Essay on Names in The Odyssey and The Bible -- comparison compare cont

Importance of Names in The Odyssey and The Bible      Ã‚   Two of the most widely studied ancient works are Homer’s Odyssey and the book of Genesis from the Bible.   Each of these texts provides a unique viewpoint of an early civilization.   In both of the texts, one can learn not only stories about great heroes, but also about the way that these peoples lived and what they believed.   Many interesting parallels can be drawn between the two developing societies shown in the Odyssey and the book of Genesis.   One parallel is the importance placed on names by each culture. Although viewed as important in different ways, the value placed on a name shows a striking similarity between the evolving cultures of both the Greeks and the Hebrews.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the Odyssey, Homer’s characters frequently allude to the importance of names.   For these ancient Greeks, a name symbolizes one’s identity, ancestry, and honor.   It is the one thing a man always owns, even if he possesses nothing else.   This is clearly shown through the hero, Odysseus.   While traveling home from the Trojan War, Odysseus, in effect, loses his title, land, and power for twenty years.   He remains with nothing but his name to speak for his character and person.   As he himself says at the beginning of Book IX when beginning to tell his story to the Phaiacians, â€Å"First of all I will tell you my name, and then you may count me one of your friends if I live to reach my home, although that is far away.   I am Odysseus Laertiades, a name well known in the world as one who is ready for any event.†Ã‚   Although away from his home and all things that could speak well of him, Odysseus is still in possession of his nam e, which clearly shows his good character.   This speech of Odysseus also show... ... to be carefully guarded, for if everything else is lost, it remains forever.   Thus, there is nothing more precious to a man than to have a name that carries intrinsic honor and meaning throughout his whole life.   A man is defined by who he is, and that is shown best through his name.   As clearly shown in the texts, to have a good name and to be remembered by it ought to be the main goal for any and every man.    Works Cited and Consulted Bloom, Harold ,   Homer's Odyssey: Edited and with an Introduction, NY, Chelsea House 1988 Heubeck, Alfred, J.B. Hainsworth, et al. A commentary on Homer's Odyssey. 3 Vols. Oxford PA4167 .H4813 1988 Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fitzgerald. New York: Vintage Books, 1989. Tracy, Stephen V. ,The Story of the Odyssey Princeton UP 1990 The Holy Bible. New Revised Standard Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989.