The Odyssey Essay Topics
We will begin work on the essays once we’ve completed the reading. Between now and then you need
to consider the following topics and choose one for your paper. Read over each topic; as we continue to
read, listen for lines that will fit with your topic (that you can use in your paper!). You will commit to a
topic later. Your essay will follow the traditional essay format: introduction (hook, work/author, thesis),
body paragraphs (include textual evidence in ALL), and conclusion (restate thesis, summarize, make
connection to the importance of The Odyssey in today’s world)
CHOOSE ONE:
1. Discuss at least three of Odyssey’s character traits, and find situations in the epic that reveal
each trait. Sum up your opinion of his character by your conclusion. Do you think he is totally
admirable? To what extent would he be considered a hero today?
2. On at least three occasions in the Odyssey, good advice is offered and not taken, and disaster
and suffering result. Discuss three such examples.
3. Examine the ways in which it can be said that Homer’s The Odyssey is an epic journey that is
both physical and spiritual in nature. Specifically, what is the purpose of the journey, and what
lessons are learned on it? What is the result of the journey? What is Homer’s message? Be sure
to use specific examples/ quotes to support your thesis.
4. In Part 2 of the Odyssey, Penelope shows that she is a strong woman, and therefore a good
match for Odysseus, because she is clever. Discuss three times when Penelope was clever.
5. Explain Homer’s presentation of women in The Odyssey. What characters represent which of
the archetypes of faithful wife, seducer, disloyal wife/ destroyer, and monster? What is the
purpose of these depictions? Be sure to use specific examples/ quotes to support your thesis.
Taking into consideration such characters as Penelope, Circe, Athena, and the Sirens, discuss
how women are portrayed.
6. What is the importance of the father/son relationships in the Odyssey? Thinking about what the
story presents about the relationships between Odysseus and Laertes, Odysseus and
Telemachus, and Polyphemus and Poseidon, describe what characteristics of this relationship
the Greeks valued.
7. The Odyssey contains some very graphic violence, some of which is done in anger and some of
which is not. Select examples of each, and explain the purpose of each violent scene.
8. Hospitality, the concept of welcoming visitors and treating them well, was important to the
Ancient Greeks. Find examples in the Odyssey of times when the “rules” of hospitality are
followed and times when it wasn’t. What role did these examples play in the epic.
9. What is the nature of man’s relationship with the gods as it is depicted in The Odyssey? What
overall message or lesson does this depiction serve to support in the work? Be sure to use
specific examples/ quotes to support your thesis.
Reminders:
Please follow these requirements to ensure yourself of maximum points:
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Use MLA Format, including headers
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It is important that you take time to organize your thoughts through prewriting/shaping.
(Re: organize body paragraphs first!)
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Create a clear and argumentative thesis statement and place it at the end of your
introductory paragraph.
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Organize two-three body paragraphs that contain at least two quotes each; begin each
paragraph with a clear and argumentative topic sentence
Provide a smooth lead-in for each quote which gives contextual information
Include parenthetical citations with page numbers after each quote
Learn from your last essay and strive to provide more insight and analysis as opposed to
merely restating the quote; delve beneath the surface!
Make sure your Concluding paragraph is all commentary.
No contractions!
No 1st/2nd person pronouns (I, me, we, you, your, etc). [***they/he/she are ok]
Indent all paragraphs
Every paragraph needs textual evidence
Underline/italicize the name of the book
Check for spelling errors/typos