The Iliad and the Odyssey

The Iliad and the Odyssey are two of Homer’s surviving works. These two epics poems are great works of literature that help us understand life in ancient Greece. The Iliad is compared to a tragedy while the Odyssey is compared to a comedy. The Greeks used both the Iliad and the Odyssey as a Bible and even as a history book. The two epics taught the ancient Greeks virtues and values. The Iliad is known as the greatest work of Greek literature. Many even believe that it is the first Greek poem to be recorded. It is set during the final year of the Trojan War. This epic poem was significant because for Greeks of later centuries, it revealed their history. The Iliad told them about the Greek’s culture and their unity. The Odyssey is my favorite epic poem. I think that this epic was so significant because it taught a lesson. It taught people to have faith and believe in miracles.

Odysseus’ quest stressed how important determination and never giving up is. Odysseus’ character also showed readers how to deal with temptation. Even his wife Penelope had a lesson to teach. Her character showed the importance of staying faithful, even when times seem unbearable. Both The Iliad and The Odyssey provided the Ancient Greeks and even readers today with a door to their history. By reading either of the works, one can better understand their culture and learn their morals and values. The two epic poems are still significant today because the same morals and lessons that they discussed then, are still valuable to generations today. The Iliad and The Odyssey both show just how important courage, strength, determination, faith, and hard work really are.