The Odyssey is one of the oldest and most well-known epics in the world. The work remains relevant and is often used to draw comparisons between the ancient and modern worlds. This can be attributed to Homer’s ability to describe the culture and life of the people of the ancient era with quality and detail. There are stark differences between the world of ancient Greece and the modern one. In particular, the Greek belief that one’s fate and standing in society depends on fate and gods opposes the contemporary self-made American culture.
The epic is filled with elements of mythology, culture, and the daily lives of ancient Greeks and Romans. Throughout the chapters, the Greek Gods are shown as active participants in the poem, directly affecting the journey and life of Odysseus and his crew (Homer 236). They decide whether he succeeds in his journey or fails under the weight of the trials they bestowed upon him. In the epic, they are not portrayed through the eyes of the characters but rather are active characters themselves.
Thus, the Odyssey shows the reliance of ancient Greeks on religion and the Olympic Gods, who could control and change the fates of people. The pantheon of gods in which the ancient Greeks believed is now considered only myths, while for them, they were patrons existing in all spheres of life. Although religion still exists today, it is strikingly different from the one described in the Odyssey. In addition, many people do not subscribe to any religion, believing they are the makers of their fates.
In summary, the Odyssey depicts the culture of the long-gone world of ancient Greece, which is strikingly different from the modern world. The religion of ancient Greece no longer has a place in the world, with other religions having little similarities to it. Furthermore, today, one’s fate and success in life are not ascribed to divine intervention but to their own ability, competence, and perseverance.
Work Cited
Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Robert Fagles, Penguin, 1996.