Good World Literature Essay Example

Assignment 1

The smile has great significance in the climactic moment when Odysseus strings the bow. At this crucial moment in the epic, it reveals several important characteristics of Odysseus. It has indicated that persuasiveness and dexterity. Penelope announced that she would tie a knot to the suitor who could string the bow, and shoot the arrow via a line of about 12 axes. The suitors, however, tried their best by warming and greasing the bow so that it could be made supple, but they failed. In the meantime, Odysseus followed Philoetius and Eumaeus, assured himself of Philoetius’s and Eumaeus’s faithfulness, and disclose his identity by showing the scar on the foot. Further, he promised to treat them in a proper manner if they fought against the suitors. Odysseus, however, asked for the bow from the suitors, and the suitors feared and complained about the chances of success of Odysseus. Eumaeus was ordered to give the bow to Odyddeus, who stringed it rapidly and shoot the arrow squealing through all the 12 axes (Homer, 2007).
Moreover, the smile in the epic represents the cultural values of the ancient Greeks. The smile indicates eloquences, mental quickness, and skepticism, and these values are well-liked by the ancient Greeks, particularly by the Athenians. In his epic, Odysseus has shown several supreme values of the ancient Greek culture. He showed hospitality, faithfulness, relationship of host and guest, respect and honor. All these characteristics are found in the ancient Greek culture.
In a nutshell, the smile holds great importance because it indicates many characteristics of Odyssey such as loyalty, respect, and effective relationships, etc., these characteristics also indicate the ancient Greek culture because they are frequently found in the ancient culture of Greece.

References

Homer. The Odyssey. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2007.