Themes+and+Values11

THEMES - Respect. Respect is a present theme throughout the chapter. For example, the Phaiakians respect Odysseus for all his adventures, and therefore listen to his story. Odysseus also respects the Phaiakians, most of all Arêtê and Alkinoos, and keeps telling his story, even though he is tired and would like to sleep. Respect also appears in the chapter when Odysseus performs a sacrifice to the dead. This shows respect towards the spirit and gods of the underworld - Astuteness: In many occasions, Odysseus is referred to as “the great tactician,” (pg. 196 and 197). This is because he is astute and knows what to say at each moment, how to treat the people, and how to take care of the situation for his own benefit. He uses the hospitality of the people and his adventures to gain sympathy towards him, and therefore get back home. - Hospitality: Hospitality is also a theme in this chapter. It appears when Arêtê interrupts Odysseus’ story, and says, “He is my guest, but each one shares that honor,” (pg. 196). Arêtê has to do her duty as a host, and gives him and other people shelter, and goods.

VALUES: - Have a funeral: Elpenor asks Odysseus to bury his body, in order to rest in peace and to be remembered. To have a funeral represents honor to the dead person, so it is an important value, as Elpenor shows. - Ancestry: Every time there is a conversation, the two people refer to each other by their ancestors. This shows that being the descendant of an honorable or important person was well seen in Greece. - Examples: - “Son of Laërtes” (187). - “O son of Atreus…” (198). - Epithets: Epithets are descriptive nicknames. These are used commonly when one person meets, or salutes another person. - Examples: - “Odysseus, lord of land ways and sea ways…” (198). - “Achilles, Peleus’ son, strongest of all among the Akhaians…” (200).