Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home after the Trojan
War. After the war, which lasted ten years, his journey from Troy to Ithaca, via Africa
 and southern Europe, lasted for ten additional years during which time he encountered
many perils and all of his crewmates were killed.

D. THEME:
The three most important themes in the Odyssey are hospitality, loyalty, and vengeance.

III. LITERARY ANALYSIS

A. MARXISM:
It is mainly concerned with the battle between the working class and the ownership
class and favors communism and socialism over capitalism.

B. FEMINSIM:
Homer portrays women as a vital and powerful force through the characters Penelope
and Circe, who counter the normality of misogyny in Homer's time. Penelope's
character displays how some women are able to exceed society's standards and show
strength and cleverness when it is necessary.

C. READER – RESPONSE:
One of the major themes of Homer's Odyssey is the importance of cunning over
strength. This also happens to be the case with Odysseus and his long 10 years of
journey home from fighting in Troy. Odysseus uses his intelligence over strength to
'fight' through tough times and bring himself home to Ithaca.

IV. BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES
 APA. Homer. (1919). The Odyssey. London, New York :W. Heinemann; G.P.
Putnam's sons.