Why The Odyssey?
By Kendall Richard
The story of Odysseus has endured for thousands of years and the story has been seen in various forms throughout countless movies, books, and television series. But why has this story endured the test of time?
The grand adventures Odysseus faces are so beyond our everyday life. However, somehow we all relate to Odyssesus. Greek mythology has provided me with a sense of wonder since I started learning about the gods in sixth grade; no other story is as compelling as the Odyssey. The stories of Odysseus' cunning motivated me to become more clever myself, the love of Penelope for her husband challenged me to be a better friend to those around me, and overall, Odysseus’ struggles reflect our own.
Ultimately, the Odyssey has withstood the test of time because despite its age, the story is incredibly relevant. In our own lives, each of us will endure our own journeys, full of trials and tribulations, and much like Odysseus we will all survive them. The tales of Greek mythology can inspire, educate, and better our world of today; however, they will only achieve this if we allow them to. It is imperative that we continue talking about the impact of the Odyssey on our modern world and how we can use these stories to grow in the future.
Odysseus’ struggles reflect our own.