Odysseus--Death and Rebirth
Throughout the "Odyssey", Homer's main character, Odysseus undergoes various changes with himself and his surroundings. He partakes in many adventures that usually have a symbolic meaning to them. In book IX, X, and XI of the Odyssey, Odysseus experiences a symbolic death and rebirth. There are other scenes in this poem, which also contribute to this theme. The reoccurring motif is used by Homer to show the growth and maturation of Odysseus within the poem. Odysseus journeys far and wide to be able to see his beautiful wife and son again. He has lost touch with his homeland and has not seen his home, friends, or family in ten years. His entire journey is symbolic of death and rebirth. First, Homer depicts this motif through Telemakhos, Odysseus' son. In the first book of the poem, Athena addresses Telemahkos in disguise. By speaking to him, the reader is shown that Telemakhos feels symbolically dead inside. Speaking of the suitors, he says "Meanwhile they eat their way through all we have, and when they will, they can demolish me (I, 289-90)." He feels lost and dead inside without any knowledge of his father, but is reborn through obtaining that knowledge. Athena convinces Telemahkos to gather himself together and take on Od
With every adventure, Odysseus encounters some form of this motif. This leads us to the final example of death and rebirth, one that focuses around Laertes. In Book XIII, Homer spells out his intentions once again by saying "Slumber, soft and deep like the still sleep of death, (90-91). Upon his awakening, he is reborn, strengthened and glorified ready to take on life to the fullest extent. When the adventures seemed insurmountable and all was lost, through Odysseus' own intelligence, he save himself and many others. She even helps them on their quest to accomplish their journey home by providing them with the means to conquer their journey into the underworld. So for a short period, they too are reborn. The prophet Teiresias says to Odysseus, "Any dead man whom you allow to enter where the blood is will speak to you, and speak the truth; but those deprived will grow remote again and fade (155-159). They cried out, and the salt tears wet their eyes (X, 210-13). Here, Homer uses images of blackness and death, blood and darkness. Throughout the Odyssey, Homer presents a grand motif, which encounters most of the main character in the story. When Odysseus saves himself and the men that survived, he is once again reborn into the light of day. " The light shines once again on Odysseus and his men, all are reborn into a new life, with hope and dreams of home running rampant within their heads. " The blood that Odysseus obtains through the death of the animals gives liveliness to the dead of the underworld. Sometimes all it takes to get us through life is a little intellect, a belief in ourselves, and hope for the next day to come and be a little bit brighter.
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