The Odyssey - Setting Importance

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The epic poem The Odyssey by Homer has many different settings throughout the course of it, some more influential than others. The majority of the poem is describing Odysseus’s journey back to his homeland, Ithaca; although he comes across many problems on the way there. On his journey, he is out at sea battling again Poseidon, the sea god. While on his way to Ithaca, he comes across an island that he and his men end up staying at for a year, that island is Aeaea where Circe lives. The last third of the story is presented in Ithaca, where Odysseus deals with the suitors and his wife and son. The setting of all of these is important and influential; without each of these places, the poem’s main actions would not have happened. Poseidon and Odysseus do not have the best relationship. Poseidon is trying with all his power to keep Odysseus away from Ithaca. He's held a grudge against Odysseus and his men because they blinded his son, Polyphemus, who is a beastly Kyklops. Polyphemos calls down a curse on Odysseus and his men: "O hear me lord, blue girdler of the islands, if I am thine indeed, and thou art father: Grant that Odysseus, raider of cities, never see his home: Laertes' son, I mean, who kept his hall on Ithaka. Should destiny intend that he shall see his roof again among his family in his father land, far be that day, and dark the years between. Let him lose all companions, and return under strange sail to bitter days at home,"(IX;576-586). Poseidon’s anger is first showed when he sends strong waves to Odysseus’s location, that wrecks his raft in which he built to get off of Calypso’s island. That leaves Odysseus with no boat, he decides to walk along to shore to get home. Meanwhile, Poseidon is stirring up a storm while Odysseus is making his way along the shore. Odysseus hopes to ease Poseidon’s temper by performing simple tasks. Tiresias informs Odysseus

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