Major Theme in Odyssey and Inferno

This essay sheds light on loyalty and hospitality as major themes in Odyssey and the ‘everyman’ as the major theme in Inferno. Dante expresses this theme throughout the poem by making use of symbols and phrases. Read more on Desklib.

Running head: MAJOR THEME IN ODYSSEY AND INFERNO
MAJOR THEME IN ODYSSEY AND INFERNO
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MAJOR THEME IN ODYSSEY AND INFERNO
Homer’s classic poem Odyssey is about the hero Odysseus who was engaged in the
Trojan War and hence he had to stay away from his family for almost a decade. The poem is
filled with many subtle themes however; two major themes are mostly evident – love for family
and loyalty. On the other hand, Dante’s masterpiece Inferno details the journey to salvation
through the different circles of Hell. The poem has several themes among which the major ones
are sin, punishment, love and God. This essay will shed light on loyalty and hospitality as a
major themes in Odyssey and the ‘everyman’ as the major theme in Inferno.
In Book 1 of the Odyssey, Homer introduces the hero Odysseus and speaks of the heroics
he displayed during the decade long Trojan War. However, the most glaring example of this
theme is visible from the accounts of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, who waited for him for 20
long years. In Book 1, the poet makes it evident to the readers about the loyalty of Penelope to
her husband by showing her sadness on hearing the song of the return of the men from Troy.
This is resonated in the following lines (Stanford, 2001)
‘Phemius, you know many another tale of men and gods, that the bards made famous, with
which to charm us mortals. Sing one of those while you sit here, as they drink their wine in
silence, but end this sad song that always troubles the heart in my breast, since above all women
I bear a sadness not to be forgotten. I ever remember my husband’s dear face, he whose fame
resounds through Hellas to the heart of Argos (Book 1, lines 329-331).’
Eumaeus and Philoetius also display loyalty that is the central theme in Odyssey.
Eumaeus, a servant of Odysseus, stayed loyal to his king even in times of crisis and helped him
throughout his journey to reunite with his son and wife. His loyalty can be evident from the
below lines in Book 12, lines 176-178.

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MAJOR THEME IN ODYSSEY AND INFERNO
“And I speak his name respectfully, even if he is not here”. He loved me, cared for me. I
call him dear my Lord, far though he be.”
Another recurring theme that is present in Homer’s Odyssey is hospitality. In ancient
Greek, the people regarded hospitality highly. Although many might see hospitality as a major
theme in any literary work as strange, but Homer did give great importance to this theme. The
poem is filled with instances of hospitality of the highest level. When Goddess Athena arrived at
the palace of Odyssey, his son Telemachus welcomed her warmly. It showed the kind of
hospitality the people of Greek offered to their guests.
“Welcome, stranger, here you will find hospitality, and after you have eaten you may tell
us why you are here (Book 1, line 105).”
Homer ably demonstrates this theme by showing the grace and dignity with which
Penelope treats her insolent suitors. The poem also makes careful use of motifs, one of which is
disguise. At the very beginning of the poem, the poet describes the hero as a “man of twists and
turns”. Athena too comes to visit Telemachus in disguise of a chief named Mentes.
In this section, the theme of everyman in Dante’s Inferno is discussed. Dante expresses
this theme throughout the poem by making use of symbols and phrases. In the first lines of the
poem, Dante introduces himself as man who finds himself lost in a dark forest “midway upon the
journey of our life” (Canto 1, line 1). The use of ‘our’ symbolizes the theme of everyman as it
can be related to each man who loses his path and commits a sin in life. It means that one can in
a way, identify with Dante and his journey to Paradise that is Salvation. It thus can be inferred
that the experience the poet gains in the journey is universal. In this sense, he is ‘everyman’.

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MAJOR THEME IN ODYSSEY AND INFERNO
He embarks on a journey where he witnesses the penalties of sin for the entire humanity.
The poet wants every man to witness the same things he is witnessing and learn a lesson. The
poem presents many instances from which the theme is evident. One such is presented in lines
where the poet mentions Beatrice, his long lost love, for whom he takes on the journey. Other
men also take up something important in life in order to fulfill someone’s wish or with the hope
that the loved one is by their side (Pinsky & Alighieri, 1996).
“And never moved she from before my face,
Nay, rather did impede so much my way,
That many times I to return had turned.”
Dante further presents this theme of everyman while he explains the different stages of
his journey. In his endeavor to complete the journey through hell, purgatory and paradise, Virgil,
another famous poet and an old friend, guides the poet. It is one of the motifs of the poem. The
poet has made good use of this motif as readers can see several other instances of such motifs
when the poet reaches every circle of hell. Another persistent motif visible in his work is the
presence of political arguments. He makes subtle remarks on the political scenario of Florence
during the 14th century; the time when he was exiled. He condemns people like Corso Donati and
Pope Boniface VIII who were responsible for is exile although he does not directly mention their
names. In Canto 6, the poet mentions Ciacco who narrates the story of exile in prophecy.
"Thy city, which is full
Of envy so that now the sack runs over,
Held me within it in the life serene.
You citizens were wont to call me Ciacco;
For the pernicious sin of gluttony
I, as thou seest, am battered by this rain” (Canto 6, lines 52-56).

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MAJOR THEME IN ODYSSEY AND INFERNO
Focusing back on the theme of everyman, it is a Christian theme and the poet has
managed to introduce it clearly to the readers and then develop it further by making use of
imageries. It is also interesting to see that the poet wants people to learn lessons from is poem
but not through the journey of the mass but one specific individual. This theme is evident
throughout the poem. One instance that can be used to exemplify this theme is in Canto 3.
“And he to me: "This miserable mode
Maintain the melancholy souls of those
Who lived withouten infamy or praise”(Canto 3, lines 35-37)
It is imperative to state that both Homer and Dante were successful in bringing forward
the major themes clearly for the readers to understand. A close study of both poems reveals that
both Homer and Dante had great expertise on using motifs. Another interesting fact that comes to
the surface after analyzing both the works is that the presence of a guide who helps the
protagonist through his journey is present in both the poems. It thus can be stated that both the
poets had presented the themes in a sound manner by making use of poetic techniques like
imagery, symbols and so on.

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MAJOR THEME IN ODYSSEY AND INFERNO
References:
Pinsky, R., & Alighieri, D. (1996). Inferno.
Stanford, W. B. (Ed.). (2001). Homer, Odyssey: Books I-XII. Bristol Classical Press.