The Odyssey: Homer's Use of Symbolism and Metaphor

Lynda Work

Dr. Victoria McLure

English 2332-252-233S

February 23, 2012

The Odyssey: Homer's Use of Symbolism and Metaphor

The Odyssey is an intriguing epic filled with symbolism throughout the each book. Important to the poem itself, is Homer's use of symbolic writing tools to enhance the idea of who the people were and they viewed themselves and the society they lived in.

The Odyssey is a metaphor within itself. The story symbolizes the psychological, physical, mystical and spiritual, with all the obstacles, happiness, disappointments and tragedies that can easily be translated into life today.

Odysseus spends much time on the seas during his journey. The sea is representative of life, and similarly, Homer's sea has perils and challenges that cannot be avoided. On the other hand, the sea can send blessings and breezes to fill the sails to take the weary traveler home. Throughout each book, the sea is an intricate part of the journey, challenging Odysseus as life does; it is full of suffering, but it can't be avoided.

Homer's metaphor of the loom weaving was mentioned early in the poem by Odysseus who said, "Weave me a way to pay them back." (Homer 396) Then it comes again with Penelope who uses her weaving to allay marriage to one of the suitors, "I had the happy thought to set up weaving on my big loom in the hall...let me finish my weaving before I marry, or else my thread will have been spun in vain." (Homer 455) Both Odysseus and Penelope weave their own webs against the suitors through deception and careful strategy.

The shroud is a symbol of female deception. Because she is a woman without much power, Penelope cannot fight off the suitors or throw them out of her house. Her weaving serves to prolong the time to perform a feminine task, that of completing the shroud, which is promptly disassembled each night. The fact that she does not produce the shroud symbolizes her helplessness to make any real progress against her enemies. But still it represents the level of power that the unyielding Penelope does have through her use of deceit and cunning to avoid them.

The goddess Athena is associated with the loom since she is a mastermind at weaving a web of deception and disguise. It makes sense that Homer would use this metaphor throughout the theme. In addition to Penelope, other major female characters, such as Kalypso, Kirke, and Helen, are also associated with the loom.

In Book 21, Homer introduces the use of the bow in the contest as a symbol of kingship, worthiness, and strength. "Here is my lord Odysseus' hunting bow. Bend and string it if you can. Who sends an arrow through iron axe-helve sockets, twelve in line?" (Homer 482) Whoever strings it is surely as much a man and leader as Odysseus was and will secure Penelope and the throne. Psychologically, a man's physical prowess and strength was an important quality to the ancient Greeks. It was not only tied to the warrior mentality, but also to political power and the determination to govern a land and its people.

As the contest progresses, no suitor can string the bow, but for Telemakhos, son of Odysseus, who has matured into manhood and is nearing the time of replacing his father. Odysseus, with a glance, checks the action and Telemakhos maintains deference to his father. But still, the bow remains a symbol of what was once, what can be, and shall be once again.

Nature and animals in metaphor and symbolism have long been used in literature. Homer uses these writing treatments to express an idea or a component of human culture, power, suppression, individual change, personal human relations, or representations of the physical world and the heavenly realm.

Argos, Odysseus' old pet dog, symbolizes unconditional loyalty. In many ways, Argos has been through as much oppression and challenge in his own life as has his master. In his master's absence, the poor old dog has been mistreated by those who once fed him, but he still hangs around the palace waiting for the return of Odysseus. When they meet once more, one a true beggar and the other disguised as such, the old dog remembers his master and wags his tail. Argos dies happy in his recognition and the return of Odysseus.

Eagles, hawks, and other birds are also central to Homer's symbolism throughout the poem. Halitherses' interpretation of the eagles is one of a deadly omen. The "launching a pair of eagles from a crest in gliding flight down the soft blowing wind, wing-tip to wing-tip quivering taut, companions till high above the assembly of many voices they wheeled, their dense wings beating, and in havoc dropped on the heads of the crowd," (Homer 202) is representative of how strong and powerful Odysseus will be when he returns. Because there are two eagles, it could possible indicate that father and son would be responsible for righting the wrongs that had been committed in the house of Odysseus.

In another passage, Homer describes "a beat of wings went up skyward off to the right - a mountain eagle, grappling a white goose in his talons, heavy prey hooked from a barnyard." (Homer 391) The eagle once more is a symbol of Odysseus, returning to destroy and bring fury down on the suitors and restore his home.

Homer uses 'dawn' as word tool throughout the poem. He has given dawn a life of its own and applies it several transitions. Dawn can be seen in Book 2 to describe the evolutionary development of the journey in lines such as, "When primal Dawn spread on the eastern sky her fingers of light. (Homer 471) Later in Book 20, "The Dawn appeared all stitched in gold," comes at the point that Odysseus plan is coming together. The gold stitching could relate to his plan coming together as time passes each day. Odysseus is returning to his home to take control. In Book 24, towards the end of the poem, "the grey-eyed one bestirred the fresh Dawn from her bed of paling Ocean to bring daylight to her golden chair." (517) Odysseus has reigned over the suitors at this point and has been returned to his throne and is king once again.

Throughout