I found through my reading of the Odyssey that Loyalty played a significant role in its development. Loyalty by its definition means a firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution. Homer presents four major illustrations of loyalty, which are given by Penelope, Telemachus, the servants Eumaeus and Philoetius, and Odysseus. Penelope is Odysseus's devoted wife who not only does not re-marry, but also keeps hope that Odysseus is still alive. Telemachus embarks on a journey to find his father, who he has no recollection of. Eumaeus, the swineherd and Philoetius, the cowherd remained faithful servants of Odysseus even during his epic journey. Odysseus himself stayed true to the gods, who managed to keep him alive.
Penelope is probably the best representative of loyalty in this epic novel. Penelope is a faithful wife, who waits twenty years without ever allowing she to marry one of the many suitors. There eventually did come a time when Penelope told the suitors......
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Approximate Pages: 3 (260 words per double-spaced page) |