The Odyssey analysis writing assignment

Life needs to be valued, and you should never give up

In first place, life should be valued.  Every person is unique and nobody is worthless. Although they might think they are nothing they are still living on earth, therefore they are something.  To illustrate my point, this quote tells how much Achilles wished he was alive. “But you , Achilles, there’s not a man in the world more blest then you- there never has been, never will be one….’I’d rather slave on earth for another man- some dirt-poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive-‘…”(p.265, 547-560).  In the quote, even a bad life, living on earth is sweeter and more valuable than a great life in the underworld.  Living as a poor old peasant on Earth is of much greater value than being the king of the underworld, because life is such an experience to go through. You learn so much throughout a lifetime and the memories last forever.

Secondly, if you find yourself failing at most tasks very often, you should keep trying and never give up.  Patience is the key to life and you shouldn’t rush things if you know that it would fail.  Taking life one step at a time will make your life much less stressful and you will have a good idea on where you’re headed.  To show my point, this quote tells how Odysseus has been very patient on his quest to reach home, and when he takes his time, he will have a plan in advance on what to do next.  “’First I will transform you-no one must know you….I’ll dim the fire in your eyes, so shining at once- until you seem appalling to all those suitors”’(p.299, 454-459).  In this quote, Athena had disguised Odysseus into an old man.  At first, Odysseus is mad at her because he does not know why, but later on he notices that it is all part of his plan to get revenge on the suitors.  Since Odysseus has been so patient in such obstacles such as losing his men, and getting stuck in the middle of Poseidon’s wrath, he has been through much and has been very patient every step of the time.  Now Odysseus has been granted a great plan to regain his throne and kill the suitors.  If you are patient and live your life one step at a time, a great reward will eventually come to you, such as a plan that will guide you when you are lost, which will make your journey much less stressful.

Lastly, always trust your elders and be never give up on them.  Even though you have doubt in their ideas and plans, you should be patient, and see how the situation turns out.  Most of the time they are right, and sometimes you just have to deal with it, and not give up all hope.  To illustrate my point, this quote shows how Telemachus has no faith in his father’s plan and how Odysseus reassures his son to trust him and that it will work.  “’How on earth could two men fight so many and so strong?’…’Trust me’ his seasoned father reassured him,’”(p.346-347, 271-298).  In the quote, Odysseus explained his thought of how to kill the suitors and Telemachus had great doubt that it would be successful.  Odysseus then convinces Telemachus that his plan would work out and asks Telemachus to trust him.  Telemachus decides to trust his elder, and contribute to his father’s plan, even though he does not have a good feeling about it.  Now that they are both in agreement on a specific plan, they both have trust for each other, they are not giving up, and are committed to getting revenge on the suitors.  Trust between the father and son is the most important thing in order to live, and it requires patience at times to get there.