An ageless human story and also the most renowned literary work from Greek antiquity, Odyssey is written by the author behind the masterpiece The Iliad, Homer. The poem follows the journey of the hero, Odysseus, who struggled to return to his motherland after the Trojan War.

The narrator identifies the protagonist as a courageous warrior who was better known for his cunning intellect that was besieged by obstacles thrown unto him by Poseidon, the God of the sea as they share a dispute between each other. The notion of love conquering fear and hatred is a strong theme in the poem, portrayed by the protagonist in his challenging journey to return to his island. What message does the poem send to its readers? Which element prevails: love or hatred?

With more elaborate structure and chronology, the story is an individual test of moral endurance as the ‘man of twists and turns’ is placed in the face of tyranny. In your opinion, what are the strengths of the protagonist? Do those elements characterise his heroism?

The story of Odyssey is a story of survival quest that relates to the passage of life. The poem is enriched with a variety of mythical narratives; however, it highlights the importance of love, family and home, which is a more modernised focus. Do you think it is part – if any – of the reason why Odyssey is a classic?