We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy

Omen Birds in Homer’s ”Odyssey”

essay
The whole doc is available only for registered users

A limited time offer! Get a custom sample essay written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed

Order Now

Omen birds are an important theme in the Odyssey. They are important prophecies. Omen birds play a much stronger part in Ithaca and in Telemachus’s story than in the Odyssey. In The Odyssey, omen birds foretell the killing of the suitors, Odysseus’s homecoming, and reassure Telemachus that his house will remain powerful.

In The Odyssey, when the Telemachy is starting and Telemachus first addresses the suitors, and says “If you think it a sounder scheme to destroy one man’s estate and not make restitution, then eat your fill, while I pray that Zeus will bring a say of reckoning, when in this house I will destroy you, and not make restitution.”(Book 2, lines 140-144) to warn them that if they do not leave his house, eventually they will be killed, as he speaks, Zeus sends two eagles to fly over the suitors. This prophecy foretells the massacre of the suitors, but none listen.

In book fifteen, Telemachus Returns, when he is with Menelaus, about to leave and return to Ithaca, an eagle flies from the right carrying a goose from the yard. Helen says “Just as this eagle came down from his native mountains and pounced on our home-fed goose, so shall Odysseus, after many hardships and many wanderings, reach his home and have his revenge. Or he is already there and planning trouble for the whole pack of Suitors!” (Book 15, lines 172-179). This omen compares Odysseus to the eagle, and the suitors to the goose, which is helpless against the eagle.

When Telemachus finally lands on the shore of Ithaca, he doubts that they will be able to stop his wife from marrying a suitor. He is talking to Theoclymenus when Apollo’s bird, the hawk, flies by holding a dove. Theoclymenus pulls Telemachus away and says “Telemachus, it was by a god’s will that this bird flew past on your right. Directly I set eyes on it I knew it for a bird of omen. In all Ithaca there is no house more royal than yours. Yours is the power for all time.” (Book 15, lines 529-534). This omen reassured Telemachus that his house would not fall apart.

Omen birds show up many times in The Odyssey. They serve as warnings and directions. People who pay attention to omen birds are successful, but people who ignore them get into trouble.

Related Topics

We can write a custom essay

According to Your Specific Requirements

Order an essay
icon
300+
Materials Daily
icon
100,000+ Subjects
2000+ Topics
icon
Free Plagiarism
Checker
icon
All Materials
are Cataloged Well

Sorry, but copying text is forbidden on this website. If you need this or any other sample, we can send it to you via email.

By clicking "SEND", you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails.
Sorry, but only registered users have full access

How about getting this access
immediately?

Your Answer Is Very Helpful For Us
Thank You A Lot!

logo

Emma Taylor

online

Hi there!
Would you like to get such a paper?
How about getting a customized one?

Can't find What you were Looking for?

Get access to our huge, continuously updated knowledge base

The next update will be in:
14 : 59 : 59